Lakers coming up small vs. NBA’s best

January 31, 2011

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. (AP)—The Los Angeles Lakers have the NBA’s fifth-bestrecord and a huge lead in the Pacific Division. It’s what they don’t have thatmight be cause for concern.

After fading in the fourth quarter of a 109-96 loss to the Boston Celtics onSunday, the two-time defending champions are just 1-4 this season against thefour teams above them in the overall standings.

The Lakers also have seven home losses. That’s the same number they had alllast season.

Some of their fans are panicking after watching Kobe Bryant’s(notes) one-man showfall miserably flat against the Celtics in Los Angeles’ fourth loss in sevengames overall. The Lakers realize they haven’t risen to their biggest challengesthis season, but they believe there’s still time.

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Heat G House fined for obscene gesture

January 31, 2011

NEW YORK (AP)—The NBA has fined Heat guard Eddie House(notes) for making anobscene gesture during Miami’s 108-103 win at Oklahoma City on Sunday.

NBA Executive Vice President Stu Jackson announced the $25,000 penalty onMonday.

The league says the incident occurred with 22.2 seconds left in the game.

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Bulls G Rose says ulcers not painful

January 31, 2011

DEERFIELD, Ill. (AP)—Chicago Bulls star Derrick Rose(notes) says he’s feelingbetter after battling two stomach ulcers the past week.

The All-Star point guard says the condition is “not painful anymore.” Hespoke after practice on Monday.

Duncan’s All-Star spot could be at stake

January 31, 2011

Tim Duncan’s(notes) championship credentials will someday mandate a spot in theHall of Fame.

“He’s a pillar, one of the few pillars of this league,” Houston’s ShaneBattier(notes) said.

One who is having a mediocre season statistically, the kind that wouldnormally warrant a long weekend off next month.

Duncan barely cracks the top 20 in scoring among a stellar class of WesternConference forwards. So as coaches submit their ballots this week for All-Starreserves, they’ll have to look elsewhere if they choose to consider Duncan for a13th straight appearance.

Perhaps away from Blake Griffin’s(notes) spectacular highlights. Away from KevinLove’s(notes) point-rebound totals that belong in a video game.

They will have to go directly to San Antonio’s won-loss record.

Because at 40-7, it may be impossible to dismiss how much Duncan means tothe Spurs—even in a year when he seems to mean less than ever.

“I haven’t looked at him specifically. … Those guys are 37-4 orsomething,” Dallas coach Rick Carlisle said last week. “You’ve got to take astrong look at that. That’s meaningful, that Duncan is on a team that’s winningevery game. That’s a big deal, and it should be.”

Coaches routinely favor players from winning teams when making theirselections, and the Spurs have been even more dominant than in any of their fourchampionship seasons with Duncan. So the West coaches likely believe San Antonioshould have multiple All-Stars, just as their East counterparts did in recentyears with teams that won so much, sending four Detroit Pistons in 2006 and twoBoston reserves to join starter Kevin Garnett(notes) in 2008.

Manu Ginobili(notes) is the Spurs’ best candidate, averaging 18.8 points. TonyParker(notes) is next at 17.5 on 52 percent shooting, while Duncan’s average of 13.6points is third on the team and only 20th best among West forwards who haveplayed at least 30 games, according to STATS LLC.

That’s a career low, as are his 9.4 rebounds in only 29 minutes per gamewhile the Spurs monitor the 14-year veteran’s minutes. Still good for mostplayers, those statistics look even punier next to the nightly double-doubles ofGriffin and Love, players Duncan has to compete with, along with perhaps playerssuch as Dallas’ Dirk Nowitzki(notes), LaMarcus Aldridge(notes) of Portland, the Lakers’ PauGasol(notes), or Zach Randolph(notes) of Memphis.

“It’s an interesting situation, because you’ve got the three young guys,with Aldridge and Love and this kid, Griffin. They’re all having great years,”Houston coach Rick Adelman said. “And then you’ve got the old standbys. TimDuncan, whose team is the best in the league, but they’ve cut his minutes back.How are the coaches are going to vote? I don’t know. It’s going to be aninteresting situation. There’s a lot of young blood and guys who are reallyplaying like they deserve it.”

Duncan has been an All-Star 12 straight seasons, two shy of the all-timerecord, and made his 11th start last year. The fans went with Kevin Durant(notes) andCarmelo Anthony(notes) this year, but Duncan still has two possible routes to extendthose totals.

