Jordan, Wizards Are Not Bothered by Heat

Michael Jordan had 25 points, seven assists and six rebounds, and the Washington Wizards held off a late rally by the Miami Heat to win, 82-80, Wednesday night at Washington for their fourth consecutive victory.

The Wizards, home after a 3-1 road trip, are 6-2 since Jordan said, “We stink,” following a loss at Cleveland.

Richard Hamilton scored 23 points and rookie Brendan Haywood had 11 rebounds.

Jim Jackson scored 18 points for the Heat.

Miami nearly overcame a 15-point, second-half deficit and could have won on the last shot, but LaPhonso Ellis’ three-point shot hit the back rim just as time expired.

The Heat is off to its worst 20-game start (4-16) since 1989-90, the franchise’s second season in the league.

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San Antonio 108, Toronto 95--Tim Duncan had 28 points and 13 rebounds as host San Antonio won its fifth in a row.

Steve Smith scored 17 points and Tony Parker had 11 for the Spurs.

Toronto’s Vince Carter, who was second in the league in scoring at 27 points per game, did not play in the second half after bruising his right calf in the second quarter.

Carter finished with six points.

Alvin Williams scored 16 points and Keon Clark had 14 for Toronto.

Hakeem Olajuwon had nine points and nine blocked shots.

Olajuwon’s seven first-half blocks tied the record for the most by a San Antonio opponent in one half.

Phoenix 114, Sacramento 88--Shawn Marion had 21 points and 13 rebounds for the Suns at Phoenix.

Tony Delk had 21 points and reserve John Wallace had 19 for the Suns.

It was the first game between the teams since Sacramento eliminated Phoenix in four games in the first round of last season’s playoffs.

Penny Hardaway scored 19 points and Stephon Marbury had 15 points and 12 assists as the Suns won their fifth consecutive at home.

Sacramento’s Chris Webber had 21 points and a season-high 12 rebounds.

Minnesota 98, Utah 87--Kevin Garnett scored 24 points, Joe Smith had 15 and Terrell Brandon scored 14 for Minnesota at Salt Lake City.

Minnesota won its fifth consecutive game, all by double digits, and ended Utah’s four-game winning streak.

Karl Malone scored 20 points for Utah, DeShawn Stevenson had 16 and Andrei Kirilenko had 11.