Funeral for ex-NBA star Johnson held (AP)Four months after the death of team patriarch Red Auerbach, Larry Bird, Kevin McHale and Danny Ainge reunited in grief Friday to say goodbye to former Boston Celtics teammate Dennis Johnson. The trio of Celtics stars joined about 1,000 mourners who shared tears and laughter during Johnson’s 1 1/2 -hour funeral.
Hinrich, Bulls pull away from Hornets (AP)Ben Gordon scored 27 points, and Kirk Hinrich added 11 of his 22 in the fourth quarter to help the Chicago Bulls pull away for a 104-93 victory over the New Orleans Hornets on Friday night. Chicago outscored New Orleans 21-5 over the final 7:10 on the way to its fifth win in seven games. The Hornets went on a 9-0 run early in the fourth quarter to take an 88-83 lead, but the Bulls took control…
Knicks hand Warriors fifth straight loss (AP)Trailing in the final minutes without Jamal Crawford to bail them out, the New York Knicks looked anywhere for contributions. They found them from Mardy Collins and Steve Francis — one who rarely plays and one who wasn’t originally expected to. Stephon Marbury scored 34 points, Quentin Richardson added 30 points and 12 rebounds, and the New York Knicks beat Golden State 106-97 Friday night, the…
Shaq’s late dunk lifts Heat over Pistons (AP)Shaquille O’Neal helped the Miami Heat build a 22-point lead. And when they blew it, he delivered the go-ahead dunk in the final minute to beat the Detroit Pistons. O’Neal had 31 points and 15 rebounds, both season highs, and the Heat earned their most impressive win yet since losing Dwyane Wade, edging Detroit 85-82 Friday night.
Suns’ Marion misses second straight game (AP)Suns All-Star forward Shawn Marion missed his second straight game Friday night because of a bruised right hand. Phoenix coach Mike D’Antoni said Marion’s hand, injured Tuesday at Indiana, was too swollen and sore for him to play in Friday’s rematch against the Pacers. “He can’t go tonight,” D’Antoni said.
