THURSDAY’S GAMES
HOME team in caps.
HORNETS 140, Grizzlies 79: Kemba Walker scored 46 points and made 10 3-pointers, and the Charlotte Hornets rolled to the most lopsided victory in franchise history by beating the Memphis Grizzlies 140-79. Walker had the ninth 40-point game of his career as the Hornets easily overcame the absence of the suspended Dwight Howard. 76ers 118, MAGIC 98: Joel Embiid had 17 points and nine rebounds in just 20 minutes and the surging Philadelphia 76ers moved closer to a playoff berth with a 118-98 victory over the Orlando Magic. Ersan Ilyasova scored 18 points, leading six Philadelphia players in double figures as the 76ers (41-30) won their fifth straight and clinched their first non-losing season in six years. ROCKETS 100, Pistons 96 (OT): James Harden scored eight of his 21 points in overtime and the Western Conference-leading Rockets continued their march to homecourt advantage in the playoffs with a 100-96 victory over the Pistons. The Pistons (32-40) were able to force overtime with a late rally led by rookie Luke Kennard, but the NBA’s likely MVP was too much in overtime. PELICANS 128, Lakers 125: Anthony Davis capped a 33-point performance with two clutch free throws and a game-sealing steal in the final seconds, Rajon Rondo had 24 points and 10 assists, and the Pelicans erased an 11point, fourth-quarter deficit to beat the Lakers. Rondo scored 12 of his points in the fourth quarter. Jazz at MAVERICKS (late): Donovan Mitchell scored 24 points, Ricky Rubio had 23 and Rudy Gobert had 15 points and 16 rebounds for the Jazz on Tuesday night’s 99-94 loss to Atlanta. Dirk Nowitzki and Harrison Barnes each scored 19 for the Mavericks, who’ve lost three straight after Tuesday’s 115-105 loss to Dallas. Hawks at KINGS (late): Dewayne Dedmon had 15 points and 15 rebounds to help the Hawks snap their six-game skid and end Utah’s winning streak at nine on Tuesday. Willie Cauley-Stein scored 20 points for the Kings in a 106-90 loss to Detroit on Monday.