Smith Steps Up for San Antonio

The San Antonio Spurs counted on Steve Smith against Boston instead of their usual inside combination of Tim Duncan and David Robinson.

Smith scored 13 points in the final 6:20, including a go-ahead jumper with just over a minute to play, to lead the Spurs over the Celtics, 93-90, Wednesday night at Boston.

San Antonio needed Smith’s clutch shooting to beat the Celtics for the eighth consecutive time.

There were nine lead changes and five ties in the fourth quarter.

“Jim O’Brien has done a heck of a lot better job with his team than I have with mine,” Spur Coach Gregg Popovich said. “They’re not just improved, it’s ridiculous the steps they have taken.”

With 1:28 remaining, Kenny Anderson rebounded Antoine Walker’s three-point shot and made a 10-foot jumper to give the Celtics a 90-89 lead.

Smith then made a fallaway jumper to give the Spurs the lead for good. Smith made two free throws with 14 second left. He finished with 19 points.

Paul Pierce and Walker each missed a shot in the final minute.

“You get so focused in on their big men,” Pierce said. “Their perimeter players knock down shots and leaving Smith open cost us the game.”

Pierce led the Celtics with 31 points, including 26 in the second half.

Walker had 21 points, 12 rebounds and eight assists.

Duncan had 25 points and 12 rebounds.

There was a 21-minute power outage with 5:08 remaining in the third quarter.

Orlando 102, Philadelphia 91--Tracy McGrady scored 26 points and Horace Grant had 21 at Philadelphia, helping the Magic win its fourth in a row.

Philadelphia, which had won three of four after losing 13 of 18, fell to 15-20. The defending Eastern Conference champions lost only 26 games last season.

Allen Iverson scored 27 points, making 12 of 28 shots, and Dikembe Mutombo had 13 points and 20 rebounds for the 76ers.

Mike Miller had 18 points, including four three-pointers, and nine rebounds for the Magic.

Charlotte 111, Atlanta 87--Elden Campbell had 22 points and 13 rebounds at Charlotte, N.C., and the Hornets won consecutive games for the first time in a month.

The victory came amid reports that team owners are close to filing with the league for relocation.

Campbell was seven for eight from the field and made his eight free throws. Baron Davis added 20 points and 11 assists for Charlotte.

Shareef Abdur-Rahim led Atlanta with 20 points.

Minnesota 111, Seattle 106--Kevin Garnett scored 29 points and Anthony Peeler scored 26, including seven three-pointers, at Minneapolis.

Peeler’s seven three-point baskets were the most by a Minnesota player this season.

His final three-pointer put Minnesota ahead, 86-73, with 8:53 to play.

Gary Payton had 25 points for Seattle, but only attempted three field goals in the fourth quarter.

Rashard Lewis led Seattle with 30 points and Vin Baker scored 23.

Toronto 85, Chicago 73--Vince Carter scored four of his 19 points at Chicago after returning from a twisted ankle and Alvin Williams scored 18 to help the Raptors beat the Bulls for the 12th consecutive time.

Toronto ended a two-game losing streak and handed the Bulls their fifth loss in a row.

The Raptors moved within a half-game of second-place Indiana in the Central Division.

Antonio Davis added to Toronto’s balanced attack with 17 points.

Ron Artest led the Bulls with 21 points.