Smith’s Return to Atlanta Is Painful for Hawks

Steve Smith capped his return to Atlanta with the perfect ending.

Smith, traded by the Hawks before the season, scored 21 points and the Portland Trail Blazers were unstoppable in the final five minutes, holding off Atlanta, 97-90, Friday night.

Smith hit a key basket with 1:23 remaining and rubbed a little salt in his old team’s wound by making a wide-open three-pointer at the buzzer when the game already was decided.

“It was great to see my friends again,” said Smith, who played five seasons with the Hawks and kept his home in Atlanta after he was traded to Portland for Isaiah Rider and Jim Jackson. “I didn’t ask to be traded. I played my heart out the five years I was here.”

With his team leading, 84-82, Smith got loose along the baseline and scored off a pass from Damon Stoudamire with 83 seconds left to give Portland some breathing room.

Indiana 104, Sacramento 94--Mark Jackson had 15 points, 15 assists and 10 rebounds for his 16th career triple-double as the Pacers defeated the Kings to tie the club record of 17 straight home victories.

Miami 99, Washington 92--Alonzo Mourning scored 22 of his 32 points in the second half as the Heat rallied to defeat the Wizards at Miami.

Minnesota 102, Houston 85--Kevin Garnett had 23 points, 18 rebounds and nine assists as the Timberwolves routed the Rockets at Minneapolis.

Boston 100, New Jersey 95--Kenny Anderson made a short jumper to give Boston the lead, then added two free throws as the Celtics defeated the visiting Nets.

Detroit 105, Cleveland 96--Lindsey Hunter had 26 points and 10 assists as the Pistons defeated the Cavaliers at Auburn Hills, Mich.

Vancouver 101, Chicago 76--Michael Dickerson scored 20 points and Mike Bibby added 16 as the Grizzlies routed the Bulls at Vancouver, Canada, for their most decisive victory in their five-year history.

Golden State 103, Denver 101--Antawn Jamison scored 19 points, including six in the final 1:53, as the Warriors defeated the Nuggets at Oakland.

Seattle 94, Phoenix 86--Gary Payton scored 23 points and won his duel with Jason Kidd by holding the all-star starter to eight points as the SuperSonics defeated the Suns at Seattle.

Around the League

Leon Smith, the teenage basketball star whose emotional and legal troubles have kept him off the court, has been waived by the Dallas Mavericks. Smith, who signed with the Mavericks on Nov. 2, was placed on the team’s suspended list Dec. 6. He became a free agent Tuesday without playing a single game for the Mavericks. He leaves the team with the assurance he’ll receive the $1.45 million guaranteed to him as a first-round draft pick. . . . Houston Rocket rookie guard Steve Francis missed the team’s trip to Minnesota because of a hernia. He was expected to rejoin his teammates Sunday at Detroit. Francis left the Rockets’ 109-106 victory over Philadelphia with 39 seconds left Thursday night with what was thought to be a strained left groin. . . . Point guard Terrell Brandon of the Minnesota Timberwolves probably won’t be back until after the Feb. 13 All-Star game, but team officials declined to set a firm date for his return. . . . The San Antonio Spurs waived forward Chucky Brown.