NBA Roundup: LaFrentz fuels Nuggets

Denver edges T'wolves, 99-98

? The Denver Nuggets are suddenly becoming a force on the road.

Raef LaFrentz scored 30 points, including a driving layup with 3 seconds to play, to give Denver a 99-98 victory over Minnesota on Friday night.

The Nuggets, winners of five road games all season, rallied from a 14-point deficit and accomplished something they hadn’t done in 13 months won two straight on the road.

“We talked about how there wasn’t any reason to not come up here and play to win,” said Denver coach Mike Evans, whose team also beat Memphis on Thursday.

On the game-deciding play, Lenard drove down the right side of the lane and passed across to LaFrentz, who scored easily. Kevin Garnett’s last-gasp turnaround jumper missed the rim.

“Voshon drove in, and my man (Garnett) left me,” LaFrentz said. “Voshon just made a great play. I almost fumbled it.”

LaFrentz hit six three-pointers, including three in the third quarter, to lead the Nuggets back from a 14-point deficit.

Garnett took the blame for the loss.

“If I stop that layup, we’re still ahead,” he said.

Celtics 107, Trail Blazers 104

Portland, Ore. Paul Pierce scored 31 points, including six straight in 17 seconds late in the game, as Boston defeated Portland. Antoine Walker added 22 points, six rebounds and five assists and Kenny Anderson had 14 points, 11 assists and eight rebounds for the Celtics, who snapped Portland’s six-game home winning streak.

Pistons 101, Knicks 90

New York Ben Wallace had season highs of 19 points and 22 rebounds as Detroit came back from an early 17-point deficit. Chucky Atkins added 19 points, including 11 in the third quarter when the Pistons turned the game around with a 20-1 run.

Spurs 108, Warriors 99

Oakland, Calif. Tim Duncan scored 10 of his 36 points in the fourth quarter to lead San Antonio back from a 12-point deficit. Antonio Daniels added 20 points as San Antonio beat the Warriors for the 15th consecutive time. David Robinson chipped in 16 points.

Jazz 94, Raptors 85

Toronto Karl Malone and John Stockton each scored 23 points as Utah won its third straight game. Malone, ejected after receiving a second technical foul with less than 42 seconds remaining, scored seven points during a 16-5 run.

Hornets 116, Pacers 106

Charlotte, N.C. Baron Davis tied a career-high with 38 points and P.J. Brown had 18 rebounds as Charlotte beat Indiana.

Nets 106, Bulls 81

Chicago Reserve Aaron Williams scored a season-high 23 points, and Jason Kidd and Kerry Kittles each added 16 points to lead New Jersey.

Heat 90, Bucks 88, OT

Milwaukee Eddie Jones hit a jumper with 7.1 seconds left in overtime to lift the Miami over Milwaukee. Glenn Robinson had a chance to tie it for the Bucks, but his jumper from short range hit the rim as time expired.

Wizards 97, Suns 96

Phoenix Michael Jordan scored with two-tenths of a second left to give Washington a win over Phoenix. After completing a 22-point performance with the winning 16-footer, Jordan pumped his fist, turned to a personal cheering section behind the Suns’ bench and said, “That’s what they pay me for.”

Hawks 93, Lakers 90

Los Angeles Shareef Abdur-Rahim scored 12 of his 32 points in the fourth quarter as Atlanta defeated Los Angeles. Abdur-Rahim also had seven rebounds and six assists.