NBA ROUNDUP : Ainge Finally Shoots Straight, Suns Win

Danny Ainge was looking for a way out, not to mention a way home.

Ainge atoned for a poor shooting night by scoring with 0.7 seconds left in overtime Wednesday night at Minneapolis to give the Phoenix Suns a 117-116 victory over the Timberwolves.

“If he didn’t make a play, he wasn’t going back on the charter,� Charles Barkley said.

Barkley had 35 points, and his season-high 24th rebound followed a missed three-point shot by Ainge with 8.6 seconds left, giving Phoenix another chance.

After Kevin Johnson missed a 15-footer, Ainge got the rebound in the lane and hit a five-footer.

“I had open shots, I just couldn’t get anything to fall,� said Ainge, who made only four of 14 shots, including one of nine three-pointers. “I saw Kevin penetrating, I was spotting up for the shot and when I saw the shot go up, I just went in there and the ball bounced right to me.�

Chuck Person missed a 20-footer at the buzzer and the Timberwolves lost for the 22nd time in 25 games by blowing a 21-point lead.

Minnesota is 0-14 against Phoenix since joining the NBA in 1989-90.

The Suns trailed, 44-23, early in the second quarter.

San Antonio 119, Seattle 99--J.R. Reid scored 24 points and the Spurs handed the SuperSonics their second home defeat of the season.

The Spurs, who have won 10 consecutive games for the first time in franchise history, are 15-2 since John Lucas took over as coach.

Shawn Kemp had 24 points and 16 rebounds for Seattle, which is 18-2 at home this season.

Indiana 127, Philadelphia 125--Detlef Schrempf scored 31 points and his two free throws with 2.6 seconds left in overtime got the Pacers past the 76ers at Philadelphia.

Indiana led, 120-117, but Tim Perry sent the game into overtime by making a three-pointer with 16 seconds remaining.

Detroit 103, Boston 94--Terry Mills scored 21 of his 25 points in the second half and the Pistons ended a six-game losing streak by downing the Celtics at Boston.

Reggie Lewis scored 22 points for Boston.

Charlotte 117, Sacramento 107--Rookie Alonzo Mourning scored all of his 23 points in the second half, leading the Hornets past the Kings at Charlotte.

Lionel Simmons had 26 points and Mitch Richmond scored 23 for the Kings, who have lost seven of nine games.

Golden State 123, Denver 95--Sarunas Marciulionis scored 21 points as the Warriors rolled past the Nuggets at Oakland.

Chris Jackson had 17 points for Denver, which had a season-best three-game winning streak snapped.