By ERIK GARCIA GUNDERSEN
Associated Press
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) The Portland Trail Blazers are finishing the regular season on a good note, and the Houston Rockets are the latest to be frustrated by them.
Damian Lillard had 31 points and 11 assists, leading the Trail Blazers past the Rockets 117-107 on Thursday night. Lillard is the first player in franchise history to score 30 points eight times in a calendar month.
Jusuf Nurkic had a team-high 11 rebounds to go along with 19 points for the Trail Blazers, who have a season-high five-game winning streak and a 1 1/2-game lead over the Denver Nuggets for the eighth seed in the Western Conference.
"They'll be a handful in the playoffs," Rockets coach Mike D'Antoni said of the Blazers.
James Harden finished with 30 points and eight rebounds to lead the Rockets. Harden's 3-pointer at the end of the first quarter gave the Rockets 1,078 3s, an NBA single-season record.
Portland held a 96-85 lead into the fourth, but Houston made a run early in the quarter. Trevor Ariza's dunk tied the game at 105 with 2:29 left, but Nurkic's post-up gave Portland the lead right back with 2:05 remaining.
Allen Crabbe sealed the win with steal on Harden, taking it coast-to-coast to give the Blazers a 113-105 lead with 1:12 left.
Harden had three turnovers in the fourth quarter.
After recording 13 turnovers or more in four straight games, the Blazers have had 12 or fewer in the past two games.
"We've been really in tune with every possession," Blazers coach Terry Stotts said of his team's low turnover total in the past two games. "Consistency in the first half of the season was a challenge. I think we are valuing each possession at both ends much better."
After Eric Gordon's 3-pointer gave the Rockets a two-point lead early in the second quarter, the Blazers outscored Houston 19-6 to reclaim the lead and push it to as high as 12 before taking a 65-56 lead into halftime.
Portland's supporting cast, particularly Crabbe, Al-Farouq Aminu and Maurice Harkless, were crucial in creating the lead, helping them survive a 4-of-15 night from CJ McCollum.
The trio combined for 49 points and six 3-pointers.
"I think we're tough to beat when we're playing like that," Harkless said.
ROCKETS LACK OF URGENCY
Following the loss, D'Antoni expressed his concerns with his team's play.
"There's not an urgency to what we're doing," D'Antoni said. "We've got to figure a way that even when you're not shooting well you've got to win."
Houston shot 8 of 34 (23 percent) from long range.
"You've got to come out to play no matter what," Ariza said. "No matter who you're playing against, you've got to come out and be ready."
TIP-INS
Rockets: Expect to get big man Montrezl Harrell back in the lineup Friday, when they face the Golden State Warriors, after he attended to the birth of his child. D'Antoni praised Harrell for how he has handled being the team's third center. "You can sweet-talk it, but reality is what it is and he's accepted it," D'Antoni said. "He keeps working with John Lucas, keeps getting better. He's trying to improve his 3-point shooting. That way we can move him over to the 4 some. If he can do that, that will open up some space for him. I have nothing but good things to say about him. He's been terrific." ... D'Antoni said the Rockets plan to rest backup center Nene on Friday.
Blazers: They've impressed D'Antoni, who praised his coaching counterpart, Stotts, saying the Blazers are a much different team than the one they faced on Nov. 27. "Nurkic has helped give them new life," D'Antoni said. "They're a lot different now, they're a lot better right now. Terry has done a great job, as he always does. This is really good what he's done."
UP NEXT
Rockets: Head to Oakland on Friday to face the Warriors, who beat them 113-106 Tuesday in Houston.
Blazers: Host the Phoenix Suns on Saturday night.
Friday, March 31, 2017
Griffin, Paul help Clippers hand Suns 10th straight loss
By BOB BAUM
AP Sports Writer
PHOENIX (AP) The Los Angeles Clippers, worn down from a tough game the previous night, still had enough energy to send the Phoenix Suns to their 10th straight loss.
But it was no blowout.
Blake Griffin scored 31 points, Chris Paul added 29 points and 10 assists and the Clippers held on to beat the Suns 124-118.
"Back to back, all these games, me and Blake talked about it," Paul said. "How to push through and find a way to win, and this goes in the win column. I'm not going to watch the film and dissect too much of it. We got the win."
Devin Booker returned to the Suns' lineup and scored 33 points while playing in front of his former college coach, Kentucky's John Calipari, and matched his season high with nine assists, but fouled out with 4:45 to play.
The Clippers (46-31), coming off a 133-124 home win over Washington on Wednesday night, pulled within a game of Utah (46-29) for the No. 4 playoff spot in the Western Conference.
"We didn't necessarily play great. We won the game," Los Angeles coach Doc Rivers said. "We'll take that."
Booker, three games removed from his 70-point outburst in Boston, missed Tuesday's game in Atlanta with a sore right ankle.
Rookie Tyler Ulis, who also played for Calipari, had 16 points and matched his career best with 12 assists. Marquese Chriss scored 20 for the Suns, and Jamal Crawford had 19 for the Clippers.
The Suns, just back from a six-game road trip, trailed 113-106 when Booker fouled out but managed a 6-1 spurt to cut Los Angeles' lead to 114-112 on Chriss' inside basket on an underhanded pass from Ulis with 3:43 left.
But Paul sank a pair of free throws and found Griffin underneath for a dunk and Los Angeles was back up 118-112.
"That was a big shot," Paul said. "That's got to be our bread and butter. Me and Blake talk about it all the time. We've got to have something that me and him can go to to close out games."
The Suns' T.J. Warren missed four straight free throws before Griffin and Paul sank consecutive jumpers to seal it at 124-116 with 48 seconds to play.
Los Angeles made 24 of 34 free throws to the Suns' 13 of 24.
Despite the losses, Phoenix coach Earl Watson likes what he's seen from his exceedingly young lineup.
"I think our players are growing in all areas," he said. "They're getting an opportunity, and we all know opportunity in this level is the most important thing for growth and development and just improving.
"And they're so young and still believe that anything is possible."
Phoenix trailed by as many as 12 in the third quarter before rallying to tie it at 102 on Booker's driving layup with 7:51 left. Griffin converted a three-point play and Paul scored the next four to stretch the lead to 109-102 with 6:45 left.
Griffin scored 12 of his 20 first-half points and the Clippers pulled away late in the second quarter to lead 67-59 at the break.
His 3-pointer capped a 14-2 run that put the Clippers up 63-55 with 1:21 left in the half.
LONG RANGE
Los Angeles made nine of 13 3-point attempts in the first half and finished the game at 12 of 22. Eight players made at least one 3 for the Clippers, led by J.J. Redick's 3 for 6.
Booker shot 4 of 7 on 3s for the Suns, but the rest of the team was just 3 of 16.
TIP INS
Clippers: Four of Los Angeles' five remaining games are at home. ... Los Angeles swept the four-game season series. ... Three of the Clippers' five remaining foes have a losing record.
Suns: Booker had his 12th 30-point game of the season. He passed Dwight Howard for the fifth-most points by an NBA player before age 21. Only LeBron James, Kevin Durant, Carmelo Anthony and Kobe Bryant had more. ... Phoenix is 0-9 since deciding to sit Eric Bledsoe for the rest of the season.
UP NEXT
Clippers: Home against the Lakers on Saturday afternoon
Suns: at Portland on Saturday night.
AP Sports Writer
PHOENIX (AP) The Los Angeles Clippers, worn down from a tough game the previous night, still had enough energy to send the Phoenix Suns to their 10th straight loss.
But it was no blowout.
Blake Griffin scored 31 points, Chris Paul added 29 points and 10 assists and the Clippers held on to beat the Suns 124-118.
"Back to back, all these games, me and Blake talked about it," Paul said. "How to push through and find a way to win, and this goes in the win column. I'm not going to watch the film and dissect too much of it. We got the win."
Devin Booker returned to the Suns' lineup and scored 33 points while playing in front of his former college coach, Kentucky's John Calipari, and matched his season high with nine assists, but fouled out with 4:45 to play.
The Clippers (46-31), coming off a 133-124 home win over Washington on Wednesday night, pulled within a game of Utah (46-29) for the No. 4 playoff spot in the Western Conference.
"We didn't necessarily play great. We won the game," Los Angeles coach Doc Rivers said. "We'll take that."
Booker, three games removed from his 70-point outburst in Boston, missed Tuesday's game in Atlanta with a sore right ankle.
Rookie Tyler Ulis, who also played for Calipari, had 16 points and matched his career best with 12 assists. Marquese Chriss scored 20 for the Suns, and Jamal Crawford had 19 for the Clippers.
The Suns, just back from a six-game road trip, trailed 113-106 when Booker fouled out but managed a 6-1 spurt to cut Los Angeles' lead to 114-112 on Chriss' inside basket on an underhanded pass from Ulis with 3:43 left.
But Paul sank a pair of free throws and found Griffin underneath for a dunk and Los Angeles was back up 118-112.
"That was a big shot," Paul said. "That's got to be our bread and butter. Me and Blake talk about it all the time. We've got to have something that me and him can go to to close out games."
The Suns' T.J. Warren missed four straight free throws before Griffin and Paul sank consecutive jumpers to seal it at 124-116 with 48 seconds to play.
Los Angeles made 24 of 34 free throws to the Suns' 13 of 24.
Despite the losses, Phoenix coach Earl Watson likes what he's seen from his exceedingly young lineup.
"I think our players are growing in all areas," he said. "They're getting an opportunity, and we all know opportunity in this level is the most important thing for growth and development and just improving.
"And they're so young and still believe that anything is possible."
Phoenix trailed by as many as 12 in the third quarter before rallying to tie it at 102 on Booker's driving layup with 7:51 left. Griffin converted a three-point play and Paul scored the next four to stretch the lead to 109-102 with 6:45 left.
Griffin scored 12 of his 20 first-half points and the Clippers pulled away late in the second quarter to lead 67-59 at the break.
His 3-pointer capped a 14-2 run that put the Clippers up 63-55 with 1:21 left in the half.
LONG RANGE
Los Angeles made nine of 13 3-point attempts in the first half and finished the game at 12 of 22. Eight players made at least one 3 for the Clippers, led by J.J. Redick's 3 for 6.
Booker shot 4 of 7 on 3s for the Suns, but the rest of the team was just 3 of 16.
TIP INS
Clippers: Four of Los Angeles' five remaining games are at home. ... Los Angeles swept the four-game season series. ... Three of the Clippers' five remaining foes have a losing record.
Suns: Booker had his 12th 30-point game of the season. He passed Dwight Howard for the fifth-most points by an NBA player before age 21. Only LeBron James, Kevin Durant, Carmelo Anthony and Kobe Bryant had more. ... Phoenix is 0-9 since deciding to sit Eric Bledsoe for the rest of the season.
UP NEXT
Clippers: Home against the Lakers on Saturday afternoon
Suns: at Portland on Saturday night.
Rubio scores career-high 33 as Wolves beat Lakers 119-104
By JON KRAWCZYNSKI
AP Basketball Writer
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) Ricky Rubio knows the Minnesota Timberwolves will almost assuredly miss the playoffs for the 13th straight year. Still, the pass-first point guard can take heart in knowing that he is changing the way the league views him as his season winds down.
Rubio had a career-high 33 points, 10 assists and five rebounds and Karl-Anthony Towns scored 32 points to lead the Timberwolves to a 119-104 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers on Thursday night.
"Starting the season, I wasn't feeling that good," said Rubio, who made 12 of 20 shots and 4 of 5 3-pointers, "and now I feel the best I've ever felt."
Andrew Wiggins scored 27 points for the Timberwolves (30-44), who have now won more games than they did last season. Minnesota had 30 assists and only 11 turnovers.
Jordan Clarkson scored 18 points and D'Angelo Russell had 14 points and seven assists for the Lakers (21-54), who have lost 17 of their last 19 games. Brandon Ingram missed his third straight game with patellar tendinitis in his right knee.
"Defensively, we definitely have to do better communicating," Clarkson said. "We were trying to force (Rubio) into taking those shots and giving a lot of help. He just made them tonight."
After playing well coming out of the All-Star break to revive their playoff hopes, the Wolves lost six straight earlier this month to fade from contention. One of those losses was an ugly one to the Lakers in Los Angeles last week and they were in danger of giving away another lead late to the lowly Lakers when Clarkson hit a 3 to pull LA within nine in the final four minutes.
But Rubio scored on a drive to the basket and knocked down a 21-foot jumper to hold off the comeback. A 37 percent shooter for his career, Rubio is shooting 46.5 percent and 44 percent from 3-point range, since the All-Star break.
"He's someone that you normally are living with him shooting 3s," coach Luke Walton said. "But our defense, we weren't communicating."
Julius Randle had 12 points and 13 rebounds and Tarik Black had 15 points and nine rebounds off the bench for the Lakers, who entered the day a half-game ahead of the Suns for the second-worst record in the NBA.
"I wish we could fight for the playoff right now," Rubio said. "That's what I came here for. I hope we can build from here and finally take off next season."
TIP-INS
Lakers: Walton said the plan was for Ingram to practice on Friday and play on Saturday if all went well. ... Thomas Robinson, who had not played in four of the last five games, gave the Lakers a lift with 12 points in 14 minutes. ... The Lakers bench outscored Minnesota's 47-10.
Timberwolves: Minnesota scored 25 points off of 17 Lakers turnovers. ... Debbie Saunders presented a check for $6,000 to the Minnesota Timberwolves and Lynx Basketball Academy on behalf of the Flip Saunders Legacy Fund, named for the former Wolves president and coach who died from complications involving lymphoma in 2015.
ZUBAC HURT
Lakers big man Ivica Zubac limped off the floor two minutes into the game with a sprained right ankle. He was taken for X-rays, which were negative, the Lakers said. He suffered a high ankle sprain and will be evaluated when the Lakers get back to Los Angeles. He left the arena in a walking boot.
"I'm not sure if I stepped on somebody's foot or what," he said. "But I don't know. Just rolled it."
GORGUI'S EFFORT
Gorgui Dieng added 11 points, 15 rebounds, six assists and three blocks for Minnesota, giving the Wolves a presence on defense and a stability on offense that he has all season long. Towns and Wiggins get more shots and pile up more stats, but Dieng has been crucial to what the Wolves do.
"They may seem like small things," coach Tom Thibodeau said. "They're huge things in terms of winning."
UP NEXT
Lakers: Los Angeles heads back home, but it's technically for a road game against the Clippers on Saturday.
Timberwolves: Minnesota plays the second of a three-game home stand on Saturday against Sacramento.
AP Basketball Writer
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) Ricky Rubio knows the Minnesota Timberwolves will almost assuredly miss the playoffs for the 13th straight year. Still, the pass-first point guard can take heart in knowing that he is changing the way the league views him as his season winds down.
Rubio had a career-high 33 points, 10 assists and five rebounds and Karl-Anthony Towns scored 32 points to lead the Timberwolves to a 119-104 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers on Thursday night.
"Starting the season, I wasn't feeling that good," said Rubio, who made 12 of 20 shots and 4 of 5 3-pointers, "and now I feel the best I've ever felt."
Andrew Wiggins scored 27 points for the Timberwolves (30-44), who have now won more games than they did last season. Minnesota had 30 assists and only 11 turnovers.
Jordan Clarkson scored 18 points and D'Angelo Russell had 14 points and seven assists for the Lakers (21-54), who have lost 17 of their last 19 games. Brandon Ingram missed his third straight game with patellar tendinitis in his right knee.
"Defensively, we definitely have to do better communicating," Clarkson said. "We were trying to force (Rubio) into taking those shots and giving a lot of help. He just made them tonight."
After playing well coming out of the All-Star break to revive their playoff hopes, the Wolves lost six straight earlier this month to fade from contention. One of those losses was an ugly one to the Lakers in Los Angeles last week and they were in danger of giving away another lead late to the lowly Lakers when Clarkson hit a 3 to pull LA within nine in the final four minutes.
But Rubio scored on a drive to the basket and knocked down a 21-foot jumper to hold off the comeback. A 37 percent shooter for his career, Rubio is shooting 46.5 percent and 44 percent from 3-point range, since the All-Star break.
"He's someone that you normally are living with him shooting 3s," coach Luke Walton said. "But our defense, we weren't communicating."
Julius Randle had 12 points and 13 rebounds and Tarik Black had 15 points and nine rebounds off the bench for the Lakers, who entered the day a half-game ahead of the Suns for the second-worst record in the NBA.
"I wish we could fight for the playoff right now," Rubio said. "That's what I came here for. I hope we can build from here and finally take off next season."
TIP-INS
Lakers: Walton said the plan was for Ingram to practice on Friday and play on Saturday if all went well. ... Thomas Robinson, who had not played in four of the last five games, gave the Lakers a lift with 12 points in 14 minutes. ... The Lakers bench outscored Minnesota's 47-10.
Timberwolves: Minnesota scored 25 points off of 17 Lakers turnovers. ... Debbie Saunders presented a check for $6,000 to the Minnesota Timberwolves and Lynx Basketball Academy on behalf of the Flip Saunders Legacy Fund, named for the former Wolves president and coach who died from complications involving lymphoma in 2015.
ZUBAC HURT
Lakers big man Ivica Zubac limped off the floor two minutes into the game with a sprained right ankle. He was taken for X-rays, which were negative, the Lakers said. He suffered a high ankle sprain and will be evaluated when the Lakers get back to Los Angeles. He left the arena in a walking boot.
"I'm not sure if I stepped on somebody's foot or what," he said. "But I don't know. Just rolled it."
GORGUI'S EFFORT
Gorgui Dieng added 11 points, 15 rebounds, six assists and three blocks for Minnesota, giving the Wolves a presence on defense and a stability on offense that he has all season long. Towns and Wiggins get more shots and pile up more stats, but Dieng has been crucial to what the Wolves do.
"They may seem like small things," coach Tom Thibodeau said. "They're huge things in terms of winning."
UP NEXT
Lakers: Los Angeles heads back home, but it's technically for a road game against the Clippers on Saturday.
Timberwolves: Minnesota plays the second of a three-game home stand on Saturday against Sacramento.
Bulls top Cavs 99-93, James moves to 7th on NBA scoring list
By ANDREW SELIGMAN
AP Sports Writer
CHICAGO (AP) LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers just might be at their lowest point since the King came home three years ago. Either way, they'll have to do better than this if they're going to be crowned again.
Nikola Mirotic tied season highs with 28 points and six 3-pointers, Jimmy Butler scored 25, and the Chicago Bulls beat the Cavaliers 99-93 Thursday on a night when James moved into seventh place on the NBA's career scoring list.
James passed Shaquille O'Neal, finishing with 26 points. That gave him 28,599 for his career - three more than O'Neal. But the big night by the four-time MVP couldn't prevent the Cavaliers from matching a season high with their third straight loss.
That dropped the defending champions a half-game behind Boston for the Eastern Conference lead and left them with a 6-10 record in March.
