high 28 points and late-game heroics proved too much for the feisty yet hapless Hornets to overcome. Duncan sank a 13-foot running hook in a lane with 1.4 seconds left, and the San Antonio Spurs sent New Orleans to an eighth straight loss, 104-102 Monday. Tony Parker added 20 points and a career-high 17 assists for the Spurs, who snapped a two-game skid, while Richard Jefferson added 14 points and Tiago Splitter added 12 points. The Hornets inbounded the ball to Carl Landry for a desperation 3-pointer that could have won it as time expired, but the shot fell short, dooming New Orleans to its 14th loss in 15 games. Rockets 107, Timberwolves 91: Kevin Martin scored 31 points to lead the Houston Rockets to their seventh straight victory, over Minnesota on in coach Kevin McHale's first game back at Target Center since he was fired by the Timberwolves in 2009. Kyle Lowry had 16 points, 10 assists and 10 rebounds and Samuel Dalembert grabbed 15 rebounds for the Rockets, who put the game away with a 19-1 run bridging the third and fourth quarters. 76ers 103, Wizards 83: Even with their best big men out or ailing, the Philadelphia 76ers had little trouble with Washington again. Elton Brand shook off a stomach virus and had 17 points and nine rebounds, and Jrue Holiday also scored 17 to lead Philadelphia to win over the Wizards. Jodie Meeks added 15 points and Andre Iguodala had 11 assists. The Sixers led by 30 in the first half and easily cruised to their third double-digit win of the season against the hapless Wizards. Celtics 87, Magic 56: The Boston Celtics' injuries didn't affect what coach Doc Rivers always wants — solid defense. Paul Pierce and former Magic forward Brandon Bass each scored 19 points. The Magic set franchise lows for points and field goals (16). Bulls 110, Nets 95: Derrick Rose and Richard Hamilton each scored 22 points to lead the banged-up Chicago Bulls to an easy victory over the New Jersey Nets. Hamilton set season highs in points and assists (10). Rose added eight assists and hung with Deron Williams after missing four games with a sprained left big toe. Joakim Noah chipped in with 16 points and 10 rebounds, and the Bulls made it look easy, cruising to their fourth straight win even though they're hardly a picture of health at the moment. They still turned in an impressive performance, though. Thunder 99, Pistons 79: Russell Westbrook and reserve James Harden each scored 24 points, Kevin Durant added 20 and the Oklahoma City Thunder beat the Detroit Pistons for their fourth straight blowout win at home. Hawks 97, Bucks 92: Joe Johnson scored 14 of his season-high 28 points in the fourth quarter, rallying the Atlanta Hawks to a victory over the Milwaukee Bucks. Josh Smith had 19 points and 13 rebounds, and Jeff Teague added 15 points in the opener of Atlanta's five-game road trip. Other results: Mavericks 93, Suns 87; Trail Blazers 101, Kings 89; Grizzlies 91, Warrios 90.
