Ex-Celtics Haunt Their Old Team

Few people mentioned Marcus Banks in last week’s seven-player deal between Minnesota and Boston. On Monday, it was Banks who made it look as if the Timberwolves got the better of a trade headlined by Ricky Davis and Wally Szczerbiak.

Banks had a season-high 20 points and six assists to lead a strong showing by all four ex-Celtics in Minnesota’s 110-85 victory at Minneapolis.

The Timberwolves sent Wally Szczerbiak, centers Michael Olowokandi and Dwayne Jones and a conditional first-round pick to the Celtics for swingman Ricky Davis, Mark Blount, Banks, forward Justin Reed and two second-round picks.

Blount had 16 points and 10 rebounds, Davis had nine points, five rebounds and five assists, and Reed finished with nine points.

“They really came in to show us, prove a point, whatever you want to say,� Celtic Coach Doc Rivers said. “They came in and played great, so just give them credit. ... But their performance didn’t sway me at all with the trade. The trade was a tremendous trade for us and, hopefully, a good trade for them.�

Szczerbiak, given a standing ovation when introduced, had 22 points for Boston, but Olowokandi, booed heavily, had only two points.

Memphis 86, Houston 77 -- Chucky Atkins scored 19 points in his first start for the Grizzlies, helping spoil Yao Ming’s return to the Rockets at Memphis, Tenn.

Yao, who sat out 21 games because of a foot injury that required surgery, had 15 points and eight rebounds. Tracy McGrady led Houston with 23 points.

Atkins, released by Washington this month, had come off the bench in his first four games.

Portland 116, Seattle 111 -- Zach Randolph scored 32 points to help make Coach Nate McMillan a winner in his return to Seattle, where he played and coached for 19 seasons before leaving last summer to join the Trail Blazers.

New Orleans 94, Milwaukee 93 -- David West made a foul-line jump shot with one-tenth of a second left to lift the Hornets at Oklahoma City.

West finished with 24 points and 15 rebounds. Michael Redd scored 32 for Milwaukee.

Atlanta 120, New York 101 -- Al Harrington had 26 points at Atlanta, and the Hawks led by as many as 30 en route to their largest margin of victory this season. David Lee scored 18 for New York.

Cleveland 103, Charlotte 91 -- LeBron James scored 30 points in three quarters to help extend the host Bobcats’ 12-game losing streak.

San Antonio 79, Utah 70 -- Tim Duncan scored 19 points to help the Spurs win the opener of an eight-game trip. The Jazz lost its third in a row.

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Cleveland’s LeBron James declined the NBA’s invitation to compete in the All-Star weekend dunk contest. James, who has never joined the contest, will instead be in the skills challenge.... Charlotte forward Emeka Okafor is expected to be sidelined at least five more weeks because of a sprained right ankle that has already cost him 19 of the last 20 games.... Antonio Davis, available to return from a five-game suspension for going into the stands Jan. 18 in defense of his wife, sat out New York’s game at Atlanta on Monday because of lower back pain.