NBA roundup: Spurs surge into break with win

AUBURN HILLS, Mich. — Everyone around the NBA better watch out. The defending champs are heating up heading into the All-Star break.

The San Antonio Spurs were just five games over .500 in late December, but they have gotten healthy and found their rhythm lately, winning 15 of their last 20 games. They avenged a one-point home loss to Detroit last month by rolling to a 104-87 victory over the Pistons on Wednesday night at The Palace.

Shooting guard Danny Green had 19 points, including five 3-pointers, along with eight rebounds and four assists for the Spurs. Point guard Tony Parker contributed 17 points and shooting guard Manu Ginobili added 13 points and center Aron Baynes chipped in 12.

Point guard D.J. Augustin’s 22 points and six assists led the Pistons. Shooting guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope tossed in 20 points and center Andre Drummond added 10 points and nine rebounds.

Raptors 95, Wizards 93

TORONTO — Guard DeMar DeRozan snapped a tie with 12.9 seconds left and scored 23 points Wednesday as Toronto defeated Washington to extend their winning streak to three games.

Guard John Wall scored 21 points for the Wizards, who won their previous two games.

Guard Lou Williams led the Raptors with 27 points off the bench. Guard Kyle Lowry added 13 points, and guard Greivis Vasquez had 11.

Forward Paul Pierce had 17 points for Washington. Forward Nene had 14 and forward Drew Gooden 10. The Raptors completed a three-game season sweep of the Wizards.

Celtics 89, Hawks 88

BOSTON — Guard Evan Turner capped a furious Boston comeback with a floater in the lane with two-tenths of a second remaining, giving his team victory over Eastern Conference-leading Atlanta.

Turner finished with 12 points, nine assists and seven rebounds as the Celtics earned their fourth win in their last five games. Forward Jared Sullinger finished with 17 points and 15 rebounds. Guard Marcus Thornton came off the bench to score 14 points, 12 of them on 3-pointers, as the Celtics overcame 24.5 percent shooting in the first half.

Atlanta center Al Horford finished with 22 points and 12 rebounds. The Hawks got 14 points from forward DeMarre Carroll and 10 points and eight assists from guard Jeff Teague.

Pacers 106, Pelicans 93

NEW ORLEANS — Forward David West and guard George Hill scored 17 points each as Indiana won for the fourth time in five games with a victory over injury-riddled New Orleans at the Smoothie King Center.

In defeating the Pelicans for the eighth consecutive time, Indiana placed four players in double figures, including guard Rodney Stuckey with 16 and forward Solomon Hill with 12.

Luke Babbitt led the Pelicans with 15 points.

Bucks 111, Kings 103

MILWAUKEE — O.J. Mayo had 21 points, Brandon Knight scored 20 and Milwaukee doubled their victory total from last season, earning their 30th of the season with a decision over Sacramento at the Bradley Center.

Up by as many as 21 at one point, the Bucks had to hold off two hard Sacramento rallies over the final few minutes.

Center DeMarcus Cousins scored 28 to lead the Kings, who shot 42 percent and gave up 21 points on 18 turnovers. Sacramento lost seven of nine.

Warriors 94, Timberwolves 91

MINNEAPOLIS — Guard Stephen Curry had 25 points as Golden State, playing its fourth road game in six nights, beat Minnesota fora third consecutive win.

Guard Klay Thompson added 14 points for Golden State, which has won six of its last seven.

Guard Kevin Martin, who is averaging better than 20 points per game in his nine appearances since returning from a wrist injury, led Minnesota with 21 points. Guard Ricky Rubio, playing his fifth game after missing the previous 42 with an ankle injury, had 18.

Thunder 105, Grizzlies 89

OKLAHOMA CITY — Forward Kevin Durant scored 26 points and grabbed 10 rebounds, leading Oklahoma City over Memphis at the Chesapeake Energy Arena.

Oklahoma City moved three games over .500 for the first time this season. The Thunder also pulled within a half-game of the idle Phoenix Suns for eight place in Western Conference as both teams head into the All-Star break. Oklahoma City guard Russell Westbrook posted 24 points, nine assists and nine rebounds. Collison came off the bench to score 15 points and haul in nine boards.

Forward Zach Randolph led the Grizzlies with 16 points and 11 rebounds. Forward Jeff Green and guard Beno Udrih added 11 points apiece on 4-of-13 shooting and 4-of-11 shooting, respectively. Center Marc Gasol was held to eight points and five rebounds.

Cavaliers 113, Heat 93

CLEVELAND — Forward LeBron James had 18 points, 10 rebounds and seven assists against his former team, guard Kyrie Irving had 15 points and six assists and Cleveland erased a Christmas Day loss to Miami with a victory.

Forward Kevin Love had 12 points and six rebounds — one of seven Cavs players to score in double figures.

Heat center Hassan Whiteside had 17 points and 14 rebounds, Mario Chalmers had 18 points and forward Chris Bosh had 15 points for the Heat, who have lost four of their last five while batting injuries.

Magic 89, Knicks 83

ORLANDO — Center Nikola Vucevic scored 28 points and grabbed 18 rebounds in leading Orlando to victory over the hapless New York Knicks at the Amway Center.

Magic guard Victor Oladipo had 19 points, and reserve guard Willie Green added 13, and guard Elfrid Payton finished with 12.

The Knicks were led by center Jason Smith, who had a season-high 25 points and seven rebounds. Reserve forward Andrea Bargnani had 11 points. Swingman Tim Hardaway Jr., starting in place of forward Carmelo Anthony (knee), had 10 points. Point guard Jose Calderon contributed nine points and seven assists.