Lakers down Nets in overtime

Lamar Odom had 16 points, matched a career-best with 19 rebounds and set up a go-ahead 3-pointer by Caron Butler with 1:54 to go in overtime to lead the Los Angeles Lakers to a 104-103 victory over the New Jersey Nets on Wednesday night at East Rutherford, N.J.

The Lakers rallied from a 10-point deficit with 4:44 to play in regulation and survived Jason Kidd’s second straight triple-double.

Vince Carter, who had consecutive 40-point games, finished with 27 points.

Grizzlies 98, 76ers 95: At Philidelphia, Dahntay Jones scored a career-high 23 points and Stromile Swift added 17 to lead Memphis to a win over Philadelphia. Allen Iverson scored 38 points for the Sixers.

Bucks 110, Raptors 107: Michael Redd had 29 points, leading Milwaukee to victory over troubled Toronto, at Toronto. .

Celtics 94, Clippers 89: At Boston, Paul Pierce had 25 points, 10 rebounds and nine assists, and Boston used a late run to rally past Los Angeles. .

Heat 116, Knicks 110 (OT): At New York, Dwyane Wade scored 30 points with six assists and six rebounds, and Damon Jones scored a season-high 24 as Miami won its fourth straight, over New York.

Timberwolves 98, Nuggets 92: Kevin Garnett had 24 points to lead Minnesota past Denver at Minneapolis. Minnesota point guard Sam Cassell missed the game with a strained right hamstring.

Pacers 94, Bobcats 87: Jermaine O’Neal had 29 points and 10 rebounds and Indiana beat Charlotte at Indianapolis.

Wizards 95, Spurs 87: At Washington, D.C., Antawn Jamison had a season-high 35 points and 11 rebounds, and Washington took advantage of Tim Duncan’s absence in a victory over San Antonio.

Hornets 91, Trail Blazers 80: At Portland, rookie J.R. Smith had 19 points and New Orleans beat Portland. Former Gonzaga Bulldog Dan Dickau had 17 points for the Hornets.

Rockets 105, Bulls 92: Tracy McGrady scored 24 points and Yao Ming added 21 points and 10 rebounds to lead Houston to victory over Chicago at Houston.

Patterson defends team pledge

Portland Trail Blazers president Steve Patterson responded to a newspaper column accusing the team of not being serious about their pledge to field a team that has character and is accountable to the community.

The Oregonian reported that the Trail Blazers and recently suspended forward Darius Miles had made an agreement that would pay Miles his wages lost if he withdrew his grievance for the suspension.

Patterson did not dispute that such a proposal exists, but said the team has adhered to its pledge, as evidenced by the trades of Rasheed Wallace and Bonzi Wells and the release of Qyntel Woods.

Alston wants apology for benching

Rafer Alston wants an apology and he’s not sure he wants to stay with the Toronto Raptors.

The point guard and coach Sam Mitchell argued after Alston was benched in the first quarter of Tuesday’s loss against Indiana.

When told Alston wanted an apology, Mitchell said: “I don’t know who that is directed to.”