Hornets 92, Bucks 89
HORNETS 92, BUCKS 89: Marco Belinelli led the way with 22 points as visiting New Orleans edged Milwaukee to clinch back-to-back wins for the first time since the opening two games of the season.
Chris Kaman collected 18 points and 10 rebounds and Gustavo Ayon joined him in the double-double group with 12 and 12 for the Western Conference-worst Hornets, who had dropped eight straight before taking out Utah and Milwaukee in consecutive contests.
The Bucks were within six points the entire fourth quarter and had cut the deficit to 89-87 on Mike Dunleavy's 3-pointer with 1:15 remaining.
But Belinelli capped his night with a pair of free throws with 15 seconds remaining to clinch the win. Belinelli finished 7 for 10 from the floor, including 6 for 7 from beyond the arc to reach the 20-point mark for the first time since Jan. 13.
Kaman made his second straight start in place of the injured Emeka Okafor and recorded his second straight double-double as he continues to boost his trade value.
Ersan Ilyasova scored 23 points to lead Milwaukee, which has lost three in a row.
GAME NOTEBOOK: New Orleans will attempt to bring its streak to a season-high three games against Jeremy Lin and the New York Knicks on Friday … The Bucks have lost five straight home games … Milwaukee G Brandon Jennings shot 7 for 21 from the floor - his ninth straight game below 50 percent.