NBA

McHale wins Boston return

BOSTON - Kevin McHale's first coaching appearance in his old stomping grounds was a success, thanks to Latrell Sprewell.

Sprewell made a runner with 0.9 seconds left to lift the Timberwolves over the Celtics 99-97 Sunday, giving McHale a victory in his first game on the sideline in Boston.

McHale, who took over as Timberwolves coach for the fired Flip Saunders, played his entire 13-year, Hall of Fame career in Celtics green and white. He helped lead Boston to three NBA championships before taking over as Minnesota's vice president of basketball operations in 1995.

"I enjoy coming back to Boston," said McHale, who is 5-4 since taking over Feb.12. "But, I'll be honest with you. Taking over when I did - in the middle of the season with no practice - I am so worried about our team and what we have to do that I couldn't enjoy it."

Ricky Davis had a chance to tie it for the Celtics, but his open jumper from 18 feet rimmed out as time expired.

KINGS 100, PISTONS 85: Each of the three forwards acquired for Chris Webber aided Sacramento in their home debuts. Kenny Thomas scored 19, drove aggressively and had 10 rebounds. Corliss Williamson and Brian Skinner - who had 12 points and 12 rebounds - provided tough defense. The Kings embarked on a six-game road trip the day Webber was traded to Philadelphia on Feb.23. Sacramento's Brad Miller (bruised right calf) and Cuttino Mobley (lower back strain) missed the game.

ROCKETS 90, MAVS 69: Facing a four-game road trip against some of the best teams in the West, Houston needed a win and didn't care how it happened. Tracy McGrady scored 32 and had 10 rebounds to lead the Rockets as Dallas missed leading scorers Dirk Nowitzki and Michael Finley, both out injured. "Regardless of who was or wasn't playing, to win this one means a lot," said McGrady, who scored 27 of his points after getting six stitches on his chin after a collision in the first quarter.

SPURS 101, JAZZ 94: Tim Duncan missed most of the second half after spraining his right ankle, but Manu Ginobili led host San Antonio in his absence with 31 points. Duncan was helped off the floor 3:48 into the half and did not return. Former Spurs star Sean Elliott had his No.32 jersey retired.

KNICKS 115, WARRIORS 99: Stephon Marbury had a season-high 16 assists for host New York, which had a 21-1 run in the fourth. After Andris Biedrins dunked for a 93-92 lead with 7:24 left, Golden State did not make another field goal until Zarko Cabarkapa's 3-pointer with 1:18 left; by that time the Warriors trailed 113-94.

HEAT 102, CAVALIERS 82: Shaquille O'Neal spent much of his 33rd birthday in foul trouble but the visiting Heat still won its fifth straight. As he sat out with four fouls, Miami outscored Cleveland 18-8 over the final 6:23 of the third to take control, sending Cleveland to its sixth consecutive loss.

SUNS 110, SUPERSONICS 99: Joe Johnson matched a season high with 30 points on 11-of-18 shooting for Phoenix, which improved its road record to a league-best 24-7. Sonics forward Nick Collison left after breaking his nose in a second-quarter collision with Suns forward Steven Hunter.

LAKERS 103, PACERS 94: Kobe Bryant scored 37 and grabbed 10 rebounds for host Los Angeles and made all 13 of his free throws. Indiana's Reggie Miller, who was born in nearby Riverside, Calif., and played at UCLA, had 11 points in 38 minutes.

RAPTORS 95, HORNETS 84: Chris Bosh set a career high with 33 points for visiting Toronto. Reserve Matt Bonner also had a career high of 18 points, hitting back-to-back 3-pointers after the Hornets opened the fourth quarter with an 8-0 run.

[Last modified March 7, 2005, 01:58:12]