Spurs Keep From Blowing Big Lead

Even with his team ahead by more than 20 points in the second half, a scowling Gregg Popovich stomped along the sideline and screamed at his players.

The coach of the San Antonio Spurs must have known what was coming.

Dirk Nowitzki and Steve Nash slashed the Spurs’ 26-point lead to five with about three minutes left before San Antonio righted itself and held on for a 113-100 victory over visiting Dallas on Friday.

Nowitzki scored 17 of his team-high 21 points in the fourth quarter, and Steve Nash -- who sat out the previous two games because of stomach flu -- had seven of his 12 assists in the period.

Tony Parker scored 25 points and Hedo Turkoglu had 21 for the Spurs, who put together two big first-half runs to pile up a 59-33 lead at the break and an 86-60 edge after three quarters.

“When we were ahead we were playing aggressively,” Parker said. “They came back on us because we stopped being as aggressive. We can’t let that happen.”

Houston 112, Minnesota 109 -- Yao Ming scored 27 points and Steve Francis had 25 at Minneapolis for the Rockets, who had lost eight straight on the road.

Minnesota had a chance to tie the score with 3.4 seconds left, but Troy Hudson’s three-pointer hit the front of the rim. The Timberwolves got a second chance with 3.1 seconds left after Adrian Griffin missed two free throws, but Kevin Garnett’s three-point attempt was way off.

New York 109, Toronto 103 -- Stephon Marbury had 35 points and Nazr Mohammed had a season-high 20 points and 18 rebounds to make Knick Coach Lenny Wilkens a winner in his return to Toronto.

Wilkens returned to Toronto for the first time since being fired after last season.

Cleveland 88, New Orleans 85 -- LeBron James made a three-pointer with 1:22 left to put Cleveland ahead, 84-83, and Carlos Boozer made a pair of free throws with six seconds left for the final margin at New Orleans.

Orlando 101, Atlanta 96 -- Tracy McGrady had 28 points and former Laker Tyronn Lue scored eight consecutive points in the last 1:42 at Orlando, Fla., for the Magic’s third victory over the Hawks this season.

Boston 94, Washington 90 -- Paul Pierce scored 24 points and Ricky Davis scored 13 of his 17 points in the second half at Boston for the Celtics, whose four-game winning streak is their longest under interim Coach John Carroll.

Indiana 96, Utah 88 -- Ron Artest scored eight of his 17 points in the fourth quarter and Reggie Miller made a three-pointer with 24.9 seconds left to lift the Pacers at Salt Lake City.

New Jersey 78, Golden State 74 -- Lucious Harris’ jumper with 1:58 left gave the Nets a 75-74 lead -- their first of the second half -- and Richard Jefferson then drove for an acrobatic layup to clinch the win at Oakland. The Warriors missed their last two shots.