HOUSTON: Kevin Martin scored 30 points, Chase Budinger added 27 and Houston beat the New Jersey Nets 123-108 Saturday night in the Rockets' first game since trading away Shane Battier and Aaron Brooks. Budinger took Battier's spot in the starting lineup and went 8 for 11 from the field. Luis Scola added 23 points and seven rebounds for the Rockets, who've won nine straight meetings with New Jersey. Williams had 15 points and a season-high 17 assists for the Nets, who have lost five in a row and eight of 10. New Jersey acquired Williams in a stunning trade with Utah Wednesday, giving up point guard Devin Harris, rookie forward Derrick Favors, two first-round draft picks and $3 million in cash. Goran Dragic had six points and an assist in his first game for the Rockets, who dealt Battier to Memphis and Brooks to Phoenix just before Thursday's deadline. Bulls 83, Bucks 75: In Milwaukee, Luol Deng scored 19 points and Derrick Rose had 17, leading the surging Bulls to victory. Chicago has won six of seven to improve to 15-4 since Jan. 14, putting pressure on Boston and Miami at the top of the Eastern Conference. Joakim Noah had eight points and 17 rebounds for the Bulls. Luc Richard Mbah a Moute scored a second-high 16 points and John Salmons added 14 points for the Bucks. Salmons hit a 3-pointer to trim the Bulls' lead to 78-72 with 3:56 remaining. Rose then drove the lane and hit a wide-open Kyle Korver, who drained a 3-pointer. After Andrew Bogut hit one free throw for the Bucks, Korver made another jumper with 2:21 remaining to put the game away. Pistons 120, Jazz 116: In Auburn Hills, Michagan, Rodney Stuckey scored 28 points and made a crucial steal in the final minute, helping the Pistons bounce back from an embarrassing start to the weekend. One night earlier, Detroit used only six players in a lopsided loss at Philadelphia after several Pistons missed at least part of the team warm-up. Grizzlies 120, Kings 92: In Memphis, Tennessee, Zach Randolph had 23 points and 12 rebounds, Marc Gasol added 21 points, and the Grizzlies pulled away in the second half. Mavericks 105, Wizards 99: In Washington, Jason Terry scored 25 points, Tyson Chandler had a season-high 23 and 13 rebounds and Dallas earned its fifth consecutive victory. Celtics 99, Clippers 92: In Los Angeles, Paul Pierce scored 24 points, Ray Allen added 22, and the Boston Celtics rallied in the second half for their fourth victory in five games.