The coaches must submit their votes to the league office by Tuesdayafternoon, voting for two forwards, two guards, a center and two playersregardless of position in their conference.

Duncan was listed on the fan ballot as a forward, mostly because of hislongtime objection to being considered a center even though he mostly plays thatposition for the Spurs. But coaches are free to vote for him at either position,helping Duncan’s candidacy.

Should his name not be called when reserves are announced Thursday night, hestill could end up in Los Angeles if Commissioner David Stern tabs him as theinjury replacement for Yao Ming(notes), who was voted the starting center by fans.

“I think Tim’s got a good shot. There’s a lot of good players out there, inall seriousness,” said Spurs coach Gregg Popovich, who will coach the West.

“We wouldn’t be in the position we’re in, record-wise, if Timmy wasn’t outthere doing what he does night after night, and his consistency. So when I lookacross the board, I would hope he makes the All-Star team.”

Popovich can’t vote for his own players and doesn’t believe in lobbyingcoaches on behalf of players—not that Duncan would want the help.

“I’m not thinking about that right now,” he said. “I don’t have anopinion on whether I’m making the All-Star team or not.”

A respected veteran, Duncan’s reputation could be a tiebreaker for coacheswho can’t decide between individual production or team success. Those weighingstats more heavily would agree with Charles Barkley, who left Duncan off hislist of reserves after the starters were announced last Thursday on TNT.

While not talking specifically about Duncan, Barkley said: “This isn’t alifetime achievement award. The award should go to guys who are having the bestfirst half of the season.”

AP Sports Writers Jaime Aron in Dallas, Chris Duncan in Houston and PaulWeber in San Antonio contributed to this report.

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Warriors snap skid, rip undermanned Jazz

January 31, 2011

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP)—Stephen Curry(notes) had 27 points and seven assists and theGolden State Warriors overcame scoring leader Monta Ellis’(notes) horrendous shootingperformance to beat the undermanned Utah Jazz 96-81 on Sunday night to snap afour-game losing streak.

Dorell Wright(notes) scored 16 points, and Reggie Williams(notes) added 15 to help theWarriors build an 18-point lead in the fourth quarter while Ellis was on thebench. Ellis, averaging more than 25 points, was held to a season-low two pointson 1-for-9 shooting.

Al Jefferson(notes) had 16 points and 14 rebounds, and Andre Kirilenko had 14points and nine rebounds for a Jazz team that has lost six straight road games.Utah never seriously challenged in this one with star point guard Deron Williams(notes)out with a hyperextended right wrist and center Mehmet Okur(notes) sidelined by astrained back.

