NBA – Wade scores 40 but Bargnani, Raptors win in Miami

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MIAMI (NBA) – Italy are hoping Andrea Bargnani will play for them in the Additional Qualifying Round for EuroBasket 2009 and on Wednesday night the seven-footer showed why with a terrific display for the Toronto Raptors.

Bargnani, a third-year star with the NBA’s lone Canadian team, scored 25 points to lead the Raptors to a 101-95 win at the Miami Heat.

The big man was nine of 15 from the floor, including three of four from long range.

He also swatted two shots.

Jose Calderon, the Spain national team point guard, returned after missing two games with a strained hamstring.

Toronto (6-5) also got 15 points and 11 rebounds from Team USA’s Chris Bosh and 16 points with 17 boards from Jermaine O’Neal.

For Euroleague MVP Anthony Parker poured in 19 while hauling in six rebounds.

The Heat (6-6) lost despite getting 40 points from USA international Dwyane Wade.

In Houston, the Dallas Mavericks (5-7) and Dirk Nowitzki claimed their third straight triumph by beating the Rockets 96-86.

Germany superstar Nowitzki, coming off his first Olympic appearance this summer with his national side, had 24 points and 12 rebounds while Jason Kidd scored eight, handed out seven assists and grabbed nine rebounds.

Yao Ming of China didn’t play for Houston because of a sore foot. The Rockets got 15 points and seven boards from Argentina’s Luis Scola while Tracy McGrady played just days after leaving a game in the second quarter with a knee problem.

The Portland Trail Blazers (7-5) continued their fine play of late with a 116-74 demolition of the visiting Chicago Bulls (5-7).

Emerging French star Nicolas Batum, a rookie, started and had nine points, six rebounds and two steals for the Blazers in less than 18 minutes.

Sergio Rodriguez played 22 minutes and had nine assists to go with his seven points but he turned the ball over six times while his Spain international teammate Rudy Fernandez scored just five points in 18 minutes.

In other games, Washington lost 91-87 at Atlanta, Cleveland slipped to a 96-89 defeat at Detroit, Minnesota beat visiting Philadelphia 102-96, Sacramento upset the Hornets in New Orleans, the Los Angeles Clippers prevailed 108-88 at Oklahoma City, Denver thumped home side San Antonio 91-81 and the Milwaukee Bucks fell 105-94 at Utah.

FIBA