FIBA Basketball
USA - Arroyo makes it sweet 16 for Magic
NEW YORK (NBA) - Carlos Arroyo scored 16 points to help the Orlando Magic end their 16-game road losing streak with a 102-86 win over the Philadelphia 76ers. The Puerto Rico guard, almost certain to feature at the FIBA World Championship in August
Division standings
NEW YORK (NBA) - Carlos Arroyo scored 16 points to help the Orlando Magic end their 16-game road losing streak with a 102-86 win over the Philadelphia 76ers.
The Puerto Rico guard, almost certain to feature at the FIBA World Championship in August, came off the bench to supplement the efforts of Dwight Howard, who had 15 points, 19 rebounds and four blocks.
Jameer Nelson led the Orlando scorers with 19 points, while Serbia & Montenegro's Darko Milicic added 11 from the bench. Turkey's Hedo Turkoglu had a quiet night with only four points.
The Orlando defence successfully shut down Sixers superstar Allen Iverson, holding the NBA's second leading scorer to 17 points on four of 19 shooting.
In New York, Spain international Pau Gasol collected 36 points and eight rebounds as the Memphis Grizzlies posted a 91-75 win over the Knicks.
The 7ft forward was superb against New York's starting frontcourt of Malik Rose and Eddy Curry and was the star man as the Grizzlies collected a sixth straight win.
LeBron James scored 19 of his 36 points in the final quarter as the Cleveland Cavaliers overcame early struggles to beat the Boston Celtics 94-82, keeping their hopes of a first playoff spot in eight years alive.
Boston held a 59-58 advantage going into the final period, but Cleveland opened it on an 11-4 charge and took control thereafter.
Lithuania's Zydrunas Ilgauskas collected 11 points and 11 rebounds in the win, while Brazil's Anderson Varejao had six points and five rebounds in 15 minutes off the bench.
A big first half from Dwyane Wade and Shaquille O'Neal allowed the Miami Heat to cruise to a 114-93 win over the Charlotte Bobcats.
Wade scored 18 of his 24 points in the opening 20 minutes, and O'Neal had 16 of his 22 before the break in what proved to be an easy win for the Heat, who snapped a two-game losing streak.
Bobcats rookie Raymond Felton scored 23 points, including four three-pointers, in the loss.
San Antonio All-Star Tim Duncan had a quiet night, but his team-mates stepped up give the Spurs a 98-79 win over the Portland Trail Blazers.
Duncan scored a season low six points but reserve Brent Barry recorded a career-high seven three-pointer en route to his season-high 23 points, while Argentina's Manu Ginobili scored 16 points and France's Tony Parker 14.
Juan Dixon scored 24 points for the Blazers, who have lost seven in a row.
That record is in stark contrast to the Detroit Pistons, who remain the league's best team after pulling out yet another victory, this one a tight 75-72 win over the Indiana Pacers.
All-Star Ben Wallace showed why he is the reigning Defensive Player of the Year, blocking Danny Granger's three-point attempt on the final possession.
Richard Hamilton led the Pistons with 15 points, while Tayshaun Prince and Antonio McDyess scored 11 points apiece.
Carmelo Anthony recorded his sixth 30-point effort in seven games as he poured in 31 to help the Denver Nuggets to a 117-104 win over the Seattle SuperSonics.
While Anthony led the way for Denver, former SuperSonic Reggie Evans also had a big night and the reserve scored 16 of his career-high 22 points in the first half.
It was business as usual for Kobe Bryant as he had yet another 40-point outing - his 21st of the season - scoring 43 as the Los Angeles Lakers beat the Milwaukee Bucks 101-96.
Morris Peterson scored 21 points, Mike James added 18 and Chris Bosh had 17 as the Toronto Raptors rolled to a 97-77 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves, who have dropped 10 straight road games.
Ben Gordon came off the bench to score 25 points and Tyson Chandler grabbed a season-high 21 rebounds as the Chicago Bulls kept their playoff hopes alive with a 96-82 win over the New Orleans Hornets.
PA Sport
NEW YORK (NBA) - Carlos Arroyo scored 16 points to help the Orlando Magic end their 16-game road losing streak with a 102-86 win over the Philadelphia 76ers.
The Puerto Rico guard, almost certain to feature at the FIBA World Championship in August, came off the bench to supplement the efforts of Dwight Howard, who had 15 points, 19 rebounds and four blocks.
Jameer Nelson led the Orlando scorers with 19 points, while Serbia & Montenegro's Darko Milicic added 11 from the bench. Turkey's Hedo Turkoglu had a quiet night with only four points.
The Orlando defence successfully shut down Sixers superstar Allen Iverson, holding the NBA's second leading scorer to 17 points on four of 19 shooting.
In New York, Spain international Pau Gasol collected 36 points and eight rebounds as the Memphis Grizzlies posted a 91-75 win over the Knicks.
The 7ft forward was superb against New York's starting frontcourt of Malik Rose and Eddy Curry and was the star man as the Grizzlies collected a sixth straight win.
LeBron James scored 19 of his 36 points in the final quarter as the Cleveland Cavaliers overcame early struggles to beat the Boston Celtics 94-82, keeping their hopes of a first playoff spot in eight years alive.
Boston held a 59-58 advantage going into the final period, but Cleveland opened it on an 11-4 charge and took control thereafter.
Lithuania's Zydrunas Ilgauskas collected 11 points and 11 rebounds in the win, while Brazil's Anderson Varejao had six points and five rebounds in 15 minutes off the bench.
A big first half from Dwyane Wade and Shaquille O'Neal allowed the Miami Heat to cruise to a 114-93 win over the Charlotte Bobcats.
Wade scored 18 of his 24 points in the opening 20 minutes, and O'Neal had 16 of his 22 before the break in what proved to be an easy win for the Heat, who snapped a two-game losing streak.
Bobcats rookie Raymond Felton scored 23 points, including four three-pointers, in the loss.
San Antonio All-Star Tim Duncan had a quiet night, but his team-mates stepped up give the Spurs a 98-79 win over the Portland Trail Blazers.
Duncan scored a season low six points but reserve Brent Barry recorded a career-high seven three-pointer en route to his season-high 23 points, while Argentina's Manu Ginobili scored 16 points and France's Tony Parker 14.
Juan Dixon scored 24 points for the Blazers, who have lost seven in a row.
That record is in stark contrast to the Detroit Pistons, who remain the league's best team after pulling out yet another victory, this one a tight 75-72 win over the Indiana Pacers.
All-Star Ben Wallace showed why he is the reigning Defensive Player of the Year, blocking Danny Granger's three-point attempt on the final possession.
Richard Hamilton led the Pistons with 15 points, while Tayshaun Prince and Antonio McDyess scored 11 points apiece.
Carmelo Anthony recorded his sixth 30-point effort in seven games as he poured in 31 to help the Denver Nuggets to a 117-104 win over the Seattle SuperSonics.
While Anthony led the way for Denver, former SuperSonic Reggie Evans also had a big night and the reserve scored 16 of his career-high 22 points in the first half.
It was business as usual for Kobe Bryant as he had yet another 40-point outing - his 21st of the season - scoring 43 as the Los Angeles Lakers beat the Milwaukee Bucks 101-96.
Morris Peterson scored 21 points, Mike James added 18 and Chris Bosh had 17 as the Toronto Raptors rolled to a 97-77 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves, who have dropped 10 straight road games.
Ben Gordon came off the bench to score 25 points and Tyson Chandler grabbed a season-high 21 rebounds as the Chicago Bulls kept their playoff hopes alive with a 96-82 win over the New Orleans Hornets.
PA Sport