NBA

Struggling Celts tonic for Magic

By wire services
Published February 5, 2006

ORLANDO - The Orlando Magic are tired of being so streaky.

Dwight Howard and Steve Francis each scored 18, and the Magic ended a four-game skid by outplaying the Boston Celtics in the fourth quarter of a 100-91 victory Saturday night.

Orlando has lost four straight, won five in a row, then lost four straight again over the past three weeks.

"I know we're not going to run the table, I just hope we can get some type of consistency going," said Francis, who added seven assists and six rebounds. "Guys are tired and banged up right now, but we've got to pay attention and lock in mentally."

Reserve center David Harrison scored 15 and guard Fred Jones scored nine of his 13 in the fourth quarter for the Pacers, who won their second in a row after a six-game losing streak.

NETS 105, HEAT 92: Vince Carter had 28 points, 13 rebounds and 10 assists for his second career triple-double as New Jersey scored its 10th straight home win.

Dwyane Wade scored 31 points for the Heat but got little help from his teammates, who shot 20-of-56 (36 percent).

76ERS 100, CAVALIERS 95: Allen Iverson scored 34 points in his return to the starting lineup after missing the previous four games with sore ankles.

LeBron James scored 31 points to lead the Cavaliers, who lost their second straight following a seven-game winning streak.

WIZARDS 98, HAWKS 85: Antawn Jamison had 27 points and 15 rebounds as host Washington snapped Atlanta's three-game winning streak.

Gilbert Arenas added 22 points as Washington won for the third time in four games.

HORNETS 106, LAKERS 90: Desmond Mason scored 21 and Chris Paul added 19 points and 13 assists, leading New Orleans over Los Angeles in Oklahoma City, Okla.

The Lakers were without Lamar Odom and Chris Mihm, two of their top four scorers, because of injuries.

SUNS 118, BULLS 101: Shawn Marion had 26 points and 11 rebounds, and All-Star game starter Steve Nash added 21 points and seven assists as host Phoenix beat Chicago.

Ben Gordon scored a career-best 39 points, including eight 3-pointers, for the Bulls.

BUCKS 88, GRIZZLIES 78: Michael Redd scored 23 points in his return to the lineup after missing a game with back spasms, and host Milwaukee overcame an eight-point second quarter to beat Memphis.

MAVERICKS 110, SUPERSONICS 91: Josh Howard had 23 points as host Dallas won its 11th straight, matching the league's longest winning streak this season.

HORNETS-76ERS TRADE: New Orleans and Philadelphia have agreed to extend until Monday the deadline to complete a physical on center Steven Hunter. The 76ers traded Hunter, a 7-foot center, to the Hornets along with cash in exchange for second-round draft picks in 2006 and 2007.

PACERS: Jonathan Bender released a statement saying his career is over because of a series of knee injuries, though the 25-year-old forward has not yet filed official retirement papers with the league.

RIDER PLEADS: Former NBA player Isaiah Rider pleaded not guilty to felony charges that he forced an ex-girlfriend into his car last month.

[Last modified February 5, 2006, 01:23:11]