Sports

NBA

Ailing Cassell hits big 3 to help stymie old team

Associated Press
Published November 30, 2005

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MINNEAPOLIS - Sam Cassell is still aggravating the Timberwolves.

Cassell shook off flu-like symptoms to hit a 3-pointer and a turnaround jumper down the stretch, staving off a furious rally by his former team and lifting the Los Angeles Clippers to a 93-84 victory Tuesday night.

The Clippers led by 16 with 10 minutes left before Kevin Garnett and the Wolves responded with a 14-0 rally.

Minnesota cut the gap to two points three times down the stretch before Cassell hit his 3-pointer from the left with 2:45 to play, giving the Clippers a five-point lead.

"That was tough, I was tore up. I'm not going to lie," Cassell said.

Corey Maggette led the way with 30 points and 10 rebounds for Los Angeles and Elton Brand added 19 points and 13 boards for the Clippers (10-4), who are guaranteed of having the best November in franchise history with one game left.

The loss was a bitter pill to swallow for the Wolves, who traded Cassell to the Clippers in the offseason for Marko Jaric after tiring of his poor attitude.

SIXERS 107, BLAZERS 83: Allen Iverson scored 38 and Chris Webber had 16 and 15 rebounds for host and division-leading Philadelphia. The 76ers had lost four of their previous five games after winning six in a row. Zach Randolph scored 24 for Portland, which has lost five of seven.

It was the first game for Sixers coach Maurice Cheeks against his former team. Cheeks coached the Blazers nearly four seasons before he was fired last March.

SPURS 90, LAKERS 84: Manu Ginobili scored 15 of his 22 in the second half for host San Antonio's sixth straight victory over the Lakers. Kobe Bryant, averaging better than 40 points in his last five games, struggled to get open while being defended by Bruce Bowen. Bryant finished with 25 points, but shot 9-for-33.

ROCKETS 100, HAWKS 85: Sidelined since Nov. 18 with a back injury, Tracy McGrady returned to score 25 and help host Houston snap a seven-game losing streak. The Rockets lost all eight games McGrady missed after he strained his back in practice on Nov. 4. Houston averaged only 83 points in those games, but matched that on McGrady's acrobatic reverse layup that gave the Rockets an 83-68 lead with 8:33 left.

BUCKS 113, MAVS 111 (OT): Rookie Andrew Bogut made two free throws late in overtime, then blocked a potential game-tying shot at the buzzer to lift host Milwaukee. Bogut, the No. 1 pick in the draft, finished with a career-high 19 points and added 14 rebounds. T.J. Ford had a career-high 24 points, including a key 3-pointer with 31 seconds remaining. Jason Terry had 37 points for Dallas.

PACERS 84, JAZZ 60: Jermaine O'Neal got his fifth double-double in the last six games with 21 points and 15 rebounds, and visiting Indiana increased its winning streak over Utah to six. Utah set a team record for fewest points scored at home.

KINGS 110, BOBCATS 92: Mike Bibby scored 25 and host Sacramento reached the .500 mark for the first time this season with its third straight victory. Bibby scored 25 or more points for the fifth straight game. Reserves played the entire fourth quarter for the Kings.

SONICS: Guard Rick Brunson is expected to be sidelined at least two months because of a tear in the fascia of his left foot.

[Last modified November 30, 2005, 02:15:38]

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