California Flag cruised to a four-length victory in the $150,000 Hollywood Turf Express at Hollywood Park on Saturday.

Ridden by Joe Talamo, California Flag covered six furlongs on the turf in 1:08.81 and paid $5.40, $3.80 and $3. Racketeer returned $11.40 and $5.40, while the show payoff on Delta Storm was $4.

California Flag, a 4-year-old gelding, won for the third time in his past four starts and won $90,000 to boost his earnings to $283,216.

I dont think Ive ever won a race that easily, Talamo said. When a horse is running that fast and that good for you, theres no sense using him up. Just as soon save him for next time.

In other stakes action, Mr. Rod won the $109,300 Generous Stakes.

Ridden by Chantal Sutherland, Mr. Rod covered one mile on the turf in 1:35.04 and paid $15.60, $5.40 and $3. Bittel Road returned $2.80 and $2.10. Hype and Bourbon Bay finished two lengths back in a dead heat for third, each paying $2.10 to show.

With the win, Mr. Rod has career earnings of more than $125,000.

Somebeachsomewhere clinched Horse of the Year honors with a dazzling victory in the Breeders Crown on Saturday night at the Meadowlands Racetrack.

Somebeachsomewhere led all the way in a 1:48 3/5 victory in the 3-year-old Colt Pace. He paid $2.40 to win, the lowest-priced winner of the night, in the $500,000 race.

Heading into the Breeders Crown, Deweycheatumnhowe and Somebeachsomewhere were locked in a tight battle for the sports highest honor.

Deweycheatumnhowe faltered, finishing third in the 3-year-old Colt Trot.

Somebeachsomewhere then erased any doubts with an emphatic win in the last of the eight Breeders Crowns.

I would have to think hed get a pretty serious look for Horse of the Year, driver Paul MacDonell said. Hes never raced a bad race, ever.

Somebeachsomewhere, trained and co-owned by Brian MacGrath, has 20 wins in 21 starts, the lone loss coming in the Meadowlands Pace in July.

Balloting for Horse of the Year and the other divisional titles will be conducted next month by the United States Harness Writers Association.

In Focus upset Deweycheatumnhowe, beating stablemate Holiday Credit by 4 lengths to give trainer Jimmy Takter a 1-2 finish. After setting all the fractions, Deweycheatumnhowe faded to third in his final race for trainer and driver Ray Schnittker. He is slated for stud duty next season.

It was a disappointing end to a brilliant career during which Deweycheatumnhowe won 22 of 25 races. He developed a throat and mouth infection last week and the illness seemed to sap the Hambletonian winner of his usual finish.

I had that in the back to my mind, said Dave Palone, who drove In Focus. I was watching Ray pretty close to see how the horse would respond. When he spoke to him on the final turn, he trotted a little ways but Dewey obviously wasnt himself tonight.

Said Schnittker: He just wasnt good. He had things his own way. He had no pop, but hes all done now.

The victory was the 11th in 17 starts this year for In Focus, who paid $33 to win. The time was 1:53 4/5.

John Campbell, the all-time leading driver in harness racing, guided Honorable Daughter to a nose victory in the 2-year-old Filly Trot worth $700,000. Trained by Larry Remmen, Honorable Daughter got her ninth win in 11 starts. She paid $3.80 to win, trotting the mile in 1:55 3/5.

Campbell, the record holder in the series, earned his 44th Breeders Crown victory. Mike Lachance is next with 26.

Yursa Hanover held on for second and Southwind Wasabi finished third.

In contrast, the 2-year-old Filly Pace was a battle of long shots as Fox Valley Topaz, 10-1, beat Twist N Clout, 65-1 with Campbell in the sulky, by three quarters of a length in the $700,000 race.

The dominant freshman filly pacer in Illinois this year, Fox Valley Topaz closed on the far outside for her 10th win in 15 starts. David Miller was at the lines for co-owner and trainer Ken Rucker. She paid $22.20 to win, pacing the mile in 1:52 4/5.

