Friday was a great night for LA Clippers point guard Chris Paul, who passed Isiah Thomas for 15th spot on the all-time steals list and Rod Strickland for 10th spot on the assists list, while Cameroonian sensation Joel Embiid became the first 76er since Allen Iverson (2006) to finish five straight games with more than 23 points.
Chris Paul makes history as Clippers win
The LA Clippers beat the Kings 106-98 in Sacramento. Austin Rivers had 24 points and six rebounds, DeAndre Jordan 20 points and nine rebounds, JJ Redick 19 points and four rebounds, while Chris Paul finished his record-breaking night with a 14-point, 12-assist double-double.
Sacramento were led by DeMarcus Cousins’ double-double with 25 points and 11 rebounds, Darren Collison had 20 points and five rebounds, and Rudy Gay 18 points and seven rebounds.
Celtics edge Sixers as Embiid stars
The Boston Celtics beat the Philadelphia 76ers 110-106. Avery Bradley had 26 points and nine rebounds, Isaiah Thomas had 24 points and four rebounds, while Al Horford finished with a 19-point, 12-rebound double-double.
Cameroonian rookie Joel Embiid led the Sixers with 23 points and eight rebounds, Ersan Ilyasova had 20 points, Gerald Henderson had 18 points and four rebounds, and Nerlens Noel ended the night with 13 points and eight rebounds.
Knicks get revenge against Bucks
The New York Knicks beat the Milwaukee Bucks 116-111 on the back of Carmelo Anthony’s 26-point, 10-rebound double-double, Kristaps Porzingis had 24 points and six rebounds, and Derrick Rose had 12 points and eight assists.
Greek-Nigerian Giannis Antetokounmpo and Jabari Parker combined for 50 with 25 points apiece, Greg Monroe had 19 points, seven rebounds and four assists, while Tony Snell finished with 13 points.
Rockets shoot down Magic
The Houston Rockets beat the Orlando Magic 100-93. Ryan Anderson had 19 points and three rebounds, Patrick Beverly 17 points and nine rebounds, and James Harden ended the night with a 14-point, 10-assist double-double.
Aaron Gordon led the Magic with 18 points, six rebounds and seven assists, Congolese forward Serge Ibaka had a 16-point, 12-rebound double-double, French-Algerian guard Evan Fournier had 10 points and nine rebounds, while DRC-born center Bismack Biyombo finished with two points, five rebounds, two assists and two steals.
Wizards take down Timberwolves
The Washington Wizards beat the Minnesota Timberwolves 112-105. Bradley Beal had 22 points, Marcin Gortat had a 19-point, 10-rebound double-double, and John Wall also had a double-double with 18 points and 18 assists.
Andrew Wiggins led the Timberwolves with a massive 41 points, Karl-Anthony Towns had an 18-point, 10-rebound double-double, and Senegalese center Gorgui Dieng had a double-double of his own with 15 points and 11 rebounds.
The rest
In other Friday night games, the Los Angeles Lakers beat the Miami Heat 127-100, the Cleveland Cavaliers cleaned up the Brooklyn Nets 116-108 and the Memphis Grizzlies shocked the Golden State Warriors 128-119 in overtime.
By Kaunda Chama
