Spurs, Suns each have had 11 scoring leaders

Two of the league’s best benches and most balanced scoring attacks will be on display Saturday night at the ATT Center when Phoenix meets San Antonio. 

According to STATS LLC, the Suns and Spurs are among the five leading teams in the league in different leading scorers this season.

The leaders in terms of different scoring leaders this season include:

San Antonio                11

Phoenix                         11

New Orleans                11

Milwaukee                    11

Charlotte                      11

Allen should return, but might not start tonight vs. Spurs

Veteran Boston guard Ray Allen practiced Tuesday with his team and appears ready to return with the Celtics for their game tonight against the Spurs.

Allen has missed the last six games with a sprained right ankle he sustained during the Celtics’ eight-game road trip last month. He continued to play until a March 23 loss at Philadelphia.

Avery Bradley has played well in his place as the Celtics have charged to a five-game winning streak propelling them to a 1½-game lead in the Atlantic Division over the Sixers heading into tonight’s game.

Bradley has bolstered the team’s defense while in the starting lineup. But the real reason has been that Rajon Rondo has picked up his offensive game, notching a triple-double in the Celtics’ last game — a victory over Miami Sunday afternoon.

Boston coach Doc Rivers told reporters that Allen made it through Tuesday’s practice, but added “that still doesn’t mean he’ll play tomorrow. Because the practice could affect his ankle and he can’t practice tomorrow. Right now, he’s playing.”

It’s hard to believe that Allen won’t be in the starting lineup if he’s available. Bradley has played well in his absence, but Allen is a future Hall of Fame player.

“Whatever we need to do as a team, the effort that I’ve seen over the last week-and-a-half, two weeks, has been great,” Allen told . “That’s all we need to make sure we keep up. Whatever combinations we work out there, we’re all good enough and professional enough to understand it. But when we’re out there playing . . . we’re at a point in the season where everybody knows who each other are.”

Allen has never come off the bench for the Celtics since joining the team in the 2007-08 season. He’s played as a reserve only four times in his career — most recently on Dec. 5, 2002, with Milwaukee.

It’s hard to believe that streak would end Wednesday night against the Spurs, who have lost seven of their last nine against the Celtics.

But the Spurs have been successful in Boston over the years, notching an 11-2 record there during the Tim Duncan era.

Dirk’s late shot pulls Mavs to another victory in Orlando

There’s something about playing in Orlando that agrees with Dirk Nowitzki and the Dallas Mavericks.

Nowitzki’s game-winning bank shot with 5.9 seconds left powered the Mavericks to a wild 100-98 victory over Orlando for their sixth straight victory there.

In the process, the defending NBA champs battled back from a 15-point deficit to claim the victory. It was only their second victory in 21 games where they have won when trailing in the fourth quarter.

“We almost looked down a little bit,” Nowitzki told the Associated Press. “Guys were putting their heads down. But we’re a too good for that. We have to keep competing. I’m proud of the guys.”

STUDS

Dallas F Dirk Nowitzki: Notched a game-winning jumper with 5.9 seconds left, part of a 28-point effort that powered the Mavericks past Orlando. Nowitzki was plus-3 in the game.

Miami G Dwyane Wade: Went for 30 points, six rebounds, six assists, three steals and was plus-16 in the Heat’s victory at Toronto. 

New Jersey F Gerald Wallace: Notched 24 points, 18 rebounds, six steals, five assists and was plus-3 in the Nets’ victory at Golden State.

Miami F Chris Bosh: Produced 30 points, eight rebounds, three assists, three blocks and was plus-17 in the Heat’s triumph at Toronto.

Milwaukee G Brandon Jennings: Went for 28 points, six assists, four steals and was plus-23 in the Bucks’ victory at Cleveland.

New Jersey G Deron Williams: Overcame a rough shooting night to dish off  20 assists and was plus-5 in the Nets’ victory at Golden State.

DUDS

Utah C Derrick Favors: Missed all 13 shots from the field in the Jazz’s loss to Sacramento.

Golden State F David Lee: Scored 27 points, but had seven turnovers and was minus-3 in the Warriors’ loss to New Jersey.

New Jersey G Anthony Morrow: Missed all six shots in the Nets’ victory at Golden State.

Cleveland F Luke Walton: Missed all five shots and was minus-16 in the Cavaliers’ loss to Milwaukee.

Orlando G J.J. Redick: Missed all six field goals with three turnovers and was minus-11 in the Magic’s loss to Dallas.