Detroit trailed for much of the game before taking the lead late in the third quarter. The Pistons went up by as many as 10 points midway through the fourth, but couldn't put the Bobcats away.
Charlotte used an 8-2 run to cut its deficit to 102-98 -- getting two pretty dunks from Gerald Wallace in the spurt -- but both teams went cold shortly after. Chauncey Billups hit a 3 with 3:43 to play to make it 105-98, and Bernard Robinson scored on a running layup right after for the Bobcats.
Primoz Brezec led the Bobcats with 20 points.
Nuggets 109, Hornets 94
At New Orleans, Carmelo Anthony scored 28 points and reserve Greg Buckner capped a 19-point performance with a pair of key 3-pointers to help Denver beat New Orleans.
Just as they've returned to New Orleans, playing before enthusiastic sellout crowds, the Hornets have ceased to look like a playoff team. The Hornets have lost a season-high eight straight games.
David West had 24 points and eight rebounds for New Orleans but got little help until it was too late.
Spurs 92, Rockets 77
At Houston, Tony Parker scored 23 points and Tim Duncan added 14 to help San Antonio keep pace with Dallas for the best record in the West.
The Spurs recovered from a sluggish start to match the Mavs' 52-14 record atop the Western Conference. Dallas plays at New Jersey on Sunday.
Yao Ming scored 20 points for the Rockets, the 13th straight time he's reached 20.
But Houston has lost four in a row for the first time since dropping seven straight in January and the latest losses are following the same pattern -- with Tracy McGrady sidelined with back trouble, Yao isn't getting enough help.
Bucks 97, Trail Blazers 93
At Milwaukee, Michael Redd scored 27 of his 33 points in the first half to help Milwaukee beat Portland.
The victory was Milwaukee's third straight at home, marking the Bucks (33-33) first three-game winning streak at the Bradley Center since Feb. 8-14.
Redd was 12-for-21 from the field and 7-for-8 from the free throw line. Charlie Bell added 14 points for the Bucks.
Darius Miles scored 26 points and Sebastian Telfair had 21 for the Trail Blazers.
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