"Just in a bad spot right now," said James, who had 10 rebounds and eight assists. "I'm not disappointed with the effort. Just in a bad spot. We need to figure it out."
For Mirotic, it was his second straight game with 28 points and six 3s. He also had 10 rebounds, finishing a strong March.
"I feel it's my time now. It's never too late," he said. "It's a very important moment for the team."
Rajon Rondo added 15 assists, Robin Lopez had 10 points and 11 rebounds, and the ninth-place Bulls moved within a game of Miami and Indiana in the Eastern Conference standings.
They also finished 4-0 against Cleveland to complete their first sweep of the Cavaliers since they took all three games during the 2011-12 season.
Kyrie Irving scored 20 for the Cavaliers, while Tristan Thompson added 15 points and nine rebounds. But the Bulls dominated Cleveland 37-21 in the third quarter to wipe out a nine-point halftime lead and hung on down the stretch.
"We won't be perfect in one day," Irving said. "But it's no time to hold your head, I'll tell you that. ... We're gonna be just fine. It's ugly right now. It's real, real ugly."
James entered needing 23 points to tie O'Neal and matched him when he scored on a layup with 7:29 left in the game. He took sole possession of seventh place when he hit one of three free throws to make it 90-83 with 4:28 remaining.
But it was not an easy night for the Cavaliers.
Kevin Love fouled out with eight points and 10 rebounds when he got whistled on a basket by Butler moments after James tied O'Neal.
Rondo was able to get into the paint, particularly in the third quarter. That didn't hurt Butler or Mirotic, who was connecting all game.
"I definitely want to get back into the playoffs, and these young guys haven't experienced it," Rondo said. "I'm trying to push every day to find a way to get in. We can't worry about other teams winning and losing. We need to go out every night and win these next seven to put ourselves in a position to get in."
SURGING
Mirotic became the first Bulls player to hit six or more 3-pointers in back-to-back games. He is averaging 24.8 points over his past four games and has 20 3s in that span.
TIP-INS
Cavaliers: G Iman Shumpert had four points and an assist in 22 minutes after missing two games because of a sore right knee. ... F Kyle Korver missed his second consecutive game because of a sore left foot. He has not been practicing and is expected to sit out Friday's game against Philadelphia before being re-evaluated. ... F Richard Jefferson sat out because of tendinitis in his left knee.
Bulls: F Cristiano Felicio was available but did not play after missing the previous three games because of a bruised lower back.
UP NEXT
Cavaliers: Host Philadelphia on Friday to start a three-game homestand.
Bulls: Host Atlanta on Saturday.
AP Sports Writer
CHICAGO (AP) LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers just might be at their lowest point since the King came home three years ago. Either way, they'll have to do better than this if they're going to be crowned again.
Nikola Mirotic tied season highs with 28 points and six 3-pointers, Jimmy Butler scored 25, and the Chicago Bulls beat the Cavaliers 99-93 Thursday on a night when James moved into seventh place on the NBA's career scoring list.
James passed Shaquille O'Neal, finishing with 26 points. That gave him 28,599 for his career - three more than O'Neal. But the big night by the four-time MVP couldn't prevent the Cavaliers from matching a season high with their third straight loss.
That dropped the defending champions a half-game behind Boston for the Eastern Conference lead and left them with a 6-10 record in March.
"Just in a bad spot right now," said James, who had 10 rebounds and eight assists. "I'm not disappointed with the effort. Just in a bad spot. We need to figure it out."
For Mirotic, it was his second straight game with 28 points and six 3s. He also had 10 rebounds, finishing a strong March.
"I feel it's my time now. It's never too late," he said. "It's a very important moment for the team."
Rajon Rondo added 15 assists, Robin Lopez had 10 points and 11 rebounds, and the ninth-place Bulls moved within a game of Miami and Indiana in the Eastern Conference standings.
They also finished 4-0 against Cleveland to complete their first sweep of the Cavaliers since they took all three games during the 2011-12 season.
Kyrie Irving scored 20 for the Cavaliers, while Tristan Thompson added 15 points and nine rebounds. But the Bulls dominated Cleveland 37-21 in the third quarter to wipe out a nine-point halftime lead and hung on down the stretch.
"We won't be perfect in one day," Irving said. "But it's no time to hold your head, I'll tell you that. ... We're gonna be just fine. It's ugly right now. It's real, real ugly."
James entered needing 23 points to tie O'Neal and matched him when he scored on a layup with 7:29 left in the game. He took sole possession of seventh place when he hit one of three free throws to make it 90-83 with 4:28 remaining.
But it was not an easy night for the Cavaliers.
Kevin Love fouled out with eight points and 10 rebounds when he got whistled on a basket by Butler moments after James tied O'Neal.
Rondo was able to get into the paint, particularly in the third quarter. That didn't hurt Butler or Mirotic, who was connecting all game.
"I definitely want to get back into the playoffs, and these young guys haven't experienced it," Rondo said. "I'm trying to push every day to find a way to get in. We can't worry about other teams winning and losing. We need to go out every night and win these next seven to put ourselves in a position to get in."
SURGING
Mirotic became the first Bulls player to hit six or more 3-pointers in back-to-back games. He is averaging 24.8 points over his past four games and has 20 3s in that span.
TIP-INS
Cavaliers: G Iman Shumpert had four points and an assist in 22 minutes after missing two games because of a sore right knee. ... F Kyle Korver missed his second consecutive game because of a sore left foot. He has not been practicing and is expected to sit out Friday's game against Philadelphia before being re-evaluated. ... F Richard Jefferson sat out because of tendinitis in his left knee.
Bulls: F Cristiano Felicio was available but did not play after missing the previous three games because of a bruised lower back.
UP NEXT
Cavaliers: Host Philadelphia on Friday to start a three-game homestand.
Bulls: Host Atlanta on Saturday.
Morris' double-double, Smith's 3 lift Pistons over Nets
By CHRIS NELSEN
Associated Press
AUBURN HILLS, Mich. (AP) The Detroit Pistons made a crucial stand to keep their dwindling playoff hopes alive.
Marcus Morris had 28 points and 13 rebounds, and Ish Smith hit the go-ahead 3-pointer late in the fourth quarter, helping the Pistons beat the Brooklyn Nets 90-89 on Thursday night.
Smith, who finished with 21 points, six rebounds and five assists, gave the Pistons an 87-86 lead with 28.5 seconds left. Brook Lopez missed a 3-pointer on the Nets' ensuing possession, and Detroit sealed it at the free-throw line.
"You know how difficult it is to win in this league, so whenever you can get a win, and we've been struggling, it was good," said Smith, who helped the Pistons snap their five-game losing streak.
Detroit, the No. 10 seed in the Eastern Conference, continues to battle for a postseason berth.
"You can't get too high, can't get too low," Smith said. "Any day we can get a win at this point is good. Make one more little push. We're excited about the challenge."
The Nets opened a four-point edge at 86-82 on Lopez's 3-pointer with 1:40 left. Smith then hit a jumper and 3-pointer to give the Pistons a one-point advantage.
"The shots were there, so I stepped up and took it," Smith said. "It's a miss-and-make league. You make it, then you're happy. You miss it, then we're talking about a different result."
Detroit hit three free throws down the stretch to build the lead to 90-86, and Justin Hamilton drained a 3 at the buzzer for the final margin.
Sean Kilpatrick scored 15 and Rondae Hollis-Jefferson and Jeremy Lin each had 14 points for the Nets. Lopez added 11 points and nine rebounds.
"They made some big shots and we didn't," Nets coach Kenny Atkinson said. "Our execution was average at best. Tough loss, but credit to them."
The third quarter went back and forth, with neither team leading by more than six. Detroit took a 55-53 advantage on Kentavious Caldwell-Pope's 3-pointer with 5:30 left, but the Nets rallied for a 63-59 lead entering the final period.
"Overall, we did a really good job defensively," Pistons coach Stan Van Gundy said. "I'm happy for our guys and happy to get the win."
TIP-INS
Nets: F Quincy Acy (left ankle) and G Joe Harris (left shoulder) did not play. ... Brooklyn beat the Pistons 98-96 on Lopez's buzzer-beater on March 21, starting a five-game losing skid for the Pistons.
Pistons: PG Reggie Jackson (rest) was inactive for the third consecutive game. Jackson, who missed the opening 21 games with left knee tendinitis, has been unable to regain his form from last season. Van Gundy said Jackson remains day-to-day and hasn't been ruled out for the team's final six regular-season games. ... G Reggie Bullock (right foot sprain) did not play. ... The Pistons' schedule doesn't get easier down the stretch, with road games at Milwaukee, Houston and Memphis. They host Toronto and Washington.
ROAD WOES
The Nets have lost four consecutive games at the Palace. They won the season series against the Pistons 2-1, winning both games in Brooklyn.
"We've gotten a little complacent," Lopez said. "We need to put our right foot forward and show our true selves."
UP NEXT
Nets: Host Orlando on Saturday.
Pistons: At Milwaukee on Friday.
Associated Press
AUBURN HILLS, Mich. (AP) The Detroit Pistons made a crucial stand to keep their dwindling playoff hopes alive.
Marcus Morris had 28 points and 13 rebounds, and Ish Smith hit the go-ahead 3-pointer late in the fourth quarter, helping the Pistons beat the Brooklyn Nets 90-89 on Thursday night.
Smith, who finished with 21 points, six rebounds and five assists, gave the Pistons an 87-86 lead with 28.5 seconds left. Brook Lopez missed a 3-pointer on the Nets' ensuing possession, and Detroit sealed it at the free-throw line.
"You know how difficult it is to win in this league, so whenever you can get a win, and we've been struggling, it was good," said Smith, who helped the Pistons snap their five-game losing streak.
Detroit, the No. 10 seed in the Eastern Conference, continues to battle for a postseason berth.
"You can't get too high, can't get too low," Smith said. "Any day we can get a win at this point is good. Make one more little push. We're excited about the challenge."
The Nets opened a four-point edge at 86-82 on Lopez's 3-pointer with 1:40 left. Smith then hit a jumper and 3-pointer to give the Pistons a one-point advantage.
"The shots were there, so I stepped up and took it," Smith said. "It's a miss-and-make league. You make it, then you're happy. You miss it, then we're talking about a different result."
Detroit hit three free throws down the stretch to build the lead to 90-86, and Justin Hamilton drained a 3 at the buzzer for the final margin.
Sean Kilpatrick scored 15 and Rondae Hollis-Jefferson and Jeremy Lin each had 14 points for the Nets. Lopez added 11 points and nine rebounds.
"They made some big shots and we didn't," Nets coach Kenny Atkinson said. "Our execution was average at best. Tough loss, but credit to them."
The third quarter went back and forth, with neither team leading by more than six. Detroit took a 55-53 advantage on Kentavious Caldwell-Pope's 3-pointer with 5:30 left, but the Nets rallied for a 63-59 lead entering the final period.
"Overall, we did a really good job defensively," Pistons coach Stan Van Gundy said. "I'm happy for our guys and happy to get the win."
TIP-INS
Nets: F Quincy Acy (left ankle) and G Joe Harris (left shoulder) did not play. ... Brooklyn beat the Pistons 98-96 on Lopez's buzzer-beater on March 21, starting a five-game losing skid for the Pistons.
Pistons: PG Reggie Jackson (rest) was inactive for the third consecutive game. Jackson, who missed the opening 21 games with left knee tendinitis, has been unable to regain his form from last season. Van Gundy said Jackson remains day-to-day and hasn't been ruled out for the team's final six regular-season games. ... G Reggie Bullock (right foot sprain) did not play. ... The Pistons' schedule doesn't get easier down the stretch, with road games at Milwaukee, Houston and Memphis. They host Toronto and Washington.
ROAD WOES
The Nets have lost four consecutive games at the Palace. They won the season series against the Pistons 2-1, winning both games in Brooklyn.
"We've gotten a little complacent," Lopez said. "We need to put our right foot forward and show our true selves."
UP NEXT
Nets: Host Orlando on Saturday.
Pistons: At Milwaukee on Friday.
James passes Shaq for 7th on NBA’s career scoring list
CHICAGO (AP) Cleveland Cavaliers superstar LeBron James has passed Shaquille O’Neal for seventh place on the NBA’s career scoring list.
James came into Thursday’s game against the Chicago Bulls with 28,573 points in 14 seasons with Cleveland and Miami.
He needed 23 points to tie O’Neal and did that when he scored on a layup with 7:23 left in the game. James took sole possession of seventh place when he hit the first free throw after getting fouled on a 3-point attempt with 4:28 left.
Dallas’ Dirk Nowitzki is sixth with 30,181 points.
James came into Thursday’s game against the Chicago Bulls with 28,573 points in 14 seasons with Cleveland and Miami.
He needed 23 points to tie O’Neal and did that when he scored on a layup with 7:23 left in the game. James took sole possession of seventh place when he hit the first free throw after getting fouled on a 3-point attempt with 4:28 left.
Dallas’ Dirk Nowitzki is sixth with 30,181 points.
NBA Capsules (March 31, 2017)
CHICAGO (AP) Nikola Mirotic tied season highs with 28 points and six 3-pointers, Jimmy Butler scored 25, and the Chicago Bulls beat the Cleveland Cavaliers 99-93 on a night when LeBron James moved into seventh place on the NBA’s career scoring list.
James moved past Shaquille O’Neal, finishing with 26 points and giving him 28,599 for his career – three more than O’Neal. But the big night by the four-time MVP couldn’t prevent the Cavaliers from matching a season high with their third straight loss.
That dropped them a half-game behind Boston for the Eastern Conference lead and left them with a 6-10 record in March.
For Mirotic, it was his second straight game with 28 points and six 3s. He also had 10 rebounds, finishing a strong March. Rajon Rondo added 15 assists, Robin Lopez had 10 points and 11 rebounds, and the ninth-place Bulls moved within a game of Miami and Indiana in the Eastern Conference standings.
They also finished 4-0 against Cleveland to complete their first sweep of the Cavaliers since they took all three games during the 2011-12 season.
Kyrie Irving scored 20 for the Cavaliers, while Tristan Thompson added 15 points and nine rebounds.
TIMBERWOLVES 119, LAKERS 104
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) – Ricky Rubio had a career-high 33 points, 10 assists and five rebounds and Karl-Anthony Towns scored 32 points to lead the Minnesota Timberwolves past the Los Angeles Lakers.
Rubio shot 4 of 5 on 3-pointers and Andrew Wiggins scored 27 points for the Timberwolves (30-44), who have now won more games than they did last season. Minnesota had 30 assists and only 11 turnovers.
Jordan Clarkson scored 18 points and D’Angelo Russell had 14 points and seven assists for the Lakers (21-54), who have lost 17 of their last 19 games. Brandon Ingram missed his third straight game with patellar tendinitis in his right knee.
CLIPPERS 124, SUNS 118
PHOENIX (AP) – Blake Griffin scored 31 points, Chris Paul added 29 points and 10 assists and the Los Angeles Clippers held on to hand the Phoenix Suns their 10th loss in a row.
Devin Booker returned to the Suns’ lineup and scored 33 while playing in front of his former college coach, Kentucky’s John Calipari, and matched his season high with nine assists, but fouled out with 4:45 to play.
The Clippers (46-31), coming off a home win over Washington on Wednesday night, pulled within a game of Utah (46-29) for the No. 4 playoff spot in the Western Conference.
Booker, three games removed from his 70-point outburst in Boston, missed Tuesday’s game in Atlanta with a sore right ankle.
Rookie Tyler Ulis, who also played for Calipari, had 16 points and matched his career best with 12 assists. Marquese Chriss scored 20 for the Suns and Jamal Crawford had 19 for the Clippers.
PISTONS 90, NETS 89
AUBURN HILLS, Mich. (AP) – Marcus Morris had 28 points and 13 rebounds, and Ish Smith hit the go-ahead 3-pointer late in the fourth quarter, helping the Detroit Pistons beat the Brooklyn Nets.
Smith, who finished with 21 points, six rebounds and five assists, gave the Pistons an 87-86 lead with 30 seconds left. Brook Lopez missed a 3-pointer on the Nets’ ensuing possession, and Detroit sealed it at the free-throw line.
Sean Kilpatrick scored 15 and Rondae Hollis-Jefferson and Jeremy Lin each had 14 points for the Nets. Lopez added 11 points and nine rebounds.
Detroit, the No. 10 seed in the Eastern Conference, kept its dwindling playoff hopes alive.
TRAIL BLAZERS 117, ROCKETS 107
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) – Damian Lillard had 31 points and 11 assists, leading the Portland Trail Blazers past the Houston Rockets.
Jusuf Nurkic had a team-high 11 rebounds to go along with 19 points for the Trail Blazers, who have a season-high five-game winning streak and a 1 +-game lead over the Denver Nuggets for the eighth seed in the Western Conference.
James Harden finished with 30 points and eight rebounds to lead the Rockets. Harden’s 3-pointer at the end of the first quarter gave the Rockets 1,078 3s, an NBA single-season record.
Portland held a 96-85 lead into the fourth, but Houston made a run early in the quarter. Trevor Ariza’s dunk tied the game at 105 with 2:29 left, but Nurkic’s post-up gave Portland the lead right back with 2:05 remaining.
Allen Crabbe sealed the win with steal on Harden, taking it coast-to-coast to give the Blazers a 113-105 lead with 1:12 left.
James moved past Shaquille O’Neal, finishing with 26 points and giving him 28,599 for his career – three more than O’Neal. But the big night by the four-time MVP couldn’t prevent the Cavaliers from matching a season high with their third straight loss.
That dropped them a half-game behind Boston for the Eastern Conference lead and left them with a 6-10 record in March.
For Mirotic, it was his second straight game with 28 points and six 3s. He also had 10 rebounds, finishing a strong March. Rajon Rondo added 15 assists, Robin Lopez had 10 points and 11 rebounds, and the ninth-place Bulls moved within a game of Miami and Indiana in the Eastern Conference standings.
They also finished 4-0 against Cleveland to complete their first sweep of the Cavaliers since they took all three games during the 2011-12 season.
Kyrie Irving scored 20 for the Cavaliers, while Tristan Thompson added 15 points and nine rebounds.
TIMBERWOLVES 119, LAKERS 104
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) – Ricky Rubio had a career-high 33 points, 10 assists and five rebounds and Karl-Anthony Towns scored 32 points to lead the Minnesota Timberwolves past the Los Angeles Lakers.
Rubio shot 4 of 5 on 3-pointers and Andrew Wiggins scored 27 points for the Timberwolves (30-44), who have now won more games than they did last season. Minnesota had 30 assists and only 11 turnovers.
Jordan Clarkson scored 18 points and D’Angelo Russell had 14 points and seven assists for the Lakers (21-54), who have lost 17 of their last 19 games. Brandon Ingram missed his third straight game with patellar tendinitis in his right knee.
