Rudyless Lakers stumble again

Tony Parker had 22 points and nine assists, Tim Duncan scored 17 points despite hyperextending his left knee, and the San Antonio Spurs held off the Los Angeles Lakers 103-91 Thursday night.

The game was the first for the Lakers since Rudy Tomjanovich resigned as coach, citing health concerns. Frank Hamblen, Tomjanovich’s replacement, lobbied for the return of Phil Jackson before the game.

Hamblen, a 57-year-old career assistant, has five championship rings, all earned as an assistant under Jackson with the Lakers and Chicago Bulls.

“I just feel like I’m keeping the seat warm,” Hamblen said.

When asked who for, he replied: “I have no idea.”

Then, Hamblen said: “I’d love for Phil to come back any day, to be honest with you.”

Clippers 106, Grizzlies 103: At Memphis, Tenn., Bobby Simmons scored seven of his 26 points in the final three minutes and finished 10-of-12 from the field in Los Angeles’ comeback victory over Memphis. Mike Miller led the Grizzlies with 16.

Heat 100, Cavaliers 88: Shaquille O’Neal scored eight of his 26 points in the final eight minutes, helping Miami hold off visiting Cleveland. Eddie Jones had 22 points, including a pair of clutch 3-pointers in the final quarter, and Dwyane Wade scored 20 points for the Eastern Conference-leading Heat. Lebron James finished with 31 points and 10 assists for the Cavaliers.

Hill’s star shines in East

Grant Hill of the Orlando Magic edged Indiana’s Jermaine O’Neal by slightly more than 65,000 votes for a starting spot on the Eastern Conference All-Star team.

Hill received 1,497,489 votes in fan balloting to O’Neal’s 1,432,438, allowing him to join Shaquille O’Neal, Allen Iverson, Vince Carter and LeBron James as the starting five for the East at the All-Star game Feb. 20 in Denver.

Yao Ming of the Houston Rockets received a record 2,558,278 votes in winning the starting spot at center for the Western Conference for the third straight year. He will line up alongside Minnesota’s Kevin Garnett, Tim Duncan of San Antonio, the Lakers’ Kobe Bryant and Houston’s Tracy McGrady for the 54th version of the league’s showcase event.

Alston’s suspension over

Rafer Alston returned to the Toronto Raptors, following a two-game suspension the team gave him after he stormed out of practice last week.

Alston said he left because he was upset that his teammates were lackadaisical after losing to the expansion team Charlotte Bobcats on Friday night.