The Houston Rockets clung on for a 97-94 win over the Dallas Mavericks Thursday, preventing their Texas rivals from opening a gap atop the NBA's Southwest Division. Shane Battier's 3-pointer put Houston ahead with 2:11 remaining, and Aaron Brooks, who lead the Rockets with 30 points, sank his own long shot to give the hosts a six-point lead with 1:35 to go. Dallas' Jason Kidd missed a potential tying shot from behind the arc in the final second. Houston moved within 2-1/2 games of Southwest-leading Dallas. Jason Terry led a strong bench performance by the Mavericks with 20 points. Thunder 87, Jazz 86: In Oklahoma City, Nick Collison hit the tying and go-ahead free throws with 4.5 seconds left as Oklahoma City pipped Utah. After hitting only one of his previous four foul shots, Collison made both to give the franchise - formerly in Seattle - its first five-game winning streak in more than four years. Kevin Durant scored 31 points to tie a franchise record for consecutive 30-point games. Ronnie Price missed a 3-pointer at the final buzzer for Utah, which had snatched the lead on a late surge led by Deron Williams. Carlos Boozer scored 17 points for the Jazz. Spurs 108, Heat 78: In San Antonio, the hosts thumped Miami, recording their first win in a month over a team with a winning record. Tim Duncan had 23 points and 10 rebounds, and Manu Ginobili added 18 points for the Spurs, whose other wins in a run of ten victories from 12 have come against struggling opponents. Miami was dealt its most humiliating loss this season. Michael Beasley scored 26. Bulls 98, Pistons 87: In Auburn Hills, Michigan, Chicago inflicted Detroit's ninth straight loss. Derrick Rose scored 22 points, and Joakim Noah added 15 points and 21 rebounds for the Bulls, who won their first road game in six weeks. The slumping Pistons are 10 games under .500 for the first time since the 2000-01 season. Rodney Stuckey led the Pistons with 22 points, despite twisting an ankle in the first half. Clippers 104, 76ers 88: In Los Angeles, the hosts had a comfortable win over Philadelphia in the final NBA game of the decade. Chris Kaman had 26 points and 10 rebounds for Los Angeles, which was without coach Mike Dunleavy, who aggravated a herniated disc in his back while at home getting ready. All the Clippers' starters scored in double figures, with Baron Davis contributing 20 points and seven assists. Lou Williams led Philadelphia with 19 points.
