Heat’s Streak Ends at 12 in Houston

Tracy McGrady had 26 points and the Houston Rockets ended the Miami Heat’s winning streak at 12 games with an 84-82 victory Tuesday night at Houston.

Houston nearly blew an 80-72 lead with 40.5 seconds left. Mike James missed four consecutive free throws and then fouled Miami’s Damon Jones as he made a three-point shot. Jones’ free throw cut Houston’s lead to 80-79 with 14.3 seconds left.

The Rockets, however, held on behind three David Wesley free throws and one by McGrady.

Shaquille O’Neal led Miami with 23 points and 16 rebounds against Houston’s Yao Ming (12 points and nine rebounds). Dwayne Wade added 20 points but made only four of 19 shots for Miami.

Cleveland 91, Detroit 76 -- LeBron James scored 29 points and the host Cavaliers ended their three-game losing streak and the Pistons’ five-game winning streak in interim Coach Brendan Malone’s debut after replacing the fired Paul Silas.

Detroit was without Richard Hamilton (ankle).

Phoenix 105, Atlanta 94 -- Amare Stoudemire had 40 points and 13 rebounds at Atlanta to help the Suns become the ninth NBA team to win 50 games after a 50-loss season.

New Jersey 98, Indiana 91 -- Vince Carter scored 33 points at East Rutherford, N.J., to help the Nets move within one game of Philadelphia for the final Eastern Conference playoff berth.

Denver 127, Washington 98 -- DerMarr Johnson led six players in double figures with 20 points at Denver to help the Nuggets win their fourth in a row and improve to 19-5 under Coach George Karl.

Sacramento 112, Portland 93 -- Kenny Thomas had 24 points at Sacramento in his best game since being acquired from Philadelphia and Rick Adelman became the 15th NBA coach to win 700 games.

Seattle 92, Milwaukee 84 -- Playing without Ray Allen (ankle), the host SuperSonics won their third in a row behind Rashard Lewis’ 29 points and Luke Ridnour’s career-high 21.