Bobcats defeat Detroit

The Charlotte Bobcats lost three quarters in their NBA match against the Detroit Pistons but still came out on top.

The 31-23 margin the Bobcats won the second session by proved decisive in the 99-96 Eastern Conference success over the team six places below them.

Jamal Crawford scored 23 of his game-high 28 points in the second half as the Atlanta Hawks got their first win on the road for six weeks, 105-95 at the Washington Wizards, while the Indiana Pacers recovered from a 12-point first half deficit to beat the New Jersey Nets 115-102.

The Boston Celtics overcame the absence of rested forward Kevin Garnett to win 105-90 at the Milwaukee Bucks, while the Memphis Grizzlies lost their final home game of the season, going down 120-101 to the Philadelphia 76ers despite leading by seven at the halfway mark.

The San Antonio Spurs spoiled the return of Denver's Kenyon Martin with a 104-85 victory over the Nuggets, for whom Chauncey Billups 27 top-scored.

Dirk Nowitzki scored 39 points to help the Dallas Mavericks rout the struggling Sacramento Kings 126-108, with Carl Landry's 30 in vain for the losers, while Stephen Curry poured in 29 as the Los Angeles Clippers beat the Golden State Warriors 107-104.