NBA wrap: Mavericks hand Hornets first loss of season

DALLAS — The Dallas Mavericks handed the New Orleans Hornets their first loss of the NBA season on Monday, winning 98-95 with Jason Terry scoring 26 points, including the go-ahead jumper in the final minute. New Orleans, which had been off to a franchise-best 8-0 start, got 22 points from Chris Paul, but only two came in the second half. Dirk Nowitzki had 25 points and 10 rebounds to help the Mavericks stretch their winning streak to four games. Peja Stojakovic added 17 points and Emeka Okafor pulled down 14 rebounds for New Orleans. Thunder 115, Jazz 108 In Salt Lake City, Oklahoma City ended Utah's five-game winning streak, led by Kevin Durant's 30 points. Serge Ibaka and Russell Westbrook added 22 apiece for the Thunder who trailed by 12 points as Utah's Deron Williams hit his first six shots. Williams finished with 31 points and 11 assists. Oklahoma City made 33 of 34 from the free throw line, including 10 straight in the fourth quarter to seal the victory. The Jazz pulled within three points with 12 seconds left, but Durant made four straight free throws to end it. Magic 89, Grizzlies 72 In Orlando, the hosts smothered Memphis defensively, holding the Grizzlies to their lowest score in two seasons. Dwight Howard had 18 points and 14 rebounds and Vince Carter scored 19 points for Orlando, which built a 16-point lead, lost it, then went back ahead by 17 points in the fourth quarter to put away the game. They held the high-scoring Grizzlies — who came into the game averaging 104 points per game — to 36 percent shooting. Marc Gasol had 14 points and eight rebounds in the Grizzlies' third straight loss. Suns 100, Nuggets 94 In Phoenix, the hosts overcome a 15-point, first-half deficit to beat Denver for the 12th straight time at home. Hakim Warrick scored 21 points to lead a balanced attack for the Suns, who had a rough night from 3-point range, making just 4 of 20 after nearly breaking the NBA record with 22 in a win over the Lakers the day before. Phoenix also had a sloppy first half (at both ends), making up for it by putting six players in double figures. Steve Nash had 15 points and seven assists. Carmelo Anthony had 20 points and 22 rebounds for Denver. Warriors 101, Pistons 97 In Oakland, Golden State remained undefeated at home despite losing nearly all of a 32-point, first-half advantage against Detroit. Monta Ellis scored 24 of his 27 points in the first half and Stephen Curry added 21 points as the Warriors improved to 5-0 at home; their best start since winning their first six of the 1990-91 season. Charlie Villanueva scored 18 points, one of six Pistons to reach double figures, as Detroit rushed back from the large deficit to draw within 98-96 with 14 seconds remaining. Bobcats 113, Timberwolves 110 In Charlotte, Gerald Wallace set a franchise record with 17 free throws made as Charlotte rallied to beat Minnesota. Wallace scored 26 points and also made a key steal late for the Bobcats, who entered the game as the NBA's only winless team at home, and looked set for an 0-5 home court record when they trailed 107-99 with 2:08 left. But Wallace and Stephen Jackson, who also scored 26 points, led Charlotte's comeback. Wallace's two free throws with 31.6 seconds left put Charlotte ahead to stay. Minnesota's Michael Beasley scored 28 points, but had two key turnovers in the closing minutes. Nets 110, Clippers 96 In Los Angeles, New Jersey overcame the second-quarter ejection of leading scorer Devin Harris to hand Los Angeles its sixth straight loss. Brook Lopez scored 24 points for the Nets and Travis Outlaw added 23 against his former team. Harris had eight points and seven assists in 14 minutes before his sudden departure for the frightening Grade 2 flagrant foul against rookie forward Blake Griffin by tackling him on a breakaway drive. The injury-depleted Clippers, off to a 1-10 start and struggling badly without center Chris Kaman and point guard Baron Davis, got 30 points from shooting guard Eric Gordon in his second game back from a bruised shoulder. – AP