NBA

Coach is sidelined by cancer treatment

HOUSTON -- Rockets coach Rudy Tomjanovich knew what he had to do for himself and the team: He is taking an indefinite leave to treat his bladder cancer.

Tomjanovich, 54, broke the news to his players Wednesday in an emotional team meeting. The Rockets are vying for the final playoff spot in the Western Conference.

"At this critical part of the season, this team, any team, needs a coach who has got to give 100 percent of his thoughts to helping the team," Tomjanovich said. "As much as I love this team, I know my thoughts would be on some other things."

Tomjanovich missed the team's recent five-game road trip and had been expected to rejoin the team for Wednesday night's home game against the Lakers.

Assistant Larry Smith will continue to coach the Rockets during Tomjanovich's absence.

ZO PLOTS RETURN: Alonzo Mourning intends to play next season as long as his body cooperates. "My intentions are to play. The only thing that can stop me is my body," Mourning said. "Other than that, I know I can play." Mourning has missed the season with a kidney ailment.

HEAT: Forward Sean Marks will miss the rest of the season with a torn ligament in his left elbow.

PACERS: Indiana is trying to sign Tim Hardaway in hopes of getting an experienced point guard for the rest of the season. Hardaway, 36, a five-time All-Star, has not played this season.

SPURS: Guard Tony Parker is expected to play against the Rockets today despite a sprained right thumb.

Magic storms back

NEW ORLEANS -- Tracy McGrady scored 41 and blocked Jamal Mashburn's jump shot with six seconds left, giving the Magic a 97-95 win over the Hornets on Wednesday night.

The Hornets, who led by as many as 20 points in the second quarter, matched the third-largest blown lead in franchise history.

The Magic trailed by 18 at halftime, but McGrady carried his club in the second half, scoring 25. In the third quarter McGrady scored 16, as many as New Orleans, as Orlando cut the lead to 76-66.

The Magic went on a 10-2 run to start the fourth quarter, cutting the deficit to 78-76.

With 1:52 left, Orlando guard Darrell Armstrong was fouled while making a 3-pointer. The free throw cut the Hornets' lead to one, and when Armstrong made a steal on New Orleans' next possession and fed Gordan Giricek for a layup, Orlando had its first lead at 93-92.

NETS 101, KNICKS 95: Kerry Kittles' go-ahead 3-pointer with 5:43 to go ignited a 14-2 spurt that carried host New Jersey.

Kenyon Martin had 24 points, Kittles 23 and Jason Kidd 17 points, nine rebounds and eight assists as the Nets remained a half-game ahead of Philadelphia in first place in the Atlantic Division.

76ERS 91, PACERS 85: Allen Iverson had 22 points and 10 assists and visiting Philadelphia missed four shots in the fourth quarter.

The Sixers received strong fourth quarters from Iverson, Keith Van Horn and Eric Snow to come back from a five-point deficit. Philadelphia shot 23-of-64 through three before making 11 of its first 13 in the fourth.

PISTONS 102, HAWKS 99 (OT): Chauncey Billups' 3-pointer with one-tenth of a second left in overtime gave host Detroit a come-from-behind victory. Richard Hamilton's jumper tied it at 91 with 30 seconds left, capping a 7-0 run that forced overtime.

Hawks forward Glenn Robinson missed the game with an inflamed left Achilles' tendon.

LAKERS 96, ROCKETS 93: Shaquille O'Neal scored 39 and took over the game in the closing minutes with three straight baskets for visiting Los Angeles. Houston led 89-86 with 2:37 to play before a basket by Robert Horry set the Lakers' rally in motion.

SUNS 101, GRIZZLIES 99: Stephon Marbury scored 23, including an 18-footer and a free throw with 1.2 seconds left that lifted visiting Phoenix.

WARRIORS 107, CELTICS 95: Jason Richardson scored 31 and visiting Golden State broke open a close game early in the fourth quarter to hand Boston a sixth straight loss.

JAZZ 94, TRAIL BLAZERS 85: Karl Malone scored 24 and John Stockton had 10 assists on his 41st birthday as host Utah extended its winning streak to five.

WIZARDS 80, SONICS 74: Michael Jordan had 26 points and 10 rebounds as visiting Washington maintained its hold on the East's final playoff spot.

BULLS 82, HEAT 74: Jalen Rose scored 19 and Tyson Chandler had 16 rebounds as Chicago won its fourth straight home game.

NUGGETS 108, BUCKS 103: Shammond Williams hit a driving layup with 24 seconds left, Rodney White added two free throws and host Denver held off Milwaukee.

RAPTORS 89, CAVS 83: Morris Peterson scored 14 of his 21 in the second half as host Toronto ended a three-game losing streak.

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