Golden State Warriors 114-98 Los Angeles Clippers
Stephen Curry scored a game high 33 points and Klay Thompson (32) scored 13 of the team’s first 16 in the fourth quarter as the Golden State Warriors won their 51st straight home game, sweeping the season series with the Los Angeles Clippers. The reigning NBA Champions now improve to 64-7, the best record in the NBA through 71 games.
The Clippers have been inconsistent this season. This loss was their sixth in the last eight games, which included a couple of losses against shorthanded teams like the Memphis Grizzlies and New Orleans Pelicans. Tonight their back court of Chris Paul (13 pts, 8 asts, 6 rebs) and J.J. Redick shot a combined 6 of 29 (20.69%). However center DeAndre Jordan had a dominant game of 19 points and 20 rebounds.
Even while missing a couple of key players, the Warriors depth was too much for the Clippers to handle. Although they have the fourth seed locked up, their recent run is a huge cause for concern for the Clippers especially with some time needed for the team to gel once Blake Griffin returns from injury.
San Antonio Spurs 112-88 Miami Heat
Kawhi Leonard scored a game high 32 points in just 24 minutes as the San Antonio Spurs won their 36th straight home game to start the season and 45TH straight overall, eclipsing the 1995-96 Chicago Bulls record of 44 straight. San Antonio had nine point lead heading into halftime but really opened up the game by outscoring the Heat 32-16 in the third quarter.
While Miami didn’t play all that bad shooting 48.1% from the field and 50% from beyond the arc but they had 14 turnovers. Miami’s starting line-up struggled to handle the ball and shoot efficiently. The team’s back-court Dwyane Wade and Goran Dragic had combined for 20 points on 10 of 21 shooting with 9 turnovers. Hassan Whiteside was huge off the bench with 12 points, 14 rebounds and 2 blocks.
This game had no real effect on the Spurs standings as they hold a huge 11 game lead over 3rd seed Oklahoma City Thunder. Meanwhile for the Heat, this loss is a dent in their effort to get the highest seed as possible as they are currently in middle of a four team pack fighting for positions from the 3rd to 6th seed in the East.
Boston Celtics 91-79 Toronto Raptors
In pursuit for the first seed in the East, the Raptors dropped a game against the Celtics with All-Star guard Kyle Lowry taking the night off. Despite the loss, the Chicago Bulls’ loss later in the evening allowed Toronto to book their ticket to the post-season. This would be the team’s third straight Playoff appearance after having five straight seasons of now Playoff basketball.
For the C’s, the team registered their first winning season under Head Coach Brad Stevens since he took over in the summer of 2013. Isaiah Thomas led the team with 23 points, his 11th straight game scoring 20+ points, the longest streak by a Celtic since Paul Pierce did so in 10 straight in 2006.
The Raptors hold a comfortable lead for the second seed, not letting this loss do much damage to their position in the standings. Boston goes from sixth to tied third with their win and Miami’s loss. The Celtics are along with the Heat in the four team tussle fighting for positions from 3rd to 6th in the East.
Cleveland Cavaliers 113-104 Milwaukee Bucks
All five Cavaliers starters scored in double figures and Tristan Thompson (13 pts, 10 rebs) had a double double off the bench to grab a much needed win over the Milwaukee Bucks. With the Raptors later in the evening, the win not only helps Cleveland establish themselves as the first lead but also extend the lead to now 2.5 games.
All members of the Cavs’ Big 3 had efficient big games as LeBron James finished with 26 points, 8 assists and 6 rebounds, Kyrie Irving had 18 points, 8 rebounds and 8 assists and Kevin Love had 24 points, 10 rebounds and 4 assists.
For Milwaukee the season is more or less than with the team having no realistic Playoff expectation. However they continued to make sure their core group of young players find more playing time together and evolve as a team. Giannis Antetokounmpo continued his strong play since handling the ball finishing with 24 points, 6 rebounds and 6 assists.
Phoenix Suns 119-107 Los Angeles Lakers
Brandon Knight (PHO): 25 pts, 8 rebs, 7 asts
Devin Booker (PHO): 28 pts, 7 asts, 3 rebs
Denver Nuggets 104-103 Philadelphia 76ers
Emmanuel Mudiay (DEN): 27 pts, 11 rebs, 4 asts
Nikola Jokic (DEN): 18 pts, 8 rebs, 5 asts
Minnesota Timberwolves 113-104 Sacramento Kings
Rajon Rondo (SAC): 25 pts, 12 asts, 8 rebs
Karl Anthony Towns (MIN): 26 pts, 11 rebs, 4 blks
Utah Jazz 89-87 Houston Rockets
James Harden (HOU): 26 pts, 10 asts, 8 stls, 7 rebs
Gordon Hayward (UTH): 22 pts, 6 rebs, 5 asts, 4 stls
New York Knicks 115-107 Chicago Bulls
Kristaps Porzingis (NYK): 29 pts, 10 rebs
Nikola Mirotic (CHI): 35 pts, 6 rebs
Detroit Pistons 118-102 Orlando Magic
Andre Drummond (DET): 30 pts, 14 rebs
Elfrid Payton (ORL): 20 pts, 10 rebs, 10 asts
Atlanta Hawks 122-101 Washington Wizards
Dennis Schroder (ATL): 23 pts, 8 asts, 4 rebs
John Wall (WAS): 13 pts, 10 asts, 3 rebs, 2 stls
Portland Trailblazers 109-103 Dallas Mavericks
Damian Lillard (POR): 27 pts, 6 rebs, 6 asts
Dirk Nowitzki (DAL): 21 pts, 9 rebs
Guess the Lakers players!
