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Heat rally past slumping Timberwolves
(AP)
Updated: 2006-01-02 11:41
Utah's victory, coupled with Minnesota's loss at Miami,
put the Jazz within one-half game of the Timberwolves for the Northwest Division
lead despite their 15-16 record.
Cipppers finally beat Trail Blazers
PORTLAND, Ore. - Elton Brand had 20 points and 11 rebounds and the Los
Angeles Clippers beat the Portland Trail Blazers 100-94 Sunday night, snapping a
losing streak at the Rose Garden that dated to 1999.
The Clippers led by as many as 16 points in the first half, then withstood a
Portland rally that cut the margin to 59-58 early in the second half.
The Blazers rallied again in the final minutes, narrowing the gap to 89-87 on
Theo Ratliff's dunk with 2:15 left. After the teams traded baskets, Cuttino
Mobley hit two free throws to make it 93-89 for the Clippers.
Juan Dixon's 13-foot jumper closed the Blazers in again, but Sam Cassell hit
an 18-foot jumper with 30 seconds left and Mobley added two more free throws.
Dixon hit a 3-pointer with 17 seconds left to make it 96-94 and put the crowd
on its feet, before Chris Kaman made four straight free throws for the final
margin.
The Clippers had lost 12 straight in Portland since an 89-83 win on April 11,
1999, and 26 of 29 since the start of the 1991-92 season.
After getting off to a 10-5 start this November, the Clippers went 6-7 in
December, wrapping up the month with a 111-92 loss to the Boston Celtics on
Saturday.
Cassell had 24 points against Boston before leaving the game in the fourth
quarter with a sprained ankle. He returned to start Sunday for the Clippers,
scoring 22 points. Mobley had 23 points.
Dixon had 24 points for the Blazers, who were coming off Friday's 93-90 loss
to the Memphis Grizzlies, which snapped a season-high three-game winning streak.
The Trail Blazers remained without point guard Sebastian Telfair, who has
been out the last nine games with a right thumb sprain. Telfair was practicing
with the team but did not play Sunday.
Portland center Joel Przybilla returned to the team after missing two games
with a sore right knee.
The Clippers took off on a 16-2 run in the second quarter, going up 44-28 on
Shaun Livingston's reverse layup.
The Clippers led 55-46 at halftime, but the Blazers opened the second half
with a 12-4 run to narrow it to 59-58.
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