INDIANAPOLIS — Roy Hibbert had 20 points, eight rebounds and three blocks despite briefly leaving the game with a sprained right ankle to lead Indiana over Charlotte. Associated Press ADVERTISING NEWARK, N.J. — LeBron James returned to the lineup and
Associated Press
NEWARK, N.J. — LeBron James returned to the lineup and scored 22 of his 32 points in the first quarter, and the Miami Heat rolled to a 101-90 victory over the New Jersey Nets on Saturday night despite playing without Dwyane Wade.
Wade missed his third straight game with a bruised left foot, but James had the game under control by the time his All-Star teammate arrived at his seat on the bench.
James made his first seven shots, leaping high for dunks, lobs and blocked shots and showing no effects from the sprained left ankle that forced him to miss a game. The NBA’s leading scorer added nine assists and seven rebounds.
MAVERICKS 96,
HORNETS 81
DALLAS — Vince Carter and Ian Mahinmi had 13 points each as Dallas handed New Orleans its sixth consecutive loss.
KNICKS 103, PISTONS 80
AUBURN HILLS, Mich. — Amare Stoudemire scored 22 points and Mike Bibby added 16 to lead New York to an easy victory over Detroit.
THUNDER 98, ROCKETS 95
HOUSTON — Kevin Durant hit a jumper with 22 seconds left and nailed two free throws to give Oklahoma City a win.
HAWKS 109, BULLS 94
ATLANTA — Josh Smith scored 25 points, Joe Johnson and Vladimir Radmanovic each added 17 and Atlanta beat Chicago to snap the Bulls’ six-game winning streak.
SPURS 121, NUGGETS 117
SAN ANTONIO — Danny Green scored a season-high 24 points as San Antonio beat Denver for its sixth straight home win and third in a row overall.
CLIPPERS 92, BUCKS 86
LOS ANGELES — Blake Griffin had 22 points and 14 rebounds, and Caron Butler scored 20 points to lead Los Angeles Clippers past undermanned Milwaukee.
76ERS 97, RAPTORS 62
PHILADELPHIA — Andre Iguodala had 14 points and 10 rebounds, and Jrue Holiday also scored 14 points to lead Philadelphia over Toronto for its fourth straight win.
JAZZ 88, WARRIORS 87
OAKLAND, Calif. — Gordon Hayward made a go-ahead free throw with 11 seconds remaining, lifting Utah past Golden State for its fourth straight victory.
PACERS 99, BOBCATS 77
INDIANAPOLIS — Roy Hibbert had 20 points, eight rebounds and three blocks despite briefly leaving the game with a sprained right ankle to lead Indiana over Charlotte.
