Sacramento at New Orleans (8 p.m. EST). The Kings, with the second-best record in the Western Conference, visit the Hornets, No. 2 in the East.

STARS

Tuesday

_Paul Pierce, Celtics, hit the game-winning jumper with 20 seconds to play in Boston's 105-103 victory over the Dallas Mavericks. He finished with 25 points, 11 rebounds, and seven assists.

_Tracy McGrady, Magic, had 21 points and 11 assists in a 94-90 win over Indiana.

_Tim Duncan, Spurs, had 30 points and 13 rebounds as San Antonio beat Toronto 73-70.

_Carmelo Anthony, Nuggets, scored the game-winning basket with six seconds to play in Denver's 99-98 win over Seattle.

_Mike Dunleavy, Warriors, had 25 points, 14 rebounds, and six assists in Golden State's 98-85 victory over Atlanta.

CLIPS COME ALIVE

With their 93-83 victory over the Bucks on Wednesday night, the Los Angeles Clippers swept a homestand of more than three games for the first time since 1985. The Clippers also beat Dallas, Phoenix and New Orleans in the past week.

STRONG IN DEFEAT

Dallas's Dirk Nowitzki and Danny Fortson combined for 29 rebounds in a 105-103 loss to Boston on Wednesday night.

LARRY LONGEVITY

Detroit's 77-73 win over Chicago on Wednesday night marked the 1,300th career victory for Pistons coach Larry Brown _ 894 in the NBA, 229 in the ABA, and 177 in college.

IN TRANSITION

The Utah Jazz did not record a single point on the fast break in Wednesday night's 87-74 loss to New Jersey. The Nets had 20 fast-break points in the win.

SPEAKING

``People want to see if we'll fold and fall on our face, or play. I still have control over the guys. I still think they respect me.'' _ Nets coach Byron Scott after New Jersey's 87-74 victory over the Utah Jazz on Wednesday night. Scott, who is in the final year of his contract, was reportedly screamed at by Jason Kidd in the locker room following a 110-63 loss to Memphis on Saturday.