Grant Is Key as Heat Hands Jazz First Loss

Brian Grant has developed an inside presence for the Miami Heat.

Grant scored 21 points and grabbed 10 rebounds as the Heat beat Utah, 87-80, at Salt Lake City and ended the Jazz’s season-opening five-game win streak.

When Miami lost Alonzo Mourning for the season because of a kidney ailment, the Heat turned to Grant to fill the inside void. He seems to have found his place.

“It’s not about me, it’s just about winning. Tonight’s win is definitely a big character-builder,” said Grant, who grabbed a key rebound and made two free throws in the last 15 seconds.

Miami led most of the way before faltering in the fourth period. But Tim Hardaway made consecutive jumpers to give Miami a 83-75 edge with 1:21 remaining.

The Jazz made one last run as John Stockton made a three-pointer and a running jumper.

Stockton had a chance to tie the score with a deep three-point attempt, but missed and was forced to foul Grant with 15 seconds remaining.

Grant made both free throws, and Anthony Mason added two more with 4.5 seconds left for the final margin.

“You expect the Jazz to make a run but it was a big game for us and we pulled it out,” Grant said.

Dallas 79, San Antonio 77--Michael Finley made a 22-foot jumper as time expired to lift the Mavericks at Dallas.

San Antonio’s Avery Johnson tied the score at 77 with a three-pointer from the right corner with 4.1 seconds left.

Finley, who finished with 20 points, took the inbound pass, dribbled to his left and launched a fallaway jumper with just over a second left. The shot swished as the final buzzer sounded, and Finley was mobbed by his teammates.

Dirk Nowitzki added 18 points and 10 rebounds for the Mavericks, who wanted to put on a good show for free agent forward Joe Smith. Dallas owner Mark Cuban spent the day trying to convince Smith to sign with the Mavericks.

Smith and his agent, Dan Fegan, sat beside Cuban in baseline seats. Smith visited the Maverick locker room before the game and at halftime.

Toronto 115, Cleveland 88--Vince Carter scored 32 points and five other Raptors scored in double figures at Toronto as the Raptors handed the Cavaliers their first loss of the season.

The Raptors, who shot 54% from the field, have won three straight games after losing their first three.

The Cavaliers began the game a surprising 4-0.

New York 103, Boston 101--Allan Houston scored 37 points and Charlie Ward made a key steal and two free throws late in overtime, leading the Knicks at Boston.

With the Knicks leading, 101-99, Boston’s Antoine Walker dribbled as he backed toward the basket from the right side. Ward flashed over from the left, poked the ball loose and was fouled by Vitaly Potapenko with 7.9 seconds left.

Ward made both shots as the Knicks, playing without Latrell Sprewell and Chris Childs, ended a five-game losing streak in Boston.

Sacramento 114, Golden State 107--Chris Webber scored 10 of his 35 points in overtime as the Kings beat Golden State at Oakland, for their second victory over the Warriors in three nights.

Webber, who also had 16 rebounds, scored six consecutive points to give the Kings a 105-101 lead with 1:33 left in overtime. Moments later, Jason Williams found Webber for a dunk that put Sacramento up by six with 41 seconds left.

Antawn Jamison had a career-high 37 points for Golden State. Larry Hughes shot an airball on a free throw with 35 seconds left in overtime to kill the Warriors’ comeback hopes.

Indiana 86, Washington 74--Reggie Miller scored 23 points, and the Pacers took advantage of 22 turnovers to beat the Wizards at Washington.

Miller scored 13 points in the third quarter, including consecutive jump shots in a 7-0 run that gave the Pacers the lead for good.