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SPORTS Saturday 10 March 2018

Kyrie Irving returns, Celtics beat Timberwolves 117-109

By The Associated Press Kevin Durant had 37 points,
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Kyrie 11 rebounds and four
Irving returned from a one- blocked shots and almost
game absence to help single-handedly led under-
Boston fend off Minnesota, manned Golden State's
finishing with 23 points, sev- fourth-quarter rally past
en rebounds and eight as- San Antonio after Stephen
sists to pace the Celtics in Curry went down early.
a 117-109 victory over the Durant hit his third straight
Timberwolves on Thursday jumper to tie it with 2:01 re-
night. maining before the Warriors
Irving, the five-time All-Star went ahead on Draymond
whose first season with the Green's putback the follow-
Celtics has been stellar ing possession. Klay Thomp-
save for some minor injuries, son made two free throws
was good to go after sitting with 15.9 seconds left.
out at Chicago on Monday Bryn Forbes' 3-point try
to rest a sore left knee that from the top to tie it hit the
was aggravated in the pre- front rim as the final buzzer
vious game. sounded.
Al Horford added 20 points, Green had his third triple-
eight rebounds, six assists double this season with 11
and tough defense on points, 12 rebounds and 10
Karl-Anthony Towns for the assists.
Celtics, who stayed two Curry was lost for the night
games behind Toronto in to a rolled right ankle early
the Eastern Conference in the first quarter, but the
race with their sixth win in Warriors responded without
seven games. They have their two-time MVP to win
three more losses than the their seventh straight since
Raptors. the All-Star break.
Marcus Morris added 17 THUNDER 115, SUNS 87
points for the Celtics, whose OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) —
victory was tempered a bit Russell Westbrook had 27
by the hard landing Jay- points, eight rebounds and
len Brown took on his back nine assists to help Oklaho-
after a dunk late in the ma City rout Phoenix.
third quarter. He left with Paul George added 21 Boston Celtics's Kyrie Irving, right, shoots as Minnesota Timberwolves' Nemanja Bjelica of Serbia
watches in the first half of an NBA basketball game Thursday, March 8, 2018, in St. Paul, Minn.
14 points for evaluation of points, Corey Brewer had Associated Press
concussion-like symptoms. 17, Steven Adams 16, and
Nemanja Bjelica scored a Carmelo Anthony 11. Brew-
career-high 30 points on 11- er replaced Josh Huestis HEAT 108, 76ERS 99 and move within a game lotte to snap a four-game
for-16 shooting, including 6 in the starting lineup and MIAMI (AP) — Hassan Wh- of No. 6 Philadelphia. losing streak. Caris Levert
for 9 from 3-point range. His responded with a 6-for- iteside scored 26 points, Dario Saric had 20 points scored 16 of his 22 points in
first 20-10 game in the NBA 11 performance from the Dwyane Wade added 16 and 10 rebounds for the the second half, and Ron-
was ultimately wasted in floor. and Miami beat Philadel- 76ers. dae Hollis-Jefferson had
the third straight loss for the Devin Booker, wearing phia to move a step closer NETS 125, HORNETS 111 18 points and 12 rebounds
Timberwolves, who are still a headband for the first to the playoffs. CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — to provide a spark off the
trying to find their way with- time in his three-year NBA Josh Richardson scored 13 Allen Crabbe made his bench for the Nets.
out injured All-Star Jimmy career, had 30 points for points, Tyler Johnson had first six 3-point attempts Kemba Walker had 21
Butler. Phoenix. He had 39 last 12 and Kelly Olynyk added and finished with 29 points points on 7-of-11 shooting
WARRIORS 110, SPURS 107 week in Arizona in a loss to 10 to help the Heat stay No. and eight rebounds, help- for the Hornets. They've lost
OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — the Thunder. 7 in the Eastern Conference ing Brooklyn beat Char- five straight.q