Utah Utah Jazz Ronnie Price , left,… AP – Jan 30, 11:39 pm EST Golden State Warriors co-owner… AP – Jan 30, 11:33 pm EST Utah Jazz Paul Millsap , cente… AP – Jan 30, 11:30 pm EST Utah Jazz Paul Millsap (24) sh… AP – Jan 30, 11:28 pm EST Utah Jazz C.J. Miles (34) goes… AP – Jan 30, 11:26 pm EST Utah Jazz Earl Watson (11) goe… AP – Jan 30, 11:24 pm EST Utah Jazz Andrei Kirilenko of … AP – Jan 30, 11:18 pm EST Golden State Warriors ' St… AP – Jan 30, 11:07 pm EST Utah Jazz Al Jefferson , right… AP – Jan 30, 11:04 pm EST Utah Jazz Paul Millsap (24) re… AP – Jan 30, 11:01 pm EST YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_last_index = 9; YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_lazy_images = [http://d.yimg.com/a/p/sp/ap/f1/fullj.a160656faff1c5e6a4782f0d98f53232/ap-ba960507a228446a93eb677332a508fb.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=66&yc=1&wc=309&hc=344&q=70&sig=EQ1LKVrkEr_MoCHABAGpkw--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/sp/ap/73/fullj.8fbd30708306c89cf40ecd7dec1e4c80/ap-042bc5e4fd264d208b1edc92a6defdc5.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=1&yc=1&wc=438&hc=486&q=70&sig=t36.YiexIxmLkRDLWnDp8w--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/sp/ap/85/fullj.dabfee57af9a9c8640586ee0cd6310d9/ap-161e0f359b834f1596348bfdcb20fb09.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=1&yc=1&wc=350&hc=388&q=70&sig=C8OTVKzLfYjhQRm28iqSIA--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/sp/ap/b7/fullj.ead47f334a59eb3c8a7c6077352ebe8c/ap-47f374f78fc34f3aadef056cb6e307f5.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=1&yc=1&wc=436&hc=484&q=70&sig=nb8lYvEnDLLc1SZFoBFFUQ--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/sp/ap/3f/fullj.d7b08bd56843aa2effc47051bfae6721/ap-e863c97254e64796affe7efa20754e1d.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=83&yc=1&wc=276&hc=307&q=70&sig=H2JYIOLaEdekbwtFOruFyg--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/sp/ap/20/fullj.6dcba8c72a5a259c56ccc142cd1006bb/ap-b95f37b6471e4d6e9b4dd257b698bb11.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=1&yc=1&wc=424&hc=471&q=70&sig=Rye.Sp7jPB558i8rY9YQFg--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/sp/ap/10/fullj.cc9f3612678bd9673d3d3042b85ccac7/ap-9a41dfdd0b9b4b118181dcefe3f54d90.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=59&yc=1&wc=323&hc=359&q=70&sig=W24V8N3Gcrp16YyUy8RNGw--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/sp/ap/c6/fullj.7c2881e3889d7ee64fca95fb763ca3be/ap-d194ba2684804ffa8e90e0a349cd9602.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=1&yc=1&wc=354&hc=393&q=70&sig=q_TkDnNRVdW2k8IblfZn4A--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/sp/ap/fb/fullj.ce92dcd6d8c3e56589f223f231ecb2e5/ap-2b3e5a55dc3a451ab84caaa09530ee82.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=1&yc=1&wc=407&hc=452&q=70&sig=DT0uf_fL6PqqVUzt7DHu9A--]; YAHOO.util.Event.addListener(window,load,YAHOO.Sports.articleLazyLoadCarousel.init); 1 of 10 Uta-GS Gallery function prev_photo() { if (YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_index > 0) { goto_photo(YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_index – 1); } else { goto_photo(YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_last_index); }}function next_photo() { if (YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_index 0) { YAHOO.util.Dom.addClass(article_carousel_prev, prev); YAHOO.util.Dom.removeClass(article_carousel_prev, prev_disabled); } else { YAHOO.util.Dom.addClass(article_carousel_prev, prev_disabled); YAHOO.util.Dom.removeClass(article_carousel_prev, prev); } if (YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_index < YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_last_index) { YAHOO.util.Dom.addClass(article_carousel_next, next); YAHOO.util.Dom.removeClass(article_carousel_next, next_disabled); } else { YAHOO.util.Dom.addClass(article_carousel_next, next_disabled); YAHOO.util.Dom.removeClass(article_carousel_next, next); }*/}function goto_photo(p) { if (YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_photos) { for(i = 0; i < YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_photos.length; i++) { if (i == p) { YAHOO.util.Dom.setStyle(YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_photos[i], display, ); } else { YAHOO.util.Dom.setStyle(YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_photos[i], display, none); } } if (YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_page) { YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_page.innerHTML =(p + 1); YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_index = p; } } update_buttons();}YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_init = function () { YAHOO.util.Event.addListener(article_carousel_prev, click, prev_photo); YAHOO.util.Event.addListener(article_carousel_next, click, next_photo); YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_index = 0; YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_page = YAHOO.util.Dom.get(carousel_page); YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_photos = YAHOO.util.Dom.getElementsByClassName(item, div, leadphoto); if (YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_photos) { goto_photo(0); }}YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_init();

The Warriors had to find new ways to win.

They did some of their best work early even with Ellis held scoreless forthe first half. Wright made a pair of 3-pointers, and Curry followed withanother to lead an 11-2 run late in the first quarter.

Golden State pushed its lead to 14 points in the second behind mostlyreserves, although it struggled to keep the pace—at first, anyway—withoutthe starters, and the lack of production from Ellis showed.

The Jazz regained their rhythm after the break and got within three points,smothering the Warriors defensively. They kept Ellis without a point until hisonly basket with 7:39 remaining in the third quarter, and even that took somework: Ellis spun into the lane and made a floating layup over Utah’soutstretched front line.

The Warriors managed just fine without him.

They slowly went ahead 85-67 in the fourth quarter against team that wassimply exhausted playing short-handed. The only thing that was perhaps moresurprising than Ellis’ low output was that the Warriors still managed to winwithout him.

