EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. - Kenyon Martin had 23 points, 13 rebounds, four steals and four blocks, and the Nets tied the longest winning streak in the league this season - 13 - with a 97-84 victory Saturday over the Hornets.
The victory was New Jersey's 12th straight under coach Lawrence Frank, extending his NBA record for best coaching start and tying the North American mark for the best start in professional sports.
Joe Morgan took over the Red Sox in 1988 and won a dozen. Jim Price won that many after taking over baseball's New York Giants in 1884.
HEAT 97, NUGGETS 81: Dwyane Wade outplayed fellow rookie Carmelo Anthony, scoring 28 for host Miami. Anthony finished with 16 points, ending a streak of nine straight games with at least 20, and shot 3-for-20 - his worst effort since the third game of the season. Miami activated Samaki Walker from the injured list. He had not played since Jan.9 because of bone spurs in his right ankle.
MAVERICKS 97, ROCKETS 88: Dirk Nowitzki had 25 points and 12 rebounds as host Dallas recovered from a 16-point first-quarter deficit. Houston opened with a 19-3 run and lead by 14 at the end of the first quarter. But the Mavericks began to run, finishing with a 24-4 advantage in fastbreak points for their sixth win in eight games.
GRIZZLIES 105, BULLS 98: Pau Gasol had 23 points and nine rebounds and James Posey added 27 points to lead visiting Memphis, which has won four straight and eight of nine to move 11 games above .500 (33-22) for the first time.
CLIPPERS 105, BUCKS 103: Elton Brand scored 31 and blocked four shots to help L.A. spoil Keith Van Horn's Milwaukee debut. Michael Redd was fouled while attempting a desperation 3-pointer with one-tenth of a second left and the Bucks trailing 105-102. The Clippers placed guard Doug Overton (sprained left ankle) on the injured list and activated swingman Bobby Simmons, who had been on the injured list since Jan.18 with a sprained left hip.
MAGIC: A man who attacked Orlando's mascot was charged with battery, disorderly intoxication and resisting an officer without violence. William Jeffrey Hawkins, 39, put Stuff the Magic Dragon in a chokehold during Friday night's game. Police were alerted, and it took three stun gun shots to get the 6-foot-2, 240-pound Hawkins under control, Orlando police Lt. John O'Grady said.
RAPTORS: One day after he criticized coach Kevin O'Neill, forward Lamond Murray was suspended for today's game against the Kings. Toronto said Murray was suspended for conduct detrimental to the team.
O'NEAL SUED: Shaquille O'Neal is being sued by a Tampa Bay promotions company that claims he reneged on an agreement to participate in charity events. Paramount Celebrity Management filed suit Friday in Orange County Circuit Court for more than $5.6-million. Messages left with O'Neal's representatives in Los Angeles were not returned Saturday. At the time, O'Neal's representatives told the Lakers he was hospitalized in Orlando with a 103-degree temperature the night before the events began.
Late Friday
LAKERS 116, 76ERS 88: Shaquille O'Neal had 29 points and 13 rebounds for host L.A. Philadelphia's Allen Iverson was held to 13 points on 3-of-18 shooting.
BLAZERS 94, WARRIORS 93: Zach Randolph scored 19 and made a layup with 1.8 seconds left to lead visiting Portland. Jason Richardson scored 22 and hit a go-ahead jumper with 29.7 seconds left for Golden State.
