A New Starter Keeps the Heat Going Strong

Damon Jones is undefeated as a starter with the Miami Heat.

Shaquille O’Neal had 20 points, and Dwyane Wade had 20 points, nine rebounds and six assists as the Heat won its fourth in a row, 106-98, over the Raptors on Sunday at Toronto.

Jones had 16 points, including a big three-point basket with 1 minute 6 seconds left.

“Don’t jinx us,” Jones said when told the Heat is undefeated since he became its starting point guard.

Jones stared and yelled at Toronto’s bench after his three-pointer gave Miami a 100-92 lead.

“They were on me all game long, saying I can’t make shots,” said Jones, who leads the NBA with 64 three-point baskets.

The Heat outscored the undersized Raptors, 52-26, in the paint.

Jalen Rose scored 25 points for the Raptors, who have lost seven in a row and 15 of 18.

Philadelphia 107, Milwaukee 101 -- Allen Iverson scored a season-high 40 points on 16-for-33 shooting, and Marc Jackson had 20 of his season-high 28 points in the fourth quarter of the 76ers’ victory at Philadelphia.

The 76ers won their second consecutive game after losing six in a row.

Michael Redd had 28 points for Milwaukee.

New York 107, Denver 96 -- Jamal Crawford scored 31 points, and Stephon Marbury had 25 as the Knicks’ starting backcourt combined for 50 more points than their Nugget counterparts at New York. Starting guards Greg Buckner (four points) and Andre Miller (two points) made three of 10 shots as the Nuggets’ four-game winning streak ended. Carmelo Anthony led them with 26 points.

Washington 88, New Orleans 69 -- Antawn Jamison and Brendan Haywood scored 17 points apiece at Washington to help hand the Hornets their 10th loss in a row. The Hornets committed 33 turnovers, which the Wizards converted into 30 points. Washington had a season-high 20 steals.

Portland 98, Utah 88 -- Zach Randolph had 23 points at Portland, Ore., to help the Trail Blazers avenge an overtime loss in Utah on Friday in which the Jazz ended a six-game losing streak. Raja Bell had 21 points for Utah, which lost its fourth in a row on the road.

Golden State 99, Charlotte 87 -- Jason Richardson scored 24 points at Oakland to help the Warriors keep the Bobcats winless on the road (0-10).

Emeka Okafor had 21 points and 13 rebounds for the Bobcats, who also lost their fourth in a row.

Meanwhile, the Warriors put guard Derek Fisher on the injured list because of a sprained right knee.

Fisher is averaging 9.6 points and 4.1 assists in 19 games for the Warriors.