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Roundup: Kevin McHale returns, but Rockets fall

Houston Rockets head coach Kevin McHale encourages his team during the second half Saturday night.Bob Levey/Associated Press

O.J. Mayo tied a career high with 40 points as the Dallas Mavericks rallied to beat host Houston, 116-109, in the return to the bench for Rockets coach Kevin McHale after almost a month away, and two weeks after the death of his daughter.

McHale took a leave of absence on Nov. 10 to be with his family as his daughter’s health worsened. Alexandra ‘‘Sasha’’ McHale died Nov. 24 of complications from Lupus. She was 23.

‘‘It’s been a while,’’ he said before the game. ‘‘Hopefully, it’s the right time. I don’t know there ever is a right time. I don’t know if there is a playbook about this, but I'm excited to be back.’’

James Harden had 30 points at halftime for Houston, but scored just 9 in the second half.

Bulls 93, Knicks 85 — Marco Belinelli and Luol Deng scored 22 points apiece as host Chicago took advantage of Carmelo Anthony-less New York, snapping the Knicks’ five-game winning streak.

Raymond Felton led the Knicks with 27 points, but was just 9 for 30 from the field, exceeding his career high for field goal attempts by six.

Anthony missed his second straight game because of a finger laceration.

Hawks 93, Grizzlies 83 — Josh Smith had 24 points, Lou Williams scored 18 of his 21 in the second half, and Atlanta handed Memphis a rare home loss.

Al Horford had 19 points and grabbed 14 rebounds for Atlanta, which won for the ninth time in 10 games.

Zach Randolph and Marc Gasol scored 18 points apiece as Memphis lost at home for only the second time this season.

Heat 106, Hornets 90 — Dwyane Wade scored 26 points, LeBron James finished with 24 points and seven assists, and host Miami snapped a two-game slide with a win against New Orleans.

Ryan Anderson scored 24 for New Orleans.

Miami shot a season-best 58 percent and turned 19 New Orleans turnovers into 22 points.

Clippers 117, Suns 99 — Jamal Crawford led a fourth-quarter surge with 13 of his 21 points as Los Angeles beat visiting Phoenix for its fifth straight win.

Blake Griffin added 24 points, and Chris Paul had 16 points and 11 assists.

Michael Beasley scored 21 points off the bench for Phoenix, which has lost six in a row for the first time since March 3-12, 2009.

Spurs 132, Bobcats 102 — Danny Green scored 23 points and San Antonio set a franchise record with 19 3-pointers to hand host Charlotte its seventh straight defeat.

Tony Parker had 22 points and nine assists as the Spurs won for the ninth time in 10 games.

Kemba Walker led the Bobcats with 23 points.

Warriors 101, Wizards 97 — David Lee had 24 points and 17 rebounds, Klay Thompson added 23 points, and Golden State topped host Washington for its third straight road win.

Pistons 104, Cavaliers 97 — Brandon Knight had a career-best 30 points and Detroit defeated host Cleveland for the second time in six days.

Kings 99, Trail Blazers 80 — John Salmons recorded 19 points and 11 assists in Sacramento’s win over Portland, the Kings’ first road triumph of the season.