NBA roundup: Utah continues impressive surge

Published 12:00 am Wednesday, March 11, 2009

Associated Press
INDIANAPOLIS ó Mehmet Okur scored 24 points and the Utah Jazz beat the Indiana Pacers 112-100 on Tuesday to collect their 12th straight victory.
The Jazz (41-23) moved closer to the franchise record of 15 consecutive wins.
Knicks 120, Bucks 112
MILWAUKEE ó Nate Robinson scored 10 of his 32 points in the final five minutes.
BLAZERS
PORTLAND, Ore. ó Trail Blazers rookie Rudy Fernandez spent the night in the hospital with a bruised chest and injured right hip after a hard foul by the Lakers’ Trevor Ariza that led to a brief skirmish between the teams.
The swingman was expected to be released from the hospital Tuesday afternoon. He was listed as doubtful for Portland’s game against Dallas tonight.
NBA officials reviewed the altercation after the foul and suspended Lakers forward Lamar Odom one game without pay for leaving the bench area. Ariza will not face further discipline beyond his third-quarter ejection.
76ERS
PHILADELPHIA ó Elton Brand got out of his sling and started range-of-motion exercises on his surgically repaired right shoulder.
Brand could start shooting and dribbling in about two months, and he needs an additional three months to return to full strength.
PACERS
INDIANAPOLIS ó Indiana Pacers forward Danny Granger says he’s nearly ready to return from a foot injury. He has missed the past nine games with a torn tendon in his right foot.
WARRIORS
OAKLAND, Calif. ó The Golden State Warriors released seldom-used guard Marcus Williams.