Bulls put issues aside with victory

Ben Wallace kept his headband out of sight. His injured hand was another story, though, and the Chicago Bulls’ saga with their new center took another turn Tuesday.

The host Bulls still beat New York again, this time 102-85, behind 23 points from Ben Gordon three days after beating the Knicks to end a 1-6 trip. But Wallace remained the center of attention.

He said Tuesday his right hand -- which he injured Saturday at New York -- has ligament damage and bone chips. A day earlier, the team said he had a sprained index finger and bruised wrist.

Wallace, who joined the team by signing a four-year, $60-million contract in the off-season, also expressed no regret for wearing a headband during Saturday’s game, a violation of team rules that led to him being benched. Wallace had eight points, 12 rebounds and two blocked shots Tuesday.

When asked after the morning shoot-around if he regretted the headband incident, Wallace said, “Not at all.�

He also implored the team to “look at� the rule.

Wallace’s revelation about his hand seemed to be news to Coach Scott Skiles, who said, “That’s all I’m aware of -- the official report.�

Eddy Curry led New York with 24 points, but Stephon Marbury was two for 13 for seven points.

Memphis 108, Denver 96 -- The Grizzlies held the Nuggets without a field goal for more than five minutes of the fourth quarter to end a 17-game losing streak at Denver while also snapping the Nuggets’ six-game winning streak.

Hakim Warrick had 25 points for Memphis. Carmelo Anthony finished with 37 points for Denver.

The Grizzlies were the only NBA team without a win at the Pepsi Center. They hadn’t won at Denver since November 1997, when the Nuggets played at McNichols Arena.

Houston 82, Minnesota 75 -- Despite an injury to Tracy McGrady, the host Rockets won their fourth in a row with a game-ending 14-7 surge.

Minnesota trailed most of the game before tying it at 68-68 with 4:53 left before Houston’s run.

Yao Ming had 25 points for Houston. Kevin Garnett had 25 points and 11 rebounds for Minnesota.

McGrady finished the game but didn’t seem the same following a rib injury in the first quarter. He had eight points on four-for-14 shooting.

Charlotte 96, New Jersey 92 -- The Nets lost their sixth in a row after trailing by as many as 14 points and having their reserves outscored, 36-7, at East Rutherford, N.J.

Rookie Adam Morrison scored 22 points and Sean May had a career-high 20 for the Bobcats.

Richard Jefferson led New Jersey with 27 points.

Toronto 94, New Orleans 77 -- The Raptors won their first road game in eight tries, benefiting from 12-4 and 9-0 second-half runs.

Chris Bosh had 19 points and 14 rebounds for Toronto, which also got a career-high 16 points from rookie Andrea Bargnani.

Chris Paul had 16 points and 11 assists for New Orleans, playing without Peja Stojakovic (back).

Indiana 105, Portland 97 -- Coming in as the NBA’s worst-shooting team, the Pacers made 52.1% of their shots to win at Portland, Ore.

Reserve Danny Granger scored 21 points and Jermaine O’Neal added 20 as Indiana made 38 of 73 shots. They entered the game shooting 41.9%.

Zach Randolph had 30 points for Portland.

Washington 96, Atlanta 95 -- Caron Butler’s three-point play with 1:04 left at Washington helped the Wizards end a four-game losing streak.

Butler scored 21 points and was perfect on 15 free throws. Gilbert Arenas also scored 21 points for Washington but committed nine turnovers.

Joe Johnson led the Hawks with 33 points, eight assists and six rebounds.

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Charlotte signed swingman Derek Anderson. It is the seventh team for Anderson, 32, who played with Houston and Miami last season.