Bucks’ Victory Will Cost Karl Dinner Money

George Karl’s wallet is about to get lighter, and he couldn’t be happier.

The Milwaukee Bucks’ coach told his players that if they won 12 games in March, he’d buy them all dinner. The Bucks met their target with a 102-94 victory over the Charlotte Hornets on Wednesday night at Charlotte, N.C.

“The guys are already talking about lobster and steak,” a smiling Karl said. “I’m sure the league will tell me I’m circumventing the salary cap. You can go with it. I don’t care. But I guarantee you they’ll say we’re circumventing the cap.”

Ray Allen scored 20 points and former Hornet guard Dell Curry scored 18 to pace the Bucks, who made a season-high 61% of their shots.

“It was very satisfying to beat the team that did not want you,” said Curry, the last of the original Hornets. He was not re-signed in the off-season and joined the Bucks as a free agent.

Eddie Jones, Charlotte’s top scorer and best defender, injured his left shoulder drawing a charging call from Michael Curry late in the third quarter.

The former Laker played the entire fourth quarter and scored six points, but was in obvious pain after the game while wearing an ice pack on his shoulder. At one point, he doubled over in his chair while talking to reporters. “They called an offensive foul, but it didn’t help the pain,” said Jones, who refused X-rays. “I hope it’ll be OK.”

Portland 100, Sacramento 86--Damon Stoudamire scored nine of his 21 points in the fourth quarter to lead the Trail Blazers at Portland.

Brian Grant added 16 points and nine rebounds, and Greg Anthony scored a season-high 16 points in only 17 minutes.

Vlade Divac led the Kings with 20 points, 12 rebounds and seven assists.

The Kings, who lost all four games against the Trail Blazers this season, played their third consecutive game without leading scorer Chris Webber, who is out because of flu.

Washington 84, Orlando 73--Juwan Howard scored 20 points and the Wizards turned in a record defensive performance at Washington.

The Magic total was an all-time low for a Wizard opponent. The previous low was 74, by the Cleveland Cavaliers in 1982 and the Miami Heat in 1997.

Detroit 87, Boston 72--Lindsey Hunter scored 17 points at Boston as the Pistons won their fifth straight.

Phoenix 93, Golden State 78--Tom Gugliotta had 21 points and 11 rebounds at Phoenix to help the Suns end a three-game losing streak and move 1 1/2 games ahead of the Warriors for the eighth and final playoff spot in the Western Conference.