The All-Star hopeful’s previous low this season was five points in a 117-89loss to the Los Angeles Lakers on Nov. 21 that he hardly even play in the secondhalf because it was such a blowout. The last time Ellis scored only two pointscame against Phoenix on Feb. 4, 2009, when he also scored only two points on 0for 7 shooting.

NOTES: The Warriors improved to 2-1 against the Jazz this season. The hometeam has won each game. They wrap up their season series Feb. 16 in Utah. …Jazz reserve C Kyrylo Fesenko(notes) played the final 8 minutes after missing theprevious game with a sinus infection. … The Jazz swept Golden State 3-0 lastseason.

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Gortat’s 25 help Suns hold off Hornets

January 31, 2011

PHOENIX (AP)—Instead of savoring backup center Marcin Gortat’s(notes) career-high25 points, the Phoenix Suns were left wondering how they nearly blew aneight-point lead in the final 18 seconds.

The New Orleands Hornets were wondering what the officials were looking atin the wild final sequence in the Suns’ 104-102 victory Sunday night.

Grant Hill(notes) blocked Marcus Thornton’s(notes) inside attempt with 3.9 seconds left,escaping a goaltending call, and Chris Paul’s(notes) desperation 3-point attempt—after contact with two Suns—missed the rim as time expired.

PHOENIX, AZ – JANUARY 30: Chr… Getty Images – Jan 30, 11:13 pm EST PHOENIX, AZ – JANUARY 30: Mar… Getty Images – Jan 30, 11:11 pm EST PHOENIX, AZ – JANUARY 30: Vin… Getty Images – Jan 30, 11:10 pm EST PHOENIX, AZ – JANUARY 30: Zab… Getty Images – Jan 30, 11:09 pm EST PHOENIX, AZ – JANUARY 30: Ma… Getty Images – Jan 30, 11:04 pm EST PHOENIX, AZ – JANUARY 30: Hak… Getty Images – Jan 30, 11:04 pm EST Phoenix Suns ' Steve Nash … AP – Jan 30, 11:02 pm EST New Orleans Hornets ' Chri… AP – Jan 30, 11:02 pm EST PHOENIX, AZ – JANUARY 30: Mar… Getty Images – Jan 30, 11:02 pm EST PHOENIX, AZ – JANUARY 30: He… Getty Images – Jan 30, 11:02 pm EST PHOENIX, AZ – JANUARY 30: Vin… Getty Images – Jan 30, 11:01 pm EST PHOENIX, AZ – JANUARY 30: Mar… Getty Images – Jan 30, 11:00 pm EST PHOENIX, AZ – JANUARY 30: Chr… Getty Images – Jan 30, 10:59 pm EST Phoenix Suns ' Grant Hill … AP – Jan 30, 10:47 pm EST PHOENIX, AZ – JANUARY 30: Chr… Getty Images – Jan 30, 10:46 pm EST PHOENIX, AZ – JANUARY 30: Gra… Getty Images – Jan 30, 10:45 pm EST PHOENIX, AZ – JANUARY 30: (L-… Getty Images – Jan 30, 10:40 pm EST PHOENIX, AZ – JANUARY 30: Dav… Getty Images – Jan 30, 9:29 pm EST PHOENIX, AZ – JANUARY 30: Eme… Getty Images – Jan 30, 9:28 pm EST Phoenix Suns ' Vince Carte… AP – Jan 30, 9:26 pm EST PHOENIX, AZ – JANUARY 30: Chr… Getty Images – Jan 30, 9:26 pm EST PHOENIX, AZ – JANUARY 30: Chr… Getty Images – Jan 30, 9:25 pm EST PHOENIX, AZ – JANUARY 30: Eme… Getty Images – Jan 30, 9:23 pm EST New Orleans Hornets ' Chri… AP – Jan 30, 9:23 pm EST PHOENIX, AZ – JANUARY 30: Eme… Getty Images – Jan 30, 9:21 pm EST PHOENIX, AZ – JANUARY 30: Eme… Getty Images – Jan 30, 9:20 pm EST PHOENIX, AZ – JANUARY 30: Mar… Getty Images – Jan 30, 9:19 pm EST Phoenix Suns ' Robin Lopez… AP – Jan 30, 8:52 pm EST Phoenix Suns ' Hakim Warri… AP – Jan 30, 8:51 pm EST YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_last_index = 28; YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_lazy_images = 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“Obviously, I wish we could have closed the game out in the end,” Sunscoach Alvin Gentry said. “They made a couple of shots and we fouled them on a3-point shot. That got the game close… It was a great win against a reallygood basketball team.”

