It was another great night of NBA action with eight games played, including an impressive Chicago Bulls effort to beat the defending champions and the Golden State Warriors repeating last season’s performance to clinch a Playoffs spot in only 58 games.
Warriors bury Nets
The Golden State Warriors can essentially start prepping for the offseason after winning their 49th game against the Brooklyn Nets 112-95. Stephen Curry had 27 points, five rebounds and five assists, Klay Thompson had 24 points, four rebounds and four assists, while Patrick McCaw and Ian Clark combined for 18 with nine points apiece.
The Nets were led by Rondae Hollis-Jefferson with a 16-point, 10-rebound double-double, Sean Kilpatrick had a 15-point, 10-rebound double-double, and Spencer Dinwiddie had 13 points, five rebounds and five assists.
Rockets strike Timberwolves
The Houston Rockets defeated the Minnesota Timberwolves 142-130. James Harden had a double-double with 24 points and 10 assists, Ryan Anderson had 18 points, Lou Williams had 17 points and four assists, and Clint Capela finished with 16 points and nine rebounds.
Karl-Anthony Towns (37 points and 22 rebounds) became the third player with a 30-point, 20-rebound double-double this season, Andrew Wiggins had 30 points and Senegalese center Gorgui Dineng ended the game with a 16-point, 13-rebound double-double.
Heat scorch Pacers
The Miami Heat are now three straight after beating the Indiana Pacers 113-95. Hassan Whiteside had a 22-point, 17-rebound double-double, Dion Waiters also had 22 points and Goran Dragic had 21 points and four assists.
The Pacers were led by Myles Turner with 18 points and seven rebounds, Jeff Teague had 16 points and six assists, and Slam Dunk champion Glenn Robinson III finished with 13 points and five rebounds.
Knicks down Sixers
Carmelo Anthony had 37 points including the game winner in the New York Knicks’ 110-109 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers. Derrick Rose had 18 points and five rebounds and Justin Holiday had 14 points and seven rebounds.
Jahlil Okafor led the Sixers with a 28-point, 10 rebound double-double, Robert Covington had a 20-point, 10-rebound double-double and Dario Saric also finished with a double-double with 19 points and 15 rebounds.
Bulls ram Cavs
The Chicago Bulls got their fourth consecutive win after beating the defending champions Cleveland Cavaliers 117-99. Dwyane Wade had a 20-point, 10 assist double-double, Jimmy Butler had an 18-point, 10-rebound, 10-assist triple-double and Nikola Mirotic ended the night with a 14-point, 10-rebound double-double.
The Cavs were led by Kyrie Irving with 34 points, nine rebounds and seven assists, James Jones and Kyle Korver combined for 28 with 14 points apiece and Channing Frye had 11 points and five rebounds.
The rest
Narlens Noel had a great debut for the Dallas Mavericks and helped them beat the New Orleans Pelicans 96-83, the Orlando Magic beat the Atlanta Hawks 105-86 on the back of Terrence Ross’ 24 points and the Charlotte Hornets snapped their losing streak and beat the Sacramento Kings 99-85.
By Kaunda Chama
