SCOREBOARD
Monday, Dec. 31
Toronto at New Orleans (8 p.m. EST). Chris Paul of the Hornets is averaging 24.6 points and 10.0 assists in December.
STARS
Sunday
– Amare Stoudemire, Suns, had 31 points and 17 rebounds in a 117-102 victory over Sacramento.
– Tim Duncan, Spurs, had 24 points and 17 rebounds in a 111-87 win over Memphis.
– Paul Pierce, Celtics, scored 33 points in Boston’s 110-91 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers.
– Baron Davis, Warriors, scored 28 points to help Golden State beat Denver 105-95.
BLAZING
The Portland Trail Blazers rallied to beat the Philadelphia 76ers 97-72 on Sunday for their league-leading 13th straight win. It is the second-longest winning streak in Blazers history. Portland won 16 straight in the 1990-91 season.
OFF THE BENCH
r good outing at Madison Square Garden.
STREAKING
Boston extended its winning streak to six games with a 110-91 win over the Lakers on Sunday night. The Celtics improved their record to an NBA-best best 26-3.
SNAPPED
Golden State beat the Nuggets 105-95 on Sunday night, ending a seven-game losing streak in Denver. The Nuggets ended their season-high seven-game winning streak with the loss. Golden State last won in Denver on Feb. 24, 2003.
SLUMPING
San Antonio beat Memphis 111-87 on Sunday night, handing the Grizzlies their fifth straight loss. Memphis has lost eight of 10.
SPEAKING
“I’m definitely not embracing it but what can I do. I have to use the minutes that I have and try to be productive and if I don’t play a lot of minutes, I don’t play a lot of minutes. There’s nothing I can do. I can’t sub myself into the game. I’m not going to go to him crying and whining about playing and starting and all that stuff. It definitely bugs me. I think I’m a starter in this league, but I guess not on this team.” – Knicks center Eddy Curry said of his reserve role after New York’s 100-83 loss to Chicago on Sunday.