NEW YORK, N. Paul Hornung Super Bowl Jersey .Y. - Mason Plumlee continued his impressive play with a team-high 22 points, Joe Johnson and Jarret Jack each scored 16, and the Brooklyn Nets held on to beat the Sacramento Kings 107-99 on Monday night.Rudy Gay had 25 points and DeMarcus Cousins added 24 points and 13 rebounds for the Kings, whove lost 13 of their last 17 games.Brook Lopez came off the bench and chipped in 11 points for the Nets, who bounced back from a 25-point loss to Indiana on Saturday night at Barclays Center and won for the fourth time in their last five games.The Nets led 93-83 with 5:53 left in the fourth quarter after a layup by Deron Williams, but Gay then scored five straight points in a 26-second span, including a 3-pointer, that cut the lead to 93-88 with 5:12 to play.CLIPPERS 101, JAZZ 97LOS ANGELES (AP) — Blake Griffin scored 24 points and Los Angeles beat Utah for its 12th straight victory over the Jazz, breaking the franchise record for consecutive losses against one club.Chris Paul finished with 20 points and eight assists.DeAndre Jordan had 19 rebounds for the two-time defending Pacific Division champions. The Clippers blocked 12 shots and never trailed in the fourth quarter despite leading by no more than five points at any point.The previous franchise record for wins by the Clippers against one team was set against the Dallas Mavericks.The Clippers are 10-6 in December with one game left.Gordon Hayward scored 22 points for the Jazz and Rudy Gobert added 13 rebounds and 11 points off the bench. Shooting guard Alec Burks missed his second straight game because of chronic soreness in his left shoulder. He also sat out two games early this month for the same reason.MAGIC 102, HEAT 101MIAMI (AP) — Nikola Vucevic scored 26 points, Victor Oladipo scored seven of his 22 in the final minutes and Orlando beat Miami.Oladipo had a layup to tie it, then a free throw to put the Magic ahead to stay and give them their first win against Miami in 11 tries.Tobias Harris scored 18 for the Magic, who got 13 from Channing Frye.Dwyane Wade scored 25 points for Miami, which has lost 12 of 18 at home. Danny Granger had 21 points and Chris Bosh scored 20 in his return after missing eight games with a strained left calf.Granger was 6 for 7 from 3-point range, including one that put Miami up 101-97 with 1:38 left. The Heat didnt score again.There were nine lead changes and four ties in the fourth quarter, with the Magic knotting the game at 101-all when Oladipo drove by Wade and scored with 45 seconds left.BUCKS 104, HORNETS 94, OTCHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Brandon Knight scored 18 points, including a layup to force overtime, and Milwaukee pulled away to beat Charlotte.Jared Dudley scored 17 points, Giannis Antetokounm had 16, Zaza Pachulia had 15, O.J. Mayo had 13 and John Henson added 11 for the Bucks (16-16), who snapped a seven-game losing streak to the Hornets dating back to the 2011-2012 season.Kemba Walker scored 28 points, Gerald Henderson added 19 and Michael Kidd-Gilchrist scored 10 for the Hornets (10-22), who fought back from a 21-point deficit in the first half.Walkers layup with 54.5 seconds remaining gave Charlotte an 83-81 lead, but Knight followed up his own blocked shot for a layup with 16 seconds left to tie the score and force overtime.Milwaukee then pulled ahead for good on Hensons three-point play with 3:51 left in overtime. The Bucks led by 13 points in the extra period.BULLS 92, PACERS 90INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Jimmy Butler had 27 points and nine rebounds to lead Chicago to a victory over Indiana.Pau Gasol had 20 points and Derrick Rose added 17 for the Bulls (22-9), who have won seven straight.Chris Copeland scored 13 of his 17 points in the fourth quarter, and George Hill and C.J. Miles each added 11 points for the Pacers (11-21), who trailed by as much as 21 points in the second half.Butler scored a 3-pointer with 1:07 remaining to put the Bulls ahead for good 92-90.That was after the Pacers went on a 23-2 run and regained the lead on Lavoy Allens basket to make it 84-83 with 6:15 left in the fourth quarter.Chicago tied the four-game season series with the Pacers at 1-1 and won for the first time at Indiana after losing the previous four games.WIZARDS 104, ROCKETS 103HOUSTON (AP) — Bradley Beal scored 33 points and Paul Pierce added 21, and Washington survived a furious fourth-quarter charge by Houston to beat the Rockets.Nene added 12 points to go with five rebounds, and John Wall racked up 12 assists to go with 13 points for Washington, which won its third straight to open a five-game road trip.James Harden scored 33 points __ including a 3-pointer with under a second to go in regulation to get Houston within a point __ and Corey Brewer added 15 from the bench for the Rockets.Houston outscored the Wizards on second-chance points (18-9) and points in the