AUBURN HILLS, Mich. — Al Jefferson scored 14 of his 24 points in the second half and the Charlotte Hornets extended their winning streak to five games with a 108-101 victory over the sinking Detroit Pistons on Sunday at The Palace.
The Hornets center also grabbed eight rebounds while point guard Mo Williams tossed in 19 points and handed out nine assists. Shooting guard Gerald Henderson contributed 13 points, nine assists and six rebounds and power forward Cody Zeller added 11 points and seven rebounds for Charlotte (28-33). Small forward Michael Kidd-Gilchrist chipped in 10 points for the Hornets, who outscored the Pistons 30-17 during the fourth quarter.
Point guard Reggie Jackson’s 25 points, seven rebounds and seven assists led the Pistons (23-39), who have lost six straight. Power forward Greg Monroe supplied 18 points and 11 rebounds while center Andre Drummond added 16 points for Detroit.
Jackson had 21 points by halftime to lift the Pistons to a 62-54 lead. Monroe provided the inside complement to Jackson with 13 points and six rebounds while Williams’ 11 points led the Hornets.
Warriors 106, Clippers 98
OAKLAND, Calif. — Golden State Warriors increased its lead over Los Angeles to 10 games, handing the defending Pacific Division champions a nationally televised defeat.
The win was the second in three meetings this season for the Warriors over the Clippers, who squared off in the first round of the 2014 playoffs after finishing 1-2 in the Pacific. Getting Game 7 at home in that series, Los Angeles won the best-of-seven 4-3.
The Clippers played Sunday without star power forward Blake Griffin (elbow infection) and Sixth Man of the Year candidate Jamal Crawford (calf contusion). They had combined for 42 points and 22 rebounds in the clubs’ most recent matchup, a 100-86 Clippers home win on Christmas Day.
Sunday’s result was the 10th straight win by the home team in the Calirnia rivalry. The Warriors have beaten the Clippers seven in a row in Oakland.
Jazz 98, Nets 88
NEW YORK — Forward Gordon Hayward scored 24 points and Utah continued its recent surge with a victory over Brooklyn.
Former Net forward Derrick Favors added 22 and eight rebounds as the Jazz (26-36) surpassed their win total from last season and concluded a four-game trip with their ninth win in 12 games. Rookie guard Dante Exum contributed 14, reserve guard Trey Burke had 12 and center Rudy Gobert collected 11 rebounds, helping Utah to a 43-30 margin on the glass.
Forward Thaddeus Young and center Brook Lopez led the Nets with 19 points apiece. Brooklyn (25-36), however, had quiet games from forward Joe Johnson and point guard Deron Williams who combined for 15 points on 6-of-15 shooting.
Magic 103, Celtics 98
ORLANDO, Fla. — Guard Victor Oladipo scored 22 points and forward Tobias Harris added 21 to lead Orlando to a victory over Boston at the Amway Center.
The Magic (21-43) used a 12-0 rally late in the fourth quarter to secure the victory and snap Boston’s two-game winning streak. The Celtics (25-36) are battling to stay in the race for the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.
Unheralded Magic center Dewayne Dedmon had 11 points and 16 rebounds, both career highs in just his third start this season. Rookie point guard Elfrid Payton had 19 points, 10 rebounds and seven assists. Reserve forward Maurice Harkless had 14 points and seven rebounds.
Forward Brandon Bass led the Celtics with 19 points and 17 rebounds. Rookie point guard Marcus Smart had 16 points and five steals. Reserve Isaiah Thomas finished with 21 points and nine assists.
Spurs 116, Bulls 105
SAN ANTONIO — With each quick dash to the basket, and every jump shot, Tony Parker provides evidence that he has finally recovered from a hamstring injury that slowed him down like few defenders could.
The Spurs point guard scored a season-best 32 points, helping San Antonio defeat short-handed but stubborn Chicago for its fifth straight win.
Parker, bothered by the hamstring for three months — he has missed 14 games — scored 15 straight for the Spurs (39-23) in the third quarter, converting 7 of 9 shots. He hit 13 of 19 for the game.
Forward Kawhi Leonard scored 20 points for the Spurs. Guards Manu Ginobili and Patty Mills contributed 16 and 15, respectively. Forward Pau Gasol led Chicago with 23 points and 15 rebounds. Guard Aaron Brooks scored 22 and forward Nikola Mirotic added 19.