Williams, Nets handle Linsanity

NEW YORK -- Linsanity ran into reality: All-Star Deron Williams wasn't getting embarrassed by the Harvard guy again.

Williams scored a season-high 38 points, outplaying Jeremy Lin and leading the New Jersey Nets to a 100-92 victory over the New York Knicks on Monday night.

Lin began his remarkable run against the Nets about two weeks ago, but Williams and the Nets were ready this time.

Lin finished with 21 points, nine assists and seven rebounds, but Williams outscored him 36-11 through three quarters, when the Nets led by 18. Lin shot 7 of 18 and the Knicks lost for the second time in 10 games since his emergence against the Nets on Feb. 4.

Carmelo Anthony, clearly rusty in his return from a seven-game absence with a strained right groin, shot 4 of 11 and scored 11 points.

Bulls 90, Hawks 79: Derrick Rose scored 23 points in his return from a five-game absence because of back pain, and host Chicago hung on to beat struggling Atlanta.

The Bulls led by 18 through the first quarter and were up 55-37 at halftime, but found themselves hanging on after a big push by Atlanta.

Mavericks 89, Celtics 73: Dirk Nowitzki had 26 points and moved into the top 20 on the NBA career scoring list and host Dallas beat the Celtics.

Nowitzki moved to No. 20 on the NBA scoring list with seven points in the first quarter. That pushed him one past Hall of Famer Robert Parish (23,334), who played 14 of his 21 NBA seasons for the Celtics.

After finishing with his 26 points in 31 minutes, Nowitzki pushed his career total to 23,354 points.

At No. 19 on the scoring list is Garnett (23,719), who missed his second consecutive game for personal reasons.

Spurs 106, Jazz 102: Tony Parker scored 23 points and Matt Bonner hit five 3-pointers and San Antonio defeated host Utah for its 11th consecutive victory.

Richard Jefferson's 3-pointer with 6.5 seconds left sealed the victory for the Spurs.

Thunder 101, Hornets 93: Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook scored 31 points apiece and Oklahoma City beat New Orleans for its 10th straight home win.

Magic 93, Bucks 90: Dwight Howard had 28 points and 16 rebounds, Jameer Nelson added 15 points and Orlando beat host Milwaukee.

Suns 104, Wizards 88: Marcin Gortat scored 20 points, Steve Nash had 12 points, 11 assists and seven rebounds in three quarters, and host Phoenix topped Washington for its 10th straight against over the Wizards.

Rockets 97, Grizzlies 93: Kyle Lowry scored 24 points, Kevin Martin added 22 and Courtney Lee hit four key free throws late as host Houston held off Memphis.

Notes

Boston: The NBA suspended point guard Rajon Rondo two games without pay for throwing a ball at an official during a game.

Portland: The Trail Blazers said a procedure to clear debris out of center Greg Oden's left knee resulted in another microfracture surgery. The Blazers say Oden will not play this season.

San Antonio: Guard Manu Ginobili is expected to miss two weeks with a strained left oblique.