CLIPPERS 124, SUNS 118
PHOENIX (AP) – Blake Griffin scored 31 points, Chris Paul added 29 points and 10 assists and the Los Angeles Clippers held on to hand the Phoenix Suns their 10th loss in a row.
Devin Booker returned to the Suns’ lineup and scored 33 while playing in front of his former college coach, Kentucky’s John Calipari, and matched his season high with nine assists, but fouled out with 4:45 to play.
The Clippers (46-31), coming off a home win over Washington on Wednesday night, pulled within a game of Utah (46-29) for the No. 4 playoff spot in the Western Conference.
Booker, three games removed from his 70-point outburst in Boston, missed Tuesday’s game in Atlanta with a sore right ankle.
Rookie Tyler Ulis, who also played for Calipari, had 16 points and matched his career best with 12 assists. Marquese Chriss scored 20 for the Suns and Jamal Crawford had 19 for the Clippers.
PISTONS 90, NETS 89
AUBURN HILLS, Mich. (AP) – Marcus Morris had 28 points and 13 rebounds, and Ish Smith hit the go-ahead 3-pointer late in the fourth quarter, helping the Detroit Pistons beat the Brooklyn Nets.
Smith, who finished with 21 points, six rebounds and five assists, gave the Pistons an 87-86 lead with 30 seconds left. Brook Lopez missed a 3-pointer on the Nets’ ensuing possession, and Detroit sealed it at the free-throw line.
Sean Kilpatrick scored 15 and Rondae Hollis-Jefferson and Jeremy Lin each had 14 points for the Nets. Lopez added 11 points and nine rebounds.
Detroit, the No. 10 seed in the Eastern Conference, kept its dwindling playoff hopes alive.
TRAIL BLAZERS 117, ROCKETS 107
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) – Damian Lillard had 31 points and 11 assists, leading the Portland Trail Blazers past the Houston Rockets.
Jusuf Nurkic had a team-high 11 rebounds to go along with 19 points for the Trail Blazers, who have a season-high five-game winning streak and a 1 +-game lead over the Denver Nuggets for the eighth seed in the Western Conference.
James Harden finished with 30 points and eight rebounds to lead the Rockets. Harden’s 3-pointer at the end of the first quarter gave the Rockets 1,078 3s, an NBA single-season record.
Portland held a 96-85 lead into the fourth, but Houston made a run early in the quarter. Trevor Ariza’s dunk tied the game at 105 with 2:29 left, but Nurkic’s post-up gave Portland the lead right back with 2:05 remaining.
Allen Crabbe sealed the win with steal on Harden, taking it coast-to-coast to give the Blazers a 113-105 lead with 1:12 left.
Thursday, March 30, 2017
Lillard, Trail Blazers look to drive past Rockets
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PORTLAND, Ore. -- The Portland Trail Blazers have put themselves in the driver's seat in the race for the eighth and final playoff spot in the Western Conference.
Now the Trail Blazers have to stay on course.
Portland (36-38) edged ahead of Denver (35-39) with a 122-113 victory over the Nuggets on Tuesday night at Moda Center. The Trail Blazers won the season series 3-1, which is the tiebreaker should the teams finish with the same record.
Portland has six of its final eight games at home, beginning Thursday night against the Houston Rockets. The Nuggets will play six of their last eight games on the road.
"You're in the driver's seat when you control your own destiny," Portland's Damian Lillard said. "We got in the driver's seat after the Lakers' game (a 97-81 win Sunday), but we didn't have the keys to the car.
"(Tuesday) was a battle for the keys to the car. We got the keys; now we have to control where it's going. We know what the destination is, but we have to make sure to stay locked in to get it to where we need to go."
Portland has won 12 of its last 15 games. Guard C.J. McCollum scored 39 points against Denver, but the spotlight was on center Jusuf Nurkic, who recorded a career-high 33 points, 16 rebounds and three blocked shots against the team that traded him in February.
"I knew he'd be ready to play," McCollum said. "He's had this game circled since he got here. We have a slogan for the big Nurk: 'From the bench to the playoffs.' We knew he'd be aggressive, he'd be efficient. He did what we expected."
It's not clear what kind of lineup Houston (51-23) will field when it visits Moda Center. Guard James Harden is struggling with a sore left wrist, and coach Mike D'Antoni may choose to rest him Thursday night. Forward Ryan Anderson is already out for most of the rest of the regular season with a sprained ankle.
Harden made only 5 of 20 shots in a 113-106 loss to Golden State on Tuesday night, but he finished with 24 points, 13 assists and 11 rebounds for his 20th triple-double of the season. It's the first time in NBA history that two players (Harden and Oklahoma City's Russell Westbrook) have had at least 20 triple-doubles in the same season.
If it's up to Harden, he'll play against the Trail Blazers. Harden said he is determined to play in every game this season.
"I think it matters, because you aren't leaving your teammates out to dry," he told the Houston Chronicle. "I worry about always having my teammates' back. No matter what, I am always going to be out there unless I'm injured. For the coaching staff, the fans, the front office, I am here to play.
"It's my job to make my teammates better. As long as I can do that at a high level, everybody eats."
PORTLAND, Ore. -- The Portland Trail Blazers have put themselves in the driver's seat in the race for the eighth and final playoff spot in the Western Conference.
Now the Trail Blazers have to stay on course.
Portland (36-38) edged ahead of Denver (35-39) with a 122-113 victory over the Nuggets on Tuesday night at Moda Center. The Trail Blazers won the season series 3-1, which is the tiebreaker should the teams finish with the same record.
Portland has six of its final eight games at home, beginning Thursday night against the Houston Rockets. The Nuggets will play six of their last eight games on the road.
"You're in the driver's seat when you control your own destiny," Portland's Damian Lillard said. "We got in the driver's seat after the Lakers' game (a 97-81 win Sunday), but we didn't have the keys to the car.
"(Tuesday) was a battle for the keys to the car. We got the keys; now we have to control where it's going. We know what the destination is, but we have to make sure to stay locked in to get it to where we need to go."
Portland has won 12 of its last 15 games. Guard C.J. McCollum scored 39 points against Denver, but the spotlight was on center Jusuf Nurkic, who recorded a career-high 33 points, 16 rebounds and three blocked shots against the team that traded him in February.
"I knew he'd be ready to play," McCollum said. "He's had this game circled since he got here. We have a slogan for the big Nurk: 'From the bench to the playoffs.' We knew he'd be aggressive, he'd be efficient. He did what we expected."
It's not clear what kind of lineup Houston (51-23) will field when it visits Moda Center. Guard James Harden is struggling with a sore left wrist, and coach Mike D'Antoni may choose to rest him Thursday night. Forward Ryan Anderson is already out for most of the rest of the regular season with a sprained ankle.
Harden made only 5 of 20 shots in a 113-106 loss to Golden State on Tuesday night, but he finished with 24 points, 13 assists and 11 rebounds for his 20th triple-double of the season. It's the first time in NBA history that two players (Harden and Oklahoma City's Russell Westbrook) have had at least 20 triple-doubles in the same season.
If it's up to Harden, he'll play against the Trail Blazers. Harden said he is determined to play in every game this season.
"I think it matters, because you aren't leaving your teammates out to dry," he told the Houston Chronicle. "I worry about always having my teammates' back. No matter what, I am always going to be out there unless I'm injured. For the coaching staff, the fans, the front office, I am here to play.
"It's my job to make my teammates better. As long as I can do that at a high level, everybody eats."
Slumping Suns return home to face Clippers
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For the first time since his record-breaking scoring performance, Devin Booker will get an opportunity to be greeted by his home fans Thursday night when the Phoenix Suns host the Los Angeles Clippers.
Booker became the youngest NBA player to score 60 points, and the youngest in Suns history to reach 40, when he poured in 70 points last Friday at Boston.
The 20-year-old became just the sixth player in NBA history to score 70. He joined Wilt Chamberlain, Kobe Bryant, David Thompson, David Robinson and Elgin Baylor in that distinction.
Unfortunately for the Suns, the explosion came in a loss -- one of six straight the club endured on its just completed Eastern swing.
Overall, the Suns (22-53) take a nine-game losing streak into Thursday's game.
"Honestly, it's just time for us to get home," Suns coach Earl Watson said Tuesday after a loss at Atlanta. "With our roster situation, we need to be at home, have our fans give us that extra energy, and it can help carry us and give us better endings in games."
Since the Suns last saw the Clippers, Phoenix shut down Eric Bledsoe and Tyson Chandler for the season, creating the so-called "roster situation."
The Suns might need more than just Watson's hoped-for better ending against the Clippers, who have won the first three meetings this season by an average of 13 points. Los Angeles has beaten Phoenix in 12 of the past 14 head-to-heads.
The game is also more important to the Clippers (45-31), who find themselves in a tight three-team battle for the fourth, fifth and sixth playoff spots in the West.
Utah (46-29) currently resides in fourth, the only spot among the three that will have home-court advantage in the first round of the playoffs. Utah leads Los Angeles by 1 1/2 games and Oklahoma City (43-31) by 2 1/2.
They didn't set any records, but the Clippers put up a bunch of impressive numbers Wednesday in a 133-124 home win over Washington.
J.J. Redick led the way with a season-best 31 points, while Chris Paul (27 points, 13 assists), Blake Griffin (26 points, 10 rebounds) and DeAndre Jordan (23 points, 18 rebounds) all recorded double-doubles.
Paul, who had in-season thumb surgery, has missed two of the first three meetings with the Suns this year. Griffin, who was sidelined due to knee surgery, had to sit out one.
All the key players are healthy now, with the possible exception of key reserve Austin Rivers, who had to leave the Wednesday win in the second quarter with a hamstring injury. He is unlikely to play against the Suns.
Despite having high-powered potential, the Clippers have alternated wins and losses in their past five games, with three wins interspersed by losses to lightweights Dallas and Sacramento.
"I'm not worried about us when we play in the playoffs being ready and playing hard," Clippers coach Doc Rivers said before Wednesday's game. "But I still am concerned about consistency. Can you fix it? I don't know. We'll see."
The Clippers will be playing the second night of a back-to-back for the 13th time Thursday night. They went just 3-9 in their first dozen second-night affairs.
For the first time since his record-breaking scoring performance, Devin Booker will get an opportunity to be greeted by his home fans Thursday night when the Phoenix Suns host the Los Angeles Clippers.
Booker became the youngest NBA player to score 60 points, and the youngest in Suns history to reach 40, when he poured in 70 points last Friday at Boston.
The 20-year-old became just the sixth player in NBA history to score 70. He joined Wilt Chamberlain, Kobe Bryant, David Thompson, David Robinson and Elgin Baylor in that distinction.
Unfortunately for the Suns, the explosion came in a loss -- one of six straight the club endured on its just completed Eastern swing.
Overall, the Suns (22-53) take a nine-game losing streak into Thursday's game.
"Honestly, it's just time for us to get home," Suns coach Earl Watson said Tuesday after a loss at Atlanta. "With our roster situation, we need to be at home, have our fans give us that extra energy, and it can help carry us and give us better endings in games."
Since the Suns last saw the Clippers, Phoenix shut down Eric Bledsoe and Tyson Chandler for the season, creating the so-called "roster situation."
The Suns might need more than just Watson's hoped-for better ending against the Clippers, who have won the first three meetings this season by an average of 13 points. Los Angeles has beaten Phoenix in 12 of the past 14 head-to-heads.
The game is also more important to the Clippers (45-31), who find themselves in a tight three-team battle for the fourth, fifth and sixth playoff spots in the West.
Utah (46-29) currently resides in fourth, the only spot among the three that will have home-court advantage in the first round of the playoffs. Utah leads Los Angeles by 1 1/2 games and Oklahoma City (43-31) by 2 1/2.
They didn't set any records, but the Clippers put up a bunch of impressive numbers Wednesday in a 133-124 home win over Washington.
J.J. Redick led the way with a season-best 31 points, while Chris Paul (27 points, 13 assists), Blake Griffin (26 points, 10 rebounds) and DeAndre Jordan (23 points, 18 rebounds) all recorded double-doubles.
Paul, who had in-season thumb surgery, has missed two of the first three meetings with the Suns this year. Griffin, who was sidelined due to knee surgery, had to sit out one.
All the key players are healthy now, with the possible exception of key reserve Austin Rivers, who had to leave the Wednesday win in the second quarter with a hamstring injury. He is unlikely to play against the Suns.
Despite having high-powered potential, the Clippers have alternated wins and losses in their past five games, with three wins interspersed by losses to lightweights Dallas and Sacramento.
"I'm not worried about us when we play in the playoffs being ready and playing hard," Clippers coach Doc Rivers said before Wednesday's game. "But I still am concerned about consistency. Can you fix it? I don't know. We'll see."
The Clippers will be playing the second night of a back-to-back for the 13th time Thursday night. They went just 3-9 in their first dozen second-night affairs.
Modest goals remain when Timberwolves host Lakers
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MINNEAPOLIS -- The flickering hopes of challenging for a playoff spot were doused by a grueling stretch of road games for the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Minnesota begins a three-game homestand against the Los Angeles Lakers on Thursday with only the possibility of improvement on last season remaining. Los Angeles is heading toward another high pick in the NBA Draft with the league's second-worst record.
Two of the NBA's youngest teams are all too familiar with their current position: playing out the string in the season's final weeks.
The Timberwolves finished a stretch of seven of nine games on the road with a come-from-behind, 115-114 victory at Indiana on Tuesday.
"We did a great job of staying together, regardless of what was happening in the game," Minnesota center Karl-Anthony Towns told the team's website. "We felt that we had a chance the whole time. ... We did a great job at the end of executing."
Positivity has been fleeting recently for the Timberwolves.
They had won three home games in a row, all against playoff teams, the Los Angeles Clippers, Golden State Warriors and Washington Wizards. But Minnesota lost six straight games before Tuesday's win. Six of the seven games were on the road.
Still, the Timberwolves matched last season's win total at 29-44 by beating the Pacers. Point guard Ricky Rubio hit three free throws with 3.4 seconds left to take the lead, and Indiana missed a 3-point attempt at the buzzer.
"That moment is the reason you work in the arena by yourself shooting hundreds of free throws," said Rubio, who had 21 points, 10 assists and was a career-best 13 of 13 from the foul line. "You want to have moments like that, to feel that pressure. It's hard to do it at the end of the game."
Following the three-game homestand, Minnesota finishes the season with five of six games on the road.
Los Angeles' season also has collapsed at the end, though the Lakers were never in position to challenge for the playoffs after November. Like the Timberwolves, Los Angeles (21-53) is trying to find optimism.
For three quarters, the Lakers were handling Washington on Tuesday. Then John Wall and the Wizards took over in the fourth quarter to win in Los Angeles.
"We were playing unselfish," Lakers coach Luke Walton said. "It was beautiful and a lot of fun to watch. Then, unfortunately, the fourth quarter started with us missing some open looks that we had been hitting. Then we had a couple turnovers. (Washington) picked the pressure up ... and they cut into that lead without really even having to get hot."
D'Angelo Russell scored 20 of his 28 points in the first half, and Jordan Clarkson finished with 22 points. Tyler Ennis, one of the young players getting a late-season opportunity, had 11 points.
Rookie forward Brandon Ingram, taken three spots ahead of Minnesota rookie point guard Kris Dunn in last summer's draft, missed the Tuesday game due to right patellar tendinitis, and he is questionable for the Thursday game.
MINNEAPOLIS -- The flickering hopes of challenging for a playoff spot were doused by a grueling stretch of road games for the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Minnesota begins a three-game homestand against the Los Angeles Lakers on Thursday with only the possibility of improvement on last season remaining. Los Angeles is heading toward another high pick in the NBA Draft with the league's second-worst record.
Two of the NBA's youngest teams are all too familiar with their current position: playing out the string in the season's final weeks.
The Timberwolves finished a stretch of seven of nine games on the road with a come-from-behind, 115-114 victory at Indiana on Tuesday.
"We did a great job of staying together, regardless of what was happening in the game," Minnesota center Karl-Anthony Towns told the team's website. "We felt that we had a chance the whole time. ... We did a great job at the end of executing."
Positivity has been fleeting recently for the Timberwolves.
They had won three home games in a row, all against playoff teams, the Los Angeles Clippers, Golden State Warriors and Washington Wizards. But Minnesota lost six straight games before Tuesday's win. Six of the seven games were on the road.
Still, the Timberwolves matched last season's win total at 29-44 by beating the Pacers. Point guard Ricky Rubio hit three free throws with 3.4 seconds left to take the lead, and Indiana missed a 3-point attempt at the buzzer.
"That moment is the reason you work in the arena by yourself shooting hundreds of free throws," said Rubio, who had 21 points, 10 assists and was a career-best 13 of 13 from the foul line. "You want to have moments like that, to feel that pressure. It's hard to do it at the end of the game."
Following the three-game homestand, Minnesota finishes the season with five of six games on the road.
Los Angeles' season also has collapsed at the end, though the Lakers were never in position to challenge for the playoffs after November. Like the Timberwolves, Los Angeles (21-53) is trying to find optimism.
For three quarters, the Lakers were handling Washington on Tuesday. Then John Wall and the Wizards took over in the fourth quarter to win in Los Angeles.
"We were playing unselfish," Lakers coach Luke Walton said. "It was beautiful and a lot of fun to watch. Then, unfortunately, the fourth quarter started with us missing some open looks that we had been hitting. Then we had a couple turnovers. (Washington) picked the pressure up ... and they cut into that lead without really even having to get hot."
D'Angelo Russell scored 20 of his 28 points in the first half, and Jordan Clarkson finished with 22 points. Tyler Ennis, one of the young players getting a late-season opportunity, had 11 points.
Rookie forward Brandon Ingram, taken three spots ahead of Minnesota rookie point guard Kris Dunn in last summer's draft, missed the Tuesday game due to right patellar tendinitis, and he is questionable for the Thursday game.
Cavaliers-Bulls Preview
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CHICAGO -- As the Cleveland Cavaliers prepare to begin their postseason defense of last season's NBA championship, keeping players fresh will be a top priority for Tyronn Lue.
The Cavaliers enter Thursday night's game against the Chicago Bulls having lost four of their last six games, and they are 6-9 this month. But, as Cleveland approaches the end of the season, Lue has made it clear the big picture -- not the short term -- will be the focus.
After Cleveland's 103-74 loss to San Antonio on Monday night, Lue told reporters he was considering resting key players for large chunks of time over Cleveland's final nine games.
But that will apparently start after Thursday's test against the Bulls, who are a win away from sweeping the season series. According to Cleveland.com, Lue plans to play his full contingent of stars against the Bulls. The lone exception is Kyle Korver, who will miss Thursday's game in Chicago and Sunday's game against the 76ers because of an injury to his left foot.
Guard Iman Shumpert is expected to return Thursday after missing the previous two games with right knee soreness. Forward Richard Jefferson did not practice Wednesday with knee tendinitis, Cleveland.com reported.
