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NBA: Riley reaches new milestone with win over Clippers
By The Associated Press
Monday, December 10, 2007 | No comments posted.
Pat Riley became the third NBA coach with 1,200 regular-season wins, accomplishing the feat in the fewest games.
Dwyane Wade helped his coach reach the milestone Sunday, getting 35 points and 10 assists in the Miami Heat’s 100-94 victory over the Los Angeles Clippers.
Riley reached the mark in his 1,842nd game — 248 faster than Don Nelson, the next fastest. Riley, in his 24th season as a coach, guided the Lakers to four NBA titles in the 1980s before winning another with the Heat two seasons ago.
“It’s those kind of moments that you’ll always remember, good and bad,” said Riley, who began his career with the Lakers and also coached the New York Knicks. “The first 600 (533) were here in Los Angeles — a lot of great players, guys. You know all of them. Dwyane thinks I’m extinct, but that’s OK. That’s what he said to me in there.”
Hours later in the same building, Kobe Bryant scored 20 of his 28 points in the second half to lead the Lakers to a 123-113 victory over Golden State for their ninth straight win over the Warriors.
“It’s a game of matchups,” said Bryant, who had six rebounds and a season-high eight assists. “They pride themselves on playing small ball. We match up pretty well with them.”
The win was the third straight for the Lakers, who have won 14 of their last 15 games over Golden State and have a 16-1 record against the Warriors at Staples Center since the facility opened eight years ago.
Wade, who had 33 points in Friday’s loss at Golden State, has recorded consecutive games with 30 or more for the second time this season.
Corey Maggette had 24 points and 12 rebounds for the Clippers, who have lost eight of their last nine games.
Clippers center Chris Kaman, an early favorite for the league’s most improved player, won the statistical matchup of 7-foot centers with 14-time All-Star Shaquille O’Neal, finishing 14 points and 12 rebounds for his 15th double-double — one more than he had in 75 games last season.
O’Neal was 4-for-8 from the field and finished with eight points and eight rebounds in 33 minutes.
“It’s always a tough matchup with someone like that because you have to bring a double-team, and that leaves someone else open,” Kaman said. “He’s just so big. When you try to go into the middle and shoot a jumper, he doesn’t have to move very far to catch up with you if you beat him on the first step.”
Stephen Jackson scored 18 points, Mickael Pietrus added 14 and Monta Ellis had 13 for Golden State.
“They’re a big team, and we just got outhustled,” said Baron Davis, who led the Warriors with 20 points, eight rebounds and seven assists. “I think the reason why we lose to them is that we let the other guys — their bench — get those 8, 10s and 12s.
“Somebody for them is always having a career game against us.”
In this game, it was Andrew Bynum, the Lakers’ 20-year-old center who matched a career high with 20 points and also had 11 rebounds and five blocked shots. Derek Fisher scored 15 points, Lamar Odom added 14 points, 10 rebounds and six assists, and Vladimir Radmanovic also scored 14.
The Warriors scored five straight points to cut the Lakers’ lead to four early in the fourth quarter before two baskets by Bryant and a 3-pointer by Radmanovic triggered a 17-4 run that put the game away.
Raptors 93, Rockets 80
Chris Bosh had 21 points and 10 rebounds in his return to host Toronto’s lineup after missing five games with a strained groin. Kris Humphries added 16 points for the Raptors. Carlos Delfino had 12, Anthony Parker added 11 and Jason Kapono 10.
Tracy McGrady had 23 points for Houston, Yao Ming scored 15 and Bonzi Wells finished with 12.
Pistons 104, Bobcats 85
Chauncey Billups scored 20 points and Antonio McDyess added 19 points and nine rebounds for host Detroit. Richard Hamilton added 18 points for the Pistons.
Jason Richardson led Charlotte with 15 points and Emeka Okafor had 14.
Hornets 91, Sonics 88
Chris Paul had 29 points and 10 assists, and David West finished with 15 points and 10 rebounds — including a jump shot and a driving one-handed floater in the final minutes — to lead New Orleans.
Wally Szczerbiak scored 14 for visiting Seattle. Chris Wilcox had 13 points and 12 rebounds, and Kurt Thomas finished with 12 points and 10 rebounds.
Wizards 104, Nets 89
Caron Butler scored 20 of his 28 points in the second half, Antwan Jamison had 22 points and host Washington snapped a six-game losing streak against New Jersey.
