Monday 7 March 2011

NBA: New Jersey Nets win triple-OT thriller over Toronto Raptors in London

Posted by chardyboy on Monday, March 07, 2011 0 comments

source: Associated Press


Travis Outlaw and the New Jersey Nets were up to the challenge of providing excitement for the NBA's European fans.

The Toronto Raptors more than did their part, too.

Outlaw scored the final eight points for New Jersey in a 137-136 triple overtime win Saturday night that gave the Nets a sweep of their two games in London.

The game provided exactly the kind of thrilling finish league officials were looking for when they decided to bring regular-season games to Europe for the first time.

Outlaw made two free throws with 12.6 seconds remaining to put the Nets ahead for good, and Andrea Bargnani missed a jumper at the buzzer as New Jersey swept the doubleheader at London's O2 Arena.

"Hats off to the NBA ... because I think it's a huge success," Nets coach Avery Johnson said of the European experiment. "This is one of the best wins I've been a part of."

Brook Lopez had 34 points and 14 rebounds for the Nets but fouled out in the second overtime. Deron Williams added 21 points and 18 assists for his fifth straight double-double since joining the Nets from Utah.

Jazz 109, Kings 102: Al Jefferson scored 27 points and Raja Bell had two crucial jumpers and a steal in overtime to help host Utah hold off Sacramento to stop the Jazz's home losing streak at seven games.

Utah's Paul Millsap was diagnosed with a strained left patella tendon after leaving the game in the third quarter with  a knee injury.

The power forward had left earlier in the period to get a brace refitted, but just more than a minute later he signaled to the bench that he couldn't continue.

Wizards 103, Timberwolves 96: John Wall scored 18 points and had 11 rebounds to lead host Washington to a win.

Kevin Love scored 20 points and had 21 rebounds for Minnesota, the third straight game with at least 20 points and 20 rebounds for the All-Star forward and his 11th of the season. It was Love's 50th double-double in a row, one game shy of tying the mark set by Moses Malone in 1978-79. Love leads the NBA with 59 this season.

Rockets 112, Pacers 95: Kevin Martin scored 20 points and Chase Budinger and Kyle Lowry added 18 apiece as host Houston beat Indiana.

The Rockets have won six of seven and are climbing into the Western Conference playoff picture.

Lakers: Guard Derek Fisher is expected to play Sunday against San Antonio despite a sprained left elbow. Fisher was injured in a tussle for a rebound with Kwame Brown during Los Angeles' win over Charlotte on Friday. The five-time NBA champion point guard has played in 476 consecutive regular-season games, the NBA's longest active streak
Grizzlies: Former Cal star Leon Powe, a free agent, has signed with Memphis. Powe gives the Grizzlies help at forward, where Rudy Gay remains out after dislocating his left shoulder on Feb. 15.

The 6-foot-8 Powe averaged 5.0 points and 2.7 rebounds in 14 games for the Cleveland Cavaliers this season before he was waived on Feb. 24. He also brings playoff experience, serving as a key reserve for Boston during its 2007-08 championship season.

Magic: Center Dwight Howard has been suspended for one game without pay for picking up his 16th technical foul of the season. He will serve the suspension Monday when the Magic are home against Portland.

Howard leads the NBA in technicals this season. His latest one came Friday against Chicago.
Celtics: Shaquille O'Neal's foot is still bothering him, pushing back his return to Boston's lineup, coach Doc Rivers said. Rivers had hoped to have O'Neal play Wednesday at home against the Clippers. He has been out since Feb. 1, missing 12 games with soreness in his lower right leg and Achilles' tendon.


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