Rozier leads Hornets to win
Point guard scores 27 to lift Charlotte past Washington
Terry Rozier scored 27 points, Gordon Hayward had 26 points and a season-high 11 rebounds, and the Charlotte Hornets beat the Washington Wizards 114-104 on Tuesday night.
Charlotte has won four of five after losing Rookie of the Year favorite La Melo Ball to a fractured right wrist.
Washington (17-29) played without NBA leading scorer Bradley Beal for the second straight game due to a bruised right hip. Rui Hachimura tied his career high with 30 points for the Wizards. Russell Westbrook had his 17th tripledouble of the season and his third straight with 22 points, 15 assists and 15 rebounds. Robin Lopez had 16 points and 11 rebounds.
The Hornets, who improved to 24-22, went on a 16-2 run to take a 50-39 lead midway in the second quarter. While Washington got within 98-95 with 4:12 to play, Charlotte pulled away to secure the win.
Devonte’ Graham scored 17 points and Cody Zeller had 16 points and 13 rebounds for the Hornets.
Nuggets 104, 76ers 95: Jamal Murray scored 30 points, Michael Porter Jr. added 27 and the Denver Nuggets raced out to a 25-point lead on their way to a 104-95 win over the slow-starting Philadelphia 76ers. Nikola Jokic added 21 points for the Nuggets. Reserve Tyrese Maxey led the Sixers with 13 points, all in the fourth quarter.
Hawks: Stunned at being traded, Lou Williams seriously considered retiring. In the end, the 16-year NBA veteran joined Atlanta ahead of their game Tuesday against the Suns.