Heat’s Streak Hits 10

Damon Jones made a three-point basket with 23.4 seconds left, and Shaquille O’Neal blocked Mike Bibby’s layup attempt in the closing seconds of the Miami Heat’s 10th straight victory, 109-107, over the Kings on Thursday night at Sacramento.

Jones’ dramatic shot and O’Neal’s defense capped an impressive rally from a 101-89 deficit with 5:23 left in Miami’s final warmup before O’Neal’s much-hyped return to Los Angeles to face Kobe Bryant and the Lakers on Saturday.

O’Neal, who had 25 points and 10 rebounds despite a bruised left calf, missed two free throws with 10.9 seconds left, but blocked Bibby’s ensuing drive to the hoop with about two seconds left.

Chris Webber’s three-pointer at the buzzer was well short, and Miami extended its longest winning streak since late in the 1997-98 season.

The Heat also became only the third Eastern Conference team to win in Sacramento in 53 games over the last four seasons.

Webber scored 26 points and Bibby had 21 points and eight assists for the short-handed Kings, who nearly beat the East’s best team despite playing largely without three of their top six players.

Sixth man Bobby Jackson is sidelined by torn ligaments in his wrist. The Kings also had to make do largely without two starters: Brad Miller received a deep cut on his shin and played sparingly, and Doug Christie was ejected in the third quarter.

San Antonio 96, Minnesota 82 -- Manu Ginobili scored 22 points, and the Spurs held Kevin Garnett to only one second-half basket in a victory at San Antonio.

The Spurs, who trailed by double digits in the first half, made 11 of 18 shots in the fourth quarter to break open a tie game. Minnesota, which shot 53% in the first half, made only three of 14 shots in the period.

Wally Szczerbiak had 22 for Minnesota, which dropped its fourth straight road game. Garnett scored 15 points on four-for-16 shooting.

Phoenix 109, Memphis 102 -- Amare Stoudemire had 30 points, 11 rebounds and five steals -- and Shawn Marion scored 29 points -- to lead the Suns to their season-best 10th consecutive victory over the visiting Grizzlies.

The Suns -- winners of nine in a row earlier this season -- improved to 23-3, the NBA’s best start since Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls went 41-3 in 1995-96.

Mike Miller made his first nine shots and had 19 of his 22 points in the first half for Memphis.