Kadealia pulled off the biggest upset in the 25-year history of the Breeders Crown, taking the 3-year-old Filly Trot at 75-1. Tim Tetrick, driving for trainer George Teague Jr., guided Kadealia through an opening along the pylons for her third win in 24 starts this season. She paid $152 to win, trotting the mile in 1:56 1/5 in the $500,000 race.

Muscle Hill continued his divisional dominance, pulling away to a three-length win in the 2-year-old Colt Trot. He is 8-for-9, and the 1:53 3/5 clocking was the fastest ever trotted by a 2-year-old on a mile track.

Brian Sears was at the lines for trainer Greg Peck as Muscle Hill paid $3.80 to win.

Hes just like driving a little sports car, Sears said.

Well Said took the 2-year-old Colt Pace with a strong rally for his fourth win in 12 starts. Ron Pierce got his 19th win, placing him third among Breeders Crown drivers. Steve Elliott trained the colt to the victory in the $700,000 race timed in 1:51. Well Said paid $10.40 to win.

A and Gsconfusion gave Miller a second Crown win on the night, taking the 3-year-old Filly Pace in 1:51. She paid $18.20 to win the race worth $610,000.

Beethoven won by a neck in a three-way fight to the wire over Giant Oak and Capt. Candyman Can in Saturdays Grade II $168,000 Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes for 2-year-olds at Churchill Downs.

Jockey Calvin Borel squeezed Beethoven on the inside to even with Capt. Candyman Can at the head of the stretch. At the 3/16 pole, jockey Eusebio Razo Jr. pushed Giant Oak after the two on the outside and all three raced as a team to the wire. Beethoven prevailed by a neck over Giant Oak with Capt. Candyman Can another neck back.

Beethoven, owned by John Oxley and trained by John Ward, covered the 1 1/16 miles on the fast main track in 1:44.14. The win was worth $99,994 and he returned $14, $6 and $3.40. Giant Oak returned $8.40 and $4.80 while Capt. Candyman Can paid $2.20.

Tale of Ekati won the $300,000 Cigar Mile on a disqualification Saturday at Aqueduct.

Harlem Rocker was first under the wire, a nose in front of Tale of Ekati.

The result was reversed, with Harlem Rocker dropped into the place spot following a stewards inquiry.

In midstretch, Harlem Rocker surged to the lead and appeared on his way to the victory before ducking sharply to his left, into the path of Tale of Ekati on the rail. Edgar Prado had to snatch up Tale of Ekati, losing momentum before angling outside for a determined late run at Harlem Rocker.

It was the fourth stakes victory for Tale of Ekati, all in New York. His richest victory came in the $750,000 Wood Memorial at Aqueduct in April, the win the propelled him into the Triple Crown where he ran fourth in the Kentucky Derby and sixth in the Belmont Stakes while sitting out the Preakness.

The 3-year-old improved his overall record to 5-for-12 for trainer Barclay Tagg, earning $180,000 for owner and breeder Charles Fipke who named the colt for a diamond mine in Canada.

Sometimes it happens for me, sometimes it happens for them, Tagg said of the disqualification.

Todd Pletcher, trainer of Harlem Rocker, disagreed with the stewards decision.

Tale of Ekati had every opportunity to go by our horse, Pletcher said. And, in my opinion, he was never going by. Its a tough call in a Grade 1 stakes.

Pletcher said he would consult with owner Frank Stronach about a possible appeal.

The time was 1:35.01 on the fast track. Tale of Ekati paid $19.80, $9.40 and $5.90. Harlem Rocker returned $9.20 and $6.30. Bribon paid $7.10 to show.

Arson Squad was fourth followed by Kodiak Kowboy, Storm Play, Monterey Jazz and Visionaire. Wanderin Boy was pulled up turning for home.

The supporting events were a pair of 2-year-old stakes, each worth $200,000 at 1 1-8 miles, that produced dominant victories.

