Raptors Handle Pacers, but Fight Is the Focus

Lenny Wilkens wrapped his arms around Isiah Thomas, keeping the coach of the Indiana Pacers from getting any more involved in a fight between Toronto’s Morris Peterson and Indiana’s Al Harrington.

“Why have him do something he’s going to regret later,” Wilkens said after the Raptors defeated the Indiana Pacers, 102-90, Friday night at Toronto. “I have a lot of respect for him.... I just told him: ‘We don’t need that.’ ”

Peterson, Harrington and Thomas were ejected after a fight with 8:02 left. Harrington approached Peterson in an aggressive manner after Peterson tripped Harrington while running downcourt on a fastbreak.

Peterson appeared to throw a punch and a shoving match ensued. A livid Thomas ran onto the court and tried to get at Peterson, but Wilkens held him back.

“Peterson was in the background and mouthed some words that I can’t say right now,” said Thomas, who didn’t believe he should be fined or suspended. “Morris clearly took his foot and tripped Al Harrington. We are the ones who are getting the cheap shots.”

Antonio Davis had 20 points and 10 rebounds for the Raptors.

Detroit 118, Boston 66 -- The Celtics were dealt the worst loss in their history, falling behind the Pistons by as many as 60 before scoring the final eight points of the game at Boston.

Richard Hamilton scored 29 points for the Pistons, who led, 71-51, with 4:05 left in the third quarter before going on a 35-2 run that gave them twice as many points as Boston -- 106-53 midway through the fourth quarter.

New Jersey 89, New Orleans 72 -- Kenyon Martin had 23 points and 13 rebounds, and two seldom-used members of the Nets made up for the absence of Jason Kidd and Richard Jefferson at East Rutherford, N.J.

Anthony Johnson replaced Kidd (strained groin) and Brian Scalabrine filled in for Jefferson (stomach virus). Johnson scored 10 points, and Scalabrine had five points, seven rebounds, three assists and two blocks.

Portland 107, Chicago 94 -- Rasheed Wallace had 28 points and seven rebounds in his return to the lineup from a seven-game suspension to lead the Trail Blazers at Portland, Ore.

Utah 102, Golden State 94 -- Karl Malone had 26 points and 12 rebounds and the Jazz shot 55% at Salt Lake City to improve to 2-0 under acting coach Phil Johnson, filling in for suspended Jerry Sloan.

Philadelphia 104, Miami 99 -- Keith Van Horn scored a season-high 33 points, Eric Snow had a season-high 21 at Philadelphia and the 76ers handed the Heat its eighth consecutive loss.

San Antonio 109, Orlando 108 -- Tim Duncan had 23 points, 17 rebounds, and six assists, and his put-back off his own miss with four seconds left gave the Spurs the victory at Orlando, Fla.

Houston 121, Minnesota 101 -- Steve Francis scored 27 points, Yao Ming had his 14th double-double of the season with 24 points and 13 rebounds at Houston, and the Rockets shot a season-high 58.1%.

New York 108, Memphis 102 -- Howard Eisley scored a career-high 30 points and scored the last seven points for the Knicks at Memphis, Tenn.

Atlanta 96, Cleveland 91 -- Glenn Robinson scored 20 points and made two free throws with 7.9 seconds left to secure the win for the Hawks at Atlanta. The Hawks have won four of five.