Walker scores 31, Bobcats hold off Grizzlies 92-89
The Charlotte Bobcats’ Kemba Walker (15) shoots as Memphis Grizzlies’ Zach Randolph (50) and Marc Gasol, right, defend during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Charlotte, N.C., Saturday, Feb. 22, 2014. AP
CHARLOTTE, North Carolina — Kemba Walker scored 31 points as the Charlotte Bobcats won for the fourth time in five nights, defeating the Memphis Grizzlies 92-89 in the NBA on Saturday.
In other games around the league, Kevin Love had 37 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists for his first career triple-double to help Minnesota cruise past Utah 121-104, Golden State held off Brooklyn 93-86 for its third straight victory since the All-Star break, and Atlanta ended an eight-game losing streak by beating New York 107-98.
Charlotte is 4-0 since the All-Star break, marking its longest winning streak since March 2011.
The Bobcats used an 18-3 run in the fourth quarter to break open a tight game and then held on down the stretch with Walker making four free throws in the final 25 seconds to end Memphis’ four-game win streak.
The Bobcats won despite the Grizzlies holding Al Jefferson to just six points on 2-of-13 shooting. Jefferson came in having scored 29 points or more in eight of his last 11 games and at least 20 points in 17 of the last 19.
Minnesota was playing without starters Nikola Pekovic (ankle) and Kevin Martin (finger), but Love filled the void, keeping one step ahead of the Jazz through the game.
Love was 6 of 10 from beyond the arc and committed just one turnover. He is averaging more than 33 points and 15 rebounds over his last nine games.
Ricky Rubio had 15 points, and Corey Brewer and Chase Budinger scored 13 apiece as the Wolves won their third straight game.
Golden State’s Jermaine O’Neal had season highs of 23 points and 13 rebounds and Stephen Curry added 17 points, including a 3-pointer in the final minute, to seal the win for the Warriors.
With Andrew Bogut sidelined with a shoulder injury and David Lee out with the flu, O’Neal and Draymond Green more than filled the void in the absence of Golden State’s frontcourt regulars. O’Neal shot 10 for 13 from the floor, and Green scored a career-best 18 points to go with 10 rebounds.
Deron Williams had 20 points and six assists, and Joe Johnson scored 15 points for a Nets team that made just 2 of 21 attempts from beyond the arc.
Atlanta’s Mike Scott scored a career-high 30 points and Jeff Teague added 28 as the Hawks won for the first time since Feb. 1.
Carmelo Anthony finished with 35 points for the Knicks, who blew a double-digit, third-quarter lead for the second straight night.
New York has lost two straight and seven of nine to fall 5½ games behind Atlanta for the eighth and final Eastern Conference playoff spot.
Elsewhere, Nene made the go-ahead dunk with 0.9 seconds left and matched a season high with 30 points to propel the Washington Wizards past the New Orleans Pelicans 94-93.
Center Marcin Gortat contributed 16 points and 10 rebounds for the Wizards, while Anthony Davis had 26 points and 11 rebounds for the Pelicans.
Indiana’s Paul George scored 32 points and David West tied a season high with 30 to lead the Pacers past the last-placed Milwaukee Bucks 110-100
Lance Stephenson added 24 points, nine rebounds and eight assists for the Pacers, who had lost three of their previous five games.
Sacramento’s Rudy Gay scored eight of his 22 points over the final six minutes and Isaiah Thomas added 21 points and matched his career high with 12 assists as the Kings beat the Boston Celtics 105-98.
The Kings limited the Celtics to one basket over the final 7½ minutes.
Dallas’ Dirk Nowitzki scored 24 points and Vince Carter added 18 as the Mavericks held off the Detroit Pistons 113-102.
Josh Smith finished with 32 points for the Pistons, his most since signing with Detroit last offseason.
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