Springside rallied to win the Demoiselle for fillies by 9 1/2 lengths while Old Fashioned set all the fractions in the Remsen, drawing away to a 7-length win.

The joy of victory in the Demoiselle was short lived as Springside was injured just past the finish line. Jockey Garrett Gomez quickly pulled up Springside and she was vanned off the track for x-rays

Dr. Anthony Verderosa, chief examining veterinarian for the New York Racing Association, said Springside appeared to fracture the right-front pastern.

It is not a simple fracture, but the pastern is intact, Verderosa said. She will be sent on Sunday morning to the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicines New Bolton Center in Kennett Square, Pa., the same facility that treated Barbaro following his injury in the 2006 Preakness

When she was galloping out, I heard a pop, Gomez said. She never indicated that anything was wrong. Hopefully, I got her stopped in time.

Springside paid $13.20 to win with Boleyn second and Sky Diva, the 1-5 favorite, a tiring third after closely tracking the pace set by Aint Love Grand.

In the Remsen, unbeaten Old Fashioned sprang right to the lead and rolled to easy win with Ramon Dominguez aboard for trainer Larry Jones.

Once he made the lead, I took a peek back, hit him one time and he took off, Dominguez said. It was pretty impressive.

Old Fashioned, making his stakes debut, extended the winning streak to three in a race with possible Triple Crown implications next spring. The winner of the Remsen in three of the last four years made it to the Kentucky Derby.

The 3-5 favorite, Old Fashioned paid $3.50 to win. Atomic Rain was second with American Dance third.

Horse of the Year Curlin closed out his record-setting career at Churchill Downs on Saturday during a parade on the final day of the tracks Fall Meet.

The 4-year-old colt, whose career earnings of $10.5 million set a North American racing record, made his final bow in a procession from the barn of trainer Steve Asmussen to the paddock at Churchill, where he circled with the starters for the fifth race before appearing in a winners circle retirement ceremony.

Its very emotional, said Asmussen, who led Curlin to all but one of his 11 career victories. The things hes done for us that we hadnt done, everything hes accomplished, leaves us with a great sense of pride.

Asmussen said Curlin will leave Churchill for Lanes End Farm in Versailles, Ky. on Sunday, where he will begin his stud career next year.

Were so happy to see him retiring sound, 100 percent, not even slightly phased and so spectacular, said Barbara Banke, the wife of Curlins majority owner, Jess Jackson. He couldnt be in any better health, and Jess is looking forward to seeing a lot of baby Curlins running around.

Jackson, the founder of Kendall-Jackson wine estates, watched the ceremony from the couples home in California.

Unraced as a 2-year-old, Curlin nevertheless brought home $10,501,800 in purse earnings during a campaign that began in 2007.

That year he finished third in the Derby, took the Preakness Stakes, finished second in the Belmont before ending the year with victories in the Jockey Club Gold Cup and the Breeders Cup Classic.

In 2008 his victories included the Dubai World Cup, the Stephen Foster Handicap, the Woodward Stakes, and a second Jockey Club Gold Cup score that boosted his earnings past the previous mark set by Cigar. He retires off his only out-of-the-money finish, a fourth-place effort over Santa Anitas synthetic track last month in the $5 million Breeders Cup Classic. He was ridden by jockey Robby Albarado in all but his first start.

Jackson purchased majority interest in Curlin in 2005, leading a group of investors that he has since bought out. A remaining 20 percent interest is maintained by former attorneys William Gallion and Shirley Cunningham Jr., who bought the colt at auction for $57,000 in 2004 for their Midnight Cry Stables.

Gallion and Cunningham, involved in a $42 million civil suit in which they are accused of defrauding former clients in a settlement over the diet drug fen-phen, have been ordered to sell their share of the colt. Jackson bid $4 million for the remaining share and although a court-appointed receiver has recommended that the offer be accepted, attorneys for Gallion and Cunningham say the bid should be much higher. That transaction is being worked over in court at this time.

