Hornets’ Mashburn Makes Strong Return

Jamal Mashburn didn’t even need a full game to regain the form that made him an All-Star last season.

Returning from minor surgery on his right knee, Mashburn made his first game of the season memorable by scoring New Orleans’ final 13 points as the Hornets pulled out a 101-100 victory over the visiting Milwaukee Bucks on Wednesday night.

He started slow but was eight for 10 in the second half -- making the game-winner on a 15-foot turnaround over Desmond Mason with 12 seconds left -- and finished with a team-high 24 points.

“In the second half, the anxiousness pretty much went away,” Mashburn said. “I enjoyed myself tonight, and I’m glad the guys had enough confidence in me and I had enough confidence in myself to go out there and produce.”

Baron Davis, back after sitting out three games because of a sprained left ankle, scored 23 points as New Orleans won its third in a row and snapped the Bucks’ three-game winning streak.

Michael Redd tied a career high with 40 points and made a runner that gave the Bucks their final lead at 100-99 lead with 22 seconds left.

Utah 91, Dallas 88 -- Raja Bell made two free throws with 12 seconds left and finished with 18 points at Salt Lake City to help end his former team’s nine-game winning streak. Michael Finley, who led Dallas with 29 points, missed a three-point attempt in the final seconds.

Cleveland 94, Miami 93 -- Ira Newble blocked Dwyane Wade’s shot in the final second, and Zydrunas Ilgauskas scored 30 points on 14-for-16 shooting as the Cavaliers matched their win total from last season. Dajuan Wagner scored the winning basket with 7.9 seconds left as Cleveland improved to 17-28. The Cavaliers finished 17-65 last season. Eddie Jones had 16 points for Miami.

Portland 88, Memphis 76 -- Zach Randolph had 21 points at Memphis, Tenn., to help the Trail Blazers end the Grizzlies’ longest winning streak in franchise history at eight games. Bonzi Wells, a former Trail Blazer, had 20 points for the Grizzlies.

Golden State 97, Minnesota 90 -- Erick Dampier had 21 points and 19 rebounds at Oakland to spoil Kevin Garnett’s triple-double and end the Timberwolves’ five-game winning streak. Garnett had 20 points, 20 rebounds and 10 assists for Minnesota, which fell half a game behind Sacramento for the best record in the Western Conference.

Sacramento 99, Houston 94 -- Mike Bibby tied a season high with 28 points as the Kings rallied at Houston. The Kings led only twice before using an 8-0 run with seven minutes left to go ahead for good. Jim Jackson had 28 points for Houston.

Indiana 101, Phoenix 79 -- Al Harrington had 24 points at Indianapolis to help the Pacers avoid their first three-game losing streak of the season. Joe Johnson had 23 points for Phoenix.

Toronto 94, Philadelphia 84 -- Donyell Marshall had 19 points at Toronto as the Raptors ended a five-game losing streak. Glenn Robinson had 16 points for Philadelphia, which lost its fourth in a row.

Denver 115, Chicago 99 -- Marcus Camby had a career-high 24 rebounds and Carmelo Anthony had 21 points at Denver, helping the Nuggets snap a season-long three-game losing streak. Eddy Curry had 21 points for the Bulls.

Orlando 104, Washington 100 -- Tracy McGrady had 39 points, nine rebounds and five assists at Washington. Larry Hughes, returning after missing a game because of tendinitis, had 21 points for the Wizards, who lost their fourth in a row at home.

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Forward Eddie Griffin took a leave of absence from the New Jersey Nets, three weeks after signing with them following his release by the Rockets. Griffin told the team he would return to Houston, where he was recently convicted of marijuana possession. Griffin also faces a separate charge of felony aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.