Hornets close in on division lead as Heat lose

CHARLOTTE, North Carolina — Charlotte moved within half a game of the NBA Southeast Division lead with a 104-84 win over Detroit on Monday while division leader Miami was beaten at home by Washington.

Cody Zeller scored 20 points for the Hornets, who have won seven of nine to climb up the standings.

Miami’s Chris Bosh was ejected as the Heat was defeated by Detroit, costing the Florida team the overall lead in the Eastern Conference, which was taken by idle Cleveland.

In another key result, Dallas survived a withering finish by New York to beat the Knicks on their home court.

Charlotte’s Marvin Williams scored 14 points and 12 rebounds, and Kemba Walker had 14 points and nine rebounds for the Hornets, who won the rebound tally 57-41 despite the absence of injured centre Al Jefferson.

The Pistons, who had won their previous four games, were led by Kentavious Caldwell-Pope’s 16 points.

Washington’s John Wall scored 26 points one night after leaving a game with a sore knee, leading the Wizards to a 114-103 win at Miami.

Gary Neal added 21 including a debated 3-pointer with just over a minute left, with Miami claiming Bradley Beal had travelled on the play. Neal’s three put the Wizards up by five points and effectively sealed the result.

Bosh was ejected soon after for arguing calls and non-calls; the second ejection of his 13-year career.

Dwyane Wade led Miami with 26 points.

Dallas survived a comeback attempt sparked by Kristaps Porzingis and won 104-97 at New York.

Porzingis finished with 28 points in his first matchup with Dallas’ Dirk Nowitzki, the German great he has been compared to for his perimeter shooting skills by a 7-footer. Nowitzki scored 25 points.

The Latvian rookie made consecutive 3-pointers as the Knicks cut what had been a 23-point deficit to 101-97 with 43 seconds left, then blocked Deron Williams’ shot. But Carmelo Anthony was called for an offensive foul as the Knicks were trying to get the ball to Porzingis for another shot, and Nowitzki followed with a free throw before Williams made two more to close it out.

Los Angeles’ DeAndre Jordan had 20 points and 12 rebounds to lift the Clippers to a 110-106 win at Minnesota and their fifth victory in six games.

The Clippers trailed 98-95 with a minute to play, but Jordan threw down an alley-oop and then blocked a shot. Blake Griffin scored on a layup for a 99-98 lead with 25 seconds to play. The Clippers won a free throw shooting contest to close it out.

Griffin had 16 points and 11 rebounds, and Chris Paul made a surprise return to the line-up after missing the previous two games with a rib injury.

Los Angeles went 26 for 29 at the free throw line and even Jordan was 4 of 6.

Karl-Anthony Towns had 18 points on 7-for-9 shooting, including 3 of 3 from 3-point range for the Timberwolves.

Phoenix came from 16 points down in the fourth quarter to stun Chicago and win 103-101.

Mirza Teletovic scored 21 points, including a follow basket with 0.3 seconds left, to cap the victory.

Brandon Knight had 17 of his 21 points in the fourth to snap a four-game skid. The Suns outscored Chicago 42-24 in the final period.

Pau Gasol scored 22 points to lead the Bulls.

San Antonio dismantled hapless Philadelphia 119-69, providing a sobering experience for new 76ers executive Jerry Colangelo sitting courtside.

Milwaukee’s Greg Monroe sank a layup to the Bucks ahead with seconds left and John Henson swatted away a potential game-winning shot, securing a 90-88 win against Portland.

Boston won 111-93 at struggling New Orleans, led by 22 points from Isaiah Thomas.

Toronto ended a three-game losing trot with a 102-93 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers, with Kyle Lowry scoring 27 points.