Steady Jones Finds New Way to Influence a Hornet Victory

The methods change. The player remains the same. Eddie Jones keeps finding ways to make major contributions for the Charlotte Hornets.

Six days after he had a career-high nine steals to help Charlotte defeat Indiana, Jones scored 33 points--two short of his career best--in the Hornets’ 117-111 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks on Wednesday night at Charlotte, N.C.

“When we need a big hoop, he provides it. When we need a steal, he provides that,” Coach Paul Silas said. “I’m happy I have him on my side.”

Jones made 12 of 18 field-goal attempts and added five rebounds as the Hornets won for the first time in three games by overcoming Milwaukee’s 83% shooting in the third quarter.

“We knew they were going to make a run, so we weathered the storm,” said Jones, a former Laker.

The Hornets secured the victory by shooting 58% in the fourth quarter and holding the Bucks to 35% shooting. Charlotte took control midway through the quarter by holding Milwaukee scoreless on four consecutive possessions and eight of the last 11.

The Hornets, who wound up shooting 52% and improved to 3-0 at home, also got 20 points from David Wesley and 18 apiece from Bobby Phills and Anthony Mason. Wesley had 10 assists and Mason added eight assists and eight rebounds.

Glenn Robinson and Ray Allen had 24 points each to lead the Bucks, who came in averaging an NBA-best 109.8 points.

Detroit 110, Boston 92--Jerry Stackhouse scored 30 points at Boston as the rested Pistons finally won after losing their first four games of the season.

Detroit had played those four games in five nights but had the previous three days off. It showed as the Pistons had plenty left in the fourth quarter to avoid squandering a big lead for the second straight game.

The Pistons, whose 0-4 start was their worst since 1980-81, got 20 points and 16 rebounds from Jerome Williams, and 18 points, 10 rebounds and seven assists from Grant Hill.

Seattle 109, Washington 95--Reserve Vernon Maxwell scored 24 points, and Gary Payton added 20 points and tied a career high with 17 assists as the SuperSonics continued to dominate the Wizards at Washington.

Seattle, which improved to 4-1, beat Washington for the 20th time in 24 meetings.

Ruben Patterson scored 14 points and Vin Baker 15 as all five SuperSonic starters finished in double figures.

Phoenix 104, New Jersey 89--Penny Hardaway scored 25 points as the Suns won their fourth straight, knocking off the Nets at East Rutherford, N.J.

Tom Gugliotta scored 18 points for the Suns, and Jason Kidd added 15. Stephon Marbury led the Nets with 27 points.

Orlando 110, Philadelphia 105--Pat Garrity scored 25 points, and Darrell Armstrong had 20 points and 10 assists as the Magic weathered Allen Iverson’s season-high 46 points to beat the 76ers at Orlando, Fla.

Garrity came off the bench to make 10 of 11 shots and John Amaechi scored five of his 13 points in the final minute.

Vancouver 102, Atlanta 97--Shareef Abdur-Rahim had 20 points, 12 rebounds and nine assists as the Grizzlies beat the Hawks for the first time in an overtime victory at Vancouver, Canada.

Othella Harrington had 21 points and 12 rebounds for the Grizzlies.