FIBA Basketball
USA - Howard's way too good for 76ers
NEW YORK (NBA) - FIBA World Championship hopeful Dwight Howard produced the best display of his burgeoning career to help the Orlando Magic keep alive their slim play-off hopes. Howard, the first overall pick in 2004 who has been included in the 23-man Team USA preliminary squad for this year’s World Championship and the Beijing Olympics
NEW YORK (NBA) - FIBA World Championship hopeful Dwight Howard produced the best display of his burgeoning career to help the Orlando Magic keep alive their slim play-off hopes.
Howard, the first overall pick in 2004 who has been included in the 23-man Team USA preliminary squad for this year’s World Championship and the Beijing Olympics, had career-highs of 28 points and 26 rebounds as the Magic claimed a 102-97 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers, whose post-season aspirations took another hit.
Turkish ace Hedo Turkoglu added 23 points and Jameer Nelson 21 for Orlando (36-44), who extended a winning streak to a season-high eight games while pulling within two-and-a-half games of idle Chicago for the Eastern Conference's final play-off berth.
Orlando have two games left but would win a tie-breaker if they finish tied with Chicago.
It was not such a good night for the play-off chasing Indiana Pacers.
Fighting for the fifth seed in the Eastern Conference, the Pacers slumped to a 92-91 overtime loss to the lowly Charlotte Bobcats, who had 18 points from Slovenian Primoz Brezec.
Jermaine O'Neal scored 20 of his 30 points after half-time for Indiana (39-41), who entered the game tied with Milwaukee and Washington for fifth in the Conference standings.
The Memphis Grizzlies moved into sole possession of fifth place in the Western Conference with a 93-81 victory over the Houston Rockets, thanks largely to Mike Miller who came off the bench to score 25 points.
Team USA squad member Shane Battier made 8-of-11 shots and scored 19 points for Memphis (47-33), who won for the sixth time in seven games and moved one-half game in front of the Los Angeles Clippers for fifth in the Conference standings. Memphis host Los Angeles on Tuesday.
Mike Bibby had 23 points and 10 assists as the Sacramento Kings moved closer to securing a play-off spot with a 100-82 victory over the Denver Nuggets.
Kenny Thomas added 18 points and Kevin Martin 16 for Sacramento (42-38), who moved one-and-a-half games ahead of Utah (40-39) for the Western Conference's final play-off berth with two to play.
In other games, Ike Diogu scored 15 points to pace six players in double-figures as the Golden State Warriors posted an 86-81 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers while Josh Smith scored a career-high 24 points as the lowly Atlanta Hawks downed the Milwaukee Bucks 120-114.
PA Sport
Howard, the first overall pick in 2004 who has been included in the 23-man Team USA preliminary squad for this year’s World Championship and the Beijing Olympics, had career-highs of 28 points and 26 rebounds as the Magic claimed a 102-97 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers, whose post-season aspirations took another hit.
Turkish ace Hedo Turkoglu added 23 points and Jameer Nelson 21 for Orlando (36-44), who extended a winning streak to a season-high eight games while pulling within two-and-a-half games of idle Chicago for the Eastern Conference's final play-off berth.
Orlando have two games left but would win a tie-breaker if they finish tied with Chicago.
It was not such a good night for the play-off chasing Indiana Pacers.
Fighting for the fifth seed in the Eastern Conference, the Pacers slumped to a 92-91 overtime loss to the lowly Charlotte Bobcats, who had 18 points from Slovenian Primoz Brezec.
Jermaine O'Neal scored 20 of his 30 points after half-time for Indiana (39-41), who entered the game tied with Milwaukee and Washington for fifth in the Conference standings.
The Memphis Grizzlies moved into sole possession of fifth place in the Western Conference with a 93-81 victory over the Houston Rockets, thanks largely to Mike Miller who came off the bench to score 25 points.
Team USA squad member Shane Battier made 8-of-11 shots and scored 19 points for Memphis (47-33), who won for the sixth time in seven games and moved one-half game in front of the Los Angeles Clippers for fifth in the Conference standings. Memphis host Los Angeles on Tuesday.
Mike Bibby had 23 points and 10 assists as the Sacramento Kings moved closer to securing a play-off spot with a 100-82 victory over the Denver Nuggets.
Kenny Thomas added 18 points and Kevin Martin 16 for Sacramento (42-38), who moved one-and-a-half games ahead of Utah (40-39) for the Western Conference's final play-off berth with two to play.
In other games, Ike Diogu scored 15 points to pace six players in double-figures as the Golden State Warriors posted an 86-81 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers while Josh Smith scored a career-high 24 points as the lowly Atlanta Hawks downed the Milwaukee Bucks 120-114.
PA Sport