ATLANTA (AP) – Jeff Teague scored 25 points, and the Atlanta Hawks beat the Memphis Grizzlies 96-86 last night for their sixth consecutive win.
Atlanta have won 20 of 22 overall. The Eastern Conference-leading Hawks also have a nine-game winning streak against teams from the West.
The Hawks grabbed control with a 10-0 run following an 84-all tie. Al Horford, who had 12 points, started the run with a jumper. Teague and Kyle Korver followed with three-pointers and Teague added another basket for a 94-84 lead.
Mike Conley led Memphis with 17 points. Marc Gasol had 16.
Korver had 14 points and Pero Antic added 13 for Atlanta.
Hornets 98, Pelicans 94
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) – Kemba Walker scored 31 points, including a tiebreaking three-point play with 1.4 seconds left, and Charlotte earned their third consecutive win.
Walker drove the right side of the lane and converted an 11-foot jumper after Jrue Holiday hit him on the arm. Walker then made the foul shot for a 97-94 lead.
The Pelicans had one last chance to tie, but Marvin Williams stole the inbounds pass at half court and was fouled. He went 1 for 2 at the line to seal the victory.
Anthony Davis had 32 points, 12 rebounds and four blocks for New Orleans.
Rockets 105, Cavaliers 93
CLEVELAND (AP) – James Harden scored 21 points, Dwight Howard had 17 points and 19 rebounds, and Houston roared past Cleveland in the fourth quarter.
The Cavaliers played their sixth straight game without LeBron James. The four-time NBA MVP said he’s on target to return in a week from a strained back and knee.
The Rockets handed the Cavs their seventh loss in nine games.
Kyrie Irving scored a season-high 38 points for the Cavs, who lost their fourth straight at home. J.R. Smith didn’t score in 19 minutes in his Cleveland debut. The unpredictable guard was acquired earlier in the week from the Knicks along with guard Iman Shumpert.
During the game, the Cavs pulled off their second big trade in three days, acquiring 7-foot-1 centre Timofey Mozgov from Denver in exchange for two first-round draft picks.
Other scores:
Wizards 101, Knicks 91
Kings 104, Thunder 83
Suns 113, Timberwolves 111
Jazz 97, Bulls 77
Pistons 108, Mavericks 95
Nuggets 93, Magic 90
Celtics 89, Nets 81
Bucks 97, 76ers 77
