Associated Press

AUBURN HILLS, Mich. — Antawn Jamison scored a season-high 35 points and Gilbert Arenas had 25 to help the Washington Wizards hold off the Detroit Pistons 99-96 on Friday night, maintaining the best record in the Eastern Conference at the midway point of the season.

Richard Hamilton scored 27 points for the Pistons and Billups had 11 of his 17 in the fourth quarter.

The Wizards (25-17) have won five of six. Detroit (24-17) lost for the first time in four games with Chris Webber in the starting lineup.

Hornets 88, Kings 84

NEW ORLEANS — Desmond Mason scored 24 points and Bobby Jackson added 15 against his former team to help New Orleans hold off Sacramento.

Knicks 116, Heat 96

NEW YORK — Jamal Crawford connected on 16 straight shots from the field and scored a career-high 52 points, leading New York over Miami.

Crawford finished 20-of-30 from the field and 8-for-10 from 3-point range, helping the Knicks shoot 53.6 percent. He left to a standing ovation with 6:51 remaining.

Dwyane Wade scored 37 points for the Hea.

Spurs 112, Grizzlies 96

SAN ANTONIO — Tim Duncan had 26 points, 13 rebounds and a career-best nine blocked shots, leading San Antonio past Memphis.

Hakim Warrick scored 27 points to pace the Grizzlies, who played without center Pau Gasol (strained left hamstring) and dropped to 11-33 — the worst record in the NBA. Eddie Jones had 17 points.

Cavaliers 105, 76ers 97

PHILADELPHIA — Drew Gooden scored 21 points, Larry Hughes added 16 and Cleveland relied on a balanced offense without injured LeBron James, rallying from 17 points down to beat Philadelphia.

Hawks 93, Magic 90

ORLANDO, Fla. — Joe Johnson scored a season-high 39 points, Josh Smith had 24 and Atlanta rallied from a 14-point second-half deficit to beat Orlando.

Raptors 96, Celtics 90

TORONTO — Chris Bosh had 26 points and Anthony Parker added a career-high 23 to lead Toronto past injury-riddled Boston.

Rockets 99, Blazers 69

HOUSTON — Tracy McGrady scored 17 of his 28 points in the decisive quarter and the Houston Rockets beat the misfiring Trail Blazers 99-69.

Jazz 116, Nuggets 111

SALT LAKE CITY — Carlos Boozer had 25 points and 19 rebounds, and the Utah Jazz beat Denver 116-111 on Friday night to hand the Nuggets their first loss since Carmelo Anthony rejoined the team.

Suns 98, Bucks 90

MILWAUKEE — Raja Bell scored 27 points to lead all five Phoenix starters in double figures, and the Suns set a franchise record with their 16th straight victory by beating scrappy Milwaukee.