Page 20 - ARUBA TODAY

A20 SPORTS
Wednesday 29 March 2017
NBA Capsules

Spurs crush ailing Cavaliers

The Associated Press ing an elbow to the base Marcus Morris scored
SAN ANTONIO (AP) — of his neck. He remained 20 points but the Pis-
Kawhi Leonard scored 25 on the bench for a while tons dropped their fourth
points to help the San An- receiving medical atten- straight and fell 1½ games
tonio Spurs dismantle the tion, then headed toward behind Miami for the eighth
ailing Cleveland Cavaliers the locker room and didn’t and final playoff spot in the
103-74 on Monday night in return to the game. Eastern Conference. Ish
a showdown that turned James finished with 17 Smith had 15 points while
into a major letdown for points, eight rebounds and former starting point guard
the defending NBA cham- eight assists in 29 minutes. Reggie Jackson didn’t
pions. Kyle Korver (foot) and Iman play.
LaMarcus Aldridge and Shumpert (knee) sat out Andre Drummond had 10
Pau Gasol added 14 points with injuries for Cleveland. points and 15 rebounds for
apiece for the Spurs, who San Antonio (57-16) is two the Pistons, who have lost
won their fifth straight. games behind Golden seven of eight.
Cleveland (47-26) dropped State for the league’s best RAPTORS 131, MAGIC 112
its second in a row, set a record entering a home TORONTO (AP) — DeMar
season low for points and showdown with the War- DeRozan scored 36 points
fell a half-game behind riors on Wednesday. and Cory Joseph had 15
Boston (48-26) for the top THUNDER 92, MAVERICKS 91 points and 13 assists as To-
seed in the Eastern Confer- DALLAS (AP) — Russell West- ronto defeated Orlando
Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) shoots against
San Antonio Spurs forward Kawhi Leonard during the first half ence playoffs. brook hit a pull-up jumper for its sixth straight victory.
of an NBA basketball game, Monday, March 27, 2017, in San Cavaliers star LeBron with seven seconds left as DeRozan, selected the
Antonio. James was injured late in Oklahoma City erased a Eastern Conference player
Associated Press the third quarter after tak- 13-point deficit in the final of the week earlier in the
four minutes to beat Dallas. day, scored 18 in the first
Westbrook scored 37 quarter. Joseph added six
points, including 16 in the rebounds and Jonas Va-
fourth quarter, with 13 re- lanciunas had 17 points
bounds and 10 assists for his and nine rebounds for the
third straight triple-double Raptors (45-29).
and 37th of the season. Elfrid Payton had 22 points
The Thunder finished on a and nine assists for Orlando
14-0 run, capped when (27-47).
they gained possession on Evan Fournier added 20
a replay reversal with 13 points, and Nikola Vucevic
seconds to go. Westbrook had 12 points and 15 re-
then hit the decisive shot bounds.
from just beyond the free It was the first game be-
throw line over Wesley Mat- tween the teams since the
thews. Raptors traded Terrence
Westbrook scored 12 of the Ross to the Magic for Serge
final 14 points. Ibaka in February. Ross fin-
Harrison Barnes missed a ished with 17 points, while
long 3-pointer just before Ibaka had 16 points and
the buzzer, clinching the seven rebounds.
first losing season for the KINGS 91, GRIZZLIES 90
Mavericks (31-42) since SACRAMENTO, California
1999-2000, the season that (AP) — Darren Collison
owner Mark Cuban bought scored 23 points and made
the team with Dirk Nowitzki, two crucial free throws in
who’s still with the team, in the closing seconds to help
his second year. Sacramento hand slump-
The Thunder (42-31) won ing Memphis its fourth con-
for the seventh time in nine secutive loss.
games since a four-game The victory was the second
losing streak that matched straight for the Kings, both
a season high. over playoff-bound teams.
KNICKS 109, PISTONS 95 Sacramento rallied from an
NEW YORK (AP) — Derrick 18-point deficit in the final
Rose scored 27 points and five minutes to defeat the
Kristaps Porzingis had 25 as Los Angeles Clippers on
New York handed Detroit Sunday.
another damaging defeat. Mike Conley had 22 points
Carmelo Anthony added and nine assists for the Griz-
21 points for the Knicks af- zlies, and Zach Randolph
ter missing two games with added 17 points and 15 re-
a sore left knee. New York bounds. Memphis has lost
snapped a five-game los- nine of 13 and sits in sev-
ing streak and avoided enth place in the Western
playoff elimination. Conference. q