Chicago — Jimmy Butler scored 52 points and outdueled Kemba Walker, carrying the Chicago Bulls in a 118-111 victory over the Charlotte Hornets on Monday night.

Butler was a point shy of his career high, which he got Jan. 14, 2016 at Philadelphia. He scored 20 points in the first half and 17 in the game’s final four minutes.

Butler also had 12 rebounds and six assists while shooting 21 of 22 from the free-throw line. He has scored at least 25 points in four straight games, and his performance Monday surpassed his previous season high of 40 points, which he tallied Wednesday against Brooklyn.

Cavaliers 90, Pelicans 82

Cleveland — LeBron James scored 26 points and shorthanded Cleveland rallied for a win over New Orleans.

Cavaliers guard Kyrie Irving missed his second straight game because of tightness in his right hamstring. Cleveland dressed only 10 players thanks to a rash of recent injuries.

Bucks 98, Thunder 94

Milwaukee — Giannis Antetokounmpo had 26 points and 10 rebounds and rookie Malcolm Brogdon hit two free throws with 8.8 seconds left, lifting Milwaukee over Oklahoma City.

With Milwaukee leading 96-94, Oklahoma City’s Russell Westbrook drove the lane, but Tony Snell deflected the ball off the Thunder guard’s leg and the ball went out of bounds. The referees initially signaled the ball went off Snell, but after a video review, they reversed the call and gave Milwaukee possession. Brogdon then was fouled and made both free throws to seal the victory.

Jazz 101, Nets 89

New York — Gordon Hayward scored 30 points, Rudy Gobert had 15 points and 16 rebounds and Utah pulled away in the final quarter to beat Brooklyn.

Rodney Hood and Shelvin Mack also scored 15 points each for the Jazz. Trevor Booker led the Nets with 17 points and 15 rebounds.

Rockets 101, Wizards 91

Houston — Eric Gordon scored 31 points and James Harden had 23 points, 10 assists and 10 rebounds to lead Houston over Washington.

Harden’s ninth triple-double of the season was a rocky encore to his brilliant New Year’s Eve performance where he had 53 points, 17 assists and 16 rebounds against the Knicks and became the first player in NBA history with a 50-15-15 game.

Magic 115, Knicks 103

New York — Jodie Meeks scored a season-high 23 points, Serge Ibaka and Aaron Gordon each had 22 and Orlando rolled over New York, which lost its fifth straight game.

Nikola Vucevic had 14 points and 13 rebounds and fellow reserve Elfrid Payton added 13 points and 14 assists for the Magic, who were routed in their previous two games but totally turned things around against a Knicks team that played without Kristaps Porzingis or much defensive intensity.

Carmelo Anthony scored 19 points for the Knicks, who have dropped eight of 10 to fall to 16-18.