While LeBron James, who left Monday's game with back stiffness, and Cleveland's other mainstays are expected to be on the floor against the Bulls, Lue said that may not be the case in the days following.
"I'm going to do what's best for the team and each individual," Lue told reporters on Wednesday, according to Cleveland.com. "We've got a lot of games coming up and we've got to get some kind of rhythm established going into the playoffs.
"It's going to be a game-to-game basis, just seeing how guys feel. If they need (rest), if it's the best thing for us, then we have to do it."
While the Cavaliers are preparing for another long playoff run, the Bulls are hoping to just be in the conversation.
The Bulls (35-39) have struggled over their last 10 games and continue to not play well against other underperforming teams. While Chicago has been perfect against Cleveland this season, the Bulls must find a way to match those kind of efforts the rest of the way if they hope to avoid missing the playoffs for a second straight season. They sit 1 1/2 games out of a playoff spot after the Miami Heat defeated the New York Knicks and the Indiana Pacers fell to the Memphis Grizzlies on Wednesday.
While Bulls coach Fred Hoiberg admits to doing a certain amount of scoreboard watching in a crowded Eastern Conference playoff picture, he said his team must ultimately take care of its business.
"You do keep an eye on what other teams are doing," Hoiberg said, according to CSN Chicago. "But, at the same time, we talk every day how it's up to us. We've got to go out and play with purpose, play with energy every time we step on the floor and give ourselves a chance to win. Hopefully, if we do those things, we'll be there at the end."
Veteran guard Rajon Rondo, who has taken on a bigger role since Dwyane Wade left the lineup with an elbow injury, has made it clear that the Bulls can't afford to waste time.
"I just try to look at what we're doing and control what we can control," Rondo said, according to CSN Chicago. "We're not playing against the other teams we're racing (to get into the playoffs), so we've got eight (games) left and we want to take advantage of all eight."
CHICAGO -- As the Cleveland Cavaliers prepare to begin their postseason defense of last season's NBA championship, keeping players fresh will be a top priority for Tyronn Lue.
The Cavaliers enter Thursday night's game against the Chicago Bulls having lost four of their last six games, and they are 6-9 this month. But, as Cleveland approaches the end of the season, Lue has made it clear the big picture -- not the short term -- will be the focus.
After Cleveland's 103-74 loss to San Antonio on Monday night, Lue told reporters he was considering resting key players for large chunks of time over Cleveland's final nine games.
But that will apparently start after Thursday's test against the Bulls, who are a win away from sweeping the season series. According to Cleveland.com, Lue plans to play his full contingent of stars against the Bulls. The lone exception is Kyle Korver, who will miss Thursday's game in Chicago and Sunday's game against the 76ers because of an injury to his left foot.
Guard Iman Shumpert is expected to return Thursday after missing the previous two games with right knee soreness. Forward Richard Jefferson did not practice Wednesday with knee tendinitis, Cleveland.com reported.
While LeBron James, who left Monday's game with back stiffness, and Cleveland's other mainstays are expected to be on the floor against the Bulls, Lue said that may not be the case in the days following.
"I'm going to do what's best for the team and each individual," Lue told reporters on Wednesday, according to Cleveland.com. "We've got a lot of games coming up and we've got to get some kind of rhythm established going into the playoffs.
"It's going to be a game-to-game basis, just seeing how guys feel. If they need (rest), if it's the best thing for us, then we have to do it."
While the Cavaliers are preparing for another long playoff run, the Bulls are hoping to just be in the conversation.
The Bulls (35-39) have struggled over their last 10 games and continue to not play well against other underperforming teams. While Chicago has been perfect against Cleveland this season, the Bulls must find a way to match those kind of efforts the rest of the way if they hope to avoid missing the playoffs for a second straight season. They sit 1 1/2 games out of a playoff spot after the Miami Heat defeated the New York Knicks and the Indiana Pacers fell to the Memphis Grizzlies on Wednesday.
While Bulls coach Fred Hoiberg admits to doing a certain amount of scoreboard watching in a crowded Eastern Conference playoff picture, he said his team must ultimately take care of its business.
"You do keep an eye on what other teams are doing," Hoiberg said, according to CSN Chicago. "But, at the same time, we talk every day how it's up to us. We've got to go out and play with purpose, play with energy every time we step on the floor and give ourselves a chance to win. Hopefully, if we do those things, we'll be there at the end."
Veteran guard Rajon Rondo, who has taken on a bigger role since Dwyane Wade left the lineup with an elbow injury, has made it clear that the Bulls can't afford to waste time.
"I just try to look at what we're doing and control what we can control," Rondo said, according to CSN Chicago. "We're not playing against the other teams we're racing (to get into the playoffs), so we've got eight (games) left and we want to take advantage of all eight."
Late slide dims Pistons' playoff hopes
Stats, LLC
A buzzer-beating shot by the Brooklyn Nets' Brook Lopez sent the Detroit Pistons into a tailspin.
Another last-second basket on Tuesday -- a tip-in by Miami's Hassan Whiteside -- virtually knocked them out of playoff contention.
The Pistons will try to snap their five-game losing streak when they host the Nets on Thursday night. They will also try to salvage the finale of the three-game series after losing at Barclays Center twice.
Detroit seemed to be in good position for a playoff berth before Lopez made his baseline shot on March 21. The Pistons proceeded to go 0-4 on a road trip filled exclusively with Eastern Conference opponents sporting losing records. They returned home to play Miami in a game with major playoff implications and gave away a four-point lead in the final 30.1 seconds.
Instead of moving within a half-game of the Heat for the eighth-best conference record and final playoff berth, the Pistons (34-41) dropped 2 1/2 games back with seven remaining. The Pistons now trail seventh-place Miami and eighth-place Indiana by three games.
"We still didn't shoot the ball very well, but we didn't let it bother us. We stayed in there and fought really, really hard," coach Stan Van Gundy said. "It's a game we should have won. A couple of different decisions by me and we would have won the game."
Van Gundy was especially mad at himself for leaving in swingman Stanley Johnson during Detroit's final possession instead of bringing in veteran point guard Beno Udrih. Johnson got tied up on a double-team and lost a jump ball to Miami's James Johnson, allowing the Heat to take possession down by one.
The Pistons played their second straight game without starting point guard Reggie Jackson, who has been slowed by knee and fatigue issues. He'll likely sit out again on Thursday.
Van Gundy tweaked his lineup for the Heat game, moving forward Tobias Harris back to the sixth-man role he often has played during the second half of the season. Harris scored 19 points in 30 minutes.
"We were getting off to better starts and then our bench just had nothing," Van Gundy said. "Just trying to get a little bit of balance. For the most part, it was pretty effective bringing him in off the bench. I thought our rotations were better. That's probably the only decent move I made all night."
The Nets (16-58) have gone 2-2 since beating the Pistons. They lost at home to Philadelphia 106-101 on Tuesday, shooting 40.4 percent overall and 28.1 percent on 3-point attempts.
"You never know what it is. Is it focus? Is it fatigue, fighting through a little fatigue? But whatever it is, we did not have it," Nets coach Kenny Atkinson said. "We did not have the juice from the beginning. It was an uphill battle all game, and we obviously didn't shoot the ball well."
Lopez had another strong game, with 26 points, nine rebounds and six assists, but no other Net had more than 11 points.
"I just felt like we relaxed a little bit after we won three of four, and it's a valuable lesson for us to be able to learn that this league is tough on any given night," point guard Jeremy Lin said. "I'll be the first person to say that I didn't play nearly close to what I'm capable of, so I have to live with that and just get better for the next one."
A buzzer-beating shot by the Brooklyn Nets' Brook Lopez sent the Detroit Pistons into a tailspin.
Another last-second basket on Tuesday -- a tip-in by Miami's Hassan Whiteside -- virtually knocked them out of playoff contention.
The Pistons will try to snap their five-game losing streak when they host the Nets on Thursday night. They will also try to salvage the finale of the three-game series after losing at Barclays Center twice.
Detroit seemed to be in good position for a playoff berth before Lopez made his baseline shot on March 21. The Pistons proceeded to go 0-4 on a road trip filled exclusively with Eastern Conference opponents sporting losing records. They returned home to play Miami in a game with major playoff implications and gave away a four-point lead in the final 30.1 seconds.
Instead of moving within a half-game of the Heat for the eighth-best conference record and final playoff berth, the Pistons (34-41) dropped 2 1/2 games back with seven remaining. The Pistons now trail seventh-place Miami and eighth-place Indiana by three games.
"We still didn't shoot the ball very well, but we didn't let it bother us. We stayed in there and fought really, really hard," coach Stan Van Gundy said. "It's a game we should have won. A couple of different decisions by me and we would have won the game."
Van Gundy was especially mad at himself for leaving in swingman Stanley Johnson during Detroit's final possession instead of bringing in veteran point guard Beno Udrih. Johnson got tied up on a double-team and lost a jump ball to Miami's James Johnson, allowing the Heat to take possession down by one.
The Pistons played their second straight game without starting point guard Reggie Jackson, who has been slowed by knee and fatigue issues. He'll likely sit out again on Thursday.
Van Gundy tweaked his lineup for the Heat game, moving forward Tobias Harris back to the sixth-man role he often has played during the second half of the season. Harris scored 19 points in 30 minutes.
"We were getting off to better starts and then our bench just had nothing," Van Gundy said. "Just trying to get a little bit of balance. For the most part, it was pretty effective bringing him in off the bench. I thought our rotations were better. That's probably the only decent move I made all night."
The Nets (16-58) have gone 2-2 since beating the Pistons. They lost at home to Philadelphia 106-101 on Tuesday, shooting 40.4 percent overall and 28.1 percent on 3-point attempts.
"You never know what it is. Is it focus? Is it fatigue, fighting through a little fatigue? But whatever it is, we did not have it," Nets coach Kenny Atkinson said. "We did not have the juice from the beginning. It was an uphill battle all game, and we obviously didn't shoot the ball well."
Lopez had another strong game, with 26 points, nine rebounds and six assists, but no other Net had more than 11 points.
"I just felt like we relaxed a little bit after we won three of four, and it's a valuable lesson for us to be able to learn that this league is tough on any given night," point guard Jeremy Lin said. "I'll be the first person to say that I didn't play nearly close to what I'm capable of, so I have to live with that and just get better for the next one."
Pacers sign Lance Stephenson
Stephenson, a 6-5 guard/forward, was drafted by the Pacers in the Second Round of the 2010 NBA Draft as the 40th overall pick. He played four seasons with the Pacers and averaged 9.1 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 3.1 assists per game in the regular season. He played in 42 games in the playoffs with the Pacers, including twice in the Eastern Conference Finals, and in those 42 playoff games he averaged 10.6 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 3.4 assists.
"We're very happy to have Lance back as part of our team," said Pacers President of Basketball Operations Larry Bird. "We always knew he wanted to come back here, and we feel now is the right time, not only for the rest of this season, but moving forward. We look forward to having a long relationship with him, because we know what he can bring to our franchise, both on and off the court."
After the Pacers, Stephenson played for Charlotte, the L.A. Clippers, Memphis, New Orleans and most recently with the Minnesota Timberwolves. He has career averages of 8.7 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 3.0 assists per game.
Stephenson will join the team in Cleveland for Sunday's game.
Conley scores 36 as Grizzlies rout Pacers 110-97
By CLAY BAILEY
Associated Press
MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) Mike Conley wanted to set the tone for the Memphis Grizzlies.
He succeeded, in a big way.
Conley matched his career high with seven 3-pointers on his way to 36 points, helping the Grizzlies rout the Indiana Pacers 110-97 on Wednesday night.
Memphis (41-34) had lost four in a row, all on the road.
"It was a must-win," Conley said, "and I just wanted to make a statement, not only with my team, but to the coaches, the city that we're not playing the basketball we need to be playing right now, and we're better than this."
Vince Carter added 21 points and eight rebounds, and Zach Randolph finished with 17 points. Conley went 13 for 21 from the field.
Paul George led the Pacers with 22 points. Aaron Brooks, who provided an early spark from outside the arc, scored 18 points, and Thaddeus Young had 16 points and a season-high 13 rebounds.
Indiana lost for the fourth time in five games.
"We were supposed to come out here and make the game tough," George said, "but to start the game off, they kind of did what they wanted, and it showed."
Memphis played without All-Star center Marc Gasol, who missed his third straight game with a left foot strain. But Conley helped the Grizzlies get off the fast start, and Pacers were never able to catch up.
Memphis led by as many as 22 in the second quarter and carried a 72-53 advantage into the break. Conley scored 22 points in the first half, and the Grizzlies went 10 for 17 from beyond the arc in the first two periods.
Brooks made four 3-pointers and scored 14 in the first half for Indiana.
"They got off to a fast start," Pacers coach Nate McMillan said. "Conley was pushing the ball. ... We weren't able to keep up with him, and they just kept the pressure on us throughout the game."
The Grizzlies led 96-79 after three, and the sliding Pacers never threatened in the fourth.
Indiana (37-38) dropped into a tie with Miami for the last spot in the Eastern Conference playoff race. Both are two games behind Milwaukee and Atlanta.
The Heat, Bucks and Hawks all won Wednesday night.
TIP-INS
Pacers: Brooks made a 3-pointer in the first quarter to reach 800 for his career. ... Indiana dropped to 0-8 in road games on the second night of a back-to-back.
Grizzlies: JaMychal Green was out with left shoulder soreness. That caused Memphis to use its 22nd different starting lineup this season. ... Memphis has made at least 10 3-pointers in 36 games. ... In the third quarter, Carter passed Ray Allen (24,505) for 22nd in NBA history for career points scored. ... Reserve guard Andrew Harrison left in the third quarter with a right ankle injury.
PACERS HOMECOMINGS
Young played high school basketball in Memphis and still lives there. Pacers guard Monta Ellis has a home in the Eads community east of Memphis.
HOME STRETCH
Memphis, which sits seventh in the Western Conference playoff race, has a beneficial schedule down the stretch. Of its seven remaining games, five are at home, and five are against teams with losing records.
UP NEXT
Pacers: Visit Toronto on Friday.
Grizzlies: Host the Dallas Mavericks on Friday.
Associated Press
MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) Mike Conley wanted to set the tone for the Memphis Grizzlies.
He succeeded, in a big way.
Conley matched his career high with seven 3-pointers on his way to 36 points, helping the Grizzlies rout the Indiana Pacers 110-97 on Wednesday night.
Memphis (41-34) had lost four in a row, all on the road.
"It was a must-win," Conley said, "and I just wanted to make a statement, not only with my team, but to the coaches, the city that we're not playing the basketball we need to be playing right now, and we're better than this."
Vince Carter added 21 points and eight rebounds, and Zach Randolph finished with 17 points. Conley went 13 for 21 from the field.
Paul George led the Pacers with 22 points. Aaron Brooks, who provided an early spark from outside the arc, scored 18 points, and Thaddeus Young had 16 points and a season-high 13 rebounds.
Indiana lost for the fourth time in five games.
"We were supposed to come out here and make the game tough," George said, "but to start the game off, they kind of did what they wanted, and it showed."
Memphis played without All-Star center Marc Gasol, who missed his third straight game with a left foot strain. But Conley helped the Grizzlies get off the fast start, and Pacers were never able to catch up.
Memphis led by as many as 22 in the second quarter and carried a 72-53 advantage into the break. Conley scored 22 points in the first half, and the Grizzlies went 10 for 17 from beyond the arc in the first two periods.
Brooks made four 3-pointers and scored 14 in the first half for Indiana.
"They got off to a fast start," Pacers coach Nate McMillan said. "Conley was pushing the ball. ... We weren't able to keep up with him, and they just kept the pressure on us throughout the game."
The Grizzlies led 96-79 after three, and the sliding Pacers never threatened in the fourth.
Indiana (37-38) dropped into a tie with Miami for the last spot in the Eastern Conference playoff race. Both are two games behind Milwaukee and Atlanta.
The Heat, Bucks and Hawks all won Wednesday night.
TIP-INS
Pacers: Brooks made a 3-pointer in the first quarter to reach 800 for his career. ... Indiana dropped to 0-8 in road games on the second night of a back-to-back.
Grizzlies: JaMychal Green was out with left shoulder soreness. That caused Memphis to use its 22nd different starting lineup this season. ... Memphis has made at least 10 3-pointers in 36 games. ... In the third quarter, Carter passed Ray Allen (24,505) for 22nd in NBA history for career points scored. ... Reserve guard Andrew Harrison left in the third quarter with a right ankle injury.
PACERS HOMECOMINGS
Young played high school basketball in Memphis and still lives there. Pacers guard Monta Ellis has a home in the Eads community east of Memphis.
HOME STRETCH
Memphis, which sits seventh in the Western Conference playoff race, has a beneficial schedule down the stretch. Of its seven remaining games, five are at home, and five are against teams with losing records.
UP NEXT
Pacers: Visit Toronto on Friday.
Grizzlies: Host the Dallas Mavericks on Friday.
Davis, Cousins lead Pelicans past Mavericks 121-118
By BRETT MARTEL
AP Sports Writer
NEW ORLEANS (AP) Anthony Davis and DeMarcus Cousins are providing increasing proof that "tall ball" could work for the New Orleans Pelicans.
Davis had 30 points and 13 rebounds, Cousins added 29 points and 16 rebounds in his return from a two-game absence, and New Orleans beat the Dallas Mavericks 121-118 on Wednesday night.
"I know it's a small-ball era," Cousins said, referring to an increasing trend toward smaller lineups that rely on good shooting, speed and ball movement to create scoring chances. "I think we've got a chance to change things - you know, change the way the style of play of basketball is going right now.
"It's just a matter of time."
After losing six of their first seven games with Cousins in the lineup, the Pelicans have won four of the last five in which the 6-foot-11, 270-pound All-Star has played. New Orleans also has won seven of its past 10 games overall.
Returning from a right ankle sprain, Cousins played 40 minutes. His baskets included a 29-foot 3-pointer at the end of the first half and he was 10 of 12 at the free-throw line. Davis' highlights included an offensive rebound and dunk with 1:50 left to help New Orleans hold on. Davis' dynamism was on full display in the third quarter, when he leapt to deflect Wesley Matthews' pass and began breaking up court as Jrue Holiday corralled the loose ball. Holiday quickly flipped a pass ahead to Davis, who dribbled around Yogi Ferrell and finished with a soaring one-handed jam.
Speaking before the game, Dallas coach Rick Carlisle predicted that the longer Davis and Cousins played together, the harder they'd become to stop.
"They're both great players," Carlisle said. "If those two guys stay together long enough, they're going to figure it out and it's going to be murder dealing with them."
Apparently, that's already the case for some Pelicans opponents.
"They are a tough combo," said Dallas forward Dirk Nowitzki, who led the Mavs with 23 points. "Once they have a full training camp under them next year, if they stay healthy, they are going to be a load."
