INQUIRER Sports

BOSTON—Von Wafer hit a 3-pointer with 44 seconds left to give Houston the lead as the Rockets beat the slumping Boston Celtics, 89-85, in the NBA on Wednesday.

It was the sixth loss in eight games for the defending NBA champions, but their first at home since a Nov. 14 defeat to Denver sent them on a 19-game winning streak.

Yao Ming had 26 points and eight rebounds, scoring on a putback with 12.9 seconds left to help the Rockets snap a three-game losing streak and a five-game road skid.

Paul Pierce scored 26 points, and Kevin Garnett had 18 and eight rebounds for Boston.

Cavaliers 111, Bobcats 81

At Cleveland, LeBron James scored 21 points before grabbing an early seat on the bench as Cleveland warmed up for its highly anticipated matchup with Boston.

Mo Williams added 15 points to help the Cavaliers improve to 18-0 at home.

On Friday, the Celtics will arrive for a game between the Eastern Conference’s premier powers, a rematch of last season’s heated seven-game conference semifinal and a possible tease of what could come this spring.

Boston holds a 1-0 edge this season after beating Cleveland, 90-85, at home in its opener, when the Celtics raised their 17th title banner.

Raymond Felton led Charlotte with 15 points.

At Denver, Chauncey Billups, Linas Kleiza and J.R. Smith scored 21 points apiece to help Denver down Miami, 108-97, for its fifth straight win.

Complete results: Orlando 106, Atlanta 102; Cleveland 111, Charlotte 81; Toronto 99, Washington 93; Houston 89, Boston 85; New Jersey 100, Memphis 89; Philadelphia 110, Milwaukee 105; Minnesota 129, Oklahoma City 87; Denver 108, Miami 97; Indiana 113, Phoenix 110; Utah 116, New Orleans 90; Portland 84, Detroit 83; LA Lakers 114, Golden State 106.