Paul led New Orleans with 26 points. The Hornets were coming off a lossSaturday night in Sacramento that snapped their winning streak at 10.

Paul made a 3-pointer with 17.2 seconds left to cut it to 104-99, TrevorAriza(notes) then stole Hill’s errant pass and Paul made three free throws with 12seconds left after he was fouled by Channing Frye(notes).

The Hornets got the ball back with 10 seconds left when Steve Nash(notes) steppedout of bounds trying to control Hill’s wild inbounds pass.

New Orleans wanted a goaltending call on Thornton’s late try.

“I guess it’s a hard call when the ball hits the backboard and then getsblocked,” Paul said. “We made it too hard on the guys who had to make a toughcall at the end.”

Hornets coach Monty Williams agreed.

“When I came back and looked at the film, the film doesn’t lie and it wasobvious that it was goaltending,” he said.

Gortat was 9 of 10 from the field and had 11 rebounds in 23 minutes,becomingthe first Phoenix reserve since Tony Delk in 2001 to have at least 25 points and11 rebounds. Hill added 16 points, and Frye had 11, hitting three of the Suns’nine 3-pointers.

“After the first half I had three fouls and a lot of frustration and angerfor a lot of different people on the court,” Gortat said. “I’m just proud ofmyself, I handled that situation pretty well.

“I was actually joking around and I said to one of my teammates, ‘I justneed one quarter, there’s nothing to worry about … and I’ll be fine.”

Gortat scored all of his points in the second half.

The Hornets lost center Emeka Okafor(notes), their leading rebounder, to a musclestrain just before halftime. Okafor was doubled over in pain after losing theball out of bounds with close to 2 minutes left in the second quarter, andappeared to be holding his left hip. He didn’t return.

Without Okafor, who left the game with seven rebounds, all offensive, theHornets struggled with interior defense. Gortat got free and hauled in two longpasses from guard Zabian Dowdell(notes) for dunks, including a no-look assist fromabove the 3-point line with 9:30 left in the game that gave the Suns a 92-84lead.

The Suns scored 35 third-quarter points to turn a 53-53 halftime tie into an88-80 lead. The lead ballooned to 12, at 100-88, when Nash found Gortat for adunk with 5:03 to play.

Nash had 15 assists and 10 points for his 26th double-double of the season,which leads all NBA guards.

David West(notes) added 17 points for the Hornets.

NOTES: Suns guard Goran Dragic(notes) didn’t play after stepping on glass at hishome Saturday and receiving nine stitches in his left foot. Dragic, the Suns’backup point guard, is expected to miss the next few games but is officiallylisted as day-to-day. … The Suns finished January with an 8-7 record, theteam’s first winning month of the season.

Written by chris · Filed Under NBA Basketball | Comments Off

Mozgov’s breakout game keys Knicks win

January 31, 2011

NEW YORK (AP)—Timofey Mozgov’s(notes) initiation to NBA life was so shaky that heeventually went to the bench and stayed there for three weeks.

He earned himself another shot Sunday night.

“I’m excited about this, because I want to play,” Mozgov said.

The rookie had season highs of 23 points and 14 rebounds in his firstappearance since Jan. 9, and the New York Knicks beat the Detroit Pistons124-106 on Sunday night.

