Webber Is Back in Mix

Sacramento forward Chris Webber was in the starting lineup for the first time this season on Sunday night after sitting out the Kings’ first 20 games because of a sprained right ankle.

Webber had 18 points and six rebounds in 28 minutes to help the Kings defeat Miami, 95-88, at Sacramento.

Webber sprained the ankle during an exhibition game against the Dallas Mavericks on Oct. 14.

“He had no problems in practice,” Coach Rick Adelman said before the game. “He ran well. He moved well. It’s time to see how he can do in games.”

Peja Stojakovic scored 23 points, Doug Christie barely missed his first double-double of the season with 18 points and nine rebounds, and Hedo Turkoglu had 15 points for the Kings.

Jim Jackson, in his third game with the Heat after signing as a free agent Dec. 2, had 17 points and 11 rebounds.

*

Phoenix 91, Toronto 90--Penny Hardaway had 27 points, including the winning layup at the buzzer at Toronto.

The Suns overcame Vince Carter’s 42 points. His jumper with three seconds to play put Toronto ahead, 90-89.

The final play began with Hardaway inbounding the ball to Rodney Rogers and then cutting to the basket for a return pass.

*

Detroit 105, Houston 77--Jon Barry had 15 points, and Ben Wallace had 10 points and a season-high 18 rebounds for the Pistons at Auburn Hills, Mich.

Cuttino Mobley scored 17 points for Houston, which lost its 10th in a row, the team’s longest skid since a 10-game slide to start the 1982-83 season.

Don Chaney met with New York Knick President Scott Layden to work out an agreement that would keep Chaney coaching the team at least for the rest of the season.

Chaney, with a career coaching record of 266-382, guided the Knicks to a 101-99 victory over the Indiana Pacers on Saturday night after Jeff Van Gundy’s unexpected resignation.

“I’d love to coach here and if it works out, fine. I’m happy,” said Chaney, a longtime Knick assistant.