Ford injured in fall, leaves on stretcher

T.J. Ford's teammates said the Toronto Raptors' guard was moving before he was taken off the court on a stretcher following a scary fall late in Tuesday night's 100-88 victory over the host Atlanta Hawks.

Ford, who missed the 2004-05 season with Milwaukee following neck surgery, stole the ball and was headed toward a breakaway basket when Atlanta rookie Al Horford hit his face with his hand. Ford landed hard on his back, his head bouncing off the floor.

"After awhile I could see him moving and that was a relief," Toronto's Chris Bosh said, adding there was immediate concern about Ford because everyone knew his injury history.

"It turns my stomach because of who it is," Bosh said. "Like I say, we know about his situation and everything.

"He was conscious. He wasn't trying to move too much. I'm sure he was feeling pain in his arms and legs. I just hope he's OK."

Raptors spokesman Jim LaBumbard confirmed Ford "had feeling in his upper and lower extremities when he was taken off the floor."

Ford was taken to Piedmont Hospital in Atlanta.

Pistons 113, Grizzlies 103: Chauncey Billups had 28 points and 14 assists, while Richard Hamilton scored 27 points as Detroit beat host Memphis. Rudy Gay led Memphis with 20 points, 16 in the second half, while Pau Gasol and Kyle Lowry both had 18 points.

Wizards 102, T'wolves 88: Antawn Jamison led the way with 22 points and 13 rebounds, Caron Butler added 20 points and 10 rebounds, and host Washington overcame a career-high 36 points from Craig Smith to beat Minnesota.

Cavaliers 118, Pacers 105: Cleveland, sparked by its superstar's return, snapped a six-game losing streak with a win over visiting Indiana. LeBron James, the NBA's leading scorer, had missed Cleveland's previous five games with what the Cavs have described as a sprained left index finger. James scored 17 points in 22 minutes.