Wesley Helps Hornets Halt Jazz’s Streak

David Wesley scored 30 points, including a game-tying three-point basket with 57 seconds to play Saturday night, to lead the Charlotte Hornets to a 94-89 victory over the Utah Jazz at Charlotte, N.C, ending the Jazz’s six-game winning streak.

Karl Malone, trying to pass Wilt Chamberlain for second place on the NBA’s all-time scoring list, finished with 14 points on five-of-13 shooting. He needs only eight points to pass Chamberlain’s mark of 31,419.

The Jazz took an 87-84 lead on Malone’s two free throws with 1:21 to play. But Wesley tied the score when he took a pass from P.J. Brown and hit a three-point shot.

Malone, who came into the game needing 22 points to pass Chamberlain, didn’t attempt a shot until the 5:39 mark.

Malone’s first points came on two free throws with 33 seconds left in the first half, his lowest point total in a half this the season. His first shot didn’t fall until his sixth attempt, a 17-footer on Utah’s first possession of the second half.

Portland 96, Houston 85--Damon Stoudamire scored 13 of his 31 points in the final 3:30 at Houston as Portland won for the sixth time in seven games.

Rasheed Wallace scored 22 points, including 17 in the second half, and Dale Davis added 11 for Portland.

Steve Francis led Houston with 24 points. Maurice Taylor and Cuttino Mobley each scored 12.

Philadelphia 112, Cleveland 78--Allen Iverson scored most of his 27 points after Philadelphia’s big men had blown the game open at Cleveland.

The 76ers began their longest trip of the season--five games in eight days--by blowing out the Cavaliers, who missed 14 consecutive shots in the second quarter.

Orlando 95, New Jersey 74--Tracy McGrady had a career-high 40 points, 10 rebounds and five assists at East Rutherford, N.J., as the Magic handed the Nets their season-high seventh consecutive loss.

Any chance the Nets had was diminished with 15 seconds left in the first quarter when point guard Stephon Marbury suffered a sprained his left ankle on a drive to the basket. He had the ankle retaped and played 34 minutes, but he did not score again, finishing with 12 points.

Atlanta 101, Milwaukee 94--Jason Terry scored a career-high 30 points, including seven during a late 14-2 run, to lead the Hawks at Atlanta.

Terry scored 18 points in the first half to help the Hawks improve to 4-13 with their second victory in three games. Atlanta also ended Milwaukee’s three-game winning streak.

Milwaukee took an 86-81 lead midway through the fourth quarter by holding Atlanta scoreless for nearly five minutes. But Terry scored eight points in the final 4:39, leading the Hawks on a 20-8 run to end the game.

Denver 103, Seattle 92--Antonio McDyess had 33 points and 16 rebounds and Voshon Lenard added 22 points for the Nuggets at Denver.

Rashad Lewis led Seattle with 26 points and made four of seven three-point shots. Gary Payton and Emanuel Davis had 14 points each for Seattle.

Miami 93, Washington 90--Eddie Jones scored 11 of his 20 points in the fourth quarter as the Heat rallied at Washington.

Anthony Mason scored 20 points and Tim Hardaway 18 for the Heat.

Rod Strickland had 22 points for Washington, which lost its third in a row. Juwan Howard scored 14 points and Mitch Richmond added 15 before leaving because of a knee injury late in the third quarter.

New York 100, Minnesota 90--Allan Houston scored 37 points, including four consecutive jumpers during a decisive 16-3 run in the fourth quarter at New York.

He made 16 of 20 shots, including his last six.

Dallas 97, Sacramento 78--Dirk Nowitzki scored 21 of his 24 points in the first half and Michael Finley had his first triple-double of the season for the Mavericks at Oakland.

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Steve Nash scored 19 points and Shawn Bradley had 11 points and 14 rebounds for Dallas, which has won six of its first nine road games, its best road start in 11 years.