Bobcats 105, Nuggets 98: Al Jefferson had 26 points and 13 rebounds as host Charlotte defeated Denver.

Kemba Walker added 24 points and seven assists and Gary Neal scored 19 points on 7-of-9 shooting for the Bobcats. Josh McRoberts added 15 points as Charlotte recorded its seventh consecutive home victory.

Ty Lawson scored 24 points and Aaron Brooks added 16 for the Nuggets, who lost for the 13th time in 16 games. Kenneth Faried added 15 points and nine rebounds as Denver dropped to 0-2 on a five-game road excursion.

The Bobcats led by 11 with under four minutes to play before Denver used a 8-2 surge to move within 99-94 on Lawson’s basket with 1:44 left. Walker hit four free throws and Jefferson drained a free-throw line jumper as Charlotte extinguished the threat.

Jefferson had 16 points in the first half as Charlotte took a 51-45 lead into the break. A basket by Michael Kidd-Gilchrist increased the lead to 14 midway through the third quarter and the Bobcats held a 79-68 advantage heading into the final stanza.

GAME NOTEBOOK: Walker hit all 12 of his free throws and is 44-of-45 from the line over the past eight games. … Denver possessed a 54-24 edge in points in the paint. … Neal hit all three of his 3-point attempts and McRoberts was 3-of-4 as Charlotte went 8-for-20 from behind the arc.