NBA ROUNDUP : Pistons Miss Shot at Ending Streak

The game was on the line, and Vinnie Johnson and Joe Dumars were having big nights, so the Detroit Pistons gave the ball to one of their guards for the final shot.

The surprise was that they gave it to Gerald Henderson.

Henderson’s 18-foot shot from the right corner missed the rim as the buzzer sounded and the two-time defending world champions had their fourth consecutive loss, 100-98, to the Miami Heat Thursday night at Miami.

The losing streak matched a season high for Detroit.

Johnson scored a season-high 32 points, and Dumars had 30. Henderson missed all five of his shots and didn’t score.

New York 100, San Antonio 93--The Knicks spotted the Spurs a 19-1 lead before taking control to win their fourth consecutive game.

It was the first time since Jan. 3-6 against Denver and the Clippers that the Knicks have won two games in a row at Madison Square Garden, where they are 13-17.

Atlanta 117, Portland 109--John Battle scored 18 of his 26 points in the fourth quarter to help the Hawks win their 21st game in a row at home, the NBA’s longest home winning streak of the season.

The Trail Blazers, losing their third in a row, had their lead over the Lakers in the Pacific Division reduced to 2 1/2 games.

New Jersey 98, Milwaukee 93--Drazen Petrovic scored 10 points in the final four minutes to help the Nets beat the Bucks at East Rutherford, N.J.

Petrovic, who had 22 points, made a three-point basket with 3:59 left to snap an 82-82 tie and give New Jersey the lead for good.