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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Thursday, January 15, 2009

Mason, Spurs hold off Lakers

Associated Press

Hawaii news photo - The Honolulu Advertiser

Roger Mason

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SAN ANTONIO — The San Antonio Spurs made it clear to the Los Angeles Lakers that they're still a major player in the Western Conference.

Guard Roger Mason hit a jumper with 10 seconds left and made a free throw after being fouled by Derek Fisher, and the Spurs beat the Lakers, 112-111, last night in the first meeting between the teams since the Western Conference finals.

After Mason's three-point play, the Lakers failed to get a shot off and Trevor Ariza was called for traveling with 0.8 seconds left.

The Lakers rallied from 11 points down in the fourth quarter, taking a two-point lead when Kobe Bryant hit a 3-pointer with 12 seconds left.

The Spurs called timeout and worked the ball to Mason in the corner, where he was bumped from behind by Fisher while shooting from about 16 feet.

"I saw him try to reach for the ball," Mason said. "I wanted to get a little contact and then get the shot off. When I fell down, I looked up and saw it go in.

"I just didn't want to ruin it. I knew we needed that point."

The late foul spoiled the game for Fisher, who was 4-of-4 from 3-point territory and scored 16 points.

"Hopefully, next time we're back, it won't be that way," Fisher said. "It'll be the other way around."

Knicks 128, Wizards 122: David Lee had 30 points and 10 rebounds, Quentin Richardson added 26 points, including a 3-pointer to make it 119-111 with 1:25 remaining, and host New York handed Washington its sixth straight loss.

Celtics 118, Nets 86: Ray Allen hit a 3-pointer for a 14-13 lead host Boston never lost, and Paul Pierce scored 18 of his 22 points in the third quarter to help beat New Jersey and extend the Celtics' winning streak to three.

Pacers 110, Pistons 106: Danny Granger scored 24 points, including a tying jumper from the free-throw line to force overtime tied at 93, and host Indiana made 5 of 7 free throws in the final 30 seconds to hold off Detroit.

76ers 100, Trail Blazers 79: Andre Iguodala scored 29 points, Lou Williams added 14, and host Philadelphia made a season-high 11 3-pointers to romp past Portland for its fifth straight victory.

Bulls 102, Raptors 98: Derrick Rose had 25 points and 10 assists, and Luol Deng added 14 rebounds and 16 points, including two free throws with four seconds left to seal visiting Chicago's victory over Toronto.

Thunder 114, Jazz 93: Jeff Green scored 23 points, Russell Westbrook added 22, Kevin Durant had 21, and host Oklahoma City used a 22-7 third-quarter run to open up a 76-59 lead that never dipped below 14 thereafter in beating Utah.

Hornets 104, Mavericks 97: Chris Paul had 33 points, 11 assists, 10 rebounds and seven steals, and James Posey's 3-pointer with 9:36 to play put visiting New Orleans ahead for good, 84-81, in handing Dallas its fourth straight loss.

Heat 102, Bucks 99: Reserve Daequan Cook hit six 3-pointers en route to a career-high 24 points, which also included four free throws in the final 21 seconds, and Dwyane Wade added 17 points and 13 assists as visiting Miami held off Milwaukee.

HAWKS 97, CLIPPERS 80: Josh Smith scored 26 points, Joe Johnson added 21 and visiting Atlanta led all the way in ending a four-game losing streak while handing Los Angeles its 12th straight loss.

Kings 135, Warriors 133: John Salmons hit a 17-footer with 1.6 seconds remaining in the third overtime to finish with 25 points, helping visiting Sacramento beat Golden State.

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