Harrison Barnes scored 19 and Seth Curry 18 for the Mavericks, who have lost three straight. Dallas had a final shot to tie the game as time expired, but Matthews' 3-point attempt missed.
LOSING IT
Mavericks guard Devin Harris was ejected early in the second quarter for angrily protesting calls made by official Ben Taylor. Harris had to be restrained by teammates during a tirade in response to his first of two quick technical fouls.
"I've never seen him that upset," said Carlisle, who also was called for a technical foul after Harris' ejection.
Harris appeared bothered by being called for a personal foul after a collision with Pelicans guard Jordan Crawford that sent Harris crashing to the court. Earlier in the quarter, no foul had been called when Harris wound up flat on his back following a collision with New Orleans guard E'Twaun Moore.
"He was getting hit in some picks and took some elbows and he kept getting the fouls," Nowitzki said. "He just reacted - rightfully so."
Shortly after Harris' ejection, New Orleans built its first double-digit lead on consecutive 3s by Dante Cunningham, who finished with 15 points.
The lead got as large as 14 points when Holiday's 3 made it 57-43 late in the second quarter.
Dallas kept chipping away and briefly regained the lead when Ferrell, who had 15 points, hit a mid-range jumper to make it 100-99 with 7:42 left. But Holiday, who had 18 points, answered with a short jumper. And after Nerlens Noel missed an alley-oop dunk, Crawford added a 3 to give the Pelicans a 104-100 lead. Crawford capped his 15-point effort with a clutch 22-foot jumper with 47 seconds left.
TIP-INS
Mavericks: Carlisle announced before the game that he'd decided to rest 7-foot-2 center Salah Mejri because of right knee soreness. ... J.J. Barea had 11 assists for Dallas.
Pelicans: Davis now has at least 30 points and 13 rebounds in four straight games, making him the first NBA player to do so since Shaquille O'Neal in April 2000. ... Davis and Cunningham had an awkward moment when they chased a loose ball out of bounds. Cunningham dove over the scorer's table in a failed effort to get the ball while Davis, close behind also crashed over the table, landing in a prone position on top of Cunningham.
UP NEXT
Mavericks: Visit Memphis on Friday night.
Pelicans: Host Sacramento on Friday night.
AP Sports Writer
NEW ORLEANS (AP) Anthony Davis and DeMarcus Cousins are providing increasing proof that "tall ball" could work for the New Orleans Pelicans.
Davis had 30 points and 13 rebounds, Cousins added 29 points and 16 rebounds in his return from a two-game absence, and New Orleans beat the Dallas Mavericks 121-118 on Wednesday night.
"I know it's a small-ball era," Cousins said, referring to an increasing trend toward smaller lineups that rely on good shooting, speed and ball movement to create scoring chances. "I think we've got a chance to change things - you know, change the way the style of play of basketball is going right now.
"It's just a matter of time."
After losing six of their first seven games with Cousins in the lineup, the Pelicans have won four of the last five in which the 6-foot-11, 270-pound All-Star has played. New Orleans also has won seven of its past 10 games overall.
Returning from a right ankle sprain, Cousins played 40 minutes. His baskets included a 29-foot 3-pointer at the end of the first half and he was 10 of 12 at the free-throw line. Davis' highlights included an offensive rebound and dunk with 1:50 left to help New Orleans hold on. Davis' dynamism was on full display in the third quarter, when he leapt to deflect Wesley Matthews' pass and began breaking up court as Jrue Holiday corralled the loose ball. Holiday quickly flipped a pass ahead to Davis, who dribbled around Yogi Ferrell and finished with a soaring one-handed jam.
Speaking before the game, Dallas coach Rick Carlisle predicted that the longer Davis and Cousins played together, the harder they'd become to stop.
"They're both great players," Carlisle said. "If those two guys stay together long enough, they're going to figure it out and it's going to be murder dealing with them."
Apparently, that's already the case for some Pelicans opponents.
"They are a tough combo," said Dallas forward Dirk Nowitzki, who led the Mavs with 23 points. "Once they have a full training camp under them next year, if they stay healthy, they are going to be a load."
Harrison Barnes scored 19 and Seth Curry 18 for the Mavericks, who have lost three straight. Dallas had a final shot to tie the game as time expired, but Matthews' 3-point attempt missed.
LOSING IT
Mavericks guard Devin Harris was ejected early in the second quarter for angrily protesting calls made by official Ben Taylor. Harris had to be restrained by teammates during a tirade in response to his first of two quick technical fouls.
"I've never seen him that upset," said Carlisle, who also was called for a technical foul after Harris' ejection.
Harris appeared bothered by being called for a personal foul after a collision with Pelicans guard Jordan Crawford that sent Harris crashing to the court. Earlier in the quarter, no foul had been called when Harris wound up flat on his back following a collision with New Orleans guard E'Twaun Moore.
"He was getting hit in some picks and took some elbows and he kept getting the fouls," Nowitzki said. "He just reacted - rightfully so."
Shortly after Harris' ejection, New Orleans built its first double-digit lead on consecutive 3s by Dante Cunningham, who finished with 15 points.
The lead got as large as 14 points when Holiday's 3 made it 57-43 late in the second quarter.
Dallas kept chipping away and briefly regained the lead when Ferrell, who had 15 points, hit a mid-range jumper to make it 100-99 with 7:42 left. But Holiday, who had 18 points, answered with a short jumper. And after Nerlens Noel missed an alley-oop dunk, Crawford added a 3 to give the Pelicans a 104-100 lead. Crawford capped his 15-point effort with a clutch 22-foot jumper with 47 seconds left.
TIP-INS
Mavericks: Carlisle announced before the game that he'd decided to rest 7-foot-2 center Salah Mejri because of right knee soreness. ... J.J. Barea had 11 assists for Dallas.
Pelicans: Davis now has at least 30 points and 13 rebounds in four straight games, making him the first NBA player to do so since Shaquille O'Neal in April 2000. ... Davis and Cunningham had an awkward moment when they chased a loose ball out of bounds. Cunningham dove over the scorer's table in a failed effort to get the ball while Davis, close behind also crashed over the table, landing in a prone position on top of Cunningham.
UP NEXT
Mavericks: Visit Memphis on Friday night.
Pelicans: Host Sacramento on Friday night.
Belinelli helps Hornets beat Raptors 110-106
By DANIEL GIRARD
Associated Press
TORONTO (AP) Kemba Walker founding his shooting stroke in the nick of time for the Charlotte Hornets.
Walker scored 11 of his 19 points in the final 5:03, leading the Hornets past the Toronto Raptors 110-106 on Wednesday night.
The All-Star guard was 3 for 18 from the field through three quarters. But he stepped up in the fourth, helping Charlotte (34-41) stop Toronto's six-game win streak.
"We just stuck with the game, really," Walker said. "We made big plays, especially defensively, down the stretch.
"Shots weren't falling consistently all night but made the necessary plays to win the game."
Walker hit two big 3-pointers in the final 2 minutes, including one that gave the Hornets a 104-101 lead with 37.5 seconds left. He also had four rebounds and two assists.
Marco Belinelli scored 21 points for Charlotte, which has won five of seven. Marvin Williams had 18 points and 12 rebounds.
DeMar DeRozan scored 28 points for Toronto (45-30), and Jonas Valanciunas had 14 points and 15 rebounds. The loss prevented the Raptors from clinching home-court advantage for the first round of the playoffs.
Toronto was outscored 44-32 in the final period.
"They were hot as fire in the fourth quarter," Raptors coach Dwane Casey said. "We went from one of our best defensive quarters, 16 points in the third, to 44 in the fourth and that was the difference in the game."
The Hornets went 8 for 10 from 3-point range in the fourth quarter. They finished the night 16 for 32 from beyond the arc.
"We got a couple of stops when we needed it but at the end of the day, in the biggest possessions, we got some open 3s and knocked them in," Charlotte coach Steve Clifford said.
Toronto held Charlotte to 23 percent shooting in the third and carried a 74-66 lead into the final period. Valanciunas had eight points in the third.
Nicolas Batum had 15 points for the Hornets. Frank Kaminsky scored 12 of his 13 points in the first half, helping Charlotte to a 50-47 lead at the break.
Cory Joseph scored 18 points for Toronto, which shot 11 for 31 from 3-point range. Serge Ibaka had 15 points.
"The game is not over until it's over and we can't be satisfied with having a big third quarter," DeRozan said. "You have to give them credit, they hit big shots late in the game."
QUOTABLE
"He could miss 30 million shots in a row and he's going to shoot the next one like he's been making all of them. He's a scorer." - Toronto's P. J. Tucker on Walker.
TIP-INS
Hornets: Walker, whose 219 3s are the second-most in franchise history, was 3 for 10 from beyond the arc. ... Charlotte improved to 12-12 when it scores 110 points.
Raptors: F DeMarre Carroll, starting after missing the two previous games with a sore lower back, had three points, three rebounds and an assist in 19 minutes. ... Joseph scored in double figures for the 13th time in 19 starts. ... Valanciunas recorded his team-leading 27th double-double of the season.
UP NEXT
Hornets: Return home to face the Denver Nuggets on Friday. The Hornets beat the Nuggets 112-102 in Denver on March 4.
Raptors: Continue a four-game homestand on Friday, hosting the Indiana Pacers. The Raptors beat the Pacers 116-91 on March 19.
Associated Press
TORONTO (AP) Kemba Walker founding his shooting stroke in the nick of time for the Charlotte Hornets.
Walker scored 11 of his 19 points in the final 5:03, leading the Hornets past the Toronto Raptors 110-106 on Wednesday night.
The All-Star guard was 3 for 18 from the field through three quarters. But he stepped up in the fourth, helping Charlotte (34-41) stop Toronto's six-game win streak.
"We just stuck with the game, really," Walker said. "We made big plays, especially defensively, down the stretch.
"Shots weren't falling consistently all night but made the necessary plays to win the game."
Walker hit two big 3-pointers in the final 2 minutes, including one that gave the Hornets a 104-101 lead with 37.5 seconds left. He also had four rebounds and two assists.
Marco Belinelli scored 21 points for Charlotte, which has won five of seven. Marvin Williams had 18 points and 12 rebounds.
DeMar DeRozan scored 28 points for Toronto (45-30), and Jonas Valanciunas had 14 points and 15 rebounds. The loss prevented the Raptors from clinching home-court advantage for the first round of the playoffs.
Toronto was outscored 44-32 in the final period.
"They were hot as fire in the fourth quarter," Raptors coach Dwane Casey said. "We went from one of our best defensive quarters, 16 points in the third, to 44 in the fourth and that was the difference in the game."
The Hornets went 8 for 10 from 3-point range in the fourth quarter. They finished the night 16 for 32 from beyond the arc.
"We got a couple of stops when we needed it but at the end of the day, in the biggest possessions, we got some open 3s and knocked them in," Charlotte coach Steve Clifford said.
Toronto held Charlotte to 23 percent shooting in the third and carried a 74-66 lead into the final period. Valanciunas had eight points in the third.
Nicolas Batum had 15 points for the Hornets. Frank Kaminsky scored 12 of his 13 points in the first half, helping Charlotte to a 50-47 lead at the break.
Cory Joseph scored 18 points for Toronto, which shot 11 for 31 from 3-point range. Serge Ibaka had 15 points.
"The game is not over until it's over and we can't be satisfied with having a big third quarter," DeRozan said. "You have to give them credit, they hit big shots late in the game."
QUOTABLE
"He could miss 30 million shots in a row and he's going to shoot the next one like he's been making all of them. He's a scorer." - Toronto's P. J. Tucker on Walker.
TIP-INS
Hornets: Walker, whose 219 3s are the second-most in franchise history, was 3 for 10 from beyond the arc. ... Charlotte improved to 12-12 when it scores 110 points.
Raptors: F DeMarre Carroll, starting after missing the two previous games with a sore lower back, had three points, three rebounds and an assist in 19 minutes. ... Joseph scored in double figures for the 13th time in 19 starts. ... Valanciunas recorded his team-leading 27th double-double of the season.
UP NEXT
Hornets: Return home to face the Denver Nuggets on Friday. The Hornets beat the Nuggets 112-102 in Denver on March 4.
Raptors: Continue a four-game homestand on Friday, hosting the Indiana Pacers. The Raptors beat the Pacers 116-91 on March 19.
Dragic, Heat roll to 105-88 victory over Knicks
NEW YORK (AP) Many NBA teams dread back-to-backs, especially when the first game was as tough as the one Miami had a night earlier.
"We don't function like that," guard Goran Dragic said. "We try to win every game that we can."
Dragic had 20 points, nine assists and seven rebounds, and the Heat breezed to an easy victory a night after going down to the wire, beating the New York Knicks 105-88 on Wednesday night.
Reserve James Johnson added 18 points for the Heat, who tied Indiana for seventh place in the Eastern Conference as they continue a second-half surge that could carry them to the postseason.
Josh Richardson finished with 17 points as Miami (37-38) improved to 26-8 since an 11-30 start.
The Heat pulled out a 97-96 victory in Detroit on Tuesday on Hassan Whiteside's tip-in at the buzzer, and coach Erik Spoelstra joked before the game he was glad they were right back at it so that victory wouldn't be celebrated too long.
"Our guys understand what's at hand and I want our guys to embrace this challenge and enjoy it," Spoelstra said. "This was a tough back-to-back and we were able to get it done."
Kristaps Porzingis had 20 points and eight rebounds for the Knicks, who were eliminated from postseason contention for the fourth straight season since winning the Atlantic Division in 2012-13.
"I thought we would be somewhere in the playoff race. Six, seven, eight seed. Right there," Porzingis said. "But things didn't go as we wanted."
Carmelo Anthony was scoreless in the first half and finished with nine points on 4-of-12 shooting.
The Heat led 77-68 after three, then opened the fourth with an 11-2 run, featuring uncontested dunks by Whiteside, James Johnson and Tyler Johnson to open an 88-70 cushion.
The lead grew to 23 later in Miami's sixth straight victory at Madison Square Garden. The teams meet again Friday in South Florida to complete the home-and-home series.
Derrick Rose sat out with a sore left knee as the Knicks fell for the ninth time in 11 games.
TIP-INS
Heat: Miami's 37 wins tie the most ever by a team that was 19 games under .500 at any point in a season. The 2013-14 Knicks finished 37-45 in the first season of their four-year playoff drought. ... The Heat are 12-2 on Wednesdays, their best day of the week.
Knicks: Coach Jeff Hornacek said he thought Rose would play in the game in Miami on Friday. ... Anthony took just two shots in the first half.
SUSPENSION STARTS
The NBA's independent medical expert determined that Joakim Noah was physically able to play, allowing his 20-game suspension for violating the league's anti-drug policy to begin with Wednesday's game. Noah was recovering from Feb. 27 left knee surgery when the penalty was announced Saturday and he couldn't start serving it until he was deemed healthy. Noah will be allowed to practice and travel with the team, but can't be in the arena during games. The center will miss the last eight games of this season and first 12 of next, but Hornacek said having Noah in practice will be beneficial.
"Some of the things that we're going over now toward the end of the season, we're trying to emphasize are maybe a little different than when he was here four weeks ago," Hornacek said. "So, yeah, any time he's at practice, it's going to be good for not only him but the other guys, too."
ROLE PLAYER
Anthony took just two shots in the first half. The All-Star forward, the Knicks' leading scorer, said after the game he didn't know what his role was, but believes it's to assist the young players on the roster.
"I'm just here to kind of help those guys and keep those guys kind of positive and motivated," he said.
"I don't think me going out there trying to score 30 and 40 every night and playing that way is going to help them out at this point."
UP NEXT
The teams play Friday in Miami.
"We don't function like that," guard Goran Dragic said. "We try to win every game that we can."
Dragic had 20 points, nine assists and seven rebounds, and the Heat breezed to an easy victory a night after going down to the wire, beating the New York Knicks 105-88 on Wednesday night.
Reserve James Johnson added 18 points for the Heat, who tied Indiana for seventh place in the Eastern Conference as they continue a second-half surge that could carry them to the postseason.
Josh Richardson finished with 17 points as Miami (37-38) improved to 26-8 since an 11-30 start.
The Heat pulled out a 97-96 victory in Detroit on Tuesday on Hassan Whiteside's tip-in at the buzzer, and coach Erik Spoelstra joked before the game he was glad they were right back at it so that victory wouldn't be celebrated too long.
"Our guys understand what's at hand and I want our guys to embrace this challenge and enjoy it," Spoelstra said. "This was a tough back-to-back and we were able to get it done."
Kristaps Porzingis had 20 points and eight rebounds for the Knicks, who were eliminated from postseason contention for the fourth straight season since winning the Atlantic Division in 2012-13.
"I thought we would be somewhere in the playoff race. Six, seven, eight seed. Right there," Porzingis said. "But things didn't go as we wanted."
Carmelo Anthony was scoreless in the first half and finished with nine points on 4-of-12 shooting.
The Heat led 77-68 after three, then opened the fourth with an 11-2 run, featuring uncontested dunks by Whiteside, James Johnson and Tyler Johnson to open an 88-70 cushion.
The lead grew to 23 later in Miami's sixth straight victory at Madison Square Garden. The teams meet again Friday in South Florida to complete the home-and-home series.
Derrick Rose sat out with a sore left knee as the Knicks fell for the ninth time in 11 games.
TIP-INS
Heat: Miami's 37 wins tie the most ever by a team that was 19 games under .500 at any point in a season. The 2013-14 Knicks finished 37-45 in the first season of their four-year playoff drought. ... The Heat are 12-2 on Wednesdays, their best day of the week.
Knicks: Coach Jeff Hornacek said he thought Rose would play in the game in Miami on Friday. ... Anthony took just two shots in the first half.
SUSPENSION STARTS
The NBA's independent medical expert determined that Joakim Noah was physically able to play, allowing his 20-game suspension for violating the league's anti-drug policy to begin with Wednesday's game. Noah was recovering from Feb. 27 left knee surgery when the penalty was announced Saturday and he couldn't start serving it until he was deemed healthy. Noah will be allowed to practice and travel with the team, but can't be in the arena during games. The center will miss the last eight games of this season and first 12 of next, but Hornacek said having Noah in practice will be beneficial.
"Some of the things that we're going over now toward the end of the season, we're trying to emphasize are maybe a little different than when he was here four weeks ago," Hornacek said. "So, yeah, any time he's at practice, it's going to be good for not only him but the other guys, too."
ROLE PLAYER
Anthony took just two shots in the first half. The All-Star forward, the Knicks' leading scorer, said after the game he didn't know what his role was, but believes it's to assist the young players on the roster.
"I'm just here to kind of help those guys and keep those guys kind of positive and motivated," he said.
"I don't think me going out there trying to score 30 and 40 every night and playing that way is going to help them out at this point."
UP NEXT
The teams play Friday in Miami.