Earlier this month, an appraiser set Curlins value at $20 million. But Banke said the colts worth transcends monetary value.

I wouldnt trade this year for anything, she said.

Hyperbaric led all the way Friday to win the $400,000 Citation Handicap by three-quarters of a length over Formal Decree at Hollywood Park for his fourth straight victory.

Ridden by Tyler Baze, Hyperbaric covered 1 1-16 miles on turf in 1:41.29 and paid $13, $6.20 and $4. The win was the seventh in 12 lifetime starts for Hyperbaric and was worth $240,000, raising the career earnings of the 5-year-old son of Sky Classic to $654,476.

When I called on him at the three-eighths pole, he jumped into the bridle and was ready to roll, Baze said. I figured since (Formal Decree) had the outside Id be able to slow them down a little bit. After we got that first half, he was in cruise control the rest of the way.

Hes a nice horse, hes game. He doesnt like to let horses get by him. This is the second time Ive ridden him. The first time I rode him we had kind of had a troubled trip. I probably should have won on him that day Daytona beat him a neck. Today, they gave me another chance to ride him and he gave me 100 percent.

Formal Decree returned $4 and $4.60. Becrux, a 23-1 long shot, finished third in the race for 3-year-olds and up and paid $9 to show. Whatsthescript, the even-money favorite in a field of nine, was never a factor and finished sixth.
Hyperbaric, winner of the Oak Tree Mile in his previous start, had not run in two months.

There wasnt much speed in the race, thats why I passed the Breeders Cup, trainer Julio Canani said. He was invited to Hong Kong to run Dec. 15, but I preferred to run him in here. My horse came fresh into the race, so I felt he had a pretty good chance. I think were going to point him toward the Duty Free in Dubai.

Earlier in the day, Habaya used a strong finish to win the $113,800 Miesque Stakes by three-quarters of a length over Internallyflawless.

Habaya, ridden by Richard Migliore, covered one mile on turf in 1:37.07 and paid $6.80, $4.20 and $3.20 as the second choice in a field of 12. The win was the second in three races for Habaya and was worth $73,800, raising the career earnings of the 2-year-old daughter of Storm Cat to $135,000.

Internallyflawless returned $4.60 and $3.80. Eloquently, third in the race for 2-year-old fillies, paid $4.80 to show. Emmy Darling, the 2-1 favorite, led in the late going before fading to fourth place.

Deweycheatumnhowe and Somebeachsomewhere, the dominant 3-year-olds in harness racing and leading contenders for Harness Horse of the Year, make their final appearances Saturday night in the Breeders Crown at the Meadowlands Racetrack.

Both retire to stud after one last race, having already compiled amazing career records.

Hambletonian winner Deweycheatumnhowe has captured 22 of 24 starts. He bids for one more win as the 6-5 favorite in 3-year-old Colt Trot.

Dewey has been battling a mouth and throat infection that developed last week. He recovered enough this week for co-owner, trainer and driver Ray Schnittker to keep him in the race.

With a victory, Deweycheatumnhowe would join Mack Lobell (1987) and Malabar Man (1997) as the only trotting colts to capture Breeders Crowns at 2 and 3. He is the first trotter to have earned over $3 million before the conclusion of his 3-year-old season.

Schnittker realizes this is probably a once in a lifetime opportunity.

Id like to get another one like him, but I dont see it in the future, Schnittker said. Its been a great experience. I never dreamed Id have a horse this good.

Somebeachsomewhere has an even more impressive record at 19-for-20. The lone loss came here in July, a neck defeat in the $1 million Meadowlands Pace. The Beach is 3-5 to capture the 3-year-old Colt Pace and extend his winning streak to 10.

Its a big race, said co-owner and trainer Brian MacGrath. This horse is coming into this good.

