NBA Roundup: Mavericks beat Kings, 101-78

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — Monta Ellis had 21 points and six assists to lead Dallas, minus Dirk Nowitzki and Rajon Rondo, over struggling Sacramento.

The Mavericks broke open a tie game in the second quarter when they made nine straight shots, including four 3-pointers, in a 3½-minute span as they outscored the Kings 22-6. Dallas had a 37-20 edge in the second to take a 60-43 halftime lead.

Tyson Chandler had 16 points and 16 rebounds for the Mavericks. Devin Harris and J.J. Barea each scored 15 points, and Richard Jefferson added 14.

Dallas coach Rick Carlisle chose to rest Nowitzki on the second night of a back-to-back. Rondo (broken orbital bone) missed his third straight game.

DeMarcus Cousin had 23 points and 11 rebounds for the Kings, who have lost two straight and 10 of 11. Sacramento missed 18 of 21 attempts from 3-point territory and shot 36.7 percent overall.

CAVALIERS 105, CLIPPERS 94

CLEVELAND (AP) — LeBron James scored 23 points, Kevin Love had 24 and the Cleveland Cavaliers pushed their winning streak to 12 games Thursday night with an easy 105-94 win over the Los Angeles Clippers, who also lost their composure.

The Cavs built a 32-point lead in the third quarter, allowing James and Love to sit out the fourth and rest. With their longest winning streak since a franchise-best 13-gamer in 2010, the Cavs moved into first place in the Central Division. Cleveland was seven games behind Chicago when the streak began with a victory over the Lakers on Jan. 15.

The Clippers were whistled for five technical fouls, including four in a contentious third quarter when they lost their California cool and forward Matt Barnes was ejected.

Blake Griffin scored 16 points for Los Angeles, whose subs made the score respectable in the fourth.

HORNETS 94, WIZARDS 87

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Gerald Henderson scored 27 points and Charlotte defeated Washington for the second time this week.

Henderson was 10 of 15 from the field as the Hornets beat the Wizards for the fifth straight time. Charlotte won at Washington on Monday night, 92-88.

The Wizards have dropped five in a row overall.

Brian Roberts had 12 points and provided a huge spark late in the third quarter after Charlotte fell behind by 11. Lance Stephenson, Michael Kidd-Gilchrist and Jason Maxiell added 11 points apiece for the Hornets (22-27).

Paul Pierce scored 19 for the Wizards. John Wall had 15 points and 13 assists.

Charlotte picked up its defense in the fourth quarter, holding the Wizards to 5-of-19 shooting.

Wizards guard Bradley Beal left in the first half with an injury to his right big toe and did not return. He had one point in 11 minutes.

TRAIL BLAZERS 108, SUNS 87

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — LaMarcus Aldridge had 19 points and 13 rebounds for his team-record 220th double-double in Portland's victory over Phoenix.

Nicolas Batum scored 20 points and Robin Lopez, playing his second game after missing 23 with a broken right hand, had 11 points and 12 rebounds for the Blazers, who won their second straight after a three-game skid.

Markieff Morris had 18 points for the Suns, who dropped their third in a row. Phoenix climbed back into the game in the third period after trailing by 19 in the first half, but ultimately the Blazers thwarted the rally with a dominant fourth quarter.