OKLAHOMA CITY — The losses kept piling up for P.J. Carlesimo, and it didn't matter which city his team called home.

With the relocated Oklahoma City Thunder off to an NBA-worst 1-12 start, Carlesimo was fired as coach yesterday and replaced on an interim basis by assistant Scott Brooks.

The firing followed a 105-80 loss to the New Orleans Hornets on Friday night, the Thunder's 10th straight setback.

Brooks made his debut last night in a rematch with the Hornets in New Orleans — a 109-97 loss — and general manager Sam Presti said Brooks would finish the season.

"This isn't about one person," Presti said. "There's accountability for everybody involved — players, coaches, myself and anyone involved with our basketball team. We understand that."

The Thunder also let go assistant Paul Westhead.

Carlesimo, who was 21-74 in just more than one season with the franchise, was expected to produce a winner around Kevin Durant, but he never really stood a chance. Carlesimo inherited a roster shredded by the trades of stars Ray Allen and Rashard Lewis after a decision to rebuild.

"We have to get better no matter who the coach is," Durant said last night in New Orleans. "To start off like we did my first year and now this year is tough to deal with. If we continue to work hard, things will start to turn around for us."

Hornets 109, Thunder 97: David West scored a season-high 33 points and Chris Paul had a triple-double to help host New Orleans hand Oklahoma City its 11th straight loss.

Paul finished with 29 points, 16 assists and 10 rebounds. Kevin Durant led Oklahoma City with 30 points.

Knicks 122, Wizards 117: Quentin Richardson had 34 points and 12 rebounds in one of his best games since coming to New York, and the short-handed Knicks snapped a three-game skid by beating visiting Washington.

Richardson made seven 3-pointers, two shy of the franchise record, and fell a point shy of his highest-scoring game since the Knicks acquired him from Phoenix in June 2005. He scored 35 points against the Wizards on Jan. 17, 2007.

Suns 102, Trail Blazers 92: Shaquille O'Neal had 19 points and 17 rebounds to power host Phoenix over Portland.

Amare Stoudemire added 17 points, Steve Nash had 16 on 6-for-7 shooting, and Grant Hill scored 15 for the Suns, who beat the Blazers for the second time in Phoenix this season. Brandon Roy scored 26 points for Portland.

Cavaliers 110, Hawks 96: LeBron James led host Cleveland to its ninth win in 10 games, scoring 24 points — 19 in the second half — in a win over Atlanta.

James added eight assists, seven rebounds and a few more highlight-package dunks to help the Cavaliers improve to 10-3 and match their best start since the 1988-89 season.

Rockets 100, Magic 95: Yao Ming had 22 points and 13 rebounds, and Tracy McGrady and Rafter Alston added 17 apiece, to help visiting Houston beat Orlando.

Jameer Nelson led Orlando with 21 points and six assists, but All-Star center Dwight Howard wasn't much of a factor because of foul problems. He finished with 13 points and nine rebounds.

Heat 109, Pacers 100: Dwyane Wade shook off flu-like symptoms to score 38 points, and host Miami rallied from 15 points down to beat Indiana.

Shawn Marion had 18 points and nine rebounds, and Michael Beasley scored 14 of his 17 points in the second half for Miami. Marquis Daniels scored 25 points, and Danny Granger added 23 for the Pacers.

Bucks 79, Bobcats 74: Ramon Sessions scored 18 points and hit two clinching free throws with 13 seconds left as Milwaukee beat host Charlotte.

Gerald Wallace scored 18 points, and Emeka Okafor added 16 points and 18 rebounds before fouling out for Charlotte.

Nets 112, Clippers 95: Yi Jianlian scored a season-high 27 points, and Vince Carter added 26 as host New Jersey beat Los Angeles.

Devin Harris added 18 points and 10 assists, and Brook Lopez finished with 14 points and 10 rebounds. Baron Davis had 30 points and 10 assists for the Clippers.

Jazz 103, Grizzlies 94: Mehmet Okur had a season-high 23 points for Utah, and Ronnie Brewer added 21 on 10-of-14 shooting in a win over host Memphis.

O.J. Mayo led Memphis with 23 points, and Rudy Gay added 21.