Grizzlies end T’wolves’ sizz
Memphis sets franchise record for wins, 99-98
Minneapolis ? The Memphis Grizzlies needed only 50 games this season to set a franchise record for wins.
Shane Battier’s second basket, a 14-foot jumper with 2.9 seconds remaining, helped Memphis end Minnesota’s 14-game home winning streak with a 99-98 victory Sunday.
Mark Madsen missed an open layup at the buzzer, allowing the Grizzlies to hang on for their franchise-record 29th win of the season. Minnesota lost at Target Center for the first time since Dec. 9.
On the winning shot, Battier took a pass from Jason Williams on the right wing, took two dribbles and launched his jumper over the shorter Sam Cassell.
“We’re finally a legitimate franchise,” Battier said. “For a while, people weren’t taking us seriously — fans, refs, everyone. It’s nice to get a little respect.”
James Posey tipped the Timberwolves’ inbounds pass from halfcourt out of bounds under the basket with 1.6 seconds remaining. On the final play, Madsen broke wide open, took an inbounds pass from Fred Hoiberg and tried to lay the ball in without using the glass, but it bounced off the rim as time expired.
“Freddy made the right play, because Mad Dog was clearly open,” teammate Kevin Garnett said. “He looked like he rushed it a little bit.”
Madsen wasn’t available for comment after the game, but looked dejected coming off the court as Garnett put his arm around him.
“If we do it again, in the same situation, he’ll make that shot,” Garnett said.
Sam Cassell had 34 points and 11 assists for Minnesota, including two free throws with 13.9 seconds remaining to give the Wolves a 98-97 lead.

Memphis Grizzlies players James Posey (41) and Dahntay Jones celebrate after they beat Minnesota. The Grizzlies upended the Timberwolves, 99-98, Sunday in Minneapolis.
Cassell, who earlier missed a free throw to end his streak of 71 in a row, made four in the final 1:01 as the Wolves rallied after trailing by as many as 16 in the first quarter.
Garnett added 30 points and 16 rebounds for Minnesota.
Pau Gasol scored 27 points on 11-of-14 shooting for the Grizzlies.
Lakers 98, Magic 96
Orlando, Fla. — Derek Fisher stole the ball from Rod Strickland and set up Gary Payton’s layup with 4.1 seconds left, leading Los Angeles past Orlando.
Shaquille O’Neal had 20 points, 10 rebounds and five assists for the Lakers, who rallied from an 18-point deficit to hand Orlando its sixth straight loss.
Payton finished with 18 points, while Fisher had 15 points and three steals. Kareem Rush added 17 after missing two games with a sprained ankle.
For Orlando, Tracy McGrady had 35 points, six rebounds and six assists in his return after a two-game absence because of back spasms.
Pacers 97, Heat 91
Indianapolis — Jermaine O’Neal scored 22 points, and Reggie Miller had 15 — all on three-pointers — to help Indiana hold off Miami. Miller, shut out from the field Friday at Toronto, hit all five of his three-point attempts against the Heat, the last with under two minutes to go for a 90-82 lead. The Pacers scored their final seven points on free throws, five by Anthony Johnson. Lamar Odom had 25 points for Miami.
Trail Blazers 95, SuperSonics 85
Portland, Ore. — Zach Randolph had 25 points and 16 rebounds for his 29th double-double of the season, and Portland beat Seattle. Damon Stoudamire added 19 points and six assists for the Blazers, who have won seven of eight. The Sonics have lost six of their last eight. Ray Allen started and scored 22 points even though he was doubtful for the game because of a sprained left shoulder.
Nets 99, 76ers 87
East Rutherford, N.J. — Kenyon Martin matched his season high with 29 points, and New Jersey gave interim coach Lawrence Frank his seventh straight victory. Frank, who replaced the fired Byron Scott as coach of the two-time defending Eastern Conference champions, moved within two wins of tying the NBA record for the best coaching start. Kurt Rambis of the Lakers (97-98) and Buddy Jeannette of the Baltimore Bullets (1947-48) each started their careers 9-0. The Nets have won eight straight games overall, all by 10 or more points.
Knicks 110, Clippers 104
New York — Stephon Marbury scored 15 of his season-high 42 points in the first four minutes of the fourth quarter to lead New York to its fifth straight victory. Marbury eclipsed the season high of 40 he set earlier this season for Phoenix, shooting 15-for-20 overall and 4-for-5 from three-point range to give New York its longest winning streak in nearly three years. Kurt Thomas added 28 points, making his first seven shots to give him 14 consecutive made field goals over two games and finished 12-for-19 to help New York improved to 9-3 under coach Lenny Wilkens. Corey Maggette and Elton Brand scored 28 apiece for the Clippers.
Kings 115, Nuggets 92
Sacramento, Calif. — Peja Stojakovic made a career-high seven three-pointers and scored 35 points for the Kings. Stojakovic finished 7-of-11 from three-point range and was 11-of-21 overall from the field for the Kings, an NBA-best 23-4 at home. Mike Bibby made six three-pointers and had a season-high 30 points. Rookie Carmelo Anthony had 24 points and eight rebounds for the Nuggets, winless in their last 15 games at Arco Arena.
Raptors 84,
Warriors 81, OT
Oakland, Calif. — Morris Peterson hit a three-pointer with three seconds left in overtime for Toronto after Golden State tied an NBA record by scoring only two points in the fourth quarter. Golden State’s two-point quarter matched the NBA futility record for a period set by Dallas in the third quarter of a 1997 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers. The combined 20 points in the quarter set an NBA record for the fewest in a final period. Vince Carter led the Raptors with 22 points, Donyell Marshall added 12 points and 13 rebounds, and Jalen Rose had 19 points. Jason Richardson had 21 points and 13 rebounds for the Warriors.

