Spurs grind out ninth straight victory (AP)The San Antonio Spurs are doing it with defense. For the third consecutive game, the Spurs held their opponents to 74 points, this time in an 88-74 victory Monday night over the Los Angeles Clippers to extend their season-high winning streak to nine games. The San Antonio reserves provided the majority of the offense, with Manu Ginobili and Beno Udrih combining for 30 points and pulling down eight…
Streaking Celtics top Wolves in 2OT (AP)Before the game against Minnesota on Sunday, somebody in the Celtics locker room posted a photo of Ricky Davis and Mark Blount, former Celtics now with the Timberwolves, embracing after Davis’ shot beat Boston last month. Celtics coach Doc Rivers wouldn’t reveal who posted the bulletin-board material, but before the game said he hoped it would motivate his young team.
Heat climb over .500 with win over Hawks (AP)Just like old times, the Miami Heat looked to Eddie Jones to deliver a victory. And the 35-year-old veteran did exactly that. Jones had 14 of his season-high 21 points in the final quarter, Shaquille O’Neal added 14 points and nine rebounds on the eve of his 35th birthday, and the Heat beat the Atlanta Hawks 88-81 on Monday night.
Wade provides inspirationDwyane Wade’s attempt to return from shoulder surgery gives the Heat badly needed hope.
Wade will attempt comeback this season (AP)Dwyane Wade’s dislocated left shoulder is so fragile there’s a risk of aggravating the injury when he sleeps. But come April, Wade figures he might be up to the rigors of the NBA playoffs. The All-Star guard said Monday he has decided to delay surgery and rehabilitate his shoulder with the goal of returning to help the Miami Heat defend their league title.
Nash carries Suns past Lakers 99-94 (AP)The Phoenix Suns usually sprint to victory. With their “mojo” severely lacking Sunday, they staggered to one. Steve Nash scored 18 of his 23 points in the second half — including two free throws with 5.4 seconds to play — and the Suns held on to beat the short-handed Los Angeles Lakers 99-94. “We just didn’t have a lot of mojo,” Nash said.
Yao returns but Cavs hold off Rockets (AP)LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers made Yao Ming feel like he was back in high school. Yao struggled in his first game after missing more than two months with a leg injury and the Cavaliers held off the Houston Rockets 91-85 Monday night, led by James’ 32 points, 12 rebounds and eight assists. Yao sat at his locker with a bag of ice on his right knee after the game.
