Associated Press
The NBA Roundup …
HOUSTON ó Boston’s Big 3 outplayed Houston’s trio of stars Tuesday night.
Ray Allen scored 29 points, Kevin Garnett added 14 points and 11 rebounds and the Celtics shut down Ron Artest and Yao Ming in a 103-99 victory over the Rockets.
Tracy McGrady scored 26 points for Housdon and tried to rally the Rockets down the stretch.
The Celtics led 101-97 when McGrady rose for a 3-pointer qnd was fouled by Tony Allen. McGrady landed awkwardly and grabbed his sore left knee as Boston coach Doc Rivers protested the call, claiming McGrady was trying to hurt Allen. Referees reviewed the play as McGrady walked off the blow to his knee. He was given three foul shots and made two, cutting Boston’s lead to 101-99.
Kevin House hit two free throws at the other end with 9.6 seconds remaining. Brent Barry then shot an airball and Garnett caught it to secure the win.
Paul Pierce added 13 points and nine rebounds for the Celtics. Yao went 4-for-14 from the field and scored eight points, while Artest missed 13 of 16 shots and scored 15.
Suns 114, Nets 86
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. ó Raja Bell hit all six of his 3-pointers and scored 22 points, and the Phoenix Suns shot 63 percent from the field in beating the New Jersey Nets 114-86.
Steve Nash added 12 points and 11 assists, Shaquille O’Neal had 18 points and six rebounds and Amare Stoudemire added 14 points as the Suns won for the third time`in four games.
Vince Carter had 19 points for the Nets.
Mavericks 98, Spurs 81
SAN ANTONIO ó Dirk Nowitzki scored 30 points, Jason Terry added 29 in his first start of the season and Dallas sent the Spurs to their first 0-3 record in 35 years.
Dallas (2-2) also got 14 points from Josh Howard. The Mavericks shot 53 from the floor compared to 42 for San Antonio. Dallas outrebounded San Antonio 48-38.
The Spurs (0-3) are off to their worst start since opening the 1973-74 ABA season 0-4. It was their first season in San Antonio after playing in Dallas as the Chaparrals. The Spurs joined the NBA in 1976.