Boston ? Kevin McHale’s coaching debut in Boston was a success, thanks to Latrell Sprewell.

Sprewell made a runner with 0.9 seconds remaining to lift the Minnesota Timberwolves over the Celtics, 99-97, 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.”

McHale’s trip would have been even less enjoyable if not for Sprewell’s floater from the left baseline. Ricky Davis had a chance to tie it for the Celtics, but his open jumper from 18 feet rimmed out as time expired.

Kevin Garnett had 21 points, 13 rebounds and nine assists for the Wolves, who handed the Celtics their first loss since the return of Antoine Walker. Wally Szczerbiak added 20 points.

Minnesota limited Paul Pierce to 12 points on 6-of-16 shooting, but he did have nine assists.

Kings 100, Pistons 85

Sacramento, Calif. — Mike Bibby had 19 points and 11 assists, Kenny Thomas added 19 points, and Sacramento won its first home game since Chris Webber’s departure.

Peja Stojakovic and Darius Songaila each scored 14 points in an impressive homecoming victory for the Kings’ revamped roster. Sacramento embarked on a six-game road trip the day Webber was traded to Philadelphia nearly two weeks ago along with two reserves for Thomas, Corliss Williamson and Brian Skinner.

Rasheed Wallace had 19 points and 10 rebounds for the Pistons, who finished a six-game road trip with consecutive losses to Phoenix, Seattle and Sacramento. The defending NBA champions missed 13 of 24 free throws and struggled for open shots against Sacramento’s tenacious defense.

Rockets 90, Mavericks 69

Houston — Tracy McGrady had 32 points and 10 rebounds to lead the Rockets past the depleted Mavericks, who were playing without the injured Dirk Nowitzki and Michael Finley for just the second time this season. Yao Ming had 14 points and 11 rebounds for Houston.

Knicks 115, Warriors 99

New York — Stephon Marbury had 26 points and a season-high 16 assists, and the Knicks used a 21-1 run in the fourth quarter to defeat the Warriors.

Heat 102, Cavaliers 82

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 the Heat won their fifth straight.

Spurs 101, Jazz 94

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 for San Antonio. Duncan was helped from the floor 3:48 into the second half and did not return. He scored 12 points and grabbed four rebounds in 23 minutes.

Raptors 95, Hornets 84

New Orleans — Chris Bosh scored a career-high 33 points and grabbed 15 rebounds, helping the Raptors end a two-game skid. 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, and reserve Bostjan Nachbar added 15.

Suns 110, SuperSonics 99

Seattle — Joe Johnson matched a season-high with 30 points, and Amare Stoudemire added 22 points for the Suns. Shawn Marion had 18 points and 10 rebounds, Steve Nash added 12 points and 10 assists, and the NBA’s top scoring offense helped the Suns improve their road record to a league-best 24-7.

Lakers 103, Pacers 94

Los Angeles — Kobe Bryant scored 37 points and grabbed 10 rebounds to help spoil Reggie Miller’s final NBA game in Los Angeles. Miller, who grew up in nearby Riverside and played at UCLA, finished with 11 points in 38 minutes on 5-of-16 shooting. Stephen Jackson had 29 points for the Pacers, who have lost their last nine road games against the Lakers — three of them coming in the 2000 finals.