McHale revisits Boston with win
Kevin McHale’s coaching debut in Boston was a success, thanks to Latrell Sprewell.
Sprewell hit a running jumper with 0.9 seconds remaining to lift the Minnesota Timberwolves over the Boston Celtics 99-97 on Sunday, giving McHale a victory in his first game on the sidelines in Boston.
“Spree stayed ready the whole game,” McHale said. “I told Spree to stay ready, we’re gonna need you. Sometimes those basketball gods reward you for doing the right stuff.”
McHale, who took over as Timberwolves coach for the fired Flip Saunders, played his entire 13-year, Hall of Fame career in green and white. He helped lead the Celtics to three NBA championships before taking over as Minnesota’s vice president of basketball operations in 1995.
“I enjoy coming back to Boston,” McHale said. “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.”
Kevin Garnett had 21 points, 13 rebounds and nine assists and Sprewell finished with six points for the Wolves, who handed the Celtics their first loss since the return of Antoine Walker. Wally Szczerbiak added 20 points.
Kings 100, Pistons 85: At Sacramento, Calif., Mike Bibby had 19 points and 11 assists, Kenny Thomas added 19 points, and Sacramento beat Detroit in the Kings’ first home game since Chris Webber’s departure. Rasheed Wallace had 19 points and 10 rebounds for the Pistons.
Knicks 115, Warriors 99: At New York, Stephon Marbury had 26 points and a season-high 16 assists, and New York used a 21-1 run in the fourth quarter to defeat Golden State. Tim Thomas scored 25 points and Michael Sweetney finished with 19 points for New York. The Knicks shot a season-high 61.8 percent. Jason Richardson scored 24 points for the Warriors.
Heat 102, Cavaliers 82: At Cleveland, Shaquille O’Neal spent much of his 33rd birthday in foul trouble, but Eddie Jones scored 19 points, Dwyane Wade and Udonis Haslem added 18 apiece, and Miami won its fifth straight by beating Cleveland. O’Neal played just 19 minutes in the first three quarters and finished with 13 points, five rebounds and six assists in his third game back after missing four games with a sprained left knee. LeBron James scored 23 points for the Cavaliers.
Spurs 101, Jazz 94: At San Antonio, Tim Duncan missed most of the second half after spraining his right ankle, but Manu Ginobili led the Spurs in his absence with 31 points to help San Antonio beat Utah. Duncan was helped from the floor 3:48 into the second half. He was defending a drive by Andrei Kirilenko when he jumped and appeared to come down on the leg of teammate Rasho Nesterovic. Duncan did not return to the game. He scored 12 points and grabbed four rebounds in 23 minutes.
Raptors 95, Hornets 84: At New Orleans, Chris Bosh scored a career-high 33 points and grabbed 15 rebounds to help Toronto defeat New Orleans. Reserve Matt Bonner added a career-high 18 points and Jalen Rose scored 14 for the Raptors. Lee Nailon led the Hornets with 18 points.
Rockets 90, Mavericks 69: At Houston, Tracy McGrady had 32 points and 10 rebounds to lead Houston past injury-depleted Dallas. McGrady scored 27 of his points after getting six stitches on his chin following a collision in the first quarter. The Mavericks, who were playing without the injured Dirk Nowitzki and Michael Finley for just the second time this season, set a season-low for total points. Jason Terry led Dallas with 20 points.
Lakers 103, Pacers 94: At Los Angeles, Kobe Bryant scored 37 points and grabbed 10 rebounds, leading Los Angeles past Indiana. Bryant made all of his 13 foul shots to help spoil Reggie Miller’s final NBA game in Los Angeles. Miller finished with 11 points in 38 minutes.