SCOREBOARD
Monday, Dec. 10
Miami at Phoenix (9 p.m. EST). The Suns had a five-game winning streak snapped on Saturday.
STARS
Saturday
-Josh Howard, Mavericks, scored a career-high 47 points to push Dallas past Utah 125-117.
-Al Jefferson, Timberwolves, tied a career-high with 32 points to go with 20 rebounds to carry Minnesota over Phoenix 100-93.
-Josh Smith, Hawks, scored 25 points in Atlanta’s 86-78 victory over Memphis.
-Kenyon Martin, Nuggets, had 20 points, 12 rebounds and five blocks to lead Denver past Sacramento 101-97.
NOT GOING WELL
Willie Green scored 18 points to help Philadelphia complete a home-and-home sweep of New York and win consecutive games for the first time this season with a 105-77 victory Saturday. Nate Robinson didn’t play in the first half but scored 25 points for the Knicks, who trailed by as many as 28 points and fell into last place in the Atlantic Division. None of New York’s starters reached double figures.
STREAKING
Rajon Rondo matched a season-high with 18 points and Boston defeated Chicago 92-81 Saturday to win its sixth straight and improve to an NBA-best 17-2. The Bulls had swept two straight season series from the Celtics. … Steve Nash had 15 assists in Phoenix’s 100-93 loss to Minnesota and has at least 14 assists in six straight games.
SNAPPED
Charlotte topped Cleveland 96-93 Saturday to snap a seven-game losing streak and hand the Cavaliers their sixth straight defeat. LeBron James missed his fifth straight game with a sprained left index finger, despite an extensive shooting session before the game. … Minnesota downed Phoenix 100-93 Saturday to snap a five-game skid and stop the Suns’ five-game winning streak. Amare Stoudemire scored 16 for Phoenix and was held under 25 points for the first time in five games. … Dallas shot 59.7 percent to defeat Utah 125-117. The Mavericks had lost two straight losses, three of four and six of nine.
STRONG IN DEFEAT
Deron Williams scored a career-high 41 points, including 32 in the second half, in Utah’s 125-117 loss to Dallas on Saturday. The Jazz shot 60.5 percent for the game and an incredible 14-of-17 (82.4 percent) in the third quarter but lost their third straight.
STRUGGLING
Sacramento fell to Denver 101-97 Saturday for its second straight loss and remained winless on the road this season (0-8). … Atlanta defeated Memphis 86-78 to hand the Grizzlies their fourth straight loss. Memphis shot 1-for-15 from 3-point range in the loss. Atlanta has won three of four and six of nine.
SPEAKING
“Two in a row, back-to-back with Philly. It’s been a while since I felt like this.” – New York’s Eddy Curry, after the Knicks were defeated by Philadelphia for the second straight night and dropped into last place in the Atlantic Division.