paint (50-34) but was plagued by poor shooting. Washington had no such issues, shooting nearly 93 per cent from the free-throw line and 44.4 per cent from beyond the arc. Jason Spriggs Super Bowl Jersey .com) - The Winnipeg Jets got over one hurdle by snapping their longest losing streak of the season. Lane Taylor Super Bowl Jersey . The Detroit Tigers closer blew a three-run lead in the ninth inning Wednesday night against the Dodgers.CLEVELAND -- Eduardo Escobar usually shows off his power during pregame batting practice. On Monday night, he did some flexing in the 10th inning. Escobar homered on Cleveland closer John Axfords second pitch of the 10th, giving the Minnesota Twins a 1-0 win over the slumping Indians. Escobar, who entered as a pinch-hitter in the seventh, connected on a 1-0 pitch from Axford (0-3), driving it over the wall in right for his first homer since June 20 and fourth of his career in 344 at-bats. "He can swing it, weve all seen that," said Twins manager Ron Gardenhire. "You watch him in batting practice, he hits them as far as anybody. Its a big moment. Its cool. You see the big smile on his face and everyone else." It was the second straight gut-wrenching loss for Axford, who gave up a three-run homer in the ninth to Chicagos Dayan Viciedo on Sunday as the White Sox rallied for a 4-3 win. In that game, Cleveland catcher George Kottaras homered twice, becoming the first player in franchise history to homer in his first two plate appearances, and Corey Kluber struck out 13. "Bad pitch," Axford said of his fastball to Escobar that caught too much of the plate. "Its unbelievable. Its a shame that my performances have kind of taken precedence over a great hitting performance by George and outstanding pitching performances by Kluber and Zach." Caleb Thielbar (2-0) pitched a perfect ninth and Glen Perkins struck out two in the 10th for his eighth save. Escobar came in for Pedro Floriman and grounded out with two runners on in the seventh. He more than atoned with his game-winning shot into the seats. "Its a great feeling to be able to come up with a big swing in that spot," he said. "Im really happy for the team more than anything else." The Indians, who only got two runners to second base, had been the only team in the majors not to play in an extra-inning game. Cleveland has dropped eight of 10, and scoring is a huge issue. The Indians have scored three runs or less in 19 of their 32 games. "Were fairly inconsistent right now," manager Terry Francona said. "Even in hitters counts, were not getting real good swings. I think when its team wide, everyone is trying to do much. Its a good quality but weeve got to fight through it together and keep the line moving and were not doing that. Tony Brown Super Bowl Jersey. " Both teams got strong efforts from their starting pitchers. Minnesotas Kyle Gibson allowed only two hits in seven scoreless innings, and Clevelands Zach McAllister gave up five hits while blanking the Twins over 6 2-3 shutout innings. The Twins played without first baseman Joe Mauer, who is day-to-day with lower back spasms. Gibson has been blessed with an abundance of runs all season. The Twins came in averaging 7.14 runs in his first five starts, but they couldnt push one across against McAllister, who was pitching on regular rest after going on three days last week in Los Angeles. Gibson and second baseman Brian Dozier combined on a sparkling defensive play in the fourth. Michael Brantley hit a grounder toward right that Dozier stopped with a dive before spinning in one motion and throwing toward first. With first baseman Chris Colabello out of position, Gibson alertly covered and snagged Doziers throw on one hop before sliding into the bag ahead of Brantley. "The only thing that could have made that play more funny than it was, was if Colabello had gotten hit right in the butt," Gardenhire said. "He had no clue where the ball was going. That was a great, athletic play by Dozier. Ive never seen a pitcher go sliding into first base like that to catch a throw." NOTES: Indians OF Michael Bourn missed his second straight game with a tight right hamstring, the same one he had surgically repaired in October. Bourn could be headed to the disabled list for the second time this season if it doesnt respond. ... Cleveland placed DH Jason Giambi on the DL with a strained calf muscle. The 43-year-old is 0-for-10 this season. ... Twins rookie SS Danny Santana made his major league debut as a pinch-runner in the seventh and nearly got picked off second. Indians manager Terry Francona challenged the safe call but it was upheld. Santana got his first big-league hit in the ninth. ... Indians RHP Josh Tomlin will make his first start Tuesday since July 27, 2012, three weeks before undergoing Tommy John surgery. ... Twins RHP Samuel Deduno will start Tuesday after seven relief appearances. He had shoulder surgery in September. ' ' '
