Associated Press
The NBA roundup ….
CHARLOTTE — D.J. Augustin had 22 points and 12 assists, outplaying Derrick Rose in the Charlotte Bobcats’ 96-91 victory over the Chicago Bulls on Wednesday night.
The Bulls, off to their best start since their last title under Michael Jordan in 1998, couldn’t keep it going with Jordan sitting courtside.
Augustin also helped force Rose into a miserable 5-of-17 shooting night and ran an offense that committed only seven turnovers. It came two nights after Augustin struggled handling the ball in a win over Memphis.
“The other day MJ got mad at me for my five turnovers. He told me never to do that again and I took it to heart tonight,” Augustin said. “I tried to make smart plays.”
The Bobcats owner stood and clapped as the final seconds ticked down in Charlotte’s fourth straight win. Ex-Bull Tyrus Thomas added 17 points and 13 rebounds as the Bobcats moved to 6-2 under interim coach Paul Silas.
Carlos Boozer had 23 points and 14 rebounds, and Luol Deng added 22 points for Chicago, which lost for only the fifth time in 20 games.
Celtics 119, Kings 95
BOSTON — Paul Pierce scored 25 points and Rajon Rondo had 10 points and 13 assists, leading the Celtics to the victory.
Pierce scored 15 in the first quarter as Boston got off to a quick start while bouncing back from a surprising home loss on Monday night. The Celtics had been 5-5 since Christmas.
Pacers 102, Mavericks 89
INDIANAPOLIS — Brandon Rush scored eight of his 20 points in the fourth quarter to help Indiana get the victory.
Dallas forward Dirk Nowitzki missed his eighth straight game with a sprained right knee.
Hawks 104, Raptors 101
TORONTO — Mike Bibby made a go-ahead 3-pointer with 8.2 seconds left, Jamal Crawford scored a season-high 36 points and Atlanta earned its fifth straight win.
Joe Johnson scored 26 points and Al Horford had 10 points and 13 rebounds for the Hawks.
Spurs 91, Bucks 84
MILWAUKEE — Reserve Matt Bonner scored all 17 of his points in the second half, Manu Ginobili added 23 and the San Antonio Spurs beat the Milwaukee Bucks 91-84 for their fourth straight win.
The Spurs improved the NBA’s best record to 33-6.
Hornets 92, Magic 89 OT
NEW ORLEANS — Emeka Okafor had 18 points and 14 rebounds, and the New Orleans Hornets held off Orlando 92-89 in overtime on Wednesday night, snapping the Magic’s nine-game winning streak.
Chris Paul had 12 points and 13 assists.
Dwight Howard had 29 points and 20 rebounds, but missed a pair of free throws that could have given Orlando a one-point lead with 11 seconds to go.
Thunder 118, Rockets 112
HOUSTON — Kevin Durant scored 30 points, Russell Westbrook added 23 points and 13 assists, and the Oklahoma City Thunder snapped the franchise’s 11-game losing streak in Houston with a 118-112 win over the Rockets.
Grizzlies 107, Pistons 99
AUBURN HILLS, Mich. — Zach Randolph had 34 points and 17 rebounds for Memphis, and Rudy Gay scored 26 points.
Jazz 131, Knicks 125
SALT LAKE CITY — Deron Williams and reserve C.J. Miles scored 24 points apiece, leading seven Utah players in double figures.