Toronto — The Toronto Raptors relied on their bench to get back in the game. Milwaukee reserve Tim Thomas was the difference.
Thomas, the only Milwaukee reserve to score, had 23 points as the Bucks beat the Raptors, who benched four starters in the fourth quarter, 101-97, Tuesday night.
"Tim is the prototypical sixth man," said Sam Cassell, who had 21 points. "If he's got big numbers we'll win ball games. He's a difficult match for many teams and we need him to continue playing like this."
Thomas was 5-for-7 from three-point range and had 16 points in the second quarter when the Bucks began to pull away.
"We were able to move the ball well and I just found some open shots," said Thomas, who had 20 points at halftime. "We struggle when we don't move the ball and we did that. Tonight we were the better team."
The Raptors, who trailed by 19 points at the start of the fourth quarter, closed within four points late in the game, even though coach Lenny Wilkens sat Charles Oakley, Antonio Davis, Alvin Williams and Morris Peterson for entire quarter. Carter played only four minutes down the stretch.
"Our starters have been playing well so you don't give up on them," Wilkens said. "But it was the guys in the fourth quarter and their energy that brought us back."
Jerome Williams led the charge with enthusiasm and scored eight points in the fourth.
Lakers 112, Celtics 107
Los Angeles Derek Fisher, playing his first game of the season, had career-highs of 26 points and six steals along with eight assists as Los Angeles beat Boston. Fisher scored seven straight Los Angeles points, capped by a jumper with 3:32 remaining that snapped a 98-all tie, and the Lakers led the rest of the way. The Celtics weren't closer than three points after that. Fisher, sidelined since undergoing surgery to repair a stress fracture in his right foot Sept. 20, also had five rebounds while playing 37 minutes.
The Celtics lost their sixth straight road game and ninth in 12 games overall despite Paul Pierce's 42 points, equaling his career high. Antoine Walker had 23 points, eight rebounds and 12 assists for Boston.
Sonics 99, Blazers 90
Seattle Gary Payton scored 31 points as Seattle beat Portland, handing the Trail Blazers their fourth straight loss. Rasheed Wallace was held to just two points on 1-for-6 shooting in the second half after shooting 7-for-10 for 17 points in the first half for Portland. Rashard Lewis had 16 points for Seattle, and Ruben Patterson added 14.
Rockets 127, Pacers 118, 3OT
Houston Moochie Norris scored a career-high 28 points, including 11 in the third overtime period, as Houston beat Indiana in the first triple-overtime game in the Rockets' history. Maurice Taylor scored 27, including eight in the first overtime, and had 13 rebounds as the Rockets erased an 11-point deficit in the fourth quarter and finished with their highest point total of the season.
Cuttino Mobley scored 27 points, Steve Francis had 16 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists for his second triple-double of the season and third of his career.
Knicks 98, Cavaliers 79
New York Glen Rice scored 17 points in his first start since Dec. 30 and New York easily overcame the absence of starters Latrell Sprewell and Larry Johnson to defeat Cleveland. Sprewell sat out with an upper respiratory infection and Johnson missed his fourth straight game with a sore back, but the Knicks didn't miss either of them in extending their home win streak to five.
Hawks 109, Grizzlies 99
Atlanta Toni Kukoc had his third career triple-double to lead three Atlanta players with 20 or more points as the Hawks beat Vancouver. With 20 points, 11 assists and 10 rebounds, Kukoc helped the Hawks win consecutive home games for the first time since Jan. 11-13 against Golden State and the Los Angeles Clippers.
Kings 114, Magic 108, OT
Orlando, Fla. Chris Webber had 33 points and 15 rebounds and Predrag Stojakovic scored six of his 25 points in overtime as Sacramento beat Orlando. Tracy McGrady had 25 points, 10 rebounds and eight assists for the Magic before being ejected with 35 seconds left in overtime for fighting with Sacramento's Bobby Jackson.
McGrady threw the ball at Jackson. Jackson shoved McGrady and had to be separated by other players, coaches and the referees.
Mavericks 122, Nets 98
Dallas Juwan Howard had 27 points and nine rebounds and Dirk Nowitzki and Michael Finley each scored 25 points as Dallas beat New Jersey. The Mavericks extended their winning streak to four games and won for the seventh time in eight games.
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