Basketball

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Zion Williamson had 27 points and nine assists, and the New Orleans Pelicans defeated the struggling Houston Rockets 127-105 on Thursday night for their eighth victory in nine games.

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 31 points and the Oklahoma City Thunder beat the Los Angeles Clippers 129-107 on Thursday night in a matchup of Western Conference contenders.

CLEVELAND (AP) — Moritz Wagner had 22 points, his younger brother, Franz, added 14 and the Orlando Magic returned from the All-Star break to beat Cleveland 116-109 on Thursday night, handing the Cavaliers just their third loss in 21 games.

CHICAGO (AP) — The Boston Celtics enjoyed their break and were ready to get back to work. The NBA leaders got the job done in another convincing win.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Kyle Lowry got six stitches in his gashed forehead in the pattern of a “7,” matching his 76ers uniform number during the North Philadelphia native's debut for his new team.

DALLAS (AP) — The longest winning streak of the season for the Dallas Mavericks coincides with a tie for the longest stretch of games together for the star pairing of Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving.

TORONTO — Gary Trent Jr. didn't miss any of his shots in the first half but when his Toronto Raptors teammates missed open passes to him in the third, he started to struggle. A quick talk with head coach Darko Rajakovic turned that around.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Jalen Brunson heard “MVP!” chants each time the New York Knicks All-Star stepped to the free-throw line. The former Villanova All-American signed dozens of autographs before the game — many for fans wearing his old college jersey.

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — All-Star point guard Tyrese Haliburton had 25 points and 13 assists to help the Indiana Pacers beat the NBA-worst Detroit Pistons 129-115 on Thursday night.

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James is sitting out against the Golden State Warriors on Thursday night with a left ankle injury. Coach Darvin Ham called it a “day-to-day thing.