Wesley Leads Hornets, 93-88

The New Orleans Hornets opened a seven-game trip in style. David Wesley was eight of 10 from three-point range and scored 33 points in a 93-88 victory Thursday night over the Utah Jazz at Salt Lake City.

“They kept going in, so I kept shooting them,” Wesley said. “It felt good because I was tired and had a splitting headache. But when shots are falling you feel good.”

The Jazz had a chance to tie the score at 88 with about 10 seconds to go. But Karl Malone’s jump shot bounced off the rim and the rebound kicked out to Baron Davis, who drove for a layup and was fouled with 6.1 seconds left.

The Hornets made only one of their first 10 shots and went scoreless for 4:42 in the first quarter.

Minnesota 113, Atlanta 95 -- Kevin Garnett had 21 points, nine assists and eight rebounds at Minneapolis and the Timberwolves continued their mastery of the Hawks.

Rasho Nesterovic had 18 points and six rebounds, Troy Hudson added 18 points and Joe Smith 15 points for the Timberwolves. They’ve beaten the Hawks seven straight times.

Atlanta lost its sixth straight road game, and is 2-10 away from home this season.

The Hawks had a 10-point lead midway through the first quarter, but soft defense prevented them from keeping it. They’ve allowed 100 or more points in eight of 12 games on the road.

Detroit 86, Chicago 76 -- Chauncey Billups had a season-high 21 points, including a big three-pointer with about a minute left at Chicago.

Richard Hamilton added 20 for the Pistons, who got double figures in either points or rebounds from four of their starters. After losing three straight, the Pistons have won two in a row.