EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. – Vince Carter scored 21 points to lead the New Jersey Nets over the Utah Jazz 91-83 on Wednesday night.

Nenad Krstic added 18 points on 7-for-9 shooting for New Jersey, which shot 49 percent (33-for-67) from the field. Richard Jefferson missed the second triple-double of his career by one rebound with 17 points, nine rebounds and 12 assists.

Clippers 102, Wizards 97

WASHINGTON – Elton Brand had 31 points and 13 rebounds, and the Los Angeles Clippers beat Washington 102-97 Wednesday night for the Wizards’ first loss of the season.

Brand’s double-double was the 181st of his career, tying him with Loy Vaught for the Clippers’ franchise record.

76ers 112, Mavericks 97

PHILADELPHIA – Allen Iverson scored 25 points and keyed a decisive 15-0 run to lead the Philadelphia 76ers to a 112-97 win over the Dallas Mavericks on Wednesday night.

Andre Iguodala scored 22 points, Kyle Korver 20 and Chris Webber had 19 points and 11 rebounds for the Sixers, who opened a season-long four-game homestand with their first home win.

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Spurs 94, Bobcats 86

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Tim Duncan scored 29 points and Tony Parker added 23 to lead the San Antonio Spurs to a 94-86 victory over the winded Charlotte Bobcats on Wednesday night.

The Bobcats, who played into overtime in three of their first four games, were clearly feeling the effects of that grind against the defending NBA champions. The Spurs led almost the entire way and the final score was closer than the game ever was.

Cavaliers 112, Sonics 85

CLEVELAND – LeBron James scored 31 points, Larry Hughes added 13 and the Cleveland Cavaliers made a team-record 28 straight free throws before their first miss, rolling to a 112-85 win over the Seattle SuperSonics on Wednesday night.

Making 19 of 19 free throws in the first 24 minutes, the Cavaliers built a 22-point halftime lead over the Sonics, who got blown out for the second game in a row.

‘Wolves 88, Lakers 74

MINNEAPOLIS – Kevin Garnett had 17 points and 15 rebounds and the Minnesota Timberwolves snapped Kobe Bryant’s 30-point game streak at four, beating the Los Angeles Lakers 88-74 on Wednesday night. Bryant entered the game averaging nearly 37 points a game and having scored 37 in two straight.

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Spurs 94, Bobcats 86

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Tim Duncan scored 29 points and Tony Parker added 23 to lead the San Antonio Spurs to a 94-86 victory over the winded Charlotte Bobcats on Wednesday night.

The Bobcats, who played into overtime in three of their first four games, were clearly feeling the effects of that grind against the defending NBA champions.

Pacers 95, Heat 90

INDIANAPOLIS – Ron Artest scored 24 points to lead the Indiana Pacers over the Miami Heat 95-90 Wednesday night.

Artest struggled from the free throw line until it mattered most. He made two with 53 seconds left to give the Pacers a 91-90 lead. After Dwyane Wade missed a jumper, Indiana’s Sarunas Jasikevicius scored on a layup with 14 seconds remaining to increase the Pacers’ lead to 93-90.

Magic 88, Hornets 83

OKLAHOMA CITY – Steve Francis scored 24 points to help the Orlando Magic beat New Orleans 88-83 on Wednesday night for the Hornets’ first loss in Oklahoma City.

After DeShawn Stevenson’s layup gave the Magic an 80-69 lead, the Hornets came charging back, going on a 10-2 run.

Bulls 85, Warriors 84

CHICAGO – Michael Sweetney hit two free throws with 6.3 seconds left and Kirk Hinrich added 23 points for the Chicago Bulls, who overcame 26 turnovers on their way to an 85-84 victory over the Golden State Warriors on Wednesday night.

Ben Gordon added 12 points and Sweetney scored nine – none bigger than the final two.

With the Warriors ahead 84-83, Hinrich found Sweetney on the right block. Troy Murphy fouled him, and Sweetney hit both free throws to put the Bulls ahead.


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