Van Exel Scores 38 in Win

Nick Van Exel ensured Jason Williams stayed off the highlight reels Thursday night.

Van Exel, who made some racially driven comments about Williams’ flashy style of play, had 38 points and 10 assists to lead the Nuggets to a 116-106 victory over the Sacramento Kings at Denver.

When asked about Williams’ awe-inspiring passes and dribbling that seem to defy logic--and sometimes the rule book--Van Exel said Wednesday that the Sacramento point guard would be frowned upon if he were black instead of white.

“I don’t disrespect Jason,” Van Exel said after thoroughly outplaying his counterpart. “I respect his game 100%. I just said that if I came into the league the way he did, I would get looked at in a different way. I was just speaking the truth. We shook hands before the game. It’s no big deal. I don’t have anything to prove.”

Williams, who did not speak to reporters after the game, finished with five points and five turnovers and did not play in the fourth quarter.

Despite Williams’ woes, the Kings led by 13 points at halftime before Van Exel, Ron Mercer and seldom-used Roy Rogers led the Nuggets back.

Mercer had 25 points and Rogers tied a career high with 18 points and 10 rebounds off the bench as Denver ended a four-game losing streak.

Portland 107, Seattle 81--The Trail Blazers, led by Damon Stoudamire’s 20 points, ended an eight-game losing streak at Seattle.

Portland scored 12 unanswered points to go from an 85-70 lead to a 97-70 advantage after Brian Grant’s 15-footer with 5:24 left.

New York 100, Dallas 93--Allan Houston scored 10 of his 31 points in the fourth quarter at Dallas to lead the Knicks to their fifth straight win.

Marcus Camby added 17 points and 12 rebounds, Latrell Sprewell had 15 points and Patrick Ewing 14 for the Knicks.

Dirk Nowitzki scored 24 points to lead the Mavericks, who have lost five of six.

Milwaukee 96, Miami 95--Ray Allen scored 28 points and made an 18-foot running jumper with 1.7 seconds to play to lift the Bucks at Miami.

Sam Cassell had 20 points and seven assists, and Vinny Del Negro added 15 points for the Bucks.

Detroit 116, Golden State 108--Grant Hill scored 25 points and Jerry Stackhouse had 23 points and 11 assists for the Pistons at Oakland.

Christian Laettner added 19 points for the Pistons, who have beaten the Warriors the last seven times they have played.

Jason Caffey scored 21 points and grabbed 11 rebounds to lead the Warriors.

Washington 108, New Jersey 104--Juwan Howard scored 28 points and helped the Wizards rally from a nine-point fourth-quarter deficit at Washington.