NBA

Yao gets All-Star's top votes

By wire services
Published February 3, 2006

Yao Ming edged Kobe Bryant as the top vote-getter in fan balloting for the 55th All-Star Game, and Shaquille O'Neal became the fifth player in league history to earn 13 consecutive selections for the midseason showcase.

Yao and Tracy McGrady give host Houston two starters in the Feb. 19 game. They were joined on the Western squad by the Lakers' Bryant, San Antonio's Tim Duncan and Steve Nash of Phoenix, who will be a first-time All-Star starter.

Cleveland's LeBron James was the top Eastern vote-getter, edging Miami's O'Neal by 15,155. Philadelphia's Allen Iverson, Indiana's Jermaine O'Neal and first-time All-Star starter Dwyane Wade of Miami round out the East's starters.

BROWN FINED: Knicks coach Larry Brown was fined $20,000 by the league for failing to leave the court in a timely manner after he was ejected in a 130-97 loss to the Lakers on Tuesday.

ANTONIO DAVIS' WIFE CHARGED: Kendra Davis, wife of Knicks forward Antonio Davis, was charged with misdemeanor battery for allegedly throwing a hot cup of coffee at a woman during a traffic dispute in the fall in a Chicago suburb, police said. Last month, Davis had a verbal confrontation with a fan at a Knicks-Bulls game in Chicago, prompting her husband to climb into the stands. He was ejected and received a five-game suspension.

HEAT 101, CAVS 73: Dwyane Wade scored 24 and host Miami rode two big scoring runs to snap Cleveland's seven-game winning streak.

The Heat used a 22-0 first-half run to build its lead, then went on a 19-1 burst in the fourth to deal the Cavaliers their biggest loss of the season.

Shaquille O'Neal had 21 points and eight rebounds for Miami, which won its fourth straight and moved a season-best 11 games over .500.

LeBron James missed 10 of his first 13 shots before finishing with 29 points, seven assists and five rebounds for the Cavs.

[Last modified February 3, 2006, 01:25:14]