Sunday was an early night in the NBA with only four games played, but it was not short on excitement as Stephen Curry helped the Golden State Warriors come back from a slow start and claimed the 13th spot on the NBA’s 3-pointers made list, while Deron Williams of the Dallas Mavericks moved up to 20th spot on the all-time assists list.
Warriors handle Magic
The Golden State Warriors came back from a slow start to claim a 118-98 victory over the Magic in Orlando. Stephen Curry had 27 points, four rebounds and six assists. He shot 7-13 from 3-point range and in the process passed Peja Stojakovic for the NBA’s 13th position in career threes made. Klay Thompson had 21 points and five rebounds, and Kevin Durant finished with a 15-point, 10-rebound double-double.
The Magic were led by Elfrid Payton with a 32-point, 10-assist double-double – shooting 61.1 percent from the field, DRC-born center Bismack Biyombo had a 12-point, 14-rebound double-double, Nikola Vucevic and CJ Watson combined for 24 with 12 points apiece, and Congolese forward Serge Ibaka had 10 points and three rebounds.
Mavericks smash Lakers
The Dallas Mavericks’ Deron Williams (13 points, five rebounds and eight assists) was the assist leader in his team’s 122-73 blowout victory over the Los Angeles Lakers. In the process he moved up to the 20th spot on the NBA’s all-time assists list. Justin Anderson led the Mavs with 19 points and five rebounds, while Seth Curry had 14 points and three assists. Tunisian center Salah Mejri finished with two points, five rebounds and two blocks.
The Lakers, who were without guard D’Angelo Russell, were led by Lou Williams with 15 points. Jordan Clarkson had 10 points and three rebounds, while South Sudanese forward Luol Deng, Julius Randle and Nick Young combined for 27 with nine points apiece.
Suns burn Raptors
The Phoenix Suns defeated the Raptors 115-103 in Toronto. Eric Bledsoe had a massive 40-point, 13-assist double-double, Devin Booker had 20 points and four rebounds, and Tyson Chandler ended the game with 16 points and nine rebounds.
DeMar DeRozan led the Raptors with 22 points and four assists, Jonas Valanciunas had a 16-point, 12-rebound double-double, and Kyle Lowry had 15 points, four rebounds and six assists. Cameroonian rookie Pascal Siakam did not play.
Wolves nibble Nuggets
The Minnesota Timberwolves took care of home court and beat the visiting Denver Nuggets 111-108. Karl-Anthony Towns had a 32-point, 12-rebound double-double, Andrew Wiggins had 24 points, four rebounds and four assists, Shabazz Muhammad had 20 points and five rebounds, while Senegalese center Gorgui Dieng finished with four points and two steals.
Garry Harris led the Nuggets with 22 points and six rebounds, Nikola Jokic had 18 points, eight rebounds and four assists, while Wilson Chandler and Jamal Murray combined for 34 with 17 points apiece.
By Kaunda Chama