Somebeachsomewhere is the fastest 3-year-old ever in harness racing, having paced a mile 1:46 4/5 in the Bluegrass Stakes at the Red Mile in Lexington, Ky., on Sept. 27.

With little separating the two standout colts, the Horse of the Year will come down to which one performs best in the Breeders Crown.

The 3-year-old Colt stakes are the top attractions among the eight Breeders Crowns worth a combined $4.9 million.

Maybe Einstein should get a three-month vacation more often.

The 6-year-old horse stormed past heavy favorite Commentator to win the $400,000 Clark Handicap at Churchill Downs on Friday, his first race since finishing a disappointing fifth in the Arlington Million in August.

That race was on turf, Einsteins surface of choice. But hes shown an affinity for the dirt at Churchillfinishing second to reigning Horse of the Year Curlin in the Stephen Foster Handicap in Juneand looked right at home as drove to the finish line 1 1/2 lengths ahead of a late-charging Delightful Kiss.

He deserves it more than anybody out there, said trainer Helen Pitts. Ive never had a horse that loves his job and loves to train and loves to run as much as he does. When he turned for home I knew hed dig deep down inside to find all he could to get it there. Hes a very special horse.

The win was Einsteins first graded stakes victory on dirt and his first win of any kind since taking the Woodford Reserve Turf Classic on Kentucky Derby Day in May. The son of 1985 Derby champion Spend a Buck covered the 1 1/8 mile in 1:49.79.

Jockey Julien Leparoux, who set a track record for most wins during a Fall Meet earlier in the day, kept Einstein over Commentators shoulder until the turn then roared to the front as the favorite faded. Einstein had no trouble holding off Delightful Kiss, with Leparoux feeling so confident he started celebrating a few strides short of the finish.

Leparoux said the plan was to keep the front-running Commentator from getting too far ahead.

Commentator is a great horse, Leparoux said. If I gave (Einstein) too much to do, that would be tough.

It was a lesson learned during the Stephen Foster, when Einstein fell four lengths back early and couldnt quite close the gap against Curlin.

There were no such problems in the Clark.

Thanks to relatively slow early fractions, Einstein never trailed by more than 1 1/2 lengths and had little trouble responding when Leparoux asked for him. The win was Leparouxs fifth of the day and 59th during the tracks Fall Meet, breaking Pat Days record of 55 wins set in 1985.

Its not bad, Leparoux said with a laugh.

Pitts called Leparouxs ride nearly flawless, unlike the Arlington Million when Einstein stumbled out of the gate under Robby Albarado and never threatened.

Einstein broke cleanly in the Clark and looked refreshed after his three-month break.

Commentator, looking for his fifth win in six starts this year for trainer Nick Zito, went off as the 2-5 favorite and raced to the front. Its a style thats served the 7-year-old gelding well during his career but he tired while carrying 124 pounds, five pounds more than Einstein.

It just wasnt his right race, Zito said. He just wasnt himself.

Magna Graduate, making the final start of his career for trainer Steve Asmussen, finished fourth.

Jockey Julien Leparoux has broken a 23-year-old Churchill Downs record for wins at a Fall Meet previously held by Hall of Fame jockey Pat Day.

Leparoux rode home five winners Friday, bringing his total to 59 during the five-week meet that concludes Saturday. Day previously established the Fall Meet mark in 1985 when he rode 55 winners in a 30-day meet.

Leparoux tied Days record in the second race aboard Calabria and broke it in the next race atop Just Like William.

Leparoux later added wins in the eighth and ninth races before capping his day by piloting Einstein to victory in the $400,000 Clark Handicap.

—-
Leahs Secret wins Big As Top Flight.

Leahs Secret won the $150,000 Top Flight Handicap on Friday at Aqueduct so impressively that it might delay her retirement to the broodmare ranks.
The 5-year-old, who joined Todd Pletchers barn earlier this year, rallied widest to beat Slewfoundmoney by three quarters of a length in the one-mile race.

It was a big run from her, Pletcher said. She is in such good form right now, I might ask WinStar Farm for one more race.

