CODY ZELLER

Stephen Curry scored 22 points and moved within nine 3-pointers of tying Ray Allen’s career record, and the Golden State Warriors held off the injury-depleted Portland Trail Blazers 104-94.

Domantas Sabonis had 14 points, 21 rebounds and nine assists, and the short-handed Indiana Pacers routed the Charlotte Hornets 144-117 in the Eastern Conference’s first play-in game.

Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry, left, celebrates with forward Draymond Green (23) during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Charlotte Hornets in San Francisco, Friday, Feb. 26, 2021. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)SAN FRANCISCO – Do-everything Draymond Green vowed to make up for losing his cool and costing Golden State a win at Charlotte last weekend. Terry Rozier made an off-balance jumper from the left corner as time expired for a 102-100 win by the Hornets. The Warriors have won three straight after having consecutive victories seven different times previously without winning a third in a row. It's the first matchup between the opponents this season and Charlotte has won three straight over the Kings.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. Michael Jordan helped build the Chicago Bulls into a winner as a player. Jordan took questions from players and spoke directly about the difference between what it takes to win in the regular season and the playoffs. Hornets center Cody Zeller said that was an important message for a young team to hear. Hornets guard Terry Rozier joked that after watching the Last Dance he probably would have got into a few fistfights with Jordan, too. One thing with being teammates with guys in this league is you have to learn who they are first.