NEW YORK, N. Paul Hornung Super Bowl Jersey .Y. - Mason Plumlee continued his impressive play with a team-high 22 points, Joe Johnson and Jarret Jack each scored 16, and the Brooklyn Nets held on to beat the Sacramento Kings 107-99 on Monday night.Rudy Gay had 25 points and DeMarcus Cousins added 24 points and 13 rebounds for the Kings, whove lost 13 of their last 17 games.Brook Lopez came off the bench and chipped in 11 points for the Nets, who bounced back from a 25-point loss to Indiana on Saturday night at Barclays Center and won for the fourth time in their last five games.The Nets led 93-83 with 5:53 left in the fourth quarter after a layup by Deron Williams, but Gay then scored five straight points in a 26-second span, including a 3-pointer, that cut the lead to 93-88 with 5:12 to play.CLIPPERS 101, JAZZ 97LOS ANGELES (AP) — Blake Griffin scored 24 points and Los Angeles beat Utah for its 12th straight victory over the Jazz, breaking the franchise record for consecutive losses against one club.Chris Paul finished with 20 points and eight assists.DeAndre Jordan had 19 rebounds for the two-time defending Pacific Division champions. The Clippers blocked 12 shots and never trailed in the fourth quarter despite leading by no more than five points at any point.The previous franchise record for wins by the Clippers against one team was set against the Dallas Mavericks.The Clippers are 10-6 in December with one game left.Gordon Hayward scored 22 points for the Jazz and Rudy Gobert added 13 rebounds and 11 points off the bench. Shooting guard Alec Burks missed his second straight game because of chronic soreness in his left shoulder. He also sat out two games early this month for the same reason.MAGIC 102, HEAT 101MIAMI (AP) — Nikola Vucevic scored 26 points, Victor Oladipo scored seven of his 22 in the final minutes and Orlando beat Miami.Oladipo had a layup to tie it, then a free throw to put the Magic ahead to stay and give them their first win against Miami in 11 tries.Tobias Harris scored 18 for the Magic, who got 13 from Channing Frye.Dwyane Wade scored 25 points for Miami, which has lost 12 of 18 at home. Danny Granger had 21 points and Chris Bosh scored 20 in his return after missing eight games with a strained left calf.Granger was 6 for 7 from 3-point range, including one that put Miami up 101-97 with 1:38 left. The Heat didnt score again.There were nine lead changes and four ties in the fourth quarter, with the Magic knotting the game at 101-all when Oladipo drove by Wade and scored with 45 seconds left.BUCKS 104, HORNETS 94, OTCHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Brandon Knight scored 18 points, including a layup to force overtime, and Milwaukee pulled away to beat Charlotte.Jared Dudley scored 17 points, Giannis Antetokounm had 16, Zaza Pachulia had 15, O.J. Mayo had 13 and John Henson added 11 for the Bucks (16-16), who snapped a seven-game losing streak to the Hornets dating back to the 2011-2012 season.Kemba Walker scored 28 points, Gerald Henderson added 19 and Michael Kidd-Gilchrist scored 10 for the Hornets (10-22), who fought back from a 21-point deficit in the first half.Walkers layup with 54.5 seconds remaining gave Charlotte an 83-81 lead, but Knight followed up his own blocked shot for a layup with 16 seconds left to tie the score and force overtime.Milwaukee then pulled ahead for good on Hensons three-point play with 3:51 left in overtime. The Bucks led by 13 points in the extra period.BULLS 92, PACERS 90INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Jimmy Butler had 27 points and nine rebounds to lead Chicago to a victory over Indiana.Pau Gasol had 20 points and Derrick Rose added 17 for the Bulls (22-9), who have won seven straight.Chris Copeland scored 13 of his 17 points in the fourth quarter, and George Hill and C.J. Miles each added 11 points for the Pacers (11-21), who trailed by as much as 21 points in the second half.Butler scored a 3-pointer with 1:07 remaining to put the Bulls ahead for good 92-90.That was after the Pacers went on a 23-2 run and regained the lead on Lavoy Allens basket to make it 84-83 with 6:15 left in the fourth quarter.Chicago tied the four-game season series with the Pacers at 1-1 and won for the first time at Indiana after losing the previous four games.WIZARDS 104, ROCKETS 103HOUSTON (AP) — Bradley Beal scored 33 points and Paul Pierce added 21, and Washington survived a furious fourth-quarter charge by Houston to beat the Rockets.Nene added 12 points to go with five rebounds, and John Wall racked up 12 assists to go with 13 points for Washington, which won its third straight to open a five-game road trip.James Harden scored 33 points __ including a 3-pointer with under a second to go in regulation to get Houston within a point __ and Corey Brewer added 15 from the bench for the Rockets.Houston outscored the Wizards on second-chance points (18-9) and points in the