Eibar Coa guided Leahs Secret to a second straight stakes win following the Chilukki at Churchill Downs. In the Top Flight, Leahs Secret stalked the early leaders making her move turning for home.

She did everything I asked her to, Coa said. I loved her today. She was ready to run.

The time was 1:36.40 on the fast track as Leahs Secret improved to 3-for-8 for Pletcher. Overall, she has eight wins in 25 starts.

The 5-2 favorite, Leahs Secret paid $7.60, $3.70 and $2.70 while earning $90,000 for WinStar. Slewfoundmoney, one of the early pace prompters, pressed on to return $4 and $3. Boca Grande rallied from last to get third, paying $4.20.

So Glitzy was fourth followed by Altesse, Any Limit, Shining Image and Rite Moment.

TORONTO 93, ATLANTA 88
TORONTO Exactly three weeks ago, the Atlanta Hawks torched the Toronto Raptors with an explosive second half en route to a blowout victory in Atlanta. But the Raptors turned the tables at home and held off a late rally to defeat the Hawks, 93-88.

Chris Bosh continued to light things up, collecting 30 points, 10 rebounds and seven assists to lead the Raptors to their second win in a row. The All-Star center came into the night as the leagues second-leading scorer at 26.7 points per game - and he did not disappoint this time around.

He scored eight points in a 12-2 run bridging the third and fourth quarters as Toronto pulled ahead for good. With the Hawks clinging to a 65-61 lead, Bosh buried a jump shot and Jason Kapono tied the game on a fadeaway. Moments later, Bosh stepped back for a go-ahead jumper as the Raptors started to cruise. He capped the run with a finger roll to push the lead to 73-65.

The Hawks staged an 8-2 run in the final minutes to cut their deficit to 91-88, but Marvin Williams misfired from short range and the Raptors hung on.

Toronto point guard Jose Calderon struggled from the field - hitting just 3-of-11 - but dished out 11 assists. Mike Bibby led five Hawks players in double figures with 24 points.

DETROIT 107, MILWAUKEE 97

AUBURN HILLS, Michigan By the second quarter, the controversy surrounding Allen Iverson was officially over. With punishment handed out in the form of a fine and a one-night demotion to the bench, the Detroit Pistons could concentrate solely on beating the Milwaukee Bucks.

Iverson was instrumental in helping them do just that, scoring the go-ahead bucket in the first quarter and finishing with 17 points and seven assists to lead Detroit to a 107-97 triumph.

The All-Star guard missed practice on Thursday, much to the chagrin of head coach Michael Curry. The organization handed down a hefty fine, according to Curry, and Iverson was held out of the starting lineup. But once he took the court late in the first quarter, it was business as usual.

After entering the game at the 2:20 mark, Iverson drove to the lane for a layup 30 seconds later, snapping a tie and giving the Pistons a 24-22 lead that they would not relinquish. Detroit built its lead to as high as 15 in the first half and held on down the stretch - thanks in large part to Iverson.

The Bucks cut their deficit to 82-76 early in the fourth, but Iverson scored the Pistons next six points on three long jumpers to push the lead to 88-79. From then on, he created for his teammates - the same teammates to whom he apologized on Friday for missing practice - to seal the win. He found Arron Afflalo for a dunk to extend the lead to double digits, then drove into the paint and kicked out to Walter Herrmann on the perimeter for three 3-pointers in a two-minute span to make it a 100-85 ballgame.

Six players reached double figures for the Pistons, with Herrmann dropping in 16 points - including five 3-pointers. Jason Maxiell came off the bench to collect 13 points, eight rebounds and six blocks.

MIAMI 107, PHOENIX 92

PHOENIX Dwyane Wade bounced back from his worst performance of the season with one of his best, collecting 43 points to lead the Miami Heat to a 107-92 victory over the Phoenix Suns.

The Suns were playing without two-time MVP point guard Steve Nash, who sat out with a right thigh contusion.

