Oakland , California — Dwight Howard broke Wilt Chamberlain’s nearly 50-year-old NBA record for the most free throw attempts in a game, making 21 of 39 in the Orlando Magic’s 117-109 victory over the Golden State Warriors on Thursday.
The Warriors hacked Howard intentionally throughout, sending the notoriously poor shooter to the line in record-setting fashion. Chamberlain shot 34 for the Philadelphia Warriors against St. Louis on Feb. 22, 1962.
Howard finished with 45 points and 23 rebounds, and Hedo Turkoglu scored 20 points to propel the Magic to their third straight victory. Monta Ellis had 30 points and 11 assists, and David Lee added 26 points and 12 rebounds for the short-handed Warriors, playing without starters Stephen Curry and Dorell Wright.
Howard had never shot more than 24 free throws in a game — which he had four times previously — and fouled so early. Certainly, nothing compared to the Warriors’ ways.
Cavs 101, Suns 90
At Phoenix, rookie star Kyrie Irving scored a season-high 26 points and Antawn Jamison matched his season high with 23, helping Cleveland beat Phoenix.
Irving, who played only 11 games at Duke before being drafted first overall, topped his previous high of 21. Anderson Varejeo contributed 15 rebounds for the Cavaliers.
Steve Nash led six Suns players in double figures with 16 points, becoming the 15th active player to reach 16,000 points. He also had 15 assists. Marcin Gortat had 14 points and 12 rebounds for Phoenix.
Michael Redd, playing his first game for Phoenix, had 12 points in 19 minutes.
Grizzlies 94, Knicks 83
At Memphis, Tennessee, Rudy Gay scored a season-high 26 points as Memphis beat New York to end the Knicks’ winning streak at four games.
The Knicks played most of the second half without scoring leader Carmelo Anthony after he sprained his right ankle early in the third period. He didn’t return and X-rays were negative.
OTHER RESULTS: Hawks 111, Bobcats 81; Bucks 102, Pistons 93. AP