Hack-a-Howard scheme backfires

Al Attles' favorite memory of Wilt Chamberlain: The legendary 100-point game he produced for the Philadelphia Warriors against the Knicks on March 2, 1962. But Attles, who attends every Warriors home game, also remembers being on hand just days earlier when Chamberlain - his former teammate - set a record with 34 free-throw attempts.

Attles never expected either record to be broken in his lifetime. But there he was Thursday night, watching as Dwight Howard stepped to the foul line time and again in the Magic's 117-109 victory at Golden State. Howard took an astounding 39 free throws, smashing Wilt's record.

Howard entered Thursday the NBA's worst free-throw shooter, making just 42.6 percent. Warriors coach Mark Jackson figured the odds were in his favor, so he had his players foul. Howard made 21 of his 39 - 53.8 percent - and finished with 45 points and 23 rebounds.

The 23d to get 23,000

Dirk Nowitzki became the 23d NBA player to score 23,000 points, reaching the milestone with a free throw in the second quarter in the Dallas Mavericks' game against Milwaukee on Friday night. Kobe Bryant and Kevin Garnett are the only active players with more points. Elgin Baylor is next on the career list with 23,149 points.

- Inquirer wire services