NBA Wrap: Jazz Pulls Level with Blazers

SALT LAKE CITY — Mehmet Okur scored 21 of his 27 points in the first half, putting Utah on course for a 97-88 win over Portland on Thursday and pulling the Jazz level with the Trailblazers in the NBA's Northwest Division.

Okur added 10 rebounds for Utah, which is now level with Portland a game behind divisional leader Denver.

Paul Millsap had his 10th straight double-double with 17 points and 12 rebounds for the Jazz, and Deron Williams added 14 points and 11 assists.

Brandon Roy had 33 points for Portland.

Celtics 122, Wizards 88

In Washington, Boston crushed Washington to set a fresh franchise record for the best start to a season.

Ray Allen and Paul Pierce scored 22 points apiece, and Kevin Garnett nearly had a triple-double, as Boston notched a 13th consecutive victory to move to 21-2.

It is the Celtics' longest winning streak since a 14-game run in 1985-86.

Garnett finished with 11 points, 12 rebounds and seven assists in three quarters.

The Wizards matched their franchise's slowest start, dropping to 4-16 for the first time since 1966-67.

Mavericks 95, Bobcats 90

In Dallas, Dirk Nowitzki hit a key 3-pointer with less than 30 seconds to play to secure Dallas' win over Charlotte.

Nowitzki finished with 23 points for the Mavericks, 10-0 against the Bobcats.

It  was a fifth straight loss for trade-depleted Charlotte.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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