Without Nash to worry about on the defensive end, Wade had no trouble focusing on his offensive game. After scoring a season-low 12 points during an embarrassing, 106-68, loss at Portland on Wednesday, Wade hit 15-of-24 from the floor.

The game also marked the return of Shawn Marion, who played the first 8 1/2 years of his career with Phoenix before being traded to the Heat last season. Marion finished with 10 points and eight rebounds in 37 minutes.

The other main piece of that trade, Shaquille ONeal, finished with 12 points and nine rebounds for the Suns.

Leandro Barbosa led Phoenix with 20 points off the bench.

SAN ANTONIO 109, MEMPHIS 98

SAN ANTONIO The San Antonio Spurs won their fourth straight game, holding off the Memphis Grizzlies, 109-98.

Six Spurs scored in double figures, including Roger Masons team-high 20 points, 14 of which came in the third quarter.

The game turned midway through the fourth quarter. With Memphis clawing back 82-79, Manu Ginobili hit a 3-pointer, and George Hill converted a three-point play that gave San Antonio an 88-79 lead with 6:27 left.

O.J. Mayo scored a game-high 32 points for Memphis, and Rudy Gay added 26 to keep the Grizzlies competitive. The three other starters each scored at least 11 points, but their bench was not a factor, mustering only four points.

Tony Parker, who missed the last nine games with a left ankle sprain, came off the bench to start the second quarter for San Antonio. He came on strong, hitting his first two shots, while handing out three assists in less than four minutes. He finished with 15 points and seven assists in 17 minutes.

Memphis jumped to a 7-2 lead, but faded and started the second quarter trailing 17-16. Though the Grizzlies kept it close, never allowing the Spurs to lead by more than 13, they never recaptured the lead.

UTAH 120, SACRAMENTO 94

SALT LAKE CITY Its no coincidence that the Utah Jazz have put up their biggest showings of the season over the last two games. With Deron Williams finally back in the lineup, the Jazz have been cruising.

Williams led Utah to its second easy victory in a row, setting a season high in points with a 120-94 rout of the Sacramento Kings. The All-NBA point guard collected 13 points and 15 assists in just 27 minutes on the floor.

It took until the second half for the Jazz to get fully in sync - as they missed a slew of easy layups and short jumpers over the first 24 minutes - but when they did, it was all over for the Kings. Utah scored the first 13 points of the second half to take control. Williams found Mehmet Okur for three jumpers in the surge - including a 3-pointer - and C.J. Miles connected from the arc and added a pair of free throws.

Williams recorded assists on seven of the Jazzs first nine baskets in the third to build the lead to 27 by the end of the quarter despite being tied at the half. The Jazz won the quarter, 44-17, as the Kings missed their first six shots in the frame and turned the ball over six times.

Okur delivered 20 points and 12 boards to lead eight players in double figures as Utah improved to 8-1 at home. Miles and Ronnie Brewer chipped in with 18 apiece, while Paul Millsap had his third straight double-double with 11 points and 11 boards.

LA LAKERS 114, DALLAS 107

LOS ANGELES Kobe Bryant scored 35 points and led a third-quarter surge that powered the Los Angeles Lakers to a 114-107 victory against the Dallas Mavericks.

Bryant added six rebounds and five assists, scoring six points during a crucial 15-2 run over the final four minutes of the third that helped the Lakers overcome an 11-point deficit and claim the lead for good.

Andrew Bynum poured in 18 points and 10 rebounds for his fifth double-double; Pau Gasol, who also scored six points during the surge, finished with 14 points.

Jason Terry paced the Mavericks with 29 points and Jason Kidd contributed 12 points, 11 assists and eight rebounds.

PORTLAND 101, NEW ORLEANS 86

PORTLAND, Oregon Brandon Roy collected 25 points, 10 assists and six rebounds as the Portland Trail Blazers remained perfect at home with a 101-86 triumph over the New Orleans Hornets.

