Surging Hornets head to Boston

Baron Davis had 25 points, 12 assists and nine rebounds to lead the Hornets to an 88-85 win over the New Jersey Nets at Continental Airlines Arena on Tuesday night.

David Wesley added 20 points for the Hornets, who improved to 8-3 this season. George Lynch grabbed a season-high 17 boards as New Orleans outrebounded the Nets by a 50-38 margin.

The Hornets led by just one until Davis was fouled after connecting on a tough driving lay-in with 2:40 left in the game. He then hit the free throw to expand New Orleans’ lead to 85-81.

After Richard Jefferson’s basket on the other end of the floor made it a one possession game, Wesley drilled a three from the corner with two minutes to go, putting the Hornets ahead 88-83.

Kerry Kittles was then fouled and hit both of his attempts from the line to reduce the margin to just three. Darrell Armstrong — an almost 90 percent free throw shooter — had a chance to ice the game from the charity stripe for the Hornets, but missed both of his attempts with 14 seconds remaining.

Kittles and Jefferson each had a chance to tie the game with a shot from behind the arc. Both shots, though, missed badly and allowed New Orleans to escape with the victory.

The Hornets are 3-2 on the road this season.

The Celtics were defeated by the New York Knicks, 89-86, on Monday at Madison Square Garden.

Vin Baker scored 20 points, while Pierce and Eric Williams each delivered 17 points for the Celtics, who lost for the second time in three games. Pierce had a chance to force overtime, but his three-point attempt from the left wing at the buzzer bounced off the rim.

Boston is 3-2 at home.

The Hornets defeated the Celtics, 97-90, in New Orleans on November 1, 2003.

Overall, the Hornets have won two of the last three meetings.