It was a busy Friday in the NBA with 22 teams taking to the hardwood and in some thrilling action six players scored at least 32 points.
Raptors crush Pacers
A 40-point performance from DeMar DeRozan helped the Toronto Raptors defeat the Indiana Pacers 111-100. Jonas Valanciunas had a 16-point, 17-rebound double-double and Congolese forward Serge Ibaka also finished with a double-double with 15 points and 12 rebounds.
Indiana were led by Paul George with 28 points and nine rebounds, Jeff Teague had 19 points, four rebounds and five assists, and CJ Miles ended the game with 15 points.
Pelicans overthrow Kings
The New Orleans Pelicans beat the Sacramento Kings 117-89 on the back of DeMarcus Cousins’ 37-point, 13-rebound double-double, Anthony Davis also had a double-double with 19 points and 12 rebounds while E’Twaun Moore finished with 13 points and four rebounds.
Ben McLemore led Sacramento with 15 points, eight rebounds and four assists, Buddy Hield had 13 points and eight rebounds, and Skal Labissiere also had 13 points and eight rebounds.
Celtics down Magic
The Boston Celtics beat the Orlando Magic 117-116. Isaiah Thomas had 35 points and seven assists, Jae Crowder 18 points and five rebounds while Al Horford and Jaylen Brown combined for 24 with 12 points each.
Orlando were led by Aaron Gordon with a 32-point, 16-rebound double-double, Algerian-French guard Evan Fournier had 20 points, Terrence Ross 17 points, and Congolese center Bismack Biyombo eight points and eight rebounds.
Cavaliers defeat 76ers
LeBron James had 34 points, nine rebounds and six assists in the Cleveland Cavaliers’ 122-105 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers. Kyrie Irving had 24 points and nine assists and Kevin Love an 18-point, 10-rebound double-double.
Richaun Holmes led Philadelphia with 19 points and seven rebounds, Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot had 19 points and four rebounds, and Shawn Long 16 points and four rebounds.
Spurs stop Thunder
A 32-point, 15-rebound, 12-assist triple-double from Russell Westbrook was not enough to secure OKC a victory and they fell 95-100 to the San Antonio Spurs. Kawhi Leonard had 28 points and eight rebounds for the Spurs, Pau Gasol had 17 points, four rebounds and four assists, and LaMarcus Aldridge finished with a 14-point, 10-rebound double-double.
Nigerian-American Victor Oladipo had 16 points, Steven Adams 13 points and seven rebounds, and Enes Kanter 11 points and five rebounds.
The Rest
The Charlotte Hornets beat the Denver Nuggets 114-122 on the back of Kemba Walker’s 31 points, Nigerian-Greek forward Giannis Antetokounmpo’s 28-point, 14-rebound double-double helped the Milwaukee Bucks beat the Detroit Pistons 108-105, the Memphis Grizzlies beat the Dallas Mavericks 99-90, the New York Knicks defeated the Miami Heat 98-94 on the back of Kristaps Porzingis’ 22 points and seven rebounds, 19 points from Gordon Hayward helped the Utah Jazz beat the Washington Wizards 95-88 and the Golden State Warriors won their matchup with the Houston Rockets 107-98.
By Kaunda Chama
