Associated Press

WASHINGTON — Gilbert Arenas scored 29 of his 35 points in the first half and added a season-high 12 assists Friday night, leading the Washington Wizards past the Los Angeles Clippers 116-105 and drawing “M-V-P!” chants from the sellout crowd.

Then he headed to his star-studded birthday celebration.

Arenas scored 13 points in the first quarter, 16 in the second on 7-for-8 shooting, but was only 3-for-10 the rest of the way. He also had seven rebounds in the Wizards’ seventh win in eight games.

Arenas turns 25 today, and after the game he was going to a D.C. club for an invitation-only birthday party hosted by Sean “Diddy” Combs.

Mavericks 90, Spurs 85

SAN ANTONIO — Dirk Nowitzki scored a season-high 36 points and Josh Howard added 18 to lead the Dallas Mavericks to their 13th straight victory, 90-85 over the San Antonio Spurs.

Howard grabbed 12 rebounds as Dallas won in San Antonio for the third straight time.

Nets 91, Bulls 86

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Vince Carter and Jason Kidd combined to score 10 straight points down the stretch, and New Jersey rallied from an 18-point deficit to beat Chicago for the 10th straight time at home.

Carter finished with 21 points, while Kidd had 17 points and 10 rebounds.

Raptors 105, Hawks 92

TORONTO — Chris Bosh scored 21 points in helping Toronto send Atlanta to its eighth straight loss.

Marvin Williams scored 24 points for the Hawks.

T-wolves 104, 76ers 102, OT

MINNEAPOLIS — After missing the potential game winner at the end of regulation, Kevin Garnett hit a

15-footer with Samuel Dalembert’s hand in his face as the buzzer sounded in overtime to lift the Minnesota Timberwolves to a 104-102 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers.

Cavaliers 95, Bucks 86

MILWAUKEE — With LeBron James struggling, Drew Gooden scored a season-high 31 points and also grabbed 16 rebounds to lift the Cleveland Cavaliers to a come-from-behind 95-86 victory over Milwaukee.

Rockets 100, Jazz 86

HOUSTON — Tracy McGrady scored a season-high 44 points, Dikembe Mutombo grabbed a season-best 19 rebounds and the Houston Rockets beat the Utah Jazz 100-86.

Celtics 128, Grizzlies 119

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Wally Szczerbiak scored 26 points and Tony Allen added 20 in the Celtics’ win over the Memphis Grizzlies.