(The Sports Xchange) – Highlights from National Basketball Association games on Thursday:
Pelicans 114, Kings 106
DeMarcus Cousins totaled 41 points and 23 rebounds in his return to Sacramento as the New Orleans Pelicans rallied for a 114-106 victory over the Kings on Thursday.
Cousins, who heard a mix of boos and cheers in pregame introductions, shot 14 of 23 and came within one of his career high for rebounds.
Jrue Holliday added 20 points while reserve Jameer Nelson contributed 18 as New Orleans won without Anthony Davis (knee) by overcoming a 19-point deficit.
Clippers 104, Trail Blazers 103
Blake Griffin hit a 3-pointer at the buzzer to lift Los Angeles to a dramatic victory over Portland.
The Clippers had five double-digit scorers, led by Griffin with 25 points. Center DeAndre Jordan grabbed a game-high 18 rebounds to go with seven points.
Celtics 96, Bucks 89
Al Horford scored 27 points and Kyrie Irving finished with 24 as the Boston beat Milwaukee.
Horford and Irving combined to shoot 21-for-32 from the floor, including 6-for-9 on 3-point attempts, but the rest of the Celtics’ offense struggled. Boston shot just 42.3 percent overall.
Grizzlies 96, Mavericks 91
Marc Gasol scored 25 points and grabbed 13 rebounds as Memphis held off a furious rally by the Dallas.
Mike Conley scored nine of his 22 points in the fourth quarter for Memphis.
Bulls 91, Hawks 86
Robin Lopez scored 16 points as Chicago beat Atlanta for its first win of the season.
David Nwaba added 15 points while rookie Lauri Markkanen collected 14 and 13 rebounds for the Bulls, who dropped their first three games.
