Bobcats, Al Jefferson stay on hot streaks

Al Jefferson scored 34 points in Charlotte’s 109-87 victory over the Indiana Pacers on Wednesday night, the fifth straight home win for the Bobcats.

Jefferson has scored at least 20 point in 21 of his last 24 games for the Bobcats (28-33), who equaled their combined win total from the previous two seasons.

Charlotte became the first team since the 2009-10 Knicks to play the NBA’s top four teams in consecutive games. They previously lost to San Antonio, Oklahoma City and Miami on the road.

Evan Turner had 22 points for the Pacers, who lost back-to-back games for only the second time this season but still clinched a playoff berth.

Houston 101, at Orlando 89: James Harden scored 31 points, including 25 in the second half, and the Rockets dug out of a double-digit, first-half hole. Dwight Howard added 19 points and 14 rebounds in his second trip to Orlando to face his former team.

at Washington 104, Utah 91: Trevor Ariza scored 26 points, Bradley Beal added 22, and the Wizards took an early lead and never lost it, shooting 54% to drop the Jazz to 7-24 on the road.

Golden State 108, at Boston 88: Klay Thompson and David Lee scored 18 points each and the Warriors went a season-high 14 games over .500 with a romp over the Celtics.

at Brooklyn 103, Memphis 94: Joe Johnson scored 21 points, Marcus Thornton came off the bench for 20, and the Nets powered their way above .500 for the first time this season.

Chicago 105, at Detroit 94: D.J. Augustin scored 26 points off the bench and Joakim Noah (10 points, 11 rebounds, 11 assists) had his third triple-double of the season and second in the last three games for the Bulls.

Sacramento 117, at Milwaukee 102: Isaiah Thomas scored 25 points and the Kings opened a season-high seven-game, 12-day trip by shooting 52% from the field.

New York 118, at Minnesota 106: Carmelo Anthony scored 33 points to help the Knicks end a seven-game losing streak as Kevin Love scored only one of his 19 points in the second half.

at Denver 115, Dallas 110: Wilson Chandler scored 21 points, Ty Lawson had 20, and the Nuggets ended a six-game losing streak by beating the Mavericks for the third time this season.

at Portland 102, Atlanta 78: The Trail Blazers made 13 three-pointers and dominated from the start.