Heat drops ninth straight
Mo Williams scored a season-high 35 points to lead the host Milwaukee Bucks to a 98-92 victory over Miami on Wednesday night, sending the Heat to its ninth straight loss.
Dwyane Wade scored 34 points to lead Miami, which extended its longest losing streak since dropping 12 in a row in the 2001-02 season and also lost its eighth straight on the road. Jason Williams scored a season-high 23 points in his first game since recovering from inflammation in his left knee.
Andrew Bogut scored 17 points to lead Milwaukee, which played without guard Michael Redd for the fourth game in a row because of a deep thigh bruise.
Mo Williams made all 12 free throws and added 6 assists for Milwaukee, which won its third straight game for the first time since winning five in a row Nov. 14-24. Williams made 2 free throws to give Milwaukee a 95-90 lead with 10.3 seconds left.
After a layup by Wade with 7.4 seconds left, Williams made 2 more free throws for a 97-92 lead with 6.1 seconds remaining. Ricky Davis then missed a 3-pointer, and Yi Jianlian made 1 free throw for the final margin.
Hawks 90, Cavaliers 81: Joe Johnson scored 27 points to lead five Atlanta scorers in double figures, and the Hawks held off a late comeback to Cleveland for their first home win over the Cavs since 2003. The Hawks ended a four-game losing streak and snapped Cleveland's four-game winning streak.
Raptors 109, Sixers 96: Anthony Parker matched his season high with 22 points, Chris Bosh had 21, and host Toronto handed Philadelphia its season-high fifth straight loss. Jose Calderon had 17 points and 9 assists for the Raptors.
Rockets 101, Knicks 92: Yao Ming scored 36 points, and Houston got big final quarters from Rafer Alston and Luis Scola to beat host New York for the Rockets' season-high fourth straight victory. Alston added 20 points, 8 assists and 6 rebounds.
Nets 99, Sonics 88: Richard Jefferson scored 28 points, and host New Jersey cruised in a blowout over Seattle that probably prevented Jason Kidd from recording a fourth straight triple-double. Kidd finished with 16 points, 11 assists and 5 rebounds in a game in which he sat on the bench for the final 12½ minutes.
Bobcats 95, Celtics 83: Jason Richardson scored 34 points and grabbed 9 rebounds, Gerald Wallace had 15 points and 10 rebounds, and Charlotte handed host Boston its fourth loss of the season. The loss snapped a nine-game winning streak for the Celtics (29-4) and spoiled their bid for the fastest start in team history to 30 wins. The 1959-60 Celtics started 30-4 before going on to win the NBA title.
Lakers 109, Hornets 80: Kobe Bryant scored 19 points, Andrew Bynum added 17, and Los Angeles won its fourth straight, beating host New Orleans. The Lakers made 54.9 percent of their shots, hitting nine 3-pointers and while outscoring New Orleans 52-36 inside.