SCOREBOARD
Thursday, Jan. 10
Phoenix at Utah (10:30 p.m. EST). The Suns shot 20-for-31 from 3-point range in a 22-point win over Denver on Monday.
STARS
Wednesday
-Yao Ming, Rockets, scored 36 points and Houston beat New York 101-92.
-Jason Richardson, Bobcats, finished with 34 points and nine rebounds in a 95-83 win at Boston.
-Mo Williams, Bucks, scored a season-high 35 points to lead Milwaukee to a 98-92 victory over Miami.
-Steve Blake, Trailblazers, had 24 points on 8-of-10 shooting, including five-of-six on 3-pointers, leading Portland to a 109-91 win over Golden State.
STAYING PUT
Pat Riley dismissed published reports that he was leaning toward vacating his coaching role with the Miami Heat after the season to focus on his front-office duties he said before Wednesday’s 98-92 loss at Milwaukee.
SIDELINED
Phoenix Suns forward Grant Hill underwent an appendectomy on Wednesday and is expected to be sidelined for two to three weeks.
SNAPPED
Jason Kidd’s triple-double streak ended at three in New Jersey’s 99-88 blowout win over Seattle on Wednesday. Kidd finished with 16 points, 11 assists and five rebounds in a game in which he sat on the bench for the final 12 1/2 minutes. Michael Jordan was the last player to record four straight triple-doubles, doing it during a streak of seven in 1989. The NBA record is nine in a row by Wilt Chamberlain in the 1967-68 season. … Atlanta stopped a six-game home losing streak to Cleveland with a 90-81 win. The Cavaliers’ last loss in Atlanta was Nov. 22, 2003. … Boston (29-4) lost 95-83 to Charlotte on Wednesday ending the Celtics’ nine-game winning streak. The defeat spoiled Boston’s bid for the fastest start in team history to 30 wins. The 1959-60 Celtics started 30-4 before going on to win the NBA title.
EJECTED
Isiah Thomas was ejected during New York’s 101-92 loss to Houston on Wednesday. Thomas was tossed in the opening minute of the fourth quarter when he came onto the floor to argue with referee Eric Lewis that Yao Ming should have been called for a 3-second violation.
STREAKING
New Jersey has won eight of 10, following a 99-88 win over Seattle on Wednesday. … Los Angeles has won four straight and eight of 10 after a 109-80 win at New Orleans. …
STRONG IN DEFEAT
Chris Paul scored 32, but New Orleans lost 109-80 to Los Angeles. … Dwyane Wade finished with 32 points in Miami’s 98-92 loss at Milwaukee.
SLUMPING
Miami has lost nine straight, after a 98-92 loss at Milwaukee. … The Clippers lost for the 10th time in 11 home games and for the ninth time in 10 games overall with a 113-106 loss to Orlando.
SPEAKING
“I forgot what (hotel) room I was in a couple of times. It’s been a little tough.” – Philadelphia’s Willie Green after the 76ers’ 109-96 loss at Toronto on Wednesday. Philly has played 10 of its past 13 games on the road.