Bucks fend off late Celtics rally in 103-100 win
By KYLE HIGHTOWER
AP Sports Writer
BOSTON (AP) The Boston Celtics were hesitant to celebrate after ascending to the top spot of the Eastern Conference standings earlier this week.
And just like that, they dropped back into second.
Giannis Antetokounmpo had 22 points and nine rebounds, and the Milwaukee Bucks knocked Boston out of the top spot with a 103-100 victory on Wednesday night.
Malcolm Brogdon, one of the leading contenders for NBA Rookie of the Year, finished with 16 points and nine assists. He had six key points in the final 2:46 to help Milwaukee fend off a late Boston charge.
The Bucks (39-36) have won five of six, including four straight on the road. Currently the sixth seed, they moved a full two games ahead of seventh-place Miami, and now have the same record as fifth-place Atlanta.
The 24-year-old Brogdon said his confidence comes from the trust veterans Antetokounmpo, Khris Middleton, and Greg Monroe have shown in him.
"Tonight the ball was in my hands at the end of the game," Brogdon said. "It takes a lot of character and will to win more than anything to have it in a rookie's hands at the end of the game."
Boston (48-27) had won four in a row. The loss dropped the Celtics percentage points behind idle Cleveland.
"It's just a loss," center Al Horford said. "I feel like they jumped on us early, we fought our way back ... and we just couldn't make plays down the stretch."
After playing from behind most of the night, Boston had a chance to tie the game in the closing seconds, but couldn't get a clean inbounds pass. Marcus Smart managed only a wild air ball as time expired.
Isaiah Thomas led the Celtics with 32 points. Avery Bradley added 12 points and 10 rebounds.
The Celtics trailed throughout the fourth quarter before Marcus Smart got free for a driving layup to tie it at 93 with 2:46 left.
But the Bucks responded with an 8-3 run, led by two baskets and two assists by Brogdon.
Thomas scored four straight to get Boston within one, but Brogdon came through again - this time with a fallaway jumper over Bradley with the shot clock winding down - to make it 103-100 with just 3.9 seconds left.
TIP-INS
Bucks: Had an 11-0 run early in the second quarter and led by as many as 14 in the first half.
Celtics: With his layup in the closing seconds of the first half, Thomas became just the sixth Celtic ever to score 2,000 points in a single season. He also extended his streak with at least one 3-pointer to a franchise-best 50 straight games. ... Thomas picked up his 13th technical foul of the season in the first quarter. ... Smart's technical was his eighth of the season.
PHYSICAL PLAY
Attitudes flared just before halftime when Smart and Middleton collided in midair while trying to corral a loose ball. Both walked away bloodied on the play, and after Smart was initially called for a foul he also received a technical for something he said to an official.
After a review the personal foul was changed, and charged to Middleton.
PROSPECT WATCH
Guerschon Yabusele, who was selected by Boston with the 16th overall pick in last June's draft, has joined its D-League affiliate Maine Red Claws and is expected to get his first action there on Friday. Yabusele, from France, was one of two players the Celtics chose to draft and place in leagues overseas last year.
"I think this is a great opportunity for him," Celtics coach Brad Stevens said. "It's more for him to be around (coach Scott Morrison) and his staff. This is totally for him. It's not an evaluation for us."
UP NEXT
Bucks: Host the Pistons on Friday.
Celtics: Look for season sweep when they host the Magic on Friday.
AP Sports Writer
BOSTON (AP) The Boston Celtics were hesitant to celebrate after ascending to the top spot of the Eastern Conference standings earlier this week.
And just like that, they dropped back into second.
Giannis Antetokounmpo had 22 points and nine rebounds, and the Milwaukee Bucks knocked Boston out of the top spot with a 103-100 victory on Wednesday night.
Malcolm Brogdon, one of the leading contenders for NBA Rookie of the Year, finished with 16 points and nine assists. He had six key points in the final 2:46 to help Milwaukee fend off a late Boston charge.
The Bucks (39-36) have won five of six, including four straight on the road. Currently the sixth seed, they moved a full two games ahead of seventh-place Miami, and now have the same record as fifth-place Atlanta.
The 24-year-old Brogdon said his confidence comes from the trust veterans Antetokounmpo, Khris Middleton, and Greg Monroe have shown in him.
"Tonight the ball was in my hands at the end of the game," Brogdon said. "It takes a lot of character and will to win more than anything to have it in a rookie's hands at the end of the game."
Boston (48-27) had won four in a row. The loss dropped the Celtics percentage points behind idle Cleveland.
"It's just a loss," center Al Horford said. "I feel like they jumped on us early, we fought our way back ... and we just couldn't make plays down the stretch."
After playing from behind most of the night, Boston had a chance to tie the game in the closing seconds, but couldn't get a clean inbounds pass. Marcus Smart managed only a wild air ball as time expired.
Isaiah Thomas led the Celtics with 32 points. Avery Bradley added 12 points and 10 rebounds.
The Celtics trailed throughout the fourth quarter before Marcus Smart got free for a driving layup to tie it at 93 with 2:46 left.
But the Bucks responded with an 8-3 run, led by two baskets and two assists by Brogdon.
Thomas scored four straight to get Boston within one, but Brogdon came through again - this time with a fallaway jumper over Bradley with the shot clock winding down - to make it 103-100 with just 3.9 seconds left.
TIP-INS
Bucks: Had an 11-0 run early in the second quarter and led by as many as 14 in the first half.
Celtics: With his layup in the closing seconds of the first half, Thomas became just the sixth Celtic ever to score 2,000 points in a single season. He also extended his streak with at least one 3-pointer to a franchise-best 50 straight games. ... Thomas picked up his 13th technical foul of the season in the first quarter. ... Smart's technical was his eighth of the season.
PHYSICAL PLAY
Attitudes flared just before halftime when Smart and Middleton collided in midair while trying to corral a loose ball. Both walked away bloodied on the play, and after Smart was initially called for a foul he also received a technical for something he said to an official.
After a review the personal foul was changed, and charged to Middleton.
PROSPECT WATCH
Guerschon Yabusele, who was selected by Boston with the 16th overall pick in last June's draft, has joined its D-League affiliate Maine Red Claws and is expected to get his first action there on Friday. Yabusele, from France, was one of two players the Celtics chose to draft and place in leagues overseas last year.
"I think this is a great opportunity for him," Celtics coach Brad Stevens said. "It's more for him to be around (coach Scott Morrison) and his staff. This is totally for him. It's not an evaluation for us."
UP NEXT
Bucks: Host the Pistons on Friday.
Celtics: Look for season sweep when they host the Magic on Friday.
Howard has 22 points, 20 rebounds in Hawks' win over 76ers
By DAN GELSTON
AP Sports Writer
PHILADELPHIA (AP) Dwight Howard has Atlanta revved up for a playoff push.
"Our focus should be, we need to step on the floor from the tip," he said.
The Hawks also hope they're done with the detour through lengthy losing streaks that almost derailed their drive.
Howard had 22 points and 20 rebounds to lead the Hawks to a 99-92 win over the Philadelphia 76ers on Wednesday night.
The Hawks have won two straight following a seven-game losing streak that stunted their push in the Eastern Conference playoff standings. Atlanta is still in the fight for a fifth seed with Milwaukee, Indiana and Miami. The Hawks boosted their playoff hopes with a win a night earlier against Phoenix.
"We gave seven games away," Howard said. "We need these games going into the playoffs. I thought the level of play was pretty good over most of those games."
Tim Hardaway Jr. and Kent Bazemore each scored 19 points for the Hawks.
Richaun Holmes led the Sixers with 25 points and Dario Saric had 15. Saric was only 5 of 18 from the floor, but remains the leading contender for NBA Rookie of the Year.
The Hawks led by as many as 11 points, but struggled to put the Sixers away.
Nicknamed "Simba," Justin Anderson had the Sixers fans roaring when his monster dunk cut it to 83-81. He converted a three-point play that pulled the Sixers within four and kept alive the hope they could knock off playoff-bound Atlanta.
The short-handed Sixers (they had only eight players) had the verve but not the talented depth to do much more than keep it close down the stretch.
Coach Brett Brown remained optimistic that better days are ahead for the Sixers and these are the type of games they win with a healthy core.
"I've got, like, nine or 10 guys that we can legitimately move forward," he said. "That wasn't that many (in prior years) when we were circling three or four, maybe five. This year is different. For that reason, you feel like the corporate knowledge and the purpose of what we're teaching and how we're growing these guys has a greater chance to be with us next year."
Howard, shooting 53 percent from the line, extended Atlanta's lead from the line and he grabbed his 20th rebound with about 48 seconds left to help seal the win. Howard actually shot 6 of 7 from the line and was 8 of 17 from the floor.
Holmes was charged with stopping Howard and found the player called "Superman" was out to dominate.
"I just tried to make him work as much as possible on the defensive end, and try to go at him; not just take my lumps on the defensive end but give him something, too," he said.
TIP-INS
Hawks: The Hawks went 4-0 against the Sixers this season and have won seven straight against them overall. Atlanta swept the Sixers for the seventh time in franchise history. ... Howard has 10-plus rebounds in 17 straight games.
Sixers: Missed 14 of 20 3s in the first half. ... Jahlil Okafor (right knee) and Robert Covington (right knee) sat out. ... Brown stormed out to midcourt to argue with the refs and was hit with a technical.
GOOD EFFORT
A season after the Sixers won 10 games, they've reached their highest win total in Brown's four seasons. Joel Embiid's rookie season was cut short with injuries and No. 1 overall draft pick Ben Simmons never played because of a broken foot. Brown said the Sixers have "fought in a higher weight class all year," and smart moves in the draft and free agency could raise expectations.
"There's not anybody that you say had a rough year this year. Not any of them," he said. "That collective stuff trumps individual stuff and we have exceeded expectations and have milked and squeezed everything possible out of this group. I'm enamored with these guys. I respect them. I enjoy coaching them."
He added: "This group has exceeded expectations all over the place. We will reap the benefit of that spirit and attitude and that excitement with a very, very calculated disciplined summer."
UP NEXT
Hawks: finish a three-game road trip Saturday at Chicago and Sunday at Brooklyn.
Sixers: hit the road for two games, playing Friday at Cleveland and Sunday at Toronto.
AP Sports Writer
PHILADELPHIA (AP) Dwight Howard has Atlanta revved up for a playoff push.
"Our focus should be, we need to step on the floor from the tip," he said.
The Hawks also hope they're done with the detour through lengthy losing streaks that almost derailed their drive.
Howard had 22 points and 20 rebounds to lead the Hawks to a 99-92 win over the Philadelphia 76ers on Wednesday night.
The Hawks have won two straight following a seven-game losing streak that stunted their push in the Eastern Conference playoff standings. Atlanta is still in the fight for a fifth seed with Milwaukee, Indiana and Miami. The Hawks boosted their playoff hopes with a win a night earlier against Phoenix.
"We gave seven games away," Howard said. "We need these games going into the playoffs. I thought the level of play was pretty good over most of those games."
Tim Hardaway Jr. and Kent Bazemore each scored 19 points for the Hawks.
Richaun Holmes led the Sixers with 25 points and Dario Saric had 15. Saric was only 5 of 18 from the floor, but remains the leading contender for NBA Rookie of the Year.
The Hawks led by as many as 11 points, but struggled to put the Sixers away.
Nicknamed "Simba," Justin Anderson had the Sixers fans roaring when his monster dunk cut it to 83-81. He converted a three-point play that pulled the Sixers within four and kept alive the hope they could knock off playoff-bound Atlanta.
The short-handed Sixers (they had only eight players) had the verve but not the talented depth to do much more than keep it close down the stretch.
Coach Brett Brown remained optimistic that better days are ahead for the Sixers and these are the type of games they win with a healthy core.
"I've got, like, nine or 10 guys that we can legitimately move forward," he said. "That wasn't that many (in prior years) when we were circling three or four, maybe five. This year is different. For that reason, you feel like the corporate knowledge and the purpose of what we're teaching and how we're growing these guys has a greater chance to be with us next year."
Howard, shooting 53 percent from the line, extended Atlanta's lead from the line and he grabbed his 20th rebound with about 48 seconds left to help seal the win. Howard actually shot 6 of 7 from the line and was 8 of 17 from the floor.
Holmes was charged with stopping Howard and found the player called "Superman" was out to dominate.
"I just tried to make him work as much as possible on the defensive end, and try to go at him; not just take my lumps on the defensive end but give him something, too," he said.
TIP-INS
Hawks: The Hawks went 4-0 against the Sixers this season and have won seven straight against them overall. Atlanta swept the Sixers for the seventh time in franchise history. ... Howard has 10-plus rebounds in 17 straight games.
Sixers: Missed 14 of 20 3s in the first half. ... Jahlil Okafor (right knee) and Robert Covington (right knee) sat out. ... Brown stormed out to midcourt to argue with the refs and was hit with a technical.
GOOD EFFORT
A season after the Sixers won 10 games, they've reached their highest win total in Brown's four seasons. Joel Embiid's rookie season was cut short with injuries and No. 1 overall draft pick Ben Simmons never played because of a broken foot. Brown said the Sixers have "fought in a higher weight class all year," and smart moves in the draft and free agency could raise expectations.
"There's not anybody that you say had a rough year this year. Not any of them," he said. "That collective stuff trumps individual stuff and we have exceeded expectations and have milked and squeezed everything possible out of this group. I'm enamored with these guys. I respect them. I enjoy coaching them."
He added: "This group has exceeded expectations all over the place. We will reap the benefit of that spirit and attitude and that excitement with a very, very calculated disciplined summer."
UP NEXT
Hawks: finish a three-game road trip Saturday at Chicago and Sunday at Brooklyn.
Sixers: hit the road for two games, playing Friday at Cleveland and Sunday at Toronto.
Westbrook scores 57 in Thunder's 114-106 OT win over Magic
By TERRANCE HARRIS
Associated Press
ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) With as prolific a scorer as Russell Westbrook is, the Oklahoma City Thunder never feel as though any deficit is too much to overcome.
Oklahoma City stormed back from a double-digit deficit behind another eye-popping performance by Westbrook to upend Orlando 114-106 in overtime Wednesday night. Westbrook scored 36 of his 57 points - the most in a triple-double in NBA history - after halftime and had 13 rebounds and 11 assists to help the Thunder clinch a playoff spot in the Western Conference.
It was the largest comeback win in Oklahoma City history.
On Monday night, Westbrook had a 13-point outburst in the final three minutes to rally the Thunder past Dallas.
"I always say this about him, he never believes he is out of it or we're out of it," said Thunder coach Billy Donovan, whose team improved to 43-31. "And he plays with an incredible competitive spirit. He plays with an unbelievable spirt. He always has a huge heart, he's always a huge competitor and he finds ways to make things happen.
"Overall, it's incredible what he is doing."
Westbrook, just as he was two nights earlier, was the catalyst late in the fourth quarter and into the overtime period as he took every big shot and Orlando had no defensive answer. He scored 19 points in the fourth quarter, which included the 3-pointer with 7.1 seconds remaining in regulation that sent the game into overtime with his 50th point of the night.
He scored seven of his team's 12 points in overtime as OKC pulled away from the Magic. He has 38 triple-doubles this season.
"I'm very thankful to the man above for allowing me to play the game I love," Westbrook, who finished one point shy of tying his career high. "And my teammates make it easy for me and give me a lot of opportunities to make plays like this."
Westbrook's performance was so impressive and dominating that chants of "MVP! MVP! MVP!" began to dominate Amway Center by late in the fourth quarter.
"Words really can't describe it," OKC guard Victor Oladipo said of Westbrook's performance this season. "It's just an honor to be able to play alongside him. It's amazing to watch him and it's good for me to watch, too."
Enes Kanter added 17 points and 10 rebounds off the bench for the Thunder, and Oladipo had 13 points while returning to Orlando for the first time since being traded by the Magic last June.
Evan Fournier finished with 24 points and Terrence Ross added 23 for the Magic, who were eliminated from the playoffs before tipoff.
"This is really a tough one," said Magic center Nikola Vucevic, who missed some clutch free throws at the end of regulation and the start of overtime. "We had so many opportunities to close out the game and didn't. We went to me a lot and I didn't deliver. I missed a couple of go-to shots in the fourth and some free throws. "
TIP-INS
Thunder: Entered Wednesday night in sixth place in the Western Conference standings, but just 2 1/2 games out of the coveted fourth-place spot. The top four teams are guaranteed home-court advantage in the first round of the playoffs. ... Through the first 73 games of the season, Westbrook averaged 31.4 points, 10.5 rebounds and 10.4 assists, which is second in NBA history to Oscar Robertson through the first 70 games of a season. ... Westbrook had nine points, four rebounds and two assists in the first quarter, but he also had five turnovers.
Magic: Orlando was eliminated from the Eastern Conference playoffs after Detroit lost to Miami on Tuesday night. The Magic have now missed the postseason five straight seasons. ... Team founder Jimmy Hewitt was inducted into Orlando Magic Hall of Fame before Wednesday night's game. ... Forward Jeff Green missed his fourth straight game due to back spasms. He is listed as day-to-day.
UP NEXT
Thunder: Begin a three-game homestand on Friday against San Antonio. The Spurs and Thunder have split in their two previous games this season.
Magic: Start a three-game road trip at Boston on Friday. The Celtics have defeated Orlando by 30 points in each of the first two meetings this season.
Associated Press
ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) With as prolific a scorer as Russell Westbrook is, the Oklahoma City Thunder never feel as though any deficit is too much to overcome.
Oklahoma City stormed back from a double-digit deficit behind another eye-popping performance by Westbrook to upend Orlando 114-106 in overtime Wednesday night. Westbrook scored 36 of his 57 points - the most in a triple-double in NBA history - after halftime and had 13 rebounds and 11 assists to help the Thunder clinch a playoff spot in the Western Conference.
It was the largest comeback win in Oklahoma City history.
On Monday night, Westbrook had a 13-point outburst in the final three minutes to rally the Thunder past Dallas.
"I always say this about him, he never believes he is out of it or we're out of it," said Thunder coach Billy Donovan, whose team improved to 43-31. "And he plays with an incredible competitive spirit. He plays with an unbelievable spirt. He always has a huge heart, he's always a huge competitor and he finds ways to make things happen.
"Overall, it's incredible what he is doing."
Westbrook, just as he was two nights earlier, was the catalyst late in the fourth quarter and into the overtime period as he took every big shot and Orlando had no defensive answer. He scored 19 points in the fourth quarter, which included the 3-pointer with 7.1 seconds remaining in regulation that sent the game into overtime with his 50th point of the night.
He scored seven of his team's 12 points in overtime as OKC pulled away from the Magic. He has 38 triple-doubles this season.
"I'm very thankful to the man above for allowing me to play the game I love," Westbrook, who finished one point shy of tying his career high. "And my teammates make it easy for me and give me a lot of opportunities to make plays like this."
