Simmons, Redick lead 76ers past pesky Hornets

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Ben Simmons scored 28 points, JJ Redick had 27 points, 10 rebounds and eight assists and the Philadelphia 76ers held on to beat the Charlotte Hornets 118-114 on Tuesday night for their fifth straight victory.

Jimmy Butler added 23 points and nine assists, and Tobias Harris chipped in with 22 points and 12 rebounds for the 76ers (46-25), who remained in third place in the Eastern Conference standings.

Redick finished with seven 3-pointers, one shy of his career high.

Jeremy Lamb led the Hornets with 26 points and 11 rebounds, but missed a floater that would have sent the game into overtime. Kemba Walker had 21 points for the Hornets (31-39), who have dropped four of their last five and continue to fall out of playoff contention.

The 76ers won despite their bench getting outscored 61-14.

ROCKETS 121, HAWKS 105: James Harden had 31 points and 10 assists, Clint Capela added 26 points and 11 rebounds and the Houston Rockets won their third straight game with a victory over the Atlanta Hawks. The Rockets have won 12 of 13 and have 10 wins in their last 13 road games. It was a lopsided matchup. The Hawks, led by Trae Young’s 21 points and 12 assists and John Collins’ 20 points 10 rebounds, are rebuilding and likely headed for the NBA draft lottery.

BUCKS 115, LAKERS 101: Khris Middleton scored 30 points and Brook Lopez added 28 as the Milwaukee Bucks defeated the Los Angeles Lakers. Milwaukee played without Giannis Antetokounmpo, who is nursing an injured ankle, while Lebron James sat out for Los Angeles due to a sore groin.

WARRIORS 117, TIMBERWOLVES 107: Stephen Curry scored 22 of his 36 points in the third quarter and Klay Thompson pitched in with 28 points, giving the Golden State Warriors more than enough production to beat the fading Minnesota Timberwolves and regain first place in the Western Conference.