THREE POINTS

REBOUNDING TEAR

The NBA’s second-leading rebounder, New Orleans Hornets center Tyson Chandler was on a 21-game streak of double-digit rebounds until finishing with six against Utah on Saturday. It included a notable run of 12-plus rebounds in 15 straight games.

Only two players (Dennis Rodman in 15 straight games in 1997-98 and Ben Wallace in 17 straight in 2002-03) have done that in the last 10 seasons.

“The one thing on his mind is to grab every rebound,” Hornets Coach Byron Scott said of the former Compton Dominquez High standout. “How he approaches it is like Dennis Rodman, that wherever it is he’s going to get it.”

TEXAS HOLD ‘EM

Erasing some early concerns and recalling the teams that won titles in 2003 and 2005, the San Antonio Spurs have made defense their calling card during their 12-game winning streak.

During the surge, the Spurs have limited opponents to 82.3 points and 41.7% shooting while shooting 48.5%. Even better, no opponent has reached 100 during the streak and five teams scored in the 70s. It may only get better with 14 of their last 19 games against teams with losing records.

FINAL LAYUPS

Denver is 0-21 when scoring fewer than 100 points and 29-9 when it exceeds that total.... Phoenix is the only team with a better home record (25-6) than Dallas’ 21-6 road mark. Dallas is also 36-2 since Dec. 13. Detroit and Cleveland are the only Eastern Conference teams with more wins all season.... Miami is 38-3 at home in February and March since acquiring Shaquille O’Neal in 2004.... Utah is 14-0 when leading after three quarters on the road.

-- PAUL NETTER