Friday was full of thrills in the NBA and numbers were the focus. Russell Westbrook became the ninth player to score more than 40 points in four consecutive games, Narlens Noel had his first 15-point, 15-rebound game and the Cleveland Cavaliers broke the record for most three-pointers in a regular season game.
Cavs down Hawks
Kyrie Irving and LeBron James scored or assisted on 86.7 percent of the Cleveland Cavaliers’ points in the team’s 135-130 victory over the Atlanta Hawks, which included a record-setting 25 three-pointers. Irving had 43 points, nine assists and four steals, James had a 38-point, 13-rebound double-double, and Channing Frye had 11 points and four rebounds.
Tim Hardaway Jr led the Hawks with 36 points, Paul Millsap had 27 points and nine rebounds, while Gambian-German point guard Dennis Schroeder finished with 17 points and seven assists.
Suns scorch OKC
The Phoenix Suns defeated the Oklahoma City Thunder 118-111. Eric Bledsoe had 18 points, five assists and four blocks, Devin Booker had 17 points and seven rebounds, and TJ Warren had 15 points and seven rebounds.
Russell Westbrook became the ninth player in NBA history to have four consecutive 40-point games and had a 48-point, 17-rebound double-double, Alex Abrines had 13 points and Steven Adams had nine points and 10 rebounds.
Raptors daze Wizards
The Toronto Raptors beat the Washington Wizards 114-106. DeMar DeRozan had a 32-point, 13-rebound double-double, Norman Powell had 21 points and six rebounds, and Cory Joseph had 15 points and five rebounds.
The Wizards were led by John Wall with 30 points and eight rebounds, Bradley Beal had 27 points, seven rebounds and four assists, while Otto Porter Jr finished with 18 points and eight rebounds.
Sixers too good for Knicks
The Philadelphia 76ers beat the New York Knicks 105-102. Dario Saric had a 21-point, 10-rebound double-double, Justin Anderson had 19 points and five rebounds, while Robert Covington had 16 points and four rebounds.
Lance Thomas led the Knicks with 21 points and seven rebounds, Derrick Rose had 20 points, four rebounds and five assists, while Kristaps Porzingis and Carmelo Anthony combined for 36 with 18 points apiece.
Celtics thump Lakers
The Boston Celtics beat the Los Angeles Lakers 115-95. Isaiah Thomas had 18 points and eight assists, Al Horford had 17 points and four rebounds, and Jaylen Brown finished with 16 points and eight rebounds.
The Lakers were led by Jordan Clarkson with 20 points and four rebounds, D’ Angelo Russell had 17 points and four assists, and Julius Randle had 13 points and seven rebounds.
The rest
Sharp shooting helped the Milwaukee Bucks beat the LA Clippers 112-101, the Dallas Mavericks defeated the Memphis Grizzlies 104-100 on the back of Seth Curry’s 24 points, the Utah Jazz got their groove back and beat the Brooklyn Nets 112-97, the Orlando Magic defeated the Miami Heat 110-99, and a 31-point game from Kawhi Leonard led the San Antonio Spurs past the New Orleans Pelicans 101-98.
By Kaunda Chama
