Jazz erases 21-point deficit

Utah Jazz Coach Jerry Sloan wants the ball in Mehmet Okur’s hands when a three-point basket can win the game.

“He’s such a wonderful shooter,” Sloan said. “We’re always shocked when he misses a shot.”

Okur had 30 points and 10 rebounds to help the Jazz erase a 21-point fourth-quarter deficit and beat the Hawks, 112-106, Wednesday night at Atlanta.

“My teammates keep telling me, ‘Shoot the ball! Shoot the ball!’ ” Okur said. “We don’t give up. We’re not going away. We just play harder and harder every day.”

Okur’s three-pointer all but sealed the victory with 26.4 seconds left, giving Utah a 110-104 lead. Since the start of December, Okur has made 57.1% of his 42 attempts from beyond the arc.

A five-point possession with 10:23 left turned the momentum for Utah, which outscored the Hawks, 40-13, in the final period.

Joe Johnson scored 27 points for Atlanta.

Dallas 103, Seattle 95 -- Erick Dampier matched his season high with 22 points and grabbed a season-best 16 rebounds at Seattle to help the Mavericks win after leading scorer Dirk Nowitzki left because of a sprained ankle late in the first quarter.

X-rays were negative and he was to be re-examined in Dallas.

The SuperSonics had their own injury problems, losing Rashard Lewis to a hand injury in the opening minute. Lewis, hurt trying to block Dampier’s shot, immediately ran off the court and went for X-rays. He was to be re-evaluated today.

New York 111, Charlotte 109 -- David Lee tipped in a pass thrown from the sideline by Jamal Crawford with 0.1 seconds left to cap the Knicks’ rally from a 19-point deficit in a double-overtime victory at New York.

Channing Frye matched a career high with 30 points for New York. Gerald Wallace scored 28 for Charlotte.

New Jersey 113, Cleveland 111 -- Vince Carter, averaging 11.6 points in his previous three games, scored 38 to help the Nets win despite blowing most of a 16-point fourth-quarter lead. LeBron James had 37 points for Cleveland.

Milwaukee 121, Miami 95 -- Mo Williams had his first career triple-double with 19 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists as the Bucks outscored the Heat, 68-39, in the second half at Milwaukee.

Dwyane Wade scored 27 points for Miami.

Orlando 86, New Orleans 83 -- Grant Hill had 21 points and seven rebounds, but the Magic wasn’t safe until Rasual Butler missed a three-pointer at the buzzer. Chris Paul had 19 points and 10 assists for New Orleans.

Indiana 101, Philadelphia 93 -- Jermaine O’Neal had 34 points and 11 rebounds at Philadelphia in helping hand the 76ers their 12th straight loss overall and 10th in a row on the road.

Portland 89, Houston 87 -- Zach Randolph had 24 points and 13 rebounds and the host Trail Blazers held on after squandering most of a 14-point lead for their fifth straight victory. Yao Ming finished with 34 points and nine rebounds.

Golden State 96, Boston 95 -- Baron Davis scored 31 points to help the Warriors end an eight-game road losing streak.

Paul Pierce scored only two of his 27 points in the fourth quarter for the Celtics, whose five-game winning streak ended.

San Antonio 105, Memphis 98 -- Tim Duncan scored 21 points and Michael Finley added a season-high 20 for the host Spurs.

Mike Miller scored 22 for Memphis.