TORONTO – Jalen Rose had 26 points, Rafer Alston scored all 16 of his points in the second half and the Toronto Raptors matched the biggest comeback in franchise history in a 103-100 victory over the Washington Wizards on Friday night.
Toronto trailed by 22 points in the third quarter before rallying to tie the comeback mark set April 19, 1996, also against Washington.
Rose and Alston combined for 23 of Toronto’s 34 points in the fourth quarter. Alston returned to the Raptors following a two-game suspension after he stormed out of practice last week.
The Raptors gained momentum after Washington’s Gilbert Arenas was ejected in the third after receiving a technical before throwing a bounce pass that hit official Bill Kennedy in the leg.
76ers 103, Hawks 85
PHILADELPHIA – Allen Iverson had 22 points and 12 assists, and Kyle Korver made five 3-pointers to lead the Philadelphia 76ers to a 103-85 win over the Atlanta Hawks on Friday night.
Korver, who entered second in the league in 3-pointers made, hit four in the third quarter then another early in the fourth after the Hawks pulled within single digits.
Korver went 5-of-8 from 3-point range – 6-of-10 overall – and his squealing fans let him know how much they appreciated it. Kids 12 and under received a replica of Korver’s jersey and made it sound like a boy-band concert each time he touched the ball.
Pacers 95, Mavericks 94
INDIANAPOLIS – Jermaine O’Neal scored 23 points and Anthony Johnson added a season-high 21, including two free throws with 4.6 seconds to go, to help the Indiana Pacers snap a six-game losing streak with a 95-94 victory over Dallas.
The two free throws by Johnson, who did not miss a shot from the field, gave Indiana a 95-92 lead, and he intentionally fouled Dirk Nowitzki to avoid the possibility of a tying 3-pointer. Nowitzki made the first free throw, then accidentally banked the second one in after trying to miss in hopes of a rebound.
Bucks 92, Clippers 90
MILWAUKEE – Michael Redd scored 32 points, including the go-ahead basket with 15 seconds left, to lift the Milwaukee Bucks over the Los Angeles Clippers 92-90 Friday night.
Desmond Mason scored 15 points for the Bucks, who ended the Clippers’ three-game winning streak and prevented Los Angeles (23-24) from climbing above the .500 mark for the first time in February since the 1992-93 season.
Kings 116, Knicks 115
SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Mike Bibby scored 15 of his career-high 40 points in the fourth quarter, and Matt Barnes made the go-ahead free throw and two big defensive plays to cap the Sacramento Kings’ incredible rally for a 116-115 victory over the New York Knicks on Friday night.
Brad Miller had 35 points as the Kings came back from an 11-point deficit in the final 3 minutes, scoring nine points in the final 48 seconds to shock the Knicks despite the absence of three injured starters.
Rockets 119, T-wolves 113
MINNEAPOLIS – Tracy McGrady had 40 points, 13 rebounds and a clutch 3-pointer in overtime to lead the Houston Rockets to a 119-113 overtime victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves on Friday night.
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