AUBURN HILLS, Mich. – Josh Howard scored 24 points and Dirk Nowitzki added 22 as the Dallas Mavericks beat the slumping Detroit Pistons 95-88 Monday night.
The Mavericks have won six of seven, while the defending champions lost for the fourth time in five games.
Nets 95, Bobcats 91
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Vince Carter scored 39 points and the New Jersey Nets hung on to beat the Charlotte Bobcats 95-91.
Carter, who scored 15 of the Nets’ 19 points in the first quarter, helped the Nets snap a two-game losing streak. The Nets have won six of their last eight and moved within three games of Philadelphia for the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.
Magic 109, Hawks 102
ORLANDO – Steve Francis had 30 points, 10 assists and six rebounds, and Grant Hill and Dwight Howard each had a double-double to lead Orlando to a 109-102 NBA victory over the Atlanta Hawks, just the Magic’s second victory in 12 games.
The Magic snapped a three-game skid as they try to keep pace with Philadelphia and Indiana, who hold the final two playoff spota in the Eastern Conference.
Pacers 90, Bucks 76
MILWAUKEE – Reggie Miller scored 12 of his 22 points in the third quarter to lead the Indiana Pacers to a 90-76 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks.
Miller, who was ejected in the second quarter of a four-point loss Saturday at Chicago, made 5-of-7 3-pointers.
Bulls 94, Grizzlies 86
CHICAGO – Eddy Curry scored 25 points and the Chicago Bulls nearly blew an 18-point fourth quarter lead before beating the Memphis Grizzlies 94-86 for their sixth straight victory.
Ben Gordon added 17 points for the Bulls, while Tyson Chandler had 14 rebounds and scored 13 points, including a pair of free throws with 12.4 seconds left to put Chicago up six. Bonzi Wells scored 22 of his season-high 30 points in the second half.
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