Associated Press
The NBA roundup …
CHARLOTTE ó Yao Ming scored 23 points, Ron Artest hit the go-ahead jumper and made the key defensive play, and Houston Rockets recovered after blowing a late lead to beat the Charlotte Bobcats 91-86 on Friday night.
Artest’s jumper with 22 seconds left put Houston ahead, and after Aaron Brooks hit two free throws, Artest came from behind to block Vladimir Radmanovic’s game-tying 3-point attempt. Artest picked up the ball and raced in for a layup to put it away.
Luis Scola added 15 points and Artest scored 10 for the Rockets, who appeared to have the game in hand when the 7-foot-6 Yao drilled a straightaway 3-pointer ó the second of his career ó with 2:12 left to put Houston ahead 83-77.
Gerald Wallace scored 17 points and Raja Bell added 16 for the cold-shooting Bobcats, who have lost two straight following their team-record, six-game winning streak.
Charlotte, which lost to the Spurs on Tuesday, took a damaging loss as it tries to secure eighth place in the Eastern Conference and the first playoff berth in team history.
76ers 104, Bulls 101
PHILADELPHIA ó The 76ers took Dr. J up on his challenge to beat the Bulls one last time at the Spectrum.
Thaddeus Young scored a career-high 31 points and Andre Iguodala had 25 to spark Philadelphia to a 104-101 victory over Chicago on Friday night in the final NBA game at the 42-year-old Spectrum.
Julius Erving implored the Sixers to beat the Bulls in a pregame ceremony, where he was feted with members of the 1966-67 and 1982-83 NBA champion Sixers. They were on hand for one last game at the dated arena that is targeted for demolition by the end of this year.
Celtics 102, Grizzlies 92
BOSTON ó Leon Powe scored a career-high 30 points with 11 rebounds, and Ray Allen scored 22 points.
Powe had the 10th double-double of his career and his third in four games.
Rudy Gay scored 26, O.J. Mayo had 21 and Marc Gasol had 11 points and 15 rebounds for the Grizzlies.
Magic 112, Wizards 103
WASHINGTON ó Dwight Howard’s 18 points, 13 rebounds and career-high seven assists, and Orlando’s depth were more than undermanned Washington could handle.
Mickael Pietrus had 21 points and 11 rebounds for Orlando, while Rashard Lewis scored 19 and Rafer Alston added 18.
Antawn Jamison scored a season-high 36 points for the Wizards.
Hawks 101, Pacers 87
ATLANTA ó Joe Johnson scored 30 points for the third straight game, and Al Horford finished with 17 points and 15 rebounds in Atlanta’s fourth straight victory.
Improving to 24-7 at home, Atlanta increased its lead over fifth-place Miami to two games in the Eastern Conference. The Hawks’ 38 wins are one more than their total from last season.
Pistons 99, Raptors 95, OT
TORONTO ó Richard Hamilton had 24 points and 16 assists and Antonio McDyess added 16 points .
Knicks 102, Timberwolves 94
MINNEAPOLIS ó Wilson Chandler scored 24 points to spark New York to a third straight victory.
Nate Robinson finished with 25 points, though 14 came from the foul line.