McHale Is a Winner in Return to Boston

Kevin McHale’s coaching debut at Boston was a success, thanks to Latrell Sprewell.

Sprewell made a runner with 0.9 of a second remaining to lift the Minnesota Timberwolves over the Celtics, 99-97, on Sunday, giving McHale a victory in his first game on the sidelines in Boston.

“Spree stayed ready the whole game,” McHale said. “I told Spree to stay ready, we’re gonna need you. Sometimes those basketball gods reward you for doing the right stuff.”

McHale, who took over as Minnesota’s coach for the fired Flip Saunders, played his entire 13-year, Hall of Fame career in Boston. He helped lead the Celtics to three NBA championships before taking over as Minnesota’s vice president of basketball operations in 1995.

“I enjoy coming back to Boston,” McHale said. “But, I’ll be honest with you. Taking over when I did -- in the middle of the season with no practice -- I am so worried about our team and what we have to do that I couldn’t enjoy it.”

Ricky Davis had a chance to tie it for the Celtics, but his jumper from 18 feet missed as time expired.

Kevin Garnett had 21 points, 13 rebounds and nine assists for the Timberwolves, who handed the Celtics their first loss since the return of Antoine Walker. Davis scored 22 points to pace Boston, which had won four straight after reacquiring Walker (16 points on seven-for-nine shooting).

Phoenix 110, Seattle 99 -- Joe Johnson matched a season-high with 30 points on 11-for-18 shooting to help the Suns improve their road record to a league-best 24-7.

Ray Allen had 27 points for Seattle, which made only three of 27 three-point attempts.

San Antonio 101, Utah 94 -- Tim Duncan sat out most of the second half after spraining his right ankle but Manu Ginobili led the Spurs in his absence with 31 points at San Antonio.

Duncan was defending a drive when he jumped and appeared to come down on the leg of teammate Rasho Nesterovic 3:48 into the third quarter. Duncan did not return.

Miami 102, Cleveland 82 -- Shaquille O’Neal spent much of his 33rd birthday in foul trouble at Cleveland, but Eddie Jones scored 19 points, Dwyane Wade and Udonis Haslem added 18 apiece and the Heat won its fifth straight while handing the Cavaliers their sixth loss in a row.

O’Neal played 19 minutes in the first three quarters and had 13 points, five rebounds and six assists. LeBron James had 23 points for Cleveland.

Houston 90, Dallas 69 -- Tracy McGrady had 32 points and 10 rebounds at Houston to send the Mavericks to their third loss in a row, this time without Dirk Nowitzki (knee) and Michael Finley (calf). The Mavericks set a season-low for total points and points in a half with 35.

Sacramento 100, Detroit 85 -- Mike Bibby had 19 points and 11 assists and the Kings easily ended a three-game losing streak in their first home game since Chris Webber’s trade.

Rasheed Wallace had 19 points for the Pistons, who finished a six-game trip with consecutive losses to Phoenix, Seattle and Sacramento.

New York 115, Golden State 99 -- Stephon Marbury had 26 points and a season-high 16 assists and the Knicks used a 21-1 run in the fourth quarter to win at New York.

Toronto 95, New Orleans 84 -- Chris Bosh had a career-high 33 points and 15 rebounds at New Orleans in the Raptors’ victory.