Stojakovic Earns Praise in Victory

A compliment seemed to make Peja Stojakovic more nervous than the game-winning shot.

Stojakovic’s jumper with 0.4 seconds left lifted the Sacramento Kings to a 96-94 victory Wednesday night at Auburn Hills, Mich., that sent the Detroit Pistons to their fifth consecutive loss.

“Wow, the guy shoots like Larry Bird,” said Richard Hamilton, who led Detroit with 27 points. “When he let it go, I was like, ‘I know that’s going in,’ just because of the way he had been hitting them.”

Stojakovic struggled to respond to the praise.

“Well ... that’s a great compliment, but Larry Bird was a special player and a legend,” said Stojakovic, who scored 25 points. “It’s nice of him to say that, but I don’t think I’m ready to be compared to him.”

Mike Bibby had 26 points for the Kings, who have won five in a row on the road. Brad Miller had 18 points and 15 rebounds and was the target of physical play that led to the ejection of Zeljko Rebraca and Corliss Williamson.

Philadelphia 113, Washington 88 -- Allen Iverson had 25 points and the 76ers gave interim Coach Chris Ford a successful debut at Philadelphia. Ford replaced Randy Ayers on Tuesday.

New Jersey 105, Cleveland 85 -- Lawrence Frank improved to 9-0, tying an NBA record for the best start as a coach as the Nets won their 10th consecutive game at Cleveland.

Frank tied Kurt Rambis (Lakers, 1998-99) and Buddy Jeannette (Baltimore Bullets, 1947-48).

Kerry Kittles had all 27 of his points in the second half for the Nets, who also became the second team in league history to win 10 consecutive games by more than 10 points.

Minnesota 77, Utah 66 -- Kevin Garnett had 17 points and 12 rebounds at Salt Lake City. Andrei Kirilenko had 21 points for Utah.

New Orleans 106, New York 98 -- Baron Davis had 29 points and a career-high six steals as the Hornets used a 20-2 third-quarter run to win at New Orleans. Stephon Marbury led New York with 29 points and 10 assists.

Miami 111, Orlando 98 -- Dwyane Wade scored 27 points to help the visiting Heat stop a five-game losing streak. Tracy McGrady had 24 points for Orlando, which lost its seventh in a row.

Golden State 110, Phoenix 99 -- Brian Cardinal had 23 of his career-best 32 points in the first half to lead the Warriors at Oakland. Amare Stoudemire had 33 points for Phoenix.

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Knick forward Kurt Thomas was suspended for one game without pay by the NBA for head-butting Dallas Maverick forward Josh Howard in Tuesday’s game. ... Forward Vin Baker, suspended indefinitely for failing to comply with the terms of an aftercare program, is expected to miss his 10th consecutive game tonight, a mark that could let the Boston Celtics terminate a contract scheduled to pay him $35 million over the next 2 1/2 years. ... A decision on whether to activate Chris Webber will be made on Monday, the Kings said. Webber is recovering from knee surgery. ... LeBron James ended speculation that he might enter Saturday’s slam-dunk contest at Staples Center, saying he would definitely skip the event. ... Miami forward Caron Butler remained hospitalized with back spasms and a bruised buttocks after falling to the court after a flagrant foul by the Lakers’ Kareem Rush in Tuesday’s game. He is expected to be released today. ... Utah forward Keon Clark’s father, John, 49, was sentenced to 65 years in prison with no possibility of parole for killing a friend after a fight over a bicycle in Danville, Ill.