New New York Knicks ' Timofey … AP – Jan 30, 11:02 pm EST New York Knicks ' Timofey … AP – Jan 30, 10:59 pm EST Detroit Pistons ' Ben Gord… AP – Jan 30, 10:44 pm EST New York Knicks ' Danilo G… AP – Jan 30, 10:42 pm EST Detroit Pistons head coach Joh… AP – Jan 30, 10:30 pm EST New York Knicks ' Amare St… AP – Jan 30, 10:30 pm EST Detroit Pistons ' Ben Gord… AP – Jan 30, 10:25 pm EST New York Knicks ' Amare St… AP – Jan 30, 10:24 pm EST New York Knicks ' Amare St… AP – Jan 30, 10:22 pm EST Detroit Pistons ' Tracy Mc… AP – Jan 30, 9:11 pm EST New York Knicks ' Timofey … AP – Jan 30, 9:11 pm EST Detroit Pistons ' Tayshaun… AP – Jan 30, 9:11 pm EST Detroit Pistons ' Ben Gord… AP – Jan 30, 9:10 pm EST Detroit Pistons ' Chris Wi… AP – Jan 30, 9:09 pm EST New York Knicks ' Amare St… AP – Jan 30, 9:09 pm EST YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_last_index = 14; YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_lazy_images = [http://d.yimg.com/a/p/sp/ap/67/fullj.4f4c9c3c029c5ced887a0ac5d9d0394c/ap-d7fc5d6ee47544cb8b7d3f16b407cbb8.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=1&yc=1&wc=372&hc=413&q=70&sig=.a8RCCxckqXn0fVQyhY8Zg--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/sp/ap/11/fullj.5662b88bcc47b5aa0b833cb39b355207/ap-e968a924c76747aa96403ad4b3a3e39a.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=1&yc=1&wc=351&hc=390&q=70&sig=bou79rDzyp49j6OA8Mr6FA--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/sp/ap/2d/fullj.50a094397a04a3e898180a1a5fae3259/ap-9896ab4f357c4a18991f8592e053324b.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=1&yc=1&wc=342&hc=380&q=70&sig=fk52M7nJQyrGUblNrHOz2A--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/sp/ap/29/fullj.6bd1637d50319caeb28b306e383c5215/ap-2b101d328f0643bf83a7c254edcdaae1.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=22&yc=1&wc=398&hc=443&q=70&sig=z0KskiwXpWVuT7yKdRKDtw--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/sp/ap/c1/fullj.c42d42e73fec2bdaa98aea8a7f9dfe40/ap-d7fd6978efe949e2847c0297da1b4cc5.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=1&yc=1&wc=361&hc=401&q=70&sig=obW2zRgnOkCu.csZQzpJRA--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/sp/ap/76/fullj.efa8c122c1871c1d02777f697bd12479/ap-d20e932caf834e49bc0c694fc6a2d153.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=1&yc=1&wc=336&hc=373&q=70&sig=KAJvvwUM9oD3plJOJ07VOA--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/sp/ap/c7/fullj.bc5aeb994e0252b4705ac491d1422b73/ap-184580df2a924577a83bd3edb3767bbe.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=1&yc=1&wc=338&hc=375&q=70&sig=7aSEtDLpnV2YIhLcANhC5Q--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/sp/ap/52/fullj.2380bf95577800c187231f14c71bb76d/ap-0327b4f0a38b4b89b346f3be205a3fb2.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=1&yc=1&wc=402&hc=446&q=70&sig=vGMJsPBRigVC9BtfZootKA--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/sp/ap/75/fullj.57a8f75141438d67d6a04af1844722c3/ap-ffa08724c0684c68ae938cd9b409292b.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=1&yc=1&wc=330&hc=366&q=70&sig=xNc4DtWLbRJP2Dldscp71A--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/sp/ap/33/fullj.92fc608e36195bfcec585eebae6bea3d/ap-d7493f0e1ff64f60a97b8b65baffd27a.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=1&yc=1&wc=365&hc=405&q=70&sig=qujDu8rob5p2fH3o3eU2cg--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/sp/ap/15/fullj.5473bd7bb21a23ede19b4d4590b7ceb0/ap-b1ac79451710412db5b446e89baedc0e.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=1&yc=1&wc=344&hc=382&q=70&sig=wCumhnZ9cAaX2SjnP8kZOg--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/sp/ap/17/fullj.89c615876dbefccfcfd08d270e074155/ap-66a3d860bc9640f4b2f6eace1acd51e5.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=1&yc=1&wc=334&hc=371&q=70&sig=DJaE1VKkdko11MOOH9ju2A--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/sp/ap/63/fullj.bdd4ceb8f46521fb3ee8137256f9e299/ap-e094ba5609d94f1c9ad8fdf85ac89f2f.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=1&yc=1&wc=332&hc=368&q=70&sig=IDuxXpdtT4n4e9qSm1dsmQ--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/sp/ap/74/fullj.7b508f0ef99831680590a8d42548d1d1/ap-6ca83ecae8be4374a93c8ec3bf2d52b0.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=1&yc=1&wc=355&hc=394&q=70&sig=0txxOmUdwIyCHkmz9nUe9A--]; 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Amare Stoudemire(notes) scored 33 points despite a sprained right knee and DaniloGallinari(notes) added 29 for the Knicks, who seized control early in the fourthquarter after it was tied through three. Gallinari made two 3-pointers in adecisive 12-2 burst to open the final period, with coach Mike D’Antoni saying itmight have been his best game of the season.

