Jefferson leads Bobcats to victory over Knicks
Charlotte's Al Jefferson tweaks jump shot and scores a season-high 35 points.
UNABLE TO get much lift off his sore right ankle, Bobcats center Al Jefferson figured it was time to make an adjustment.
So Jefferson made a conscious decision to try a new technique last night, jumping off both feet instead of just his right.
He never expected the results he got.
Jefferson scored a season-high 35 points, Kemba Walker had 12 of his 25 in the fourth quarter and host Charlotte snapped the New York Knicks' five-game winning streak with a 108-98 victory.
"It worked for me tonight - on my jump shot, on my jump hook. I just decided to try to do something different to get some lift," said Jefferson, who acknowledged for the first time he'll likely need surgery on the ankle after the season.
It was Jefferson's best game since joining the Bobcats as a free agent this past offseason and more of what he envisioned when he signed a 3-year, $41 million contract.
The Bobcats also benefited from the return of Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, who had eight points and seven rebounds after sitting out the last 19 games with a broken left hand.
Carmelo Anthony led the Knicks with 20 points and six rebounds.
In other games
The victory clinched the Eastern Conference All-Stars coaching spot for Frank Vogel, since the Pacers are guaranteed to have the best winning percentage in the conference through games of Feb. 2 with Miami's Erik Spoelstra ineligible after coaching last year. The All-Star game will be played on Feb. 16, at New Orleans Arena.
DeMarcus Cousins had 31 points and 13 rebounds for the Kings.
* At Memphis, Courtney Lee had 24 points and Zack Randolph added 23 points and 13 rebounds to lead the Grizzlies to a 90-87 win over the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Memphis' Marc Gasol, who returned after missing nearly 8 weeks with a sprained left knee ligament, had 12 points.
Kevin Durant had 37 points for the Thunder.
* At Los Angeles, Luol Deng hit five three-pointers while scoring 27 points, Anderson Varejao added 18 points and 18 rebounds, and the Cleveland Cavaliers beat the Lakers, 120-118.
Noteworthy
* Former North Carolina swingman P.J. Hairston will resume his basketball career in the NBA D-League with the Texas Legends.
The Legends, who held the No. 1 turn in the D-League's player selection process, used it to select Hairston.
Hairston entered the player pool after UNC announced it would not seek to reinstate him after he was suspended in July 2013 and under investigation for potential rules violations.
He will be eligible to enter the NBA draft in June.
* President Obama hosted the Miami Heat at the White House to congratulate the team on winning its second straight NBA title.
"This group has now won twice but it's gone to the Finals three times and, sometimes, it feels like they're still fighting for a little respect," Obama said, adding: "I can relate to that."