As the race for the NBA’s regular season Most Valuable Player (MVP) continues, two of the title’s main contenders Russell Westbrook and James Harden continue to put up great performances and last night was no different.
Thunder strikes Cavs
Russell Westbrook got his 26th triple double of the season and helped the Oklahoma City Thunder defeat the Cleveland Cavaliers 118-109. He had 29 points, 12 rebounds and 11 assists, Nigerian-American guard Victor Oladipo had 23 points and seven rebounds, while Steven Adams finished with a 20-point, 13-rebound double-double.
Kyrie Irving led the Cavs with 28 points and four assists, LeBron James had 18 points, five rebounds and seven assists, and Kevin Love ended the game with a 15-point, 12-rebound double-double.
Rockets strike Hornets
The Houston Rockets beat the Hornets 107-95 in Charlotte. James Harden had a 30-point, 11-rebound double-double, Patrick Beverly had 17 points, and Montrezl Harrell had 15 points and four rebounds.
Cameroonian-French guard Nicolas Batum had a double-double with 16 points and 10 rebounds for the Hornets, Kemba Walker had 14 points, five rebounds and five assists, while Marvin Williams had 12 points and seven rebounds.
Sixers take Orlando
The Philadelphia 76ers defeated the Orlando Magic 112-111. Dario Saric had 24 points and eight rebounds, Ersan Ilyasova had 16 points and four rebounds, and Nik Stauskas finished with 13 points, five rebounds and five assists.
Algerian-French guard Evan Fournier led the Magic with 24 points, nine rebounds and eight assists, Nikola Vucevic had a 21-point, 11-rebound double-double, Congolese forward Serge Ibaka had 16 points and four blocks, while DRC-born center Bismack Biyombo had nine points and eight rebounds.
Mavs outplay Jazz
The Dallas Mavericks held home court and defeated the Utah Jazz 112-105. Harrison Barnes had 31 points and four rebounds, Dirk Nowitzki had 20 points and seven rebounds and Seth Curry had 16 points, five rebounds and four assists.
The Jazz were led by Gordon Hayward with 36 points and four rebounds, Joe Ingles had 16 points, five rebounds and five assists, and Rudy Gobert ended the game with a 15-point, 15-rebound double-double.
Boston beat Blazers
The Boston Celtics beat the Portland Trail Blazers 120-111 on the back of Isaiah Thomas’ 34 points and four assists. Marcus Smart had 18 points, six rebounds, five assists and five steals, and Jaylen Brown had 14 points and seven rebounds.
Damian Lillard led Portland with 28 points, six rebounds and seven assists, Nigerian forward Al-Farouq Aminu had 26 points and five rebounds, while CJ McCollum finished with 20 points, four rebounds and four assists.
By Kaunda Chama