paint (50-34) but was plagued by poor shooting. Washington had no such issues, shooting nearly 93 per cent from the free-throw line and 44.4 per cent from beyond the arc. Jason Spriggs Super Bowl Jersey .com) - The Winnipeg Jets got over one hurdle by snapping their longest losing streak of the season. Lane Taylor Super Bowl Jersey . The Detroit Tigers closer blew a three-run lead in the ninth inning Wednesday night against the Dodgers.CLEVELAND -- Eduardo Escobar usually shows off his power during pregame batting practice. On Monday night, he did some flexing in the 10th inning. Escobar homered on Cleveland closer John Axfords second pitch of the 10th, giving the Minnesota Twins a 1-0 win over the slumping Indians. Escobar, who entered as a pinch-hitter in the seventh, connected on a 1-0 pitch from Axford (0-3), driving it over the wall in right for his first homer since June 20 and fourth of his career in 344 at-bats. "He can swing it, weve all seen that," said Twins manager Ron Gardenhire. "You watch him in batting practice, he hits them as far as anybody. Its a big moment. Its cool. You see the big smile on his face and everyone else." It was the second straight gut-wrenching loss for Axford, who gave up a three-run homer in the ninth to Chicagos Dayan Viciedo on Sunday as the White Sox rallied for a 4-3 win. In that game, Cleveland catcher George Kottaras homered twice, becoming the first player in franchise history to homer in his first two plate appearances, and Corey Kluber struck out 13. "Bad pitch," Axford said of his fastball to Escobar that caught too much of the plate. "Its unbelievable. Its a shame that my performances have kind of taken precedence over a great hitting performance by George and outstanding pitching performances by Kluber and Zach." Caleb Thielbar (2-0) pitched a perfect ninth and Glen Perkins struck out two in the 10th for his eighth save. Escobar came in for Pedro Floriman and grounded out with two runners on in the seventh. He more than atoned with his game-winning shot into the seats. "Its a great feeling to be able to come up with a big swing in that spot," he said. "Im really happy for the team more than anything else." The Indians, who only got two runners to second base, had been the only team in the majors not to play in an extra-inning game. Cleveland has dropped eight of 10, and scoring is a huge issue. The Indians have scored three runs or less in 19 of their 32 games. "Were fairly inconsistent right now," manager Terry Francona said. "Even in hitters counts, were not getting real good swings. I think when its team wide, everyone is trying to do much. Its a good quality but weeve got to fight through it together and keep the line moving and were not doing that. Tony Brown Super Bowl Jersey. " Both teams got strong efforts from their starting pitchers. Minnesotas Kyle Gibson allowed only two hits in seven scoreless innings, and Clevelands Zach McAllister gave up five hits while blanking the Twins over 6 2-3 shutout innings. The Twins played without first baseman Joe Mauer, who is day-to-day with lower back spasms. Gibson has been blessed with an abundance of runs all season. The Twins came in averaging 7.14 runs in his first five starts, but they couldnt push one across against McAllister, who was pitching on regular rest after going on three days last week in Los Angeles. Gibson and second baseman Brian Dozier combined on a sparkling defensive play in the fourth. Michael Brantley hit a grounder toward right that Dozier stopped with a dive before spinning in one motion and throwing toward first. With first baseman Chris Colabello out of position, Gibson alertly covered and snagged Doziers throw on one hop before sliding into the bag ahead of Brantley. "The only thing that could have made that play more funny than it was, was if Colabello had gotten hit right in the butt," Gardenhire said. "He had no clue where the ball was going. That was a great, athletic play by Dozier. Ive never seen a pitcher go sliding into first base like that to catch a throw." NOTES: Indians OF Michael Bourn missed his second straight game with a tight right hamstring, the same one he had surgically repaired in October. Bourn could be headed to the disabled list for the second time this season if it doesnt respond. ... Cleveland placed DH Jason Giambi on the DL with a strained calf muscle. The 43-year-old is 0-for-10 this season. ... Twins rookie SS Danny Santana made his major league debut as a pinch-runner in the seventh and nearly got picked off second. Indians manager Terry Francona challenged the safe call but it was upheld. Santana got his first big-league hit in the ninth. ... Indians RHP Josh Tomlin will make his first start Tuesday since July 27, 2012, three weeks before undergoing Tommy John surgery. ... Twins RHP Samuel Deduno will start Tuesday after seven relief appearances. He had shoulder surgery in September. ' ' '
