New Orleans ? The Hornets had toured some of the neighborhoods flattened by Hurricane Katrina. They saw people living in tents.

If an eight-game losing streak hadn’t provided enough motivation to play better against the Los Angeles Clippers on Tuesday night, a sense that they had to win at least one game for New Orleans’ fans did.

“Guys are leaving here with images they’ll never forget for the rest of their lives,” said Hornets forward P.J. Brown, whose home in suburban Slidell also was damaged by the storm – and still isn’t repaired yet. “We just wanted to win this one for the fans.”

And finally, they did.

Rasual Butler scored a career-high 32 points, hitting seven three-pointers, to lead the Hornets a 120-108 victory.

New Orleans hit 12 three-pointers in all, the last at the final buzzer when Butler heaved the ball at the hoop in celebration – and it went in.

New Orleans fans, taking in only the third and final Hornets game in New Orleans this season because of Hurricane Katrina, were exuberant throughout in seeing their first pro sports victory in over a year. They offered a prolonged, standing ovation as the game ended.

“It felt really good,” Butler said. “It’s something that I’ll think about – that I was able to help this team get one (victory) before we left this city.”

New Orleans forward Rasual Butler holds up three fingers after sinking a three-pointer against the Los Angeles Clippers. Butler had a game-high 32 points Tuesday in the Hornets' victory in New Orleans.

The Hornets won only 18 games last season, and their last victory in New Orleans was on March 12, 2005. This season, they had lost a game in Baton Rouge, and their recent losing streak included the other two games in New Orleans. The Saints lost every game they played in Louisiana in 2005.

Timberwolves 100, Heat 96

Minneapolis – Ricky Davis had 26 points, a season-high 10 assists and seven rebounds for Minnesota.

Miami had won five straight. Shaquille O’Neal was held out because of the sore right thumb he injured on a dunk attempt Sunday night.

Dwyane Wade had 35 points and eight assists to lead the Heat.

Kings 105, Sonics 96

Sacramento, Calif. – Ron Artest scored a season-high 34 points, and Sacramento extended its home winning streak to 14 games.

Since Artest joined the team in late January, the Kings are 11-0 at home with him in the lineup and 16-9 overall.

Ray Allen had 23 points for Seattle.

Nets 112, Wizards 100

Washington – Richard Jefferson scored 21 of his 27 points after halftime, and New Jersey broke open a tight game in the fourth quarter for its sixth consecutive victory.

Gilbert Arenas finished with 25 points and eight assists for Washington before fouling out.

Mavericks 88, Rockets 72

Dallas – Dirk Nowitzki scored 28 points, and Dallas harassed Yao Ming into his worst game in a month.

Yao finished with 13 points and 13 rebounds for Houston. It was his fewest points in 15 games, since scoring only six in nine minutes against Phoenix on Feb. 16.

Grizzlies 105, Pacers 75

Memphis, Tenn. – Pau Gasol had 23 points, eight rebounds and seven assists, and Memphis won its fourth straight.

Shane Battier and Bobby Jackson finished with 14 points apiece for the Grizzlies.

Jeff Foster and Anthony Johnson each scored 15 points for Indiana.

Raptors 114, Knicks 109

New York – Mike James scored 37 points, and Toronto won for the fourth time in five games.

Chris Bosh added 31 points and carried the Raptors for much of the fourth quarter, when James was quiet.

Channing Frye finished with 19 points for New York.

Bobcats 108, Magic 102

Charlotte, N.C. – Gerald Wallace scored 27 points, and Charlotte sent Orlando to its team-record 16th straight road loss.

Raymond Felton added 16 points and 13 assists for the Bobcats. Hedo Turkoglu scored 24 points for Orlando.

Spurs 107, Warriors 96

San Antonio – Tony Parker scored 29, and Tim Duncan had 21 points and 13 rebounds to lead San Antonio to the win.

Spurs coach Gregg Popovich drew two quick technical fouls and was ejected by referee Scott Foster for arguing and leaving the bench area 4:54 into the second half.

Jazz 107, Suns 99

Salt Lake City – Andrei Kirilenko had 22 points, a career-high 18 rebounds and blocked four shots in the second half for Utah.

Steve Nash had 20 points and 10 assists to lead the Suns.