Kings’ spell on Nuggets ends as Artest returns

Allen Iverson vowed to help end Denver’s league-worst losing streak at Sacramento. After taking care of that, Iverson promised to appeal what he calls his most absurd technical foul.

Iverson had 24 points, seven assists, six rebounds and four steals to spoil Ron Artest’s return to the Kings’ lineup, and the Nuggets ended a 20-game losing streak in Arco Arena with a 113-101 victory Sunday.

Iverson picked up three fouls and a technical during a hectic 17-second span of the first quarter. After his third foul at the 6:25 mark, he was whistled for a technical while running toward the bench clearly frustrated.

“I just said, ‘Oh’ and turned around and ran to the bench. How could I get a technical for something like that?” Iverson said. “I didn’t try to show him up. Out of all the techs I’ve got, I probably deserved every last one except that one right there.”

Carmelo Anthony added 29 points and six rebounds for Denver, which hadn’t beaten the Kings in Sacramento since Jan. 7, 1997 -- the longest active losing streak in the league.

Mostly cheered, Artest had 17 points, eight rebounds, four steals and three assists in his return after his arrest on suspicion of domestic violence last week. He was removed from the team for two games before being reinstated Saturday when he offered an emotional public apology to his family, teammates, coaches, fans and the NBA.

Mike Bibby led the Kings with 34 points.

Miami 106, Washington 104 -- Udonis Haslem’s 10-footer in the lane with 0.3 of a second left at Miami helped the Heat rally from a 12-point second-half deficit after blowing a 16-point first-half lead, moving the Heat within one game of the Wizards in the Southeast Division.

It was Miami’s sixth straight overall victory and 12th in a row at home.

Eddie Jones had 18 points for Miami, which had eight double-figure scorers. Gilbert Arenas scored 33 for the Wizards, including three free throws with 3.1 seconds left that tied the game.

Houston 103, Orlando 92 -- Yao Ming had 37 points and four blocked shots at Houston in his best game since returning from a broken right leg last week to help the Rockets to their third straight victory after losing four of five.

Grant Hill scored 17 points for Orlando, which lost for the fifth time in six games.

Cleveland 99, Indiana 88 -- LeBron James scored 26 points -- his lowest total in 11 games -- but the host Cavaliers won their fifth straight while handing the Pacers their ninth straight loss.

Mike Dunleavy scored a season-high 25 points for the Pacers, whose losing streak is their longest since 1988-89.

Portland 106, Golden State 87 -- Zach Randolph had 25 points and 13 rebounds and the host Trail Blazers led by as many as 23 points in ending the Warriors’ three-game winning streak.

Al Harrington had 16 points for Golden State, playing without Baron Davis (knee).

Toronto 120, Seattle 119 -- T.J. Ford scored nine points in overtime at Toronto and the Raptors overcame a 36-point effort by the SuperSonics’ Ray Allen.

Chris Bosh led the Raptors with 27 points while Ford added 24 points and 13 assists.

Chicago 94, Boston 78 -- Luol Deng scored 17 points and held the Celtics’ Paul Pierce to eight points on two-of-14 shooting for the Bulls, who finished a trip 3-1 and improved to 8-3 since the All-Star break.