CHARLOTTE — The Charlotte Hornets withstood a 33-point performance from prolific Oklahoma City point guard Russell Westbrook Wednesday to snap an 11-game losing streak against the Thunder.
French guard Nicolas Batum scored 28 points for the Hornets in the 123-112 triumph. His driving layup and three-point shot keyed a 9-0 scoring run that took the Hornets’ lead from 105-104 to 114-104 with 1:19 to play.
The Thunder wouldn’t get the gap below six the rest of the way, missing a chance to join the Utah Jazz atop the Northwest Division.
The Thunder were frustrated by the officiating most of the night. The Hornets connected on 40 of 49 free-throw attempts while the Thunder made 19 of their 23 attempts from the foul line.
Westbrook, who has 16 triple-doubles already this season, added 15 rebounds and eight assists, two steals and a blocked shot.
Although his 33 points were a game-high he had his struggles, missing 10 of his first 12 shots from the field. He connected on 10 of 31 field goal attempts, just two of 12 from three-point range, and was whistled for a technical foul in the first quarter.
With 3:13 left in the quarter and the score tied 16-16, the Thunder called a timeout and Westbrook threw the ball to referee Tre Maddox as he walked to the bench.
Maddox wasn’t looking and the ball hit him in the head, prompting referee Sean Corbin to issue the technical, irking Thunder players and coaches.
Kemba Walker added 20 points and nine assists for Charlotte. Frank Kaminsky scored all of his 17 points in the first half. Michael Kidd-Gilchrist did a solid job defending Westbrook, and also scored 14 points with 11 rebounds.
Bucks 105, Knicks 104
Giannis Antetokounmpo hit a step-back jumper near the free throw line as time expired to lift the Milwaukee Bucks to a 105-104 win over the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden.
Antetokounmpo posted his 16th double-double of the season with 27 points and 13 rebounds for Milwaukee (18-16).
Lance Thomas was draped all over Antetokounmpo on the shot, but the Bucks forward found a little space with a back step to nail the winner as Milwaukee fought back from a 16-point third-quarter deficit.
Carmelo Anthony led the Knicks (16-19), losers of six straight, with 30 points and 11 rebounds for his third double-double this season.
Bulls 106, Cavaliers 94
Jimmy Butler scored 14 points in the fourth quarter after a slow start and Chicago held on against depleted Cleveland.
LeBron James had 31 points, eight rebounds and seven assists while playing 37 minutes despite battling an illness. The Cavs (26-8) were also without Kevin Love (food poisoning) and Kyrie Irving (right hamstring).
Hawks 111, Magic 92
Dennis Schroder had 18 points, seven assists and six rebounds in leading Atlanta over Orlando at the Amway Center.
The Hawks (19-16) won their fourth consecutive game. The Magic (16-21) lost for the third time in their last four games.
Heat 107, Kings 102
Tyler Johnson capped a 23-point night with a driving layup that he made despite the foul, breaking a tie and helping Miami hold off a furious Sacramento rally in a victory at the Golden 1 Center.
Goran Dragic added 19 points for Miami (11-26), which ended a six-game losing streak without usual starters Hassan Whiteside and Justise Winslow.
Clippers 115, Grizzlies 106
Austin Rivers scored a game-high 28 points and Los Angeles earned a victory over Memphis at Staples Center.
Jamal Crawford contributed 22 points, while DeAndre Jordan collected 18 points and 20 rebounds for the Clippers. J.J. Redick added 19 points and Raymond Felton chipped in 11 points.
Warriors 125, Trail Blazers 117
Shaun Livingston had a dunk, Draymond Green a block and Stephen Curry a three-pointer in a key 34-second sequence of the fourth quarter, helping Golden State hold off Portland.
Curry totaled 35 points and Kevin Durant 30 as Golden State made it three straight wins this season over the Trail Blazers. — Agencies
