Charlotte, N.C. — For the first time this season, the Charlotte Hornets took the Chicago Bulls seriously. The result was an easy victory over the worst team in the NBA.
Charlotte, which needed three overtimes to beat Chicago the first time they played this season and a last-second three-pointer in the second game, dominated the Bulls on Monday night for a 102-94 victory.
Chicago's Ron Mercer, center, fights his way through Charlotte's P.J. Brown, left, and Baron Davis. The Bulls lost, 102-94, on Monday in Charlotte, N.C.
"Teams aren't going to just come in and lay down for us," said Charlotte guard David Wesley. "We need to remember that and to play hard against everybody because bad teams can sneak up and get you."
Charlotte will have to keep that in mind all week. The Hornets have upcoming games against Vancouver, Cleveland and Washington all teams with sub-.500 records that rank at the bottom of their divisions.
But all three teams of those teams have beaten the Hornets this season and Washington has done it twice.
"These games will probably be dangerous for us," Elden Campbell said. "Our first order of business is to take care of them."
Jamal Mashburn had 28 points, 8 rebounds and a career-high 14 assists to lead the Hornets, who won their ninth straight against the Bulls.
Campbell added 26 points and P.J. Brown had 10 points.
Wolves 94, Heat 77
Minneapolis Kevin Garnett had 24 points and 15 rebounds and Chauncey Billups added 17 points as Minnesota snapped a two-game losing streak. Miami was without Anthony Mason and Duane Causwell, who were sent home early Monday by coach Pat Riley as punishment for arriving late to a team meeting. The meeting, held in Minnesota on Sunday night, was one that Riley said, "you didn't want to be late for." Wally Szczerbiak had 13 points and 10 rebounds for Minnesota. Brian Grant had 24 points and 13 rebounds for Miami, which lost for the third time in four games. Cedric Ceballos added 17 points and 12 rebounds.
Spurs 99, Clippers 81
San Antonio Tim Duncan had 28 points and 11 rebounds to lead San Antonio to its seventh straight victory. San Antonio received double-figure scoring from four players and extended its winning streak against the Clippers to 13 games.
Nuggets 84, Warriors 79
Oakland, Calif. Nick Van Exel scored seven of his 17 points in the final 3:46 as Denver snapped a nine-game road losing streak. Raef LaFrentz had 16 points and a season-high 16 rebounds as Denver won in Oakland for the second time this season.
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