LaMarcus Aldridge chipped in 17 points and seven rebounds for the Blazers, who shot 44 percent (37-of-69) en route to moving to 7-0 at the Rose Garden.

Trailing, 69-65, with 3:47 left in the third, Portland went on a 20-2 running bridging the third and fourth quarters.

The Hornets pulled within 85-74 on Sean Marks 3-pointer with 7:30 left in the game, but the Blazers refused to fold, getting six points from Roy down the stretch to help them pull away.

BOSTON 102, PHILADELPHIA 78

BOSTON The new-look Philadelphia 76ers were no match for the defending champion Boston Celtics.

A torrid Ray Allen caught fire in the third quarter, scoring 15 of his game-high 23 points to lead the Celtics over the 76ers, 102-78. Kevin Garnett added 16 for the Celtics, who won their seventh straight and improved to 15-2 overall and 9-1 at home.

Allen found his touch in third, at one point draining three consecutive 3-pointers as the Celtics built their lead to 61-40 with 4:30 remaining.

Garnett sent the sellout crowd into a frenzy on an alley-oop dunk late in the third quarter. He was fouled and made the free throw to put Boston ahead, 73-47 after three.

The huge advantage earned the Boston starters a well-deserved rest for the fourth quarter, with only Allen logging over 30 minutes in the contest.

After allowing an average of 107 points during their last two games - both wins - the Celtics clamped down on defense against the Sixers, limiting them to 41 percent (32-of-77) shooting and forcing 15 turnovers.

CLEVELAND 112, GOLDEN STATE 97

CLEVELAND LeBron James had 23 points, eight assists and seven rebounds before sitting out the fourth quarter for the second straight game as the Cleveland Cavaliers cruised to a 112-97 victory over the Golden State Warriors.

Zydrunas Ilgauskas scored 10 of his 21 points in a decisive third quarter that saw the Cavaliers hold a 36-16 advantage en route to their ninth straight home win to open the season.

Cleveland has won four straight while trouncing its opponents by an an average of 18 points, with James seeing less than 29 minutes of action during the streak.

Daniel Gibson and Maurice Williams added 16 points apiece for the Cavaliers.

C.J. Watson scored 17 points off the bench and Jamal Crawford contributed 15 for Golden State.

CHARLOTTE 115, INDIANA 108 (OT)

INDIANAPOLIS Raymond Felton matched a career-high with 31 points as the Charlotte Bobcats won their first road game of the season with a 115-108 overtime victory against the Indiana Pacers.

Jason Richardson added 21 points in his first game in over two weeks after undergoing arthroscopic knee surgery for the Bobcats, who entered the game as the lowest scoring team in the NBA.

Emeka Okafor totaled 14 points and 20 rebounds and Gerald Wallace had 16 points and 11 rebounds for Charlotte.

Danny Granger scored a season-high 35 points while Marquis Daniels and T.J. Ford added 20 apiece for Indiana.

MINNESOTA 105, OKLAHOMA CITY 103

OKLAHOMA CITY Mike Miller hit a corner jumper with one-tenth of a second remaining to give the Minnesota Timberwolves a 105-103 victory over the hapless Oklahoma City Thunder.

The loss was the Thunders 16th in 17 games.

Jeff Green and Kevin Durant sank back-to-back 3-pointers late in the fourth quarter to give the Thunder a 100-99 lead. Craig Smith then hit a foul shot tie the game.

Kevin Durant was fouled and hit one of two free throws with 15 seconds left.

Chris Wilcox then fouled Al Jefferson with 10.4 seconds left. Jefferson hit the first but missed the second. The Timberwolves Ryan Gomes grabbed the offensive rebound and was fouled. He hit both free throws with 8.8 seconds left to make it 103-101.

Kevin Durant then hit a driving dunk off an inbounds play off a timeout to tie the game with 3.3 seconds left, setting the stage for Millers game-winner.