Hornets fall with no Chris Paul

Kevin Durant scored 30 points, and Russell Westbrook had 26 points, 10 assists and eight rebounds in the Oklahoma City Thunder’s 103-99 victory over the Hornets last night in New Orleans.

Westbrook hit a mid-range shot with 13.7 seconds left to give the Thunder a 101-97 lead. After the Hornets cut it to 101-99 on Peja Stojakovic’s layup, Durant hit a pair of free throws with 8.5 seconds left, finally putting away a Hornets team playing without injured point guard Chris Paul.

Hornets coach Jeff Bower said Paul will have surgery today to repair a torn meniscus in his left knee and will miss the All-Star Game. Although Paul is likely to be sidelined for up to a month, Bower wouldn’t give a timetable for his return.

Lakers 99, Bobcats 97 - Andrew Bynum had 17 points and Phil Jackson passed Pat Riley to become the winningest coach in Lakers history in host Los Angeles’ win over Charlotte.

The Bobcats had won three straight road games against the Lakers, but couldn’t capitalize on a season-low five-point performance by Kobe Bryant, who appeared to injure his left foot in the first half.

Bryant returned to play extensively in the second half, but sat out another key late stretch and didn’t score in the fourth quarter of his first single-digit scoring game of the season.

Mavericks 110, Warriors 101 - Jason Terry had 21 points, Dirk Nowitzki scored nine of his 20 points in the fourth quarter and host Dallas extended Golden State’s losing streak to seven games.

Hawks 103, Clippers 97 - Joe Johnson scored 34 points, Jamal Crawford added 22, and host Atlanta overcame a nine-point fourth-quarter to beat Los Angeles.

Jazz 118, Trail Blazers 105 - In Salt Lake City, Deron Williams had 13 points and 13 assists, and rookie Wesley Matthews had 16 points on 6-for-6 shooting to help Utah win its seventh straight game, by beating Portland.

76ers 106, Bulls 103 - Elton Brand scored 26 points and Andre Iguodala had 25 points, eight rebounds and eight assists to help host Philadelphia rally for an overtime victory against Chicago.

Willie Green added 15 points in place of Allen Iverson [stats], who missed the game because one of his children is ill. The All-Star guard is expected back tomorrow night at New Orleans.

Suns 109, Nuggets 97 - Amare Stoudemire had 20 points and 17 rebounds, leading visiting Phoenix to a win over a Denver squad missing Carmelo Anthony (ankle) for the sixth straight game.

Knicks 106, Wizards 85 - Nate Robinson scored 23 points, Al Harrington and Larry Hughes also put in double figures off the bench, and host New York beat Washington to snap a three-game losing streak.

Spurs 115, Kings 113 - George Hill had 23 points and nine assists, and Tim Duncan added 22 points and 13 rebounds to help San Antonio win in Sacramento.

Raptors 108, Nets 99 - Chris Bosh scored 20 points, Sonny Weems set career highs with 14 points and 11 rebounds and shorthanded Toronto beat visiting New Jersey for its fifth win in six games.