Jefferson’s double-double leads Wolves over Bucks

The AP reports: Al Jefferson had 23 points and 10 rebounds as he roamed the paint freely and Ryan Gomes added 22 points, lifting the Timberwolves over the short-handed Bucks 90-83. Minnesota improved to an NBA-best 10-2 in 2009 and Jefferson thwarted the Bucks when it counted in the fourth quarter with Milwaukee also missing center Andrew Bogut for the seventh straight game with back spasms… Richard Jefferson, who finished 3-of-15 from the field, hit a jumper, but Al Jefferson answered when he kicked out a pass to Gomes for a 3-pointer as the shot clock expired with 1:46 left… Milwaukee’s Ramon Sessions, who had 18 points replacing Redd, said Gomes’ shot was deflating.

CP3 rocks as Hornets defeat Sixers 101-86

The AP reports: Chris Paul had 27 points, 15 assists, 10 rebounds and seven steals for his league-leading fifth triple-double of the season, and the New Orleans Hornets defeated the Philadelphia 76ers 101-86 on Monday night… New Orleans, badly outscored inside while missing center Tyson Chandler (ankle) and David West (back), made up for it with 14 3s as a team… James Posey and Rasual Butler had 13 points apiece, including three 3-pointers each for the Hornets. Thaddeus Young had 22 points and Andre Miller 19 for the Sixers, who lost for only the second time in their past 10 games. Andre Iguodala scored 17 points for Philadelphia, and Louis Williams added 11 points.

Heat turn up defense, stifle Hawks in 95-79 win

The AP reports: The NBA’s leading scorer, Wade finished with 35 points on 13-for-19 shooting and the Heat held the Hawks without a field goal for nearly 13 1/2 minutes during one first-half stretch, beating Atlanta 95-79 on Monday night… Daequan Cook scored 16 points and Chalmers added 12 points and six assists for Miami (24-19), which moved a season-best five games over .500. Udonis Haslem had a game-high 13 rebounds. Miami had a season-high 12 blocked shots and allowed the Hawks seven assists — the fewest by any Heat opponent this season. Joe Johnson scored 19 points for Atlanta. Marvin Williams added 17, Josh Smith had 14 points and 10 rebounds and Flip Murray finished with 14 points for the Hawks.

Knicks beat Rockets 104-98 as Chandler scores 18

The AP reports: Wilson Chandler was removed from the starting lineup after his recent struggles and responded with 18 points in a 104-98 win over the Houston Rockets on Monday night. Fellow reserve Nate Robinson continued his strong play to lead New York with 19 points… The Rockets were playing without center Yao Ming (sore right knee) for the second straight game. Yao went out just as Tracy McGrady and Ron Artest were returning from injuries of their own. Artest (right ankle) had 24 points in Sunday’s win at Detroit, but struggled to 4-of-19 shooting against the Knicks. McGrady (left knee) had 20 points with more then five minutes left in the game then missed his last five shots.

Back-to-back Shaq gets 29; Suns top Wizards 103-87

The AP reports: Shaquille O’Neal kissed Caron Butler on the head, got a technical for hanging on the rim and thumped Andray Blatche into a knee-buckling injury. He also scored 29 points, grabbed eight rebounds and blocked three shots… O’Neal and the Phoenix Suns wrapped up a six-game East Coast swing Monday night with a 103-87 win over the Washington Wizards, who suffered the indignity of falling behind the Oklahoma City Thunder to take sole possession of the NBA cellar… Amare Stoudemire added 22 points and 15 rebounds, Leandro Barbosa scored 23 points, and Steve Nash had 14 points and 15 assists for the Suns, whose 53-38 rebounding advantage helped overcome their 17 turnovers. Caron Butler scored 28 points, and Jamison had 27 points and 13 rebounds for the Wizards, but they didn’t get much help as Washington lost for the 10th time in 12 games. The rest of the team scored 32 points on 17-for-41 shooting.

Weather won`t stop Nets at Thunder game

The following statement is from Dan Mahoney, Oklahoma City Thunder Vice President of Corporate Communications regarding the Oklahoma City weather conditions:

“Tonight’s game between the Thunder and the New Jersey Nets will be played as scheduled at the Ford Center. The visiting team and the officials have arrived, so the game will be played.

“The Thunder urges fans to be safe, use extreme caution and allow extra driving time when coming to the game.”

Zach Marbury to Venezuela

The New York Times (David Waldstein) reports: Zach Marbury, who will turn 29 on Feb. 4, will dig out his passport later this week and fly to Venezuela after coming to terms on a one-season deal with Los Guaros De Lara in the gritty, physical Liga Profesional de Baloncesto, known as the L.P.B. It’s not the N.B.A. and it’s not even one of the more highly regarded leagues in the world. But it is professional basketball, and Zach Marbury, who like his brother is a point guard, says he is ready to do whatever it takes to participate again. “I just want to play,” Zach said Saturday in a telephone interview from Southern California, where he has been working out with his brother in preparation for his international career. “I feel I’m doing what I have to do to get to the N.B.A. “Do you think I want to go to Venezuela? No I don’t. But I have to because I believe it’s the path God has chosen for me, so I’m ready to accept and make the most of it.”

Nene having great season

The Denver Post (Mark Kiszla) writes: In a season full of pleasant surprises for Denver, the biggest one has been Nene. “I’ve been so, so, so impressed with Nene, from his skill level to his IQ for the game. He’s an all-star, man. Without a doubt. When Nene’s on a good team, he’s unstoppable,” Billups said Sunday, when Denver trounced Utah 117-97. While Anthony is the Nuggets’ most talented player and Billups is the team’s most valuable player, Nene is the one player who will determine how far Denver goes in the playoffs… For a man who doesn’t like to be called a center, Nene is playing as strong as anyone between Houston (Yao Ming) and Los Angeles (Pau Gasol) at his reluctantly adopted position. And that includes you, Shaquille O’Neal.

Maggette helps Warriors past Clippers 107-92

The AP reports: Corey Maggette scored 20 points as the Golden State Warriors ended a two-game slide Sunday night with a 107-92 victory over the Los Angeles Clippers… Anthony Morrow added 17 points and Kelenna Azubuike had 16 points for the Warriors, who beat the Clippers for the fifth straight time. Andris Biedrins had 12 points and 14 rebounds… Eric Gordon scored 21 points for the Clippers, who lost their seventh straight on the road and 15th in 17 games overall. Al Thornton added 17 points and Ricky Davis had 15. Rookie center DeAndre Jordan grabbed a season-best 20 rebounds to go with eight points.