RESULTS, SCHEDULE

* at New Orleans 117, Denver 93: Amid chants of “M-V-P,” Chris Paul had 23 points, 17 assists and nine rebounds and the surprising Hornets extended their Western Conference-best record to 32-12 with their ninth straight victory. They have won the last seven by 14 or more points.

* Dallas 103, at Memphis 84: Josh Howard made his first eight shots on the way to 26 points in the Mavericks’ fourth straight victory and 12th in the last 14 games. Howard was 10 for 17 in helping beat Memphis for the 13th straight time.

* at Utah 97, San Antonio 91: Deron Williams had 11 points and 14 assists and the Jazz led all the way as the Spurs lost in the first game of their nine-game trip. Carlos Boozer and Andrei Kirilenko scored 23 points each for the Jazz.

* Charlotte 107, at Clippers 100: The Bobcats won on the road for only the fourth time in 17 games this season despite going the final 5:13 without a field goal.