NBA Today

SCOREBOARD

Wednesday, March 25

Boston at Orlando (8 p.m. EDT). The Atlantic Division-leading Celtics have a one-game lead over Southeast Division-leading Orlando for second place in the Eastern Conference.

STARS

Tuesday

-Kirk Hinrich, Bulls, scored 24 points filling in for injured Derrick Rose, and Chicago beat Detroit 99-91 to pull within a game of the seventh-place Pistons in the Eastern Conference.

-Tony Parker, Spurs, scored 30 points and the Spurs finally won a close finish in San Antonio, beating Golden State 107-106.

- Deron Williams and Ronnie Brewer, Jazz. Williams had 19 points and 12 assists, and Brewer scored 12 of his 17 points in the second half of Utah's 99-86 win over Houston.

STRONG IN DEFEAT

Monta Ellis scored 27 points in Golden State's 107-106 loss at San Antonio on Tuesday night. ... Kevin Durant had 24 points in Oklahoma City's 107-89 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers. ... Tayshaun Prince and Will Bynum scored 20 points each in Detroit's 99-91 loss at Chicago. ... Aaron Brooks scored 20 points and Shane Battier added 18 in Houston's 99-86 loss at Utah.

STREAK STOPPER

Roger Mason sank the go-ahead jumper with 23.8 seconds left and the Spurs dodged their second three-game skid of the season after last-minute losses against Boston and Houston last week, beating Golden State 107-106.

EASY WIN

The Lakers beat Oklahoma City 107-89 while leading from start to finish for the ninth time this season. All five starters were given a rest for the final 8 minutes.

ROSE RESTS

Rookie of the Year candidate Derrick Rose sat out the Chicago Bulls' 99-91 win over the Detroit Pistons because of a bruised right wrist. Rose missed his first game after being injured on a dunk attempt in the first half of Monday's 101-99 victory at Washington. X-rays and an MRI revealed no structural damage. Kirk Hinrich scored 24 points as his fill in.

SPEAKING

"By no means is Kirk a backup point guard. But we've got the best backup point guard in the league.'' - Chicago's John Salmons about teammate Kirk Hinrich, who scored 24 points filling in for injured Derrick Rose in the Bulls' 99-91 won over Detroit on Tuesday.