Westbrook's performance was so impressive and dominating that chants of "MVP! MVP! MVP!" began to dominate Amway Center by late in the fourth quarter.
"Words really can't describe it," OKC guard Victor Oladipo said of Westbrook's performance this season. "It's just an honor to be able to play alongside him. It's amazing to watch him and it's good for me to watch, too."
Enes Kanter added 17 points and 10 rebounds off the bench for the Thunder, and Oladipo had 13 points while returning to Orlando for the first time since being traded by the Magic last June.
Evan Fournier finished with 24 points and Terrence Ross added 23 for the Magic, who were eliminated from the playoffs before tipoff.
"This is really a tough one," said Magic center Nikola Vucevic, who missed some clutch free throws at the end of regulation and the start of overtime. "We had so many opportunities to close out the game and didn't. We went to me a lot and I didn't deliver. I missed a couple of go-to shots in the fourth and some free throws. "
TIP-INS
Thunder: Entered Wednesday night in sixth place in the Western Conference standings, but just 2 1/2 games out of the coveted fourth-place spot. The top four teams are guaranteed home-court advantage in the first round of the playoffs. ... Through the first 73 games of the season, Westbrook averaged 31.4 points, 10.5 rebounds and 10.4 assists, which is second in NBA history to Oscar Robertson through the first 70 games of a season. ... Westbrook had nine points, four rebounds and two assists in the first quarter, but he also had five turnovers.
Magic: Orlando was eliminated from the Eastern Conference playoffs after Detroit lost to Miami on Tuesday night. The Magic have now missed the postseason five straight seasons. ... Team founder Jimmy Hewitt was inducted into Orlando Magic Hall of Fame before Wednesday night's game. ... Forward Jeff Green missed his fourth straight game due to back spasms. He is listed as day-to-day.
UP NEXT
Thunder: Begin a three-game homestand on Friday against San Antonio. The Spurs and Thunder have split in their two previous games this season.
Magic: Start a three-game road trip at Boston on Friday. The Celtics have defeated Orlando by 30 points in each of the first two meetings this season.
Hayward helps Jazz knock off Kings 112-82
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) Bothered by injuries and missing some key backcourt personnel, the Utah Jazz still managed an impressive victory Wednesday night against the Sacramento Kings.
Gordon Hayward scored 20 points, Rodney Hood had 18 and the Jazz beat the Kings 112-82 to keep pace with two other teams trying to overtake them in the Western Conference.
The victory keeps the Jazz (46-29) in fourth place in the West. The fifth-place Clippers beat Washington to remain 1 1/2 games behind Utah, and sixth-place Oklahoma City also won to stay 2 1/2 games back. The top four teams earn home-court advantage in the opening round of the playoffs.
"That would be great (if we got fourth), but we have to take it one game at a time and hopefully we get it," said Rudy Gobert, who had 16 points and 14 rebounds. "If we don't, we still have to win four games to go to the next round. It would be great to play at home for sure."
Utah jumped to a 20-point lead, and then squandered most of it in the second quarter. It put together a solid second half to secure its third win in four games.
Shelvin Mack scored 14 points to lead a strong contribution by the Utah bench, which produced 47 points.
Mack had missed four games recently with a sprained ankle and played only three minutes in his first game back Monday. He was needed against the Kings with guards George Hill and Raul Neto each out with strained groins.
"He (Mack) had five deflections, and that's what we want from the guys on the bench," Utah coach Quin Snyder said. "They come in and they do that, and the offense sometimes just takes care of itself."
Ben McLemore tied a season high with 22 points for Sacramento, and Darren Collison had 12.
The Kings went 2 for 15 from 3-point range, compared to 13 for 32 for the Jazz.
"We started off slow, in the hole, and tried to come back. We got into another hole in the fourth, so it's live and learn," Willie Cauley-Stein said. "During the early part of the season these playoffs team are not going hard at you. But when it's playoff time, this time of the year, they are coming at you. They are trying win and get out. Especially, when you're playing a team that's not going to be in the playoffs."
Utah has clinched its first playoff appearance since the 2011-12 season. It has a difficult seven games left on its schedule, including two meetings with San Antonio and Portland and a road game at Golden State.
The Kings were coming off impressive victories against the playoff-bound Clippers and Grizzlies. They went with a youthful lineup with veterans Kosta Koufos and Garrett Temple sitting out the game and Arron Afflalo away from the team due to personal reasons.
BLOCK STREAK ENDS FOR GOBERT
Gobert leads the NBA in blocked shots per game, but he had zero against the Kings, halting a string of 42 straight games with at least one or more, dating to Dec. 23. The streak was sixth longest in franchise history.
"He's a very long, good defender," said Kings rookie Skal Labissiere, who was matched up at times against the taller Gobert. "He came up pretty well for his size and he's challenging."
TIP-INS
Jazz: Derrick Favors (left knee bone contusion) was also out. ... Utah held a 43-32 rebounding edge.
Kings: Missed their first nine shots to start the game. ... McLemore rallied the Kings in the second period, scoring a career high for one quarter of 17 points as Sacramento closed the gap to 50-43 by halftime.
UP NEXT
Jazz: Return home Friday for strong test against John Wall and Washington.
Kings: At New Orleans on Friday in what should be an emotional game, the first meeting against ex-teammate DeMarcus Cousins.
Gordon Hayward scored 20 points, Rodney Hood had 18 and the Jazz beat the Kings 112-82 to keep pace with two other teams trying to overtake them in the Western Conference.
The victory keeps the Jazz (46-29) in fourth place in the West. The fifth-place Clippers beat Washington to remain 1 1/2 games behind Utah, and sixth-place Oklahoma City also won to stay 2 1/2 games back. The top four teams earn home-court advantage in the opening round of the playoffs.
"That would be great (if we got fourth), but we have to take it one game at a time and hopefully we get it," said Rudy Gobert, who had 16 points and 14 rebounds. "If we don't, we still have to win four games to go to the next round. It would be great to play at home for sure."
Utah jumped to a 20-point lead, and then squandered most of it in the second quarter. It put together a solid second half to secure its third win in four games.
Shelvin Mack scored 14 points to lead a strong contribution by the Utah bench, which produced 47 points.
Mack had missed four games recently with a sprained ankle and played only three minutes in his first game back Monday. He was needed against the Kings with guards George Hill and Raul Neto each out with strained groins.
"He (Mack) had five deflections, and that's what we want from the guys on the bench," Utah coach Quin Snyder said. "They come in and they do that, and the offense sometimes just takes care of itself."
Ben McLemore tied a season high with 22 points for Sacramento, and Darren Collison had 12.
The Kings went 2 for 15 from 3-point range, compared to 13 for 32 for the Jazz.
"We started off slow, in the hole, and tried to come back. We got into another hole in the fourth, so it's live and learn," Willie Cauley-Stein said. "During the early part of the season these playoffs team are not going hard at you. But when it's playoff time, this time of the year, they are coming at you. They are trying win and get out. Especially, when you're playing a team that's not going to be in the playoffs."
Utah has clinched its first playoff appearance since the 2011-12 season. It has a difficult seven games left on its schedule, including two meetings with San Antonio and Portland and a road game at Golden State.
The Kings were coming off impressive victories against the playoff-bound Clippers and Grizzlies. They went with a youthful lineup with veterans Kosta Koufos and Garrett Temple sitting out the game and Arron Afflalo away from the team due to personal reasons.
BLOCK STREAK ENDS FOR GOBERT
Gobert leads the NBA in blocked shots per game, but he had zero against the Kings, halting a string of 42 straight games with at least one or more, dating to Dec. 23. The streak was sixth longest in franchise history.
"He's a very long, good defender," said Kings rookie Skal Labissiere, who was matched up at times against the taller Gobert. "He came up pretty well for his size and he's challenging."
TIP-INS
Jazz: Derrick Favors (left knee bone contusion) was also out. ... Utah held a 43-32 rebounding edge.
Kings: Missed their first nine shots to start the game. ... McLemore rallied the Kings in the second period, scoring a career high for one quarter of 17 points as Sacramento closed the gap to 50-43 by halftime.
UP NEXT
Jazz: Return home Friday for strong test against John Wall and Washington.
Kings: At New Orleans on Friday in what should be an emotional game, the first meeting against ex-teammate DeMarcus Cousins.
Clippers beat Wizards 133-124 in high-scoring shootout
By BETH HARRIS
AP Sports Writer
LOS ANGELES (AP) The Clippers cruised to a comfortable lead, and this time they didn't blow it.
J.J. Redick scored a season-high 31 points and hit seven 3-pointers, helping Los Angeles beat the Washington Wizards 133-124 on Wednesday night.
Redick returned from a sprained right ankle after missing the Clippers' 18-point collapse in a one-point loss to Sacramento last Sunday. His 3-pointers tied a season best.
"We got the ball in the right hands and made shots," Clippers coach Doc Rivers said. "The other night, we didn't make any. That's a good win, but there's a better Clipper team than tonight."
The Clippers have fought inconsistency of late, with losses in two of their last four games.
"We got to be able to sustain leads and play the game and not the score," said DeAndre Jordan, who had 23 points and 18 rebounds while making seven of 12 free throws.
John Wall scored 41 points and Bradley Beal added 27 for the Wizards, who a night earlier clinched the franchise's first division title in 38 years with a comeback win over the Lakers.
The Wizards have won 16 games after trailing by double-digits this season, but couldn't end their skid against the Clippers at Staples Center that dates to Feb. 13, 2008.
"We always say when they get out to a good lead they're always going to let you back into a game. They have a history of that," Beal said. "We were able to get back into it, we just used too much just getting back into the game."
Washington got no closer than five in the fourth on Beal's 3-pointer with 30 seconds to go. The Wizards' four-game winning streak ended.
"We gave ourselves a chance, but we have to have a better defensive effort at the start of the game if we want to win here," Wall said.
The Clippers built a 19-point lead in the third, when both teams shot at a torrid pace. The Clippers hit 63 percent and the Wizards 55 percent. Wall and Beal combined to score 19 of Washington's 35 points.
"Neither team was really getting stops," Redick said. "There really wasn't any defense."
For the game, the Clippers shot 57 percent, highest by a Wizards opponent this season. Washington finished at 49 percent.
"They came out focused, attacked, and had us on our heels all night," Wizards coach Scott Brooks said. "DeAndre Jordan was all over the floor. He was contesting shots, blocking shots, getting dunks, getting to the free throw line and making them."
Blake Griffin added 26 points and 10 rebounds, and Chris Paul had 27 points and 13 assists, putting the Clippers' Big Four all over 20 points apiece.
TIP-INS
Wizards: F Markieff Morris was ejected after getting technical fouls 1:13 apart in the third quarter. ... Beal surpassed Gilbert Arenas for the franchise single-season 3-point record. He made five and has 209 for the season. Arenas had 205 in 2004-05 and 2006-07. ... F-C Jason Smith made a career-high four 3-pointers. ... The 137 total points in the first half were the most in a Washington game this season. ... Their 38-year division title drought was the longest in the four major North American pro sports leagues.
Clippers: Their 133 total points equaled a season high. ... Their 74 points were a season high by an opponent in the first half against the Wizards. ... G Austin Rivers left with a sore left hamstring in the second quarter and didn't return. He's expected to be out indefinitely. ... They improved to 13-2 against East teams at home. ... They split the season series 1-1. ... They've won 14 of last 17 against Wizards dating to March 18, 2009.
HE SAID IT
"John is a one-man fastbreak." - Paul on Wall.
UP NEXT
Wizards: At Utah on Friday in the fourth of five games on the trip.
Clippers: At Phoenix on Thursday in the last back-to-back of the season. The Clippers are 3-0 against the Suns.
AP Sports Writer
LOS ANGELES (AP) The Clippers cruised to a comfortable lead, and this time they didn't blow it.
J.J. Redick scored a season-high 31 points and hit seven 3-pointers, helping Los Angeles beat the Washington Wizards 133-124 on Wednesday night.
Redick returned from a sprained right ankle after missing the Clippers' 18-point collapse in a one-point loss to Sacramento last Sunday. His 3-pointers tied a season best.
"We got the ball in the right hands and made shots," Clippers coach Doc Rivers said. "The other night, we didn't make any. That's a good win, but there's a better Clipper team than tonight."
The Clippers have fought inconsistency of late, with losses in two of their last four games.
"We got to be able to sustain leads and play the game and not the score," said DeAndre Jordan, who had 23 points and 18 rebounds while making seven of 12 free throws.
John Wall scored 41 points and Bradley Beal added 27 for the Wizards, who a night earlier clinched the franchise's first division title in 38 years with a comeback win over the Lakers.
The Wizards have won 16 games after trailing by double-digits this season, but couldn't end their skid against the Clippers at Staples Center that dates to Feb. 13, 2008.
"We always say when they get out to a good lead they're always going to let you back into a game. They have a history of that," Beal said. "We were able to get back into it, we just used too much just getting back into the game."
Washington got no closer than five in the fourth on Beal's 3-pointer with 30 seconds to go. The Wizards' four-game winning streak ended.
"We gave ourselves a chance, but we have to have a better defensive effort at the start of the game if we want to win here," Wall said.
The Clippers built a 19-point lead in the third, when both teams shot at a torrid pace. The Clippers hit 63 percent and the Wizards 55 percent. Wall and Beal combined to score 19 of Washington's 35 points.
"Neither team was really getting stops," Redick said. "There really wasn't any defense."
For the game, the Clippers shot 57 percent, highest by a Wizards opponent this season. Washington finished at 49 percent.
"They came out focused, attacked, and had us on our heels all night," Wizards coach Scott Brooks said. "DeAndre Jordan was all over the floor. He was contesting shots, blocking shots, getting dunks, getting to the free throw line and making them."
Blake Griffin added 26 points and 10 rebounds, and Chris Paul had 27 points and 13 assists, putting the Clippers' Big Four all over 20 points apiece.
TIP-INS
Wizards: F Markieff Morris was ejected after getting technical fouls 1:13 apart in the third quarter. ... Beal surpassed Gilbert Arenas for the franchise single-season 3-point record. He made five and has 209 for the season. Arenas had 205 in 2004-05 and 2006-07. ... F-C Jason Smith made a career-high four 3-pointers. ... The 137 total points in the first half were the most in a Washington game this season. ... Their 38-year division title drought was the longest in the four major North American pro sports leagues.
Clippers: Their 133 total points equaled a season high. ... Their 74 points were a season high by an opponent in the first half against the Wizards. ... G Austin Rivers left with a sore left hamstring in the second quarter and didn't return. He's expected to be out indefinitely. ... They improved to 13-2 against East teams at home. ... They split the season series 1-1. ... They've won 14 of last 17 against Wizards dating to March 18, 2009.
HE SAID IT
"John is a one-man fastbreak." - Paul on Wall.
UP NEXT
Wizards: At Utah on Friday in the fourth of five games on the trip.
Clippers: At Phoenix on Thursday in the last back-to-back of the season. The Clippers are 3-0 against the Suns.
Curry scores 29, leads Warriors' rally over Spurs 110-98
By RAUL DOMINGUEZ
Associated Press
SAN ANTONIO (AP) Golden State was emotionally prepared to shrug off a 22-point deficit during the first quarter in a key showdown with San Antonio.
After all, the Warriors have battled the scrutiny of failing to win an NBA championship last year after a record-setting regular season and have fought through a knee injury to Kevin Durant this season.
Stephen Curry scored 29 points, Klay Thompson had 23 and the Warriors rallied to beat the San Antonio Spurs 110-98 on Wednesday night for their ninth straight win.
"You don't let go of the rope," Curry said. "Whether it ends up in a win or a loss, you can't ever feel like you're out of it. Understanding based on the experiences we've had the last three years, we have what it takes to win all sorts of way."
Golden State extended its lead over San Antonio to 3 1/2 games for the league's best record, beating the Spurs for the first time in three meetings this season.
The Warriors rallied to beat the Spurs a day after defeating the Rockets 113-106 in Houston, giving Golden State consecutive wins over the West's best.
"This was a big win for us, a confidence booster," said Warriors veteran David West, who scored 14 points. "Because, obviously, they are two tough teams, two playoffs teams, two teams we could see possibly late in the year. I thought the guys showed great resolve and focus."
The Spurs had a five-game winning streak halted in inglorious fashion. San Antonio got off to its best start of the season two days after dismantling Cleveland in a 29-point victory. The Spurs raced to a 33-17 lead in the opening quarter, matching their largest lead of the season after the first quarter.
"We had a great start, as everybody saw," Spurs guard Manu Ginobili said. "We kind of caught them by storm at the beginning."
Andre Iguodala's 20-foot fadeaway jumper off one leg in the final seconds kept the Warriors from matching a season-low for points in the opening period.
Iguodala finished with 14 points.
Golden State rallied from that horrendous start, overcoming a 22-point deficit in the first quarter to take its first lead at 59-57 on Thompson's 3-pointer 1:20 into the second half.
Unlike last season when they captured a record-setting 73 wins in the regular season, the Warriors are not focused on their record.
"Last year, things kind of got pushed under the rug and painted over a little bit because we were winning games," Curry said. "It wasn't really a great way to go into the playoffs. It was obviously a good emotion, but we had some habits that needed to be fixed. I think now we understand how important our defense is for us winning, especially in the playoffs."
The Warriors demonstrated that by outscoring the Spurs 93-65 after the first quarter.
San Antonio had 14 turnovers in the final three quarters.
"Our offense kind of got stagnant a little bit," Spurs forward Kawhi Leonard said. "Some miscommunication on the switches. We knew they were going to make shots."
Leonard had 19 points and five assists for San Antonio. Leonard shot 7 for 20 from the field while being guarded by a rotation of defenders.
"We've got a lot of good defenders on this team," Golden State coach Steve Kerr said. "It's a luxury to be able to put Andre, Matt Barnes, Sean Livingston, Klay to mix it up and throw different bodies. It's helpful for us."
Golden State finished 13 for 26 on 3-pointers after shooting 2 of 5 on 3-pointers in the first quarter.
Ginobili had 18 points for San Antonio, and LaMarcus Aldridge added 17.
TIP-INS
Warriors: Golden State forward Kevin Durant worked out on the court before the game, but remains sidelined by an injured left knee. Kerr said there is no update on a possible return, but is encouraged that Durant is moving well and progressing. Durant played a "hard" 1-on-1 against Golden State assistant coach Willie Green earlier in the day. "Kevin got him pretty good," Kerr said. "It's a good sign. If Willie had beaten him, I would have been worried." ... Curry has 289 3-pointers this season, second-most in league history, surpassing the 286 he made in 2015. Curry set the league record with 402 3s last season. ... Golden State has seven winning streaks of at least seven games in three seasons under Kerr.
