Associated Press
The NBA Roundup …
CHARLOTTEó D.J. Augustin scored 25 points and added a career-high 11 assists, backcourt mate Raymond Felton added 23 points, and the Charlotte Bobcats used their new speedy and tiny lineup to beat the Philadelphia 76ers 93-84 on Monday night.
The 6-foot Augustin and the 6-1 Felton had their best game together since coach Larry Brown inserted the rookie Augustin in the starting lineup three games ago. They helped the Bobcats snap a four-game losing streak despite another meek performance from Charlotte’s front line that somehow the 76ers couldn’t take advantage of.
Elton Brand had 18 points, but made only 6 of 13 shots and fouled out with under a minute left. Andre Iguodala added 17 points for the Sixers, who shot 40 percent and had their two-game winning streak snapped.
The Bobcats, who came in as the NBA’s lowest-scoring team at 86.7 points per game, shot 55 percent despite getting little from their frontcourt.
They got plenty from Augustin, the ninth overall pick in the draft.
Two games after he scored 26 points in a loss to Atlanta. Augustin hit 8 of 11 shots and 7 of 9 free throws. His jumper with 2:19 left gave Charlotte an 87-78 lead and Philadelphia couldn’t recover.
Felton, the fifth overall pick in the 2005 draft, has been constantly shuttled between both guard positions. But he offset Augustin well Monday, also shooting 8-for-11, and they combined for only six turnovers.
Philadelphia, which had moved over .500 for the first time after a win over Golden State Sunday, never got going offensively despite a seemingly big advantage up front.
Rockets 107, Heat 98
MIAMI ó Yao Ming scored 28 points and grabbed 12 rebounds, Ron Artest scored 20 and the Houston Rockets finished off a perfect three-game road trip against the Eastern Conference with an 107-98 win over the Miami Heat.
Magic 108, Bucks 101
ORLANDO, Fla ó Dwight Howard had 24 points and 13 rebounds to help the Magic beat the Bucks.