Associated Press
The NBA roundup …NEW YORK ó The New York Knicks traded Zach Randolph and Jamal Crawford in separate deals Friday, parting with their two top scorers to free up coveted salary-cap space for the summer of 2010.
Crawford was sent to Golden State for forward Al Harrington. Hours later, Randolph was shipped to the Los Angeles Clippers along with guard Mardy Collins for Cuttino Mobley and Tim Thomas.
The Knicks gave up 40 points per game for a chance to cash in on something much bigger.
President Donnie Walsh has repeatedly said his goal was to get under the cap in time for a potentially sensational free-agent crop that could be headlined by LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh.
FRIDAY’S RESULTS
ATLANTA ó The Hawks got off to another sluggish start.
They’re finishing just fine.
Joe Johnson scored 30 points, Marvin Williams added 22 and Atlanta pulled away in the closing minutes for a sloppy 88-83 victory over the Charlotte Bobcats on Friday night.
For the second straight game, the Hawks came out like they preferred to be elsewhere.
The Hawks fell behind 21-8 against a team that’s not much better, only to rip off seven straight points at the end to escape with another win.
Charlotte went ahead for the last time in the back-and-forth game ó there were 20 lead changes, 13 of them in the final quarter ó when Raymond Felton hit a jumper from the top of the key, giving the Bobcats an 81-80 lead.
But Williams put the Hawks ahead to stay on a 3-pointer with 2:12 remaining.
The Charlotte defense collapsed on Johnson, who swung the ball to Maurice Evans. He whipped it around to Williams all alone in the corner, and the shot ripped through the net.
76ers 89, Clippers 88
PHILADELPHIA ó Elton Brand hit a 15-footer with 57 seconds left and finished with 17 points in his first game against Los Angeles, leading the Philadelphia 76ers to an 89-88 victory
Celtics 95, Timberwolves 78
MINNEAPOLIS ó In Kevin Garnett’s first game at Target Center since being traded before last season, he scored 17 points to help Boston cruise.
Nets 129, Raptors 127, OT
TORONTO ó Vince Carter scored 39 points against his former team, Devin Harris added 30 and New Jersey rallied from an 18-point, third-quarter deficit to beat Toronto.
Rockets 103, Wizards 91
WASHINGTON ó Tracy McGrady scored 14 of his 20 points in the fourth quarter, Yao Ming added 18 to win a battle of awesome wingspans, and Houston added to Washington’s misery.
Antawn Jamison scored a season-high 27 points and grabbed 10 rebounds for the Wizards.
Magic 100, Pacers 98, OT
INDIANAPOLIS ó Dwight Howard had 24 points, 17 rebounds and five blocks, and Orlando beat Indiana in overtime.
Spurs 119, Jazz 94
SAN ANTONIO ó Roger Mason scored 29 points and San Antonio made 15 of 25 3-pointers.