Walker scores 31 in Bobcats’ close win

Kemba Walker’s late surge overshadows Stephan Curry’s 43 points in a 115-111 loss for the Golden State Warriors.

Bobcats' Kemba Walker, right, shoots the ball over Golden State Warriors point guard Stephen Curry [Reuters]

Kemba Walker has scored 27 points in the second half as the Charlotte Bobcats beat the Golden State Warriors 115-111.

Playing in front of his hometown crowd, Stephan Curry scored 19 points in the fourth quarter on Monday night to cut the Bobcats’ lead to two points with 11 seconds left.

But the Warriors couldn’t contain Walker, and the point guard hit four free throws in the final 11 seconds to seal the victory.

Gerald Henderson had 24 points and Josh McRoberts had 11 points and 10 rebounds for the Bobcats, who won their second straight game.

The Sacramento Kings also won their second straight game, beating the Dallas Mavericks 112-97 despite having only 10 players available after a seven-player trade with the Toronto Raptors was finalised.

DeMarcus Cousins had 32 points and 19 rebounds and Derrick Williams scored a career-high 31 to pace the Kings, who will receive Rudy Gay and two reserves in exchange for point guard Greivis Vasquez and three other players.

Monta Ellis had 21 points for the Mavericks, who had won three straight games prior to this, including the last two on the road.

Nuggets edge past Wizards

Denver’s Wilson Chandler scored 17 points, Nate Robinson 16, and Kenneth Faried had a key block and transition dunk with 33 seconds left to lift the Nuggets past the Washington Wizards 75-74.

Washington had three possessions after Faried put Denver ahead, but John Wall missed a layup, Trevor Ariza missed a three-pointer, Chandler blocked a layup try by Garrett Temple, and Robinson stripped the ball from Wall in the closing seconds.

Meanwhile, the injury-plagued Los Angeles Clippers defeated the Philadelphia 76ers 94-83 thanks to 26 points from Blake Griffin and 25 points and 13 assists from Chris Paul.

DeAndre Jordan had 11 points and a season-high 21 rebounds, and Jared Dudley scored 10 points for the Clippers.

Los Angeles played without JJ Redick (injuries to right hand and wrist), Reggie Bullock (sprained left ankle), Maalik Wayns (left knee) and Matt Barnes (torn retina in left eye).

Portland’s LaMarcus Aldridge scored 24 points and Damian Lillard added 17 to propel the Trail Blazers past the Utah Jazz 105-94.

Robin Lopez chipped in with 15 points and 11 rebounds, and Wesley Matthews added 16 points for the Blazers, who got their second win over Utah this season.

Memphis’ Zach Randolph had 19 points and 12 rebounds and Jon Leuer added 16 points and a career-best 12 boards to lead the Grizzlies over the Orlando Magic 94-85.

Source: AP