Christie’s Hot Hand Lifts Streaking Kings

Doug Christie scored 13 of his 21 points in the fourth quarter and the Sacramento Kings won their 10th in a row and moved one game ahead of the Lakers atop the Pacific Division, beating the Nuggets, 112-107, Wednesday night at Denver.

“[Christie] made a couple of huge shots that broke their backs and made a couple of steals,” King Coach Rick Adelman said. “He was unbelievable.”

Peja Stojakovic had 29 points and Chris Webber 21 points and 12 rebounds for the Kings, who erased a nine-point deficit late in the third quarter.

Raef LaFrentz had 30 points and 10 rebounds for Denver, but did not score in the fourth quarter. Avery Johnson had 23 points and 12 assists.

The Nuggets were without leading scorer, Nick Van Exel, who sat out because of a bruised jaw.

New Jersey 111, Washington 67--The Nets made their first 13 shots and opened a 41-point lead before halftime at East Rutherford, N.J.

The Nets (26-11) matched their victory total from last season, won their sixth in a row and improved the Eastern Conference’s best record.

Keith Van Horn scored 27 points and Jason Kidd had 11 points, 12 assists and five rebounds for the Nets.

Michael Jordan scored 10 points and sat out the second half for Washington, which lost its fourth in a row.

Boston 101, New York 100--Paul Pierce had 30 points and Tony Battie had a career-high 20 at Boston, as the Celtics sent the Knicks to their sixth consecutive defeat.

Eric Williams made a go-ahead three-point shot with 32.9 seconds remaining to put the Celtics ahead, 98-96.

Allan Houston had 28 points for the Knicks.

Toronto 109, Houston 103--Vince Carter scored 29 points and Hakeem Olajuwon had six points and five rebounds at Toronto in his first game against his former team.

Alvin Williams scored 21 points for Toronto, which shot 56% from the field.

Moochie Norris had 28 points for Houston.

Milwaukee 105, Indiana 100--Ray Allen scored 36 points, including seven three-pointers, and Sam Cassell scored 20 at Milwaukee, helping the Bucks win their fifth in a row.

Two free throws by Cassell put the Bucks ahead, 100-95 with 28.3 seconds left.

Reggie Miller’s three-pointer pulled the Pacers within 100-98 with 24.6 seconds left.

Milwaukee made five of six free throws in the final 20 seconds.

Miller had 27 points.

Utah 95, Seattle 80--Rookie Jarron Collins scored a career-best 22 points and grabbed 10 rebounds to lead the Jazz at Salt Lake City.

The 6-foot-11 Collins, in his 26th game, made his nine field-goal attempts.

Karl Malone scored 17 points and John Stockton had 15 for Utah, which won its eighth in a row over Seattle.

Gary Payton led Seattle with 21 points.

Portland 108, Phoenix 99--Damon Stoudamire scored eight of his 19 points in the final seven minutes at Phoenix, helping the Trail Blazers win their fourth in a row.

Rasheed Wallace had 19 points for Portland.

Stephon Marbury had 29 points and nine assists and Marion had 19 points and 15 rebounds for Phoenix.

The Suns lost for the seventh time in eight games.

Golden State 117, Cleveland 88--Larry Hughes scored 20 points and Antawn Jamison had 18 at Oakland, and the Warriors ended a seven-game losing streak.

Chris Mihm had 20 points and 10 rebounds for the Cavaliers.