USA - Killer Bs Bosh, Bargnani sting Bulls

NEW YORK (NBA) - Another big night from Andrea Bargnani and two game-winning free throws from Chris Bosh saw the Toronto Raptors open up a three-game lead in the Atlantic Division with a narrow victory over the Chicago Bulls.

Team USA forward Bosh scored 25 points, including the go-ahead points from the charity stripe with 2.1 seconds left as Toronto won 112-111.

The European contingent had another huge role to play, with Italian rookie Bargnani scoring 22 points off the bench, with Jose Calderon adding 16 with nine assists and his fellow Spanish national team star Jorge Garbajosa making four of five from three-point range on his way to 14 points.

With Toronto leading, 110-100, with 2:38 remaining, the Bulls went on an 11-0 run, capped by a layup and free throw by Ben Gordon, to take a one-point lead with 12 seconds remaining.

However, after Toronto point guard TJ Ford drove to the basket and had his shot blocked by rookie Tyrus Thomas, Bosh grabbed the rebound and was fouled with 2.1 seconds left. He nailed both shots from the line.

A jumper by Gordon bounced off the front of the rim as time expired to give the Raptors their sixth win in seven games.

Bosh, who is earning NBA MVP consideration for his play, was eight of 15 from the field and also had 14 rebounds and two blocks for Toronto, which hit 11 of 22 from three-point range.
Former Maccabi Tel Aviv star Anthony Parker added 12 for the Raptors, who shot 54% (41 of 76).

Great Britain international Luol Deng scored 30 points and Gordon added 26, seven rebounds and six assists for the Bulls, who have lost four of their last five games.

Team USA guard Kirk Hinrich had 18 points.

The win lifts Toronto to a 28-24 record, three and a half games up on the New Jersey.

Nowitzki shines for Mavs

German superstar Dirk Nowitzki had a mammoth night, collecting 38 points, 11 rebounds and eight assists, as the Dallas Mavericks erased an 11-point fourth-quarter deficit en route to a 99-93 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks.

However, it was Jason Terry who nailed the go-ahead jumper, teaming up with Nowitzki on a pick-and-roll with 35 seconds left.

Before leaving with a knee injury in the fourth quarter, Devean George scored all nine of his points in the first three minutes of the final period for the Mavericks, who began the final stanza trailing 82-71.

Nowitzki shot 15 of 28 for Dallas, who were 39% (37 of 76) in obtaining their eighth straight win.

Ruben Patterson scored 20 points for Milwaukee, while Australia’s Andrew Bogut added 16 and grabbed 17 rebounds.

Duncan dunks Nets’ hopes

Tim Duncan had 21 points and eight rebounds and France guard Tony Parker added 19 points as the San Antonio Spurs continued their dominance of the New Jersey Nets with a 107-82 victory.

With Jason Kidd missing for the Nets, the Spurs took full advantage, and used a 20-0 run in the second quarter - capped by two free-throws from Argentina’s Manu Ginobili - to burst open the game.

Ginobili finished with 14 off the bench.

Vince Carter led the Nets with 18 points.

It’s Miller Time

Mike Miller scored 22 points and Chucky Atkins added 19 as the Memphis Grizzlies picked up their first win in the Southwest Division with a 108-104 victory over the New Orleans Hornets.

Spain’s Pau Gasol was relatively quiet offensively with 11 points, but the 7ft forward grabbed 15 rebounds.

T-Mac fires Yao-less Rockets to another win

With Yao Ming still recovering from injury, Tracy McGrady is making sure the Houston Rockets win with regularity.

McGrady scored 12 of his 28 points in the fourth quarter and Luther Head added four in overtime as the Houston Rockets captured a 109-104 victory over the Sacramento Kings.

Sacramento, who wasted a career high-tying 39 points from Ron Artest, had led 92-83 with 4:35 left before McGrady scored 10 points in a 12-0 run that put Houston back in play.

Jamal Crawford set up team-mate Eddy Curry for a monstrous go-ahead dunk with seven seconds left as the New York Knicks posted a dramatic 107-106 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers.

Crawford scored 24 points and Curry added 19 and seven rebounds for the Knicks, who survived 31 points from superstar Kobe Bryant.

Team USA captain Wade fires Heat to win

Dwyane Wade shrugged off a shoulder injury to score 16 of his 35 points in the final quarter, lifting the Miami Heat to a 104-85 win over the Portland Trail Blazers.

Ian Parker
FIBA