The Houston Rockets have lost Tracy McGrady, traded away starting point guard Rafer Alston, and changed their starting lineup 17 times this season.
And with 10 games left, they're the new No. 2 in the Western Conference.
Luis Scola dropped in the winning layup with 11.2 seconds left after a bullet pass from Yao Ming, and the Rockets rallied in the fourth quarter to wrest first place in the division from the Spurs in an 87-85 victory yesterday in San Antonio.
Ron Artest scored 24 as Houston won its fourth straight to reclaim the top spot in the division for the first time since Christmas.
"I would say it's been a surprising climb to first," Rockets guard Shane Battier said. "We've had so much . . . just melees this year with all the injuries we've had and lineup shuffles and trades. I don't know that too many people thought we would be here today."
Tim Duncan scored 23 points for the Spurs, who watched their longtime grip as the No. 2 team in the Western Conference disappear when Matt Bonner's 3-pointer at the buzzer clanked off the rim.
Scola finished with 19 points and 17 rebounds for Houston, which trailed by 5 midway through the fourth quarter before storming back.
Tony Parker had 22 points and 12 assists but missed a tough 7-footer with 2.9 seconds left with San Antonio trailing by 1.
Heat 101, Pistons 96 -Dwyane Wade scored 39 points and blocked two shots in the final 22 seconds and Udonis Haslem scored 6 points in the last 6.3 seconds as visiting Miami rallied past shorthanded Detroit.
The Pistons, missing Richard Hamilton (groin), Rasheed Wallace (calf), and Allen Iverson (back), led for the first 3 1/2 quarters, and appeared ready to pull within a game of fifth-place Miami in the Eastern Conference, but Wade and Haslem made sure it didn't happen.
Cavaliers 96, Nets 88 - LeBron James had 30 points and 11 rebounds, and visiting Cleveland won its ninth straight game and tied a franchise record with its 57th victory.
Zydrunas Ilgauskas added 18 points and became the career leader in blocked shots for the Cavaliers, who improved the NBA's best record to 57-13. Vince Carter had 25 points and nine rebounds to lead the Nets.
Hornets 99, Warriors 89 - Chris Paul scored 27 points and David West added 23, leading host New Orleans to its third straight victory.
76ers 112, Kings 100 - Andre Iguodala hit his first 10 shots and scored 27 points and Philadelphia never trailed in beating host Sacramento to end a two-game skid.
Thunder 97, Timberwolves 90 - Kevin Durant scored 30 points and Jeff Green added 17 as visiting Oklahoma City beat lethargic Minnesota.
Raptors 100, Clippers 76 - Chris Bosh had 16 points and 13 rebounds, and Shawn Marion added 14 points and 13 boards, leading host Toronto past Los Angeles.