Vince Carter scored 30 points to lead New Jersey, Jason Kidd picked up his 93rd career triple-double with 13 points, 13 assists and 10 rebounds, and Bostjan Nachbar had 19 points.
Dwyane Wade helped his coach reach the milestone Sunday, getting 35 points and 10 assists in the Miami Heat’s 100-94 victory over the Los Angeles Clippers.
Riley reached the mark in his 1,842nd game — 248 faster than Don Nelson, the next fastest. Riley, in his 24th season as a coach, guided the Lakers to four NBA titles in the 1980s before winning another with the Heat two seasons ago.
“It’s those kind of moments that you’ll always remember, good and bad,” said Riley, who began his career with the Lakers and also coached the New York Knicks. “The first 600 (533) were here in Los Angeles — a lot of great players, guys. You know all of them. Dwyane thinks I’m extinct, but that’s OK. That’s what he said to me in there.”
Hours later in the same building, Kobe Bryant scored 20 of his 28 points in the second half to lead the Lakers to a 123-113 victory over Golden State for their ninth straight win over the Warriors.
“It’s a game of matchups,” said Bryant, who had six rebounds and a season-high eight assists. “They pride themselves on playing small ball. We match up pretty well with them.”
The win was the third straight for the Lakers, who have won 14 of their last 15 games over Golden State and have a 16-1 record against the Warriors at Staples Center since the facility opened eight years ago.
Wade, who had 33 points in Friday’s loss at Golden State, has recorded consecutive games with 30 or more for the second time this season.
Corey Maggette had 24 points and 12 rebounds for the Clippers, who have lost eight of their last nine games.
Clippers center Chris Kaman, an early favorite for the league’s most improved player, won the statistical matchup of 7-foot centers with 14-time All-Star Shaquille O’Neal, finishing 14 points and 12 rebounds for his 15th double-double — one more than he had in 75 games last season.
O’Neal was 4-for-8 from the field and finished with eight points and eight rebounds in 33 minutes.
“It’s always a tough matchup with someone like that because you have to bring a double-team, and that leaves someone else open,” Kaman said. “He’s just so big. When you try to go into the middle and shoot a jumper, he doesn’t have to move very far to catch up with you if you beat him on the first step.”
Stephen Jackson scored 18 points, Mickael Pietrus added 14 and Monta Ellis had 13 for Golden State.
“They’re a big team, and we just got outhustled,” said Baron Davis, who led the Warriors with 20 points, eight rebounds and seven assists. “I think the reason why we lose to them is that we let the other guys — their bench — get those 8, 10s and 12s.
“Somebody for them is always having a career game against us.”
In this game, it was Andrew Bynum, the Lakers’ 20-year-old center who matched a career high with 20 points and also had 11 rebounds and five blocked shots. Derek Fisher scored 15 points, Lamar Odom added 14 points, 10 rebounds and six assists, and Vladimir Radmanovic also scored 14.
The Warriors scored five straight points to cut the Lakers’ lead to four early in the fourth quarter before two baskets by Bryant and a 3-pointer by Radmanovic triggered a 17-4 run that put the game away.
Raptors 93, Rockets 80
Chris Bosh had 21 points and 10 rebounds in his return to host Toronto’s lineup after missing five games with a strained groin. Kris Humphries added 16 points for the Raptors. Carlos Delfino had 12, Anthony Parker added 11 and Jason Kapono 10.
Tracy McGrady had 23 points for Houston, Yao Ming scored 15 and Bonzi Wells finished with 12.
Pistons 104, Bobcats 85
Chauncey Billups scored 20 points and Antonio McDyess added 19 points and nine rebounds for host Detroit. Richard Hamilton added 18 points for the Pistons.
Jason Richardson led Charlotte with 15 points and Emeka Okafor had 14.
Hornets 91, Sonics 88
Chris Paul had 29 points and 10 assists, and David West finished with 15 points and 10 rebounds — including a jump shot and a driving one-handed floater in the final minutes — to lead New Orleans.
Wally Szczerbiak scored 14 for visiting Seattle. Chris Wilcox had 13 points and 12 rebounds, and Kurt Thomas finished with 12 points and 10 rebounds.
Wizards 104, Nets 89
Caron Butler scored 20 of his 28 points in the second half, Antwan Jamison had 22 points and host Washington snapped a six-game losing streak against New Jersey.
Vince Carter scored 30 points to lead New Jersey, Jason Kidd picked up his 93rd career triple-double with 13 points, 13 assists and 10 rebounds, and Bostjan Nachbar had 19 points.
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