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Just 5 days remain for the regular season to end and we have a two-game slate Thursday night in the NBA. Here’s all you need to know about the action last night:
1.Chicago Bulls vs Miami Heat
Final scoreline: Chicago won 89-78
What a difference one season can make. Last year at this time, the Miami Heat were battling the Indiana Pacers for the top seed in the East and now both teams seeded 9th and 10th are still fighting to make it into the Playoffs.
LeBron James moving to Cleveland and lot of injuries has caused the Heat to be very inconsistent this season. Fortunately, the acquiring of Goran Dragic from Phoenix via a trade, a rejuvenated Dwyane Wade and the easier Eastern Conference has allowed the team to remain in contention for the post-season.
Up against the Chicago Bulls, winning was going to be a tough task but Miami had it under control till halftime leading by 19, however they scored just 8 points in the third quarter and from then on never had a grasp on the game.
With Chris Bosh out, Miami rely heavily on Wade and Luol Deng but the duo score just 17 points together on a combined 7 for 33 shooting. Against a defensive minded team like the Bulls, you’re not going to win shooting that kind of a percentage.
For Chicago, it was all about their front court. Starting power forward Pau Gasol (16 points, 15 rebounds) and back up Taj Gibson (14 points, 12 rebounds) delivered as Jimmy Butler was resting and Derrick Rose played just 20 minutes. Gasol, acquired as a free agent this past summer, now leads the league with 51 double-doubles in the regular season.
2. Golden State Warriors vs Portland Trailblazers
Final scoreline: Golden State won 116-105
The Warriors have home court advantage at any given time in the Playoffs and currently hold a 10 game lead over the second-seeded Memphis Grizzlies, yet the team refuses to take their foot off the gas pedal. Going up against the Northwest division winners, the Portland Trailblazers, the Warriors and in particular Stephen Curry had no plans of making a game of it.
En route to scoring a season 45 points and dishing out 9 dimes, Curry broke his own record of most made three-pointers for a single season (272). Playing huge fourth quarter minutes after a long time, Curry made his presence felt by helping his teammates get going. Klay Thompson scored 26, Draymmond Green had a double-double of 11 points and 14 rebounds. The game was close until the third quarter, but the Warriors took care of the business end to eventually win comfortably by 11 points.
For the Trailblazers, LaMarcus Aldridge (27 points) and Damian Lillard (20 points, 8 assists and 6 rebounds) had big games but it was just not enough to beat the team with the best record in the NBA.
Despite their relatively poor record, Portland will remain in fourth position in the West because of the division title they clinched this season.
Here’s Stephen Curry’s record breaking three:
Guess the Lakers players!
