Stojakovic Gives Kings a Big Lift

Peja Stojakovic appears to be back in a groove, which gives opponents of the Sacramento Kings one more thing to worry about.

Stojakovic scored a season-high 30 points and had eight rebounds Sunday night at Sacramento, leading the Kings to a 106-98 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies.

Injuries have plagued Stojakovic. He sat out 10 games earlier this season because of a foot problem and returned without his usual accurate shooting touch.

He had no shooting problems against the Grizzlies, making three three-pointers and was 12 of 19 overall.

“I’m making some shots, I feel good, my confidence is getting back,” said Stojakovic, who has averaged 27 points and made 31 of 52 shots the last three games. “This is the first time this season I felt like I moved good.”

Sacramento had 32 assists, one short of its season high. Four of the five starters had six or more assists.

It was the Grizzlies’ 10th straight defeat in Sacramento, where they have lost 15 of 16 games in franchise history.

“Its not that special coming back here because we always lose,” former King Jason Williams said.

Toronto 105, Minnesota 91 -- Newcomer Rafer Alston gave the Raptors the lift they needed to end a 12-game losing streak.

Alston had 12 points, eight assists and six rebounds at Toronto in his second game with the Raptors. “I gave them a boost,” said Alston, who signed a 10-day contract on Wednesday.

The Raptor guards -- Alston, Morris Peterson, Alvin Williams and Lindsey Hunter -- combined for 53 points and the Raptors won for the first time since Dec. 17 at Milwaukee.

Phoenix 107, Utah 99 -- Stephon Marbury scored 38 points -- 22 in the second half -- and Shawn Marion added 31 to help the Suns win their 10th home game in a row.

Rookie Amare Stoudemire had 17 points and 13 rebounds. He scored nine in the fourth quarter when the Suns pulled away to beat Utah for the first time in three tries. Eighteen of Marion’s points came in the second half.

Matt Harpring and Karl Malone each scored 26 points for the Jazz, who had won six of seven, including a 99-93 home victory over Phoenix last Wednesday.

San Antonio 81, Boston 80 -- Stephen Jackson made a long three-pointer with 9.6 seconds left to cap a game-ending 8-0 run and give the Spurs the win at San Antonio.

With the Spurs trailing, 80-78, with 15 seconds left, Jackson inbounded the ball in San Antonio’s end and then got it back for a 25-footer.

After Jackson’s basket, Paul Pierce’s 17-foot jumper from the wing bounced off the side of the rim as time expired.

Jackson scored 18 points. The winning three-pointer was his only basket of the second half.

The Celtics scored only 10 points in the fourth quarter after scoring 30 in the third.

Orlando 107, Philadelphia 105 -- Tracy McGrady had 34 points and Mike Miller scored 27 at Philadelphia as the Magic handed the struggling 76ers their sixth straight loss.

Miller had 11 points, including three three-pointers, in the fourth quarter when the Magic overcame an eight-point deficit. The 76ers were led by Allen Iverson’s 32 points.

Cleveland 87, Seattle 79 -- The Cavaliers ended a losing streak at 15 against the SuperSonics in the game at Seattle. Cleveland’s last win in Seattle came in November 1993.

The Cavaliers trailed, 71-66, to open the fourth quarter, but regained the lead at 74-73 on a jumper by Jumaine Jones with 7:30 left.

Seattle couldn’t get the lead back after that. The SuperSonics, who have lost five in a row and nine of their last 11, scored only eight points in the fourth quarter on three-of-14 shooting.

Jones finished with 16 points.