Associated Press
The NBA roundup …
CHARLOTTE— Al Jefferson thinks he’s finally figured out the NBA game.
Jefferson, the focal point of Utah’s offense, had 31 points and nine rebounds as the Jazz defeated the Charlotte Bobcats 99-93 on Wednesday night.
Corey Maggette scored 25 points to lead the Bobcats, who failed in their quest to win back-to-back games for the first time this season. It’s the third straight 20-point game for Maggette, who’s averaging 19.7 points per game over the last 10 games.
Wizards 106, Lakers 101
WASHINGTON — Roger Mason led a spirited fourth-quarter comeback with nine points in the period, Kobe Bryant lost his shooting touch down the stretch, and the Washington Wizards rallied from a 21-point, third-quarter deficit Wednesday night to stun the Los Angeles Lakers 106-101.
76ers 103, Celtics 71
PHILADELPHIA — Evan Turner scored a career-best 26 points, helping the 76ers rout the Celtics to maintain their lead in the Atlantic Division.
Six Sixers scored in double figures, including Elton Brand (18), Lou Williams (15) and Nik Vucevic (14).
Raptors 116, Rockets 98
TORONTO — DeMar DeRozan scored 23 points as the Raptors used a rare offensive outburst to beat the Rockets.
Linas Kleiza added 19 points while Jose Calderon had 17 points and 12 assists for the Raptors.
Heat 89, Hawks 86
MIAMI — LeBron James had 31 points and 11 rebounds, Dwyane Wade added 18 points and set up Udonis Haslem for an alley-oop dunk with 12 seconds left.
Miami won its 11th straight at home and had to come from 10 points down in the third quarter to extend the streak. Another Heat streak ended — it was Miami’s first time since April 6, 2006, without making a 3-pointer, a span that included 455 regular-season games and 60 more in the playoffs.
T’wolves 106, Blazers 94
MINNEAPOLIS — Wes Johnson scored 19 points to back Kevin Love’s 29 points and 16 rebounds for Minnesota.
Johnson went 3 of 4 on 3-pointers and Luke Ridnour added 22 points for the Timberwolves (21-19), who moved into the eighth spot in the Western Conference playoff race. They own the tiebreaker over Houston, which lost earlier Wednesday.
Spurs 118, Knicks 105
SAN ANTONIO — Tony Parker scored 32 points and the San Antonio Spurs dealt the sliding New York Knicks a third consecutive loss, 118-105, which doesn’t figure to ease the mounting frustrations of Carmelo Anthony and teammates.
Tim Duncan and Manu Ginobili added 17 points apiece in Ginobili’s second game back after missing two weeks with a strained stomach muscle. Anthony led New York with 27 points.
The Knicks have lost six of nine. They bear little resemblance to their Jeremy Lin-inspired resurgence before the All-Star break.
Thunder 115, Suns 104
OKLAHOMA CITY — Russell Westbrook scored 31 points, James Harden added a career-high 30 off the bench and the Oklahoma City Thunder roared back for a 115-104 victory over the Phoenix Suns on Wednesday night for their 14th straight home win.
Kevin Durant also chipped in 30 points and Serge Ibaka contributed 18.