TORONTO, 17 December 2004 — Chris Bosh collected a season-high 24 points and 14 rebounds as the Toronto Raptors snapped a seven-game losing streak with a 96-90 upset win over the Minnesota Timberwolves on Wednesday.
Matt Bonner was ejected in the fourth quarter for a flagrant foul on Minnesota’s Kevin Garnett, who chased after the Toronto player when he was knocked to the floor with 5:24 left.
Garnett had to be restrained by official Anthony Jordan and Toronto coach Sam Mitchell. Latrell Sprewell then ran towards Bonner and received a technical foul for pushing him.
Air Canada Center fans cheered Bonner the as he walked off the court. Morris Peterson added 19 points for the Raptors while Donyell Marshall registered 12 points and eight rebounds. Rafer Alston also notched 12 points.
In Cleveland, LeBron James scored 25 points, 12 coming in a three-minute span in the third quarter, as the Cavaliers crushed the Portland Trail Blazers 112-88. James added 11 rebounds and seven assists despite resting for the final six minutes as the Cavs won their ninth straight home game.
In Washington, Dwyane Wade recorded 29 points and nine assists as the Miami Heat overcame the Wizards 98-93. Damon Jones had 23 points for the Heat while Shaquille O’Neal contributed 13 points and 12 rebounds. Gilbert Arenas picked up 22 points and eight assists for the Wizards, who have lost all four games they will play against the Heat this season.
In Boston, Carmelo Anthony’s jumper with 3.6 seconds left gave the Denver Nuggets a 100-99 victory over the Celtics. Anthony had 25 points and 10 rebounds for Denver, winners of seven out of 10 games.
In New York, Richard Hamilton scored 29 points as the Detroit Pistons squeezed past the Knicks 94-93. Rasheed Wallace added 18 points for Detroit while Chauncey Billups chipped in with 15.
In Memphis, Eddy Curry collected 20 points as the Chicago Bulls picked up a rare win on the road by beating the Grizzlies 96-88. Kirk Hinrich and Ben Gordon each added 15 points for the Bulls, who won away from home for only the second time this season.
In New Orleans, Dan Dickau poured in a career-best 23 points as the Hornets won at home for the first time this season when they defeated the Golden State Warriors 98-89.
In Houston, Tracy McGrady totaled 25 points and Yao Ming 23 as the Rockets overwhelmed the Atlanta Hawks 92-69. Jim Jackson added 13 points for the Rockets, who handed the Hawks their sixth straight loss and their biggest defeat of the season.
In San Antonio, Tim Duncan recorded 24 points and 14 rebounds as the Spurs edged the Orlando Magic 94-91. Manu Ginobili had 17 points for the Spurs and Tony Parker chipped in with 13.
In Phoenix, Joe Johnson amassed 30 points as the Suns routed the Utah Jazz 108-86. Amare Stoudemire added 19 points for the Suns while Shawn Marion had 16 points and 13 rebounds.