Spurs: Ginobili has played 987 regular-season games in his career, tying Hall of Famer David Robinson for third all-time in franchise history behind Tony Parker (1,136) and Tim Duncan (1,392). ... PG Patty Mills has 582 career 3-pointers, one more than Hall of Famer Michael Jordan. ... San Antonio coach Gregg Popovich said rookie Dejounte Murray is progressing slowly, but remains out with a left groin injury. ... San Antonio has eight games remaining, including four at home. ... The Spurs are 106-57 overall against the Warriors.
NEVER GOING TO LET YOU GO
Ginobili said he won't make a decision about whether he will return for a 16th season until the Spurs' year is done, but Popovich doesn't want him going anywhere.
"I don't ever want him to retire," Popovich said, smiling. "I want to squeeze every last ounce of juice I can. I'm going to use him like a bar of soap until there's nothing left."
UP NEXT
Warriors: Host Houston on Friday night.
Spurs: At Oklahoma City on Friday night.
Associated Press
SAN ANTONIO (AP) Golden State was emotionally prepared to shrug off a 22-point deficit during the first quarter in a key showdown with San Antonio.
After all, the Warriors have battled the scrutiny of failing to win an NBA championship last year after a record-setting regular season and have fought through a knee injury to Kevin Durant this season.
Stephen Curry scored 29 points, Klay Thompson had 23 and the Warriors rallied to beat the San Antonio Spurs 110-98 on Wednesday night for their ninth straight win.
"You don't let go of the rope," Curry said. "Whether it ends up in a win or a loss, you can't ever feel like you're out of it. Understanding based on the experiences we've had the last three years, we have what it takes to win all sorts of way."
Golden State extended its lead over San Antonio to 3 1/2 games for the league's best record, beating the Spurs for the first time in three meetings this season.
The Warriors rallied to beat the Spurs a day after defeating the Rockets 113-106 in Houston, giving Golden State consecutive wins over the West's best.
"This was a big win for us, a confidence booster," said Warriors veteran David West, who scored 14 points. "Because, obviously, they are two tough teams, two playoffs teams, two teams we could see possibly late in the year. I thought the guys showed great resolve and focus."
The Spurs had a five-game winning streak halted in inglorious fashion. San Antonio got off to its best start of the season two days after dismantling Cleveland in a 29-point victory. The Spurs raced to a 33-17 lead in the opening quarter, matching their largest lead of the season after the first quarter.
"We had a great start, as everybody saw," Spurs guard Manu Ginobili said. "We kind of caught them by storm at the beginning."
Andre Iguodala's 20-foot fadeaway jumper off one leg in the final seconds kept the Warriors from matching a season-low for points in the opening period.
Iguodala finished with 14 points.
Golden State rallied from that horrendous start, overcoming a 22-point deficit in the first quarter to take its first lead at 59-57 on Thompson's 3-pointer 1:20 into the second half.
Unlike last season when they captured a record-setting 73 wins in the regular season, the Warriors are not focused on their record.
"Last year, things kind of got pushed under the rug and painted over a little bit because we were winning games," Curry said. "It wasn't really a great way to go into the playoffs. It was obviously a good emotion, but we had some habits that needed to be fixed. I think now we understand how important our defense is for us winning, especially in the playoffs."
The Warriors demonstrated that by outscoring the Spurs 93-65 after the first quarter.
San Antonio had 14 turnovers in the final three quarters.
"Our offense kind of got stagnant a little bit," Spurs forward Kawhi Leonard said. "Some miscommunication on the switches. We knew they were going to make shots."
Leonard had 19 points and five assists for San Antonio. Leonard shot 7 for 20 from the field while being guarded by a rotation of defenders.
"We've got a lot of good defenders on this team," Golden State coach Steve Kerr said. "It's a luxury to be able to put Andre, Matt Barnes, Sean Livingston, Klay to mix it up and throw different bodies. It's helpful for us."
Golden State finished 13 for 26 on 3-pointers after shooting 2 of 5 on 3-pointers in the first quarter.
Ginobili had 18 points for San Antonio, and LaMarcus Aldridge added 17.
TIP-INS
Warriors: Golden State forward Kevin Durant worked out on the court before the game, but remains sidelined by an injured left knee. Kerr said there is no update on a possible return, but is encouraged that Durant is moving well and progressing. Durant played a "hard" 1-on-1 against Golden State assistant coach Willie Green earlier in the day. "Kevin got him pretty good," Kerr said. "It's a good sign. If Willie had beaten him, I would have been worried." ... Curry has 289 3-pointers this season, second-most in league history, surpassing the 286 he made in 2015. Curry set the league record with 402 3s last season. ... Golden State has seven winning streaks of at least seven games in three seasons under Kerr.
Spurs: Ginobili has played 987 regular-season games in his career, tying Hall of Famer David Robinson for third all-time in franchise history behind Tony Parker (1,136) and Tim Duncan (1,392). ... PG Patty Mills has 582 career 3-pointers, one more than Hall of Famer Michael Jordan. ... San Antonio coach Gregg Popovich said rookie Dejounte Murray is progressing slowly, but remains out with a left groin injury. ... San Antonio has eight games remaining, including four at home. ... The Spurs are 106-57 overall against the Warriors.
NEVER GOING TO LET YOU GO
Ginobili said he won't make a decision about whether he will return for a 16th season until the Spurs' year is done, but Popovich doesn't want him going anywhere.
"I don't ever want him to retire," Popovich said, smiling. "I want to squeeze every last ounce of juice I can. I'm going to use him like a bar of soap until there's nothing left."
UP NEXT
Warriors: Host Houston on Friday night.
Spurs: At Oklahoma City on Friday night.
NBA Capsules (March 30, 2017)
ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) Russell Westbrook had 57 points – the most in a triple-double in NBA history – 13 rebounds and 11 assists to lead the Oklahoma City Thunder to a 114-106 overtime win over the Orlando Magic on Wednesday night.
Westbrook, a leading MVP candidate, led the Thunder to their largest comeback in team history, rallying Oklahoma City from a 21-point deficit in the second half as he recorded his 38th triple-double of the season.
And like the 13-point outburst in the final three minutes against Dallas on Monday night for the win, Westbrook was again the catalyst as he hit big shots in the fourth quarter, including the tying 3-pointer with 7.1 seconds remaining to force the extra period.
Enes Kanter added 17 points and 10 rebounds off the bench for the Thunder, and Victor Oladipo had 13 points while returning to Amway Center for the first time since being traded by the Magic last June.
Evan Fournier finished with 24 points and Terrence Ross added 23 for the Magic.
WARRIORS 110, SPURS 98
SAN ANTONIO (AP) – Stephen Curry scored 29 points, Klay Thompson had 23 and the Golden State Warriors rallied from a 22-point deficit in the opening quarter to beat the San Antonio Spurs for their ninth straight win.
Golden State extended its lead over San Antonio to 3 1/2 games for the league’s best record, beating the Spurs for the first time in three meetings this season.
Kawhi Leonard had 19 points and five assists for San Antonio. Leonard shot 7 for 20 from the field while being guarded by a rotation of defenders.
The Spurs had a five-game winning streak halted. Manu Ginobili had 18 points for San Antonio and LaMarcus Aldridge added 17.
BUCKS 103, CELTICS 100
BOSTON (AP) – Giannis Antetokounmpo had 22 points and nine rebounds, and the Milwaukee Bucks knocked the Boston Celtics out first place in the Eastern Conference.
Malcolm Brogdon, one of the leading contenders for NBA Rookie of the Year, finished with 16 points and nine assists. He had six key points in the final 2:46 to help Milwaukee fend off a late Boston charge.
The Bucks (39-36) have won five of six, including four straight on the road.
Boston (48-27) had won four in a row. The loss put the Celtics back in second in the East, percentage points behind idle Cleveland.
Isaiah Thomas led the Celtics with 32 points. Avery Bradley added 12 points and 10 rebounds.
HEAT 105, KNICKS 88
NEW YORK (AP) – Goran Dragic had 20 points, nine assists and seven rebounds, and the Miami Heat breezed past the New York Knicks.
Reserve James Johnson added 18 points for the Heat. Josh Richardson finished with 17 points as Miami (37-38) improved to 26-8 since an 11-30 start.
Kristaps Porzingis had 20 points and eight rebounds for the Knicks, who were eliminated from postseason contention for the fourth straight season since winning the Atlantic Division in 2012-13. Carmelo Anthony was scoreless in the first half and finished with nine points on 4-of-12 shooting. The Knicks fell for the ninth time in 11 games.
HORNETS 110, RAPTORS 106
TORONTO (AP) – Marco Belinelli scored 21 points, Kemba Walker had 19 and the Charlotte Hornets beat the Toronto Raptors.
Walker hit two big 3-pointers in the final 2 minutes, including one that gave the Hornets a 104-101 lead with 37.5 seconds left. He also had four rebounds and two assists, helping Charlotte (34-41) stop Toronto’s six-game win streak.
The Hornets went 8 for 10 from 3-point range in the fourth quarter. They finished the night 16 for 32 from beyond the arc.
DeMar DeRozan scored 28 points for Toronto (45-30), and Jonas Valanciunas had 14 points and 15 rebounds. The loss prevented the Raptors from clinching home-court advantage in the first round of the playoffs.
HAWKS 99, 76ERS 92
PHILADELPHIA (AP) – Dwight Howard had 22 points and 20 rebounds to lead the Atlanta Hawks over the Philadelphia 76ers.
The Hawks have won two straight following a seven-game losing streak that stunted their push in the Eastern Conference playoff standings. Atlanta is still in the fight for a fifth seed with Milwaukee, Indiana and Miami.
Tim Hardaway Jr. and Kent Bazemore each scored 19 points for the Hawks.
Richaun Holmes led the Sixers with 25 points and Dario Saric had 15. Saric was only 5 of 18 from the floor, but remains the leading contender for NBA Rookie of the Year.
PELICANS 121, MAVERICKS 118
NEW ORLEANS (AP) – Anthony Davis had 30 points and 13 rebounds, DeMarcus Cousins added 29 points and 16 rebounds in his return from a two-game absence, and the New Orleans Pelicans beat the Dallas Mavericks.
Back from a right ankle sprain, Cousins played 40 minutes. His baskets included a 29-foot 3-pointer at the end of the first half and he was 10 of 12 at the free-throw line. Davis’ highlights included an offensive rebound and dunk with 1:50 left as New Orleans won for the seventh time in 10 games.
Jordan Crawford’s 15-point performance included a 22-foot jumper that put the Pelicans up 121-116 with 47 seconds left.
Dirk Nowitzki had 23 points for Dallas, which lost its third straight. Harrison Barnes scored 19 and Seth Curry 18 for the Mavericks.
GRIZZLIES 110, PACERS 97
MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) – Mike Conley matched his career high with seven 3-pointers on his way to 36 points, helping the Memphis Grizzlies top the Indiana Pacers.
Vince Carter had 21 points and eight rebounds, and Zach Randolph finished with 17 points as Memphis snapped a four-game losing streak.
Paul George led the Pacers with 22 points, Aaron Brooks, who provided an early spark from outside the arc, had 18 points, and Thaddeus Young finished with 16. Indiana lost for the fourth time in five games.
CLIPPERS 133, WIZARDS 124
LOS ANGELES (AP) – J.J. Redick scored a season-high 31 points and hit seven 3-pointers, helping the Los Angeles Clippers beat the Washington Wizards. Redick returned from a sprained right ankle after missing the Clippers’ collapse in a one-point loss to Sacramento last Sunday. His 3-pointers tied a season best.
John Wall scored 41 points and Bradley Beal added 27 for the Wizards, who a night earlier clinched the franchise’s first division title in 38 years with a comeback win over the Lakers.
The Wizards have won 16 games after trailing by double-digits this season but couldn’t end their skid against the Clippers at Staples Center that dates to Feb. 13, 2008. Washington got no closer than five in the fourth on Beal’s 3-pointer with 30 seconds to go. The Wizards’ four-game winning streak ended.
JAZZ 112, KINGS 82
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) – Gordon Hayward scored 20 points, Rodney Hood had 18 and the Utah Jazz beat the Sacramento Kings.
Utah jumped out to an early 20-point lead, and then squandered most of it in the second quarter. But it put together a solid second half to secure its third win in four games.
Rudy Gobert had 16 points and 15 rebounds for the Jazz, and Shelvin Mack scored 14 points. Hood went 5 for 5 from beyond the arc.
Ben McLemore tied a season high with 22 points for Sacramento.
Westbrook, a leading MVP candidate, led the Thunder to their largest comeback in team history, rallying Oklahoma City from a 21-point deficit in the second half as he recorded his 38th triple-double of the season.
And like the 13-point outburst in the final three minutes against Dallas on Monday night for the win, Westbrook was again the catalyst as he hit big shots in the fourth quarter, including the tying 3-pointer with 7.1 seconds remaining to force the extra period.
Enes Kanter added 17 points and 10 rebounds off the bench for the Thunder, and Victor Oladipo had 13 points while returning to Amway Center for the first time since being traded by the Magic last June.
Evan Fournier finished with 24 points and Terrence Ross added 23 for the Magic.
WARRIORS 110, SPURS 98
SAN ANTONIO (AP) – Stephen Curry scored 29 points, Klay Thompson had 23 and the Golden State Warriors rallied from a 22-point deficit in the opening quarter to beat the San Antonio Spurs for their ninth straight win.
Golden State extended its lead over San Antonio to 3 1/2 games for the league’s best record, beating the Spurs for the first time in three meetings this season.
Kawhi Leonard had 19 points and five assists for San Antonio. Leonard shot 7 for 20 from the field while being guarded by a rotation of defenders.
The Spurs had a five-game winning streak halted. Manu Ginobili had 18 points for San Antonio and LaMarcus Aldridge added 17.
BUCKS 103, CELTICS 100
BOSTON (AP) – Giannis Antetokounmpo had 22 points and nine rebounds, and the Milwaukee Bucks knocked the Boston Celtics out first place in the Eastern Conference.
Malcolm Brogdon, one of the leading contenders for NBA Rookie of the Year, finished with 16 points and nine assists. He had six key points in the final 2:46 to help Milwaukee fend off a late Boston charge.
The Bucks (39-36) have won five of six, including four straight on the road.
Boston (48-27) had won four in a row. The loss put the Celtics back in second in the East, percentage points behind idle Cleveland.
Isaiah Thomas led the Celtics with 32 points. Avery Bradley added 12 points and 10 rebounds.
HEAT 105, KNICKS 88
NEW YORK (AP) – Goran Dragic had 20 points, nine assists and seven rebounds, and the Miami Heat breezed past the New York Knicks.
Reserve James Johnson added 18 points for the Heat. Josh Richardson finished with 17 points as Miami (37-38) improved to 26-8 since an 11-30 start.
Kristaps Porzingis had 20 points and eight rebounds for the Knicks, who were eliminated from postseason contention for the fourth straight season since winning the Atlantic Division in 2012-13. Carmelo Anthony was scoreless in the first half and finished with nine points on 4-of-12 shooting. The Knicks fell for the ninth time in 11 games.
HORNETS 110, RAPTORS 106
TORONTO (AP) – Marco Belinelli scored 21 points, Kemba Walker had 19 and the Charlotte Hornets beat the Toronto Raptors.
Walker hit two big 3-pointers in the final 2 minutes, including one that gave the Hornets a 104-101 lead with 37.5 seconds left. He also had four rebounds and two assists, helping Charlotte (34-41) stop Toronto’s six-game win streak.
The Hornets went 8 for 10 from 3-point range in the fourth quarter. They finished the night 16 for 32 from beyond the arc.
DeMar DeRozan scored 28 points for Toronto (45-30), and Jonas Valanciunas had 14 points and 15 rebounds. The loss prevented the Raptors from clinching home-court advantage in the first round of the playoffs.
HAWKS 99, 76ERS 92
PHILADELPHIA (AP) – Dwight Howard had 22 points and 20 rebounds to lead the Atlanta Hawks over the Philadelphia 76ers.
The Hawks have won two straight following a seven-game losing streak that stunted their push in the Eastern Conference playoff standings. Atlanta is still in the fight for a fifth seed with Milwaukee, Indiana and Miami.
Tim Hardaway Jr. and Kent Bazemore each scored 19 points for the Hawks.
Richaun Holmes led the Sixers with 25 points and Dario Saric had 15. Saric was only 5 of 18 from the floor, but remains the leading contender for NBA Rookie of the Year.
PELICANS 121, MAVERICKS 118
NEW ORLEANS (AP) – Anthony Davis had 30 points and 13 rebounds, DeMarcus Cousins added 29 points and 16 rebounds in his return from a two-game absence, and the New Orleans Pelicans beat the Dallas Mavericks.
Back from a right ankle sprain, Cousins played 40 minutes. His baskets included a 29-foot 3-pointer at the end of the first half and he was 10 of 12 at the free-throw line. Davis’ highlights included an offensive rebound and dunk with 1:50 left as New Orleans won for the seventh time in 10 games.
Jordan Crawford’s 15-point performance included a 22-foot jumper that put the Pelicans up 121-116 with 47 seconds left.
Dirk Nowitzki had 23 points for Dallas, which lost its third straight. Harrison Barnes scored 19 and Seth Curry 18 for the Mavericks.
GRIZZLIES 110, PACERS 97
MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) – Mike Conley matched his career high with seven 3-pointers on his way to 36 points, helping the Memphis Grizzlies top the Indiana Pacers.
Vince Carter had 21 points and eight rebounds, and Zach Randolph finished with 17 points as Memphis snapped a four-game losing streak.
Paul George led the Pacers with 22 points, Aaron Brooks, who provided an early spark from outside the arc, had 18 points, and Thaddeus Young finished with 16. Indiana lost for the fourth time in five games.
CLIPPERS 133, WIZARDS 124
LOS ANGELES (AP) – J.J. Redick scored a season-high 31 points and hit seven 3-pointers, helping the Los Angeles Clippers beat the Washington Wizards. Redick returned from a sprained right ankle after missing the Clippers’ collapse in a one-point loss to Sacramento last Sunday. His 3-pointers tied a season best.
John Wall scored 41 points and Bradley Beal added 27 for the Wizards, who a night earlier clinched the franchise’s first division title in 38 years with a comeback win over the Lakers.
The Wizards have won 16 games after trailing by double-digits this season but couldn’t end their skid against the Clippers at Staples Center that dates to Feb. 13, 2008. Washington got no closer than five in the fourth on Beal’s 3-pointer with 30 seconds to go. The Wizards’ four-game winning streak ended.
JAZZ 112, KINGS 82
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) – Gordon Hayward scored 20 points, Rodney Hood had 18 and the Utah Jazz beat the Sacramento Kings.
Utah jumped out to an early 20-point lead, and then squandered most of it in the second quarter. But it put together a solid second half to secure its third win in four games.
Rudy Gobert had 16 points and 15 rebounds for the Jazz, and Shelvin Mack scored 14 points. Hood went 5 for 5 from beyond the arc.
Ben McLemore tied a season high with 22 points for Sacramento.
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