Cole Anthony scored 19 of his 21 points in the first half as the Orlando Magic defeated the visiting Charlotte Hornets, 112-92, on Tuesday night, securing at least a spot in the play-in round of the NBA playoffs.
Jalen Suggs scored 16 points, Moritz Wagner and Paolo Banchero each had 13 points and Franz Wagner added 11 points for the Magic, who have won nine of their last 11 games. Orlando led by 41 points in the first half.
Orlando shot 54.3 percent for the game and cruised despite giving up 33 points in the third quarter.
The Hornets, who fell to 2-8 this month, were paced by Brandon Miller’s 21 points and Vasilije Micic’s 20 points. Miles Bridges added 16 points and Tre Mann 11 points for Charlotte, which committed 17 turnovers.
Rockets 137, Wizards 114
Jalen Green tied his career high with 42 points while rookie Amen Thompson added a career-high 25 points as Houston turned a third-quarter rally into a victory against host Washington.
Green finished with seven 3-pointers as the Rockets won their sixth straight game. Thompson grabbed 10 boards to post a double-double, as did Green (10 boards) and teammate Jabari Smith Jr. (18 points, 14 rebounds).
Corey Kispert, Justin Champagnie and Jules Bernard scored 16 points each for the Wizards, who were without four starters since their road loss to the Rockets last week.
Nuggets 115, Timberwolves 112
Nikola Jokic scored 35 points and grabbed 16 rebounds as Denver beat Minnesota in Minneapolis.
Michael Porter Jr. added 26 points on 9-of-15 shooting for the Nuggets, who bounced back from a buzzer-beating loss to the Dallas Mavericks two days earlier. Denver’s Jamal Murray (18 points, 11 assists) and Aaron Gordon (14 points, 11 rebounds) recorded double-doubles.
Anthony Edwards finished with 30 points, eight rebounds and eight assists to lead Minnesota. Jaden McDaniels scored 26 points on 9-of-13 shooting, and Mike Conley had 13 points to go along with six rebounds and five assists.
Pelicans 104, Nets 91
Zion Williamson had 28 points, seven rebounds and four assists as New Orleans continued its playoff campaign by defeating Brooklyn in New York.
The Pelicans posted back-to-back winning seasons for the first time since 2007-08 and 2008-09 and earned their 22nd road victory. CJ McCollum helped New Orleans take control early by scoring 13 of his 16 points in the first half. Larry Nance Jr. finished with 13 points and 10 rebounds.
Cam Thomas led the Nets with 25 points but had little help as Brooklyn lost for the sixth time in seven games.
Mavericks 113, Spurs 107
Kyrie Irving scored 28 points to help Dallas earn a victory over San Antonio in a game in which two of the teams’ superstars struggled.
Luka Doncic added 18 points, 16 assists and 10 rebounds, but made just 6 of 27 from the field for Dallas. Dante Exum added 16 points off the bench and Daniel Gafford had 13.
Tre Jones led the Spurs with 22 points, with Devin Vassell adding 19 and rookie phenom Victor Wembanyama settling for 12 points (on 3-of-13 shooting), 11 rebounds, six blocks and three assists.
