As the playoffs draw closer, more NBA records continue to tumble. The San Antonio Spurs have now won 60 games in back-to-back seasons – a franchise-first, the Golden State Warriors have won the most games in a three-year span (204-38) – breaking a long-standing Chicago Bulls record, and Russell Westbrook tied Oscar Robertson’s long standing record for triple doubles in a single season.
Warriors thrash Timberwolves
The Golden State Warriors defeated the Minnesota Timberwolves 121-107. Klay Thompson had 41 points, Stephen Curry had 19 points and nine assists, and Matt Barnes had 12 points, six rebounds and four assists.
Shabazz Muhammad had a 24-point, 11-rebound double-double for Minnesota, Andrew Wiggins had 24 points and four rebounds, Karl-Anthony Towns had 21 points, six rebounds and four assists, while Senegalese center Gorgui Dieng finished with six points, nine rebounds and four assists.
Thunder strikes Bucks
A record-matching performance by Russell Westbrook led the Oklahoma City Thunder past the Milwaukee Bucks 110-79. He had a 12-point, 13-rebound, 13-assist triple-double, Enes Kanter had 17 points and five rebounds, while Taj Gibson and Alex Abrines combined for 24 with 12 points apiece.
Milwaukee were led by Michael Beasley with 14 points, Nigerian-Greek forward Giannis Antetokounmpo had an 11-point, 10-rebound double-double, and Spencer Hawes had 10 points and five rebounds.
Spurs pound Grizzlies
The San Antonio Spurs got their second 60-win season in a row after defeating the Memphis Grizzlies 95-89. Kawhi Leonard had a 32-point, 12-rebound double-double, LaMarcus Aldridge had 15 points and six rebounds, while Paul Gasol had a 12-point, 11-rebound double-double.
Mike Conley had 19 points and six assists for Memphis and Zach Randolph an 18-point, 16-rebound double-double.
Jazz outplay Trail Blazers
The Portland Trail blazers are losing their grip on the eighth spot in the West after losing 87-106 to the Utah Jazz. Gordon Hayward had 30 points and four rebounds for Utah, Rudy Gobert had a 20-point, 11-rebound double-double and Joe Johnson had 13 points.
CJ McCollum led Portland with 25 points and six rebounds, Damian Lillard had 16 points, and Nigerian forward Al-Farouq Aminu ended the game with 11 points and four rebounds.
Kings down Mavericks
The Sacramento Kings held home court and beat the Dallas Mavericks 98-87. Ben McLemore had 22 points, Buddy Hield had 16 points and four rebounds, and Langston Galloway had 15 points and seven rebounds.
Dallas were led by Nicolas Brussino with 13 points, seven rebounds and five assists, Dwight Powell had 11 points and seven rebounds, and Harrison Barnes finished with 11 points.
The rest
Carmelo Anthony’s 23-point game helped the New York Knicks beat the Chicago Bulls 100-91, the Denver Nuggets beat the New Orleans Pelicans 134-131 on the back of Danilo Gallinari’s 28 points, the return of Lance Stephenson did the Indiana Pacers some good as they defeated the Toronto Raptors 108-90, another triple-double from LeBron James helped the Cleveland Cavaliers beat the Orlando Magic 122-102, the Washington Wizards are not slowing down after clinching a playoffs spot and beat the Charlotte Hornets 118-111, and the Brooklyn Nets beat the Philadelphia 76ers 141-118.
By Kaunda Chama
