Bucks upset Wizards in NBA

WASHINGTON: Veteran Sam Cassell notched up 24 points to lead the Milwaukee Bucks to an 85-82 upset win over the Washington Wizards in NBA play on Friday.

Recently-acquired Gary Payton pitched in with 18 points as the Bucks won for just the fourth time in the former Seattle star’s nine appearances with the team. The Wizards’ Michael Jordan, nursing a sore leg and suffering from back spasms, still managed 27 points in 43 minutes on the floor. He also grabbed a match-high nine rebounds, but missed a three-pointer at the buzzer that would have forced overtime. Christian Laettner added 19 points and eight boards. With the win, Milwaukee improved to 31-31 and took over sole possession of eighth spot in the Eastern Conference. In Orlando, the New York Knicks rode a 34-23 third quarter to a 111-102 upset of the Magic, winners of seven of their previous eight matches. Three Knicks topped 20 points, with Latrell Sprewell best of them with 33, including 13 in the breakout third period. Allan Houston had nine rebounds to go with his 25 points. NBA scoring leader Tracy McGrady again paced the Magic with 37 points. The Magic had beaten the Knicks their previous four trips to Orlando.