Associated Press
CHARLOTTE ó Emeka Okafor had 29 points and 18 rebounds for Charlotte, which pulled away in the fourth quarter for an 80-72 victory over Washington on Tuesday night.
Gerald Wallace had 16 points, and D.J. Augustin had his team-record streak of 42 straight made free throws snapped. Sean May was inactive for the sixth straight game.The Wizards (4-22) spoiled coach Ed Tapscott’s return to Charlotte, where he was the team president for three years.
Struggling guard DeShawn Stevenson went to Tapscott before Monday’s practice and suggested he come off the bench. Stevenson had started 275 straight games, a streak second in the NBA behind Detroit’s Tayshaun Prince mark of 379.North Carolina and West Virginia football players, in town for Saturday’s Meineke Bowl, played a shooting game during a second-half time out. The Tar Heels won.
Lakers 100, Hornets 87
NEW ORLEANS ó Kobe Bryant scored 26 points and Pau Gasol added 20 for the Lakers (23-5) stormed to a 19-point halftime lead.
Chris Paul had 17 points and 10 assists for the Hornets.
Cavaliers 99, Rockets 90
CLEVELAND ó LeBron James had 27 points ó 18 in the second halfó as Cleveland remained the only unbeaten team at home (14-0).
Pistons 104, Bulls 98
AUBURN HILLS, Mich. ó Rodney Stuckey scored 40 points, topping his previous career high by 13, and Detroit overcame an injury to Allen Iverson (groin strain).Nets 108, Pacers 107
INDIANAPOLIS ó Devin Harris’ jumper from the top of the key as time expired gave New Jersey a victory over Indiana, which had just taken the lead on a jumper by Danny Granger with 10 seconds left.
Vince Carter scored 38 points. Harris had 29 points and 11 assists.
Hawks 99, Thunder 88
ATLANTA ó Joe Johnson had his second career triple-double with 20 points, 11 rebounds and 11 assists. Marvin Williams had 21 points.
Heat 96, Warriors 88
MIAMI ó Dwyane Wade had 32 points, eight rebounds and eight assists as Miami (15-12) matched last season’s win total.
Bucks 94, Jazz 86
MILWAUKEE ó Michael Redd scored 27 points for Milwaukee.
Mavericks 100, Grizzlies 82
DALLAS ó Dirk Nowitzki had 21 points and Dallas stretched its winning streak against Memphis to 13. Josh Howard added 14 points.
Spurs 99, Timberwolves 93
SAN ANTONIO ó Tony Parker scored 36 points on 13-of-17 shooting while handing the Timberwolves their 13th consecutive loss.