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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Tuesday, February 24, 2009

Nets tip 76ers at buzzer

Associated Press

Hawaii news photo - The Honolulu Advertiser

Devin Harris, left, loses control of the ball in front of Andre Iguodala. Harris recovered and sank the game-winning shot from half court.

BILL KOSTROUN | Associated Press

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EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — The New Jersey Nets needed something outrageous to beat the Philadelphia 76ers. Devin Harris provided it with a half-court heave to beat the buzzer that needed a long review before it counted.

Harris hit an unbelievable lunging 47-footer at the horn and the Nets snapped a season-high five-game losing streak with a 98-96 victory over the 76ers last night.

"It's the great thing about this game," Nets coach Lawrence Frank said. "These players are so talented, they make freakish shots."

While there was no question the shot swished, officials Derrick Stafford, Violet Palmer and Pat Fraher had to watch replays of the heave for 2 1/2 minutes with players from both teams staring over their shoulders.

Stafford said the original call on the court was that the basket was not good.

However, the replay showed conclusively that the shot left Harris' hands before the clock hit all zeros, and Stafford eventually gave a touchdown signal, setting off a celebration among Nets players and fans.

"After the review, everyone was jumping up and down, going crazy," said Harris, who scored a game-high 39 points.

Celtics 114, Nuggets 76: Boston handed Denver one of the worst home losses in its history behind 26 points from Ray Allen and 22 from Paul Pierce.

Knicks 123, Pacers 119: Nate Robinson scored a season-high 41 points, including the tiebreaking layup with 26 seconds left, as host New York beat Indiana.

Jazz 108, Hawks 89: Deron Williams had 15 points and 10 assists, and Utah welcomed back Carlos Boozer from a three-month absence with a rout of visiting Atlanta. Boozer finished with two points and five rebounds.

Hornets 112, Kings 105: Chris Paul had 27 points and 13 assists as visiting New Orleans held off Sacramento. David West had 24 points and nine rebounds for the Hornets, who had lost two straight and eight of 12.

Clippers 118, Warriors 105: Zach Randolph had 27 points and 11 rebounds, and Eric Gordon added 27 points as host Los Angeles snapped a three-game losing streak.

ELSEWHERE

Rockets: Houston guard Tracy McGrady will be out 6 to 12 months after microfracture surgery on his left knee scheduled for today, but the team doctor is optimistic that the seven-time All-Star will regain his old form.

Law and order: Charles Barkley will serve five days in jail starting March 21 after pleading guilty yesterday in Scottsdale, Ariz., to charges of driving drunk.

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