But the night belonged to Mozgov.

The Knicks were without starting forward Wilson Chandler(notes) (sore left calf)and key reserve Shawne Williams(notes), who was suspended for throwing a punch inAtlanta on Friday night. Ronny Turiaf(notes) started but was quickly in foul trouble,forcing D’Antoni to go deep down his bench to Mozgov, the starting center earlyin the season before falling out of the rotation entirely.

The Russian played 40 minutes and was treated to loud “Mozgov! Mozgov!”chants in the final minute.

“I was really excited. Really good to listen. They were really nice,”Mozgov said. “I don’t know how to say it in English, but it’s great.”

Gallinari opened the fourth with a tiebreaking 3-pointer that gave theKnicks the lead for good, then Mozgov slammed home a follow dunk. Gallinariadded another 3 before Raymond Felton’s(notes) bucket capped the run and made it103-93, and New York went on to win for the third time in four games.

“It was important for us to defend tonight. We knew that. It seemed like wewanted to make it the OK Corral in regards to a shootout,” Pistons coach JohnKuester said. “The score was 91-91 at the end of the third and you got achance. We’ve got to defend. We had to pick up a couple of stops in a row andjust seemed like we never did it. They took advantage of our not ability toguard the ball the way we’re capable of.”

Ben Gordon(notes) made seven 3-pointers and scored a season-high 35 points for thePistons, who have lost three in a row. Rookie Greg Monroe(notes) had 15 points and 17rebounds.

The Knicks started 8 of 11, then missed their next nine shots—four of themby Mozgov—until he dunked in a miss by Stoudemire. Mozgov quickly got anotherdunk, which seemed to settle him down.

He had nine points in his first nine minutes and finished 9 of 15 from thefloor.

“He just wasn’t flustered,” D’Antoni said. “It just seemed like he wasgoing to way too fast earlier (in the season).”

Mozgov helped take some pressure inside away from Stoudemire, who was hurtFriday and grabbed only six rebounds. Stoudemire went down and appeared to be inpain after banging his left knee with a Detroit player on a drive in the fourthquarter, but got up and played on, scoring 26 points after halftime.

“He played great,” Stoudemire said. “He’s one of those players where hekeeps working and keeps trying to improve. He’s a young player. Coaching staffdid a great job.”

The Knicks also gave Anthony Randolph(notes) his first minutes since Jan. 7, but hewas scoreless.

The Knicks wanted to play fast, with the word “pace” written all overtheir locker room board. But Detroit had no problem keeping up, shooting 60percent in the first quarter and staying there until a little more than 2minutes remaining in the half.

Charlie Villanueva’s(notes) 11 points in the second quarter included two 3-pointersin the final 47 seconds as Detroit took a 62-60 halftime lead.

Gordon, who grew up in nearby Mount Vernon, N.Y., was a Big East tournamentMVP award while playing for Connecticut and earned the nickname “Madison SquareGordon” for his big moments here, scored 16 in the third quarter beforeStoudemire’s follow dunk with 1 second remaining tied it at 91.

“It’s our defense,” Gordon said. “Obviously it’s a great scoring team,but I felt like they got way too many uncontested layups, shots. We didn’t showup defensively. That’s the most frustrating part.”

NOTES: Knicks president Donnie Walsh said through a spokesman he had“nothing to report” about a Yahoo Sports! report that he had agreed to hireformer Denver Nuggets general manager Mark Warkentien as a high-levelconsultant. … Kuester on Knicks’ rookie Landry Fields(notes), a second-round draftpick: “What a steal. I’m telling you, he’s an outstanding basketball player.People do not realize how good of a basketball player and understanding of thegame that he has. Great rebounder for a guy his size, understands how to playthe game and very impressed.” … D’Antoni didn’t get a chance to see MikeKrzyzewski, whom he assists on the U.S. Olympic team. Krzyzewski had a roughafternoon in the opener of a doubleheader at Madison Square Garden, where No. 3Duke lost 93-78 to St. John’s. “He’s won a few games,” D’Antoni said, “he’llbe all right.”

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Mozgov’s breakout game helps Knicks win