MONDAY’s OTHER NBA GAMES

Bulls 118, Hornets 111

CHICAGO

Jimmy Butler scored 52 points and outdueled Kemba Walker, carrying Chicago over the Charlotte. Butler was a point shy of his career high, which he got Jan. 14, 2016 at Philadelphia. He scored 20 points in the first half and 17 in the game’s final four minutes. Butler also had 12 rebounds and six assists while shooting 21 of 22 from the free-throw line. Walker boosted his All-Star candidacy with 34 points and a season-high 11 rebounds.

Jazz 101, Nets 89

NEW YORK

Gordon Hayward scored 30 points, Rudy Gobert had 15 points and 16 rebounds and Utah pulled away in the final quarter to beat Brooklyn. Rodney Hood and Shelvin Mack also scored 15 points each for the Jazz. Trevor Booker led the Nets with 17 points and 15 rebounds. Brook Lopez scored 14 points.

Rockets 101, Wizards 91

HOUSTON

Eric Gordon scored 31 points and James Harden had 23 points, 10 assists and 10 rebounds to lead Houston over Washington. Harden’s ninth triple-double of the season was a rocky encore to his brilliant New Year’s Eve performance where he had 53 points, 17 assists and 16 rebounds against the Knicks and became the first player in NBA history with a 50-15-15 game.

Magic 115, Knicks 103

NEW YORK

Jodie Meeks scored a season-high 23 points, Serge Ibaka and Aaron Gordon each had 22 and Orlando rolled over New York, which lost its fifth straight game. Nikola Vucevic had 14 points and 13 rebounds and fellow reserve Elfrid Payton added 13 points and 14 assists for the Magic.

Bucks 98, Thunder 94

MILWAUKEE

Giannis Antetokounmpo had 26 points and 10 rebounds and rookie Malcolm Brogdon hit two free throws with 8.8 seconds left, lifting Milwaukee over Oklahoma City. With Milwaukee leading 96-94, Oklahoma City’s Russell Westbrook drove the lane, but Tony Snell deflected the ball off the Thunder guard’s leg and the ball went out of bounds. The referees initially signaled the ball went off Snell, but after a video review, they reversed the call and gave Milwaukee possession. Brogdon then was fouled and made both free throws to seal the victory. Westbrook led Oklahoma City with 30 points and six assists.

Associated Press