Kings push Cavs to second loss in a row

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Vince Carter scored a season-high 24 points, and the Sacramento Kings handed the Cleveland Cavaliers their second straight loss with a 109-95 victory on Wednesday night.

Carter had missed the previous three games due to a rib injury and coach’s decision. The 40-year-old gave Cleveland all kinds of problems in his return, shooting 10 of 12 in 30 minutes.

Cleveland was coming off a 99-92 loss at Golden State on Christmas Day and had not dropped consecutive games since a four-game slide from Oct. 25-Nov. 1.

LeBron James had 16 points, 10 rebounds and 14 assists for the Cavs.

CELTICS 102, HORNETS 91

Kyrie Irving scored 21 points, Al Horford had 20 points and 11 rebounds, and Boston won at Charlotte.

MAVERICKS 98, PACERS 94

Dirk Nowitzki scored 15 points, Harrison Barnes made the tiebreaking free throw with 37.7 seconds left, and Dallas snapped an eight-game road losing streak.

PELICANS 128, NETS 113

Rajon Rondo broke Chris Paul’s franchise record with a career-high 25 assists, and Anthony Davis had 33 points, 11 rebounds and six blocks as New Orleans beat Brooklyn at New Orleans.

HAWKS 113, WIZARDS 99

Dennis Schroder scored 21 points, and host Atlanta beat Washington.

THUNDER 124, RAPTORS 107

Russell Westbrook had 30 points, and hOklahoma City held off visiting Toronto.

Paul George scored 33 points, and Carmelo Anthony and Steven Adams had 18 points each for Oklahoma City.

TIMBERWOLVES 128, NUGGETS 125

Jimmy Butler scored 12 points in overtime and finished with a seasonhigh 39 as host Minnesota edged Denver.

BULLS 92, KNICKS 87

Kris Dunn scored 17 points, including two clutch free throws in the final seconds, and surging Chicago rallied to beat visiting New York.