Page 20 - ARUBA TODAY

A20 SPORTS
Tuesday 28 March 2017
Williams, Harden lead Rockets over Thunder

The Associated Press Davis had his 45th double- the third time in 15 games.
HOUSTON (AP) — Lou Wil- double of the season and DeAndre Jordan led the
liams scored 31 points finished with 30 or more Clippers with 20 points and
while James Harden fin- points for the 32nd time. 11 rebounds.
ished with 22 points and 12 Jrue Holiday and Jordan HORNETS 120, SUNS 106
assists as the Houston Rock- Crawford added 13 points CHARLOTTE, North Carolina
ets cruised to a 137-125 apiece for the Pelicans, (AP) — Kemba Walker had
victory over the Oklahoma who have won four of five. 31 points and nine assists as
City Thunder on Sunday. Cousins sat out because Charlotte handed Phoenix
Oklahoma City star Russell of a right ankle injury sus- its eighth straight loss.
Westbrook had 39 points, tained during Friday’s loss Marvin Williams added 21
11 rebounds and 13 assists at Houston. points and Nic Batum had
for his second straight tri- Denver was led by Mason 18 points and 10 assists for
ple-double and his 36th this Plumlee’s 16 points. the Hornets, who have won
season, but Harden led the BULLS 109, BUCKS 94 four of their last five games
Rockets to a 25-point lead MILWAUKEE (AP) — Nikola as they try to make a late
through three quarters in Mirotic tied a season high playoff push.
the matchup between top with 28 points while Jimmy Suns guard Devin Booker,
MVP candidates. Butler had 20 points and a who became the sixth play-
Trevor Ariza and Eric Gor- career-high 14 assists as the er in NBA history to score
don added 24 points Bulls pulled away for the 70 points in a loss Saturday
apiece for the Rockets, win. night to the Boston Celtics,
whose lead was trimmed Butler broke his previous got off to a slow start but
to eight on a 3-pointer by career best for assists (12) finished with 23 points on
Westbrook with about 90 by the end of a pivotal 7-of-17 shooting. TJ Warren
seconds left. The Rock- third quarter, when Chica- had 21 points and 10 re-
ets then scored four quick go stretched a one-point bounds.
points to secure the vic- lead at the half to 91-79 go- Walker went 10 for 18 from
tory. ing into the fourth. the field and 7 for 7 at the
Harden left late in the Butler punctuated the free-throw line.
game after crashing into second-half runaway with NETS 107, HAWKS 91
the court and appearing Oklahoma City Thunder’s Russell Westbrook (0) is fouled as he a backcourt steal off a ATLANTA (AP) — Brook Lo-
to injure his left wrist, but drives around Houston Rocket’ James Harden (13) during the telegraphed pass by Greg pez scored 23 points as
first half of an NBA basketball game in Houston, Sunday, March
said in a TV interview he 26, 2017. Monroe before strolling the Brooklyn handed Atlanta
expected to be OK. Associated Press other way for an easy dunk its seventh straight loss.
CELTICS 112, HEAT 108 and 17-point lead with 8:55 Jeremy Lin had 19 points for
BOSTON (AP) — Isaiah 20 as the Warriors (59-14) final Western Conference left. the Nets (16-57), who have
Thomas scored 30 points, extended their lead to 2½ playoff spot. Greek star Giannis Antetok- won three of four and are
including 20 in the second games over the Spurs for Both the Trail Blazers and ounmpo had 22 points and 7-8 in March.
half, as Boston beat Miami the top spot in the West. Nuggets are 35-38 with eight rebounds for Milwau- The Hawks are tied with Mil-
for its fourth straight victory. Golden State began a nine games left in the regu- kee. waukee for fifth in the East-
The win moved Boston stretch of five games in lar season. They play each KINGS 98, CLIPPERS 97 ern Conference.
(48-26) within percentage eight days when the War- other Tuesday in Portland. LOS ANGELES (AP) — Willie Atlanta (37-36) continued
points of Cleveland (47-25) riors will face playoff con- Portland took control by Cauley-Stein made a fol- to struggle without All-Star
for the top spot in the East- tenders Houston (twice), outscoring the Lakers 37-24 low shot with two seconds Paul Millsap, who missed his
ern Conference. San Antonio and Washing- in the third quarter and led left, lifting Sacramento to fifth straight game with left
The Celtics also equaled ton. by as many as 26 points. the road win. knee tightness. The Hawks
their win total from last sea- Memphis had beaten the Los Angeles shot 39 per- Down 85-67 early in the also were without Kent
son. Warriors twice this season cent from the field and was fourth, the Kings rallied Bazemore, who missed his
Jae Crowder added 25 and was attempting to outrebounded 61-42. while Blake Griffin, Chris fourth straight game with
points and six rebounds for become the first team to Allen Crabbe added 18 Paul and DeAndre Jordan a right knee bone bruise,
the Celtics. notch three regular-season points off the bench for the were resting. Buddy Hield and Thabo Sefolosha (right
Tyler Johnson had 24 points wins against Golden State Blazers, and Noah Vonleh hit three 3-pointers in the groin strain).
and James Johnson scored since the Spurs’ four-game grabbed 14 rebounds. final minutes, pulling the Dennis Schroder led Atlan-
20 for the Heat, who are a sweep in 2013-14. D’Angelo Russell led the Kings to 96-93 with 2:10 to ta with 24 points.
half-game ahead of the The Grizzlies stayed close Lakers with 22 points. play. PACERS 107, 76ERS 94
Bulls for the final playoff until the fourth quarter, PELICANS 115, NUGGETS 90 Griffin made one of two INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Myl-
spot in the East. Hassan when their offense went DENVER (AP) — Anthony free throws with 1:57 left es Turner had 17 points and
Whiteside had 19 points cold and the Warriors took Davis had 31 points and 15 before the Kings cut it to 16 rebounds while Paul
and 15 rebounds for Miami. off. Memphis missed 15 of rebounds, helping to com- 97-96 on Langston Gallo- George scored 21 as Indi-
WARRIORS 106, GRIZZLIES its first 17 shots in the period. pensate for the absence of way’s 3-pointer with 1:23 to ana topped Philadelphia.
94 Mike Conley scored 29 injured DeMarcus Cousins, play. Jeff Teague added 16
OAKLAND, California (AP) points for the Grizzlies, who as New Orleans boosted its After Jamal Crawford points for the Pacers, who
— Klay Thompson scored were without center Marc flickering playoff hopes by missed a 3-pointer, Cau- used a 30-point third quar-
21 of his 31 points in the sec- Gasol (left foot strain). beating Denver. ley-Stein finished off a fast ter to turn a six-point half-
ond half as Golden State TRAIL BLAZERS 97, LAKERS New Orleans is in 11th break with the deciding time lead into a 12-point
pulled away in the fourth 81 place in the West with basket. advantage as they
quarter to beat Memphis LOS ANGELES (AP) — Dami- nine games remaining and Darren Collison led the snapped a two-game skid.
for its seventh straight win. an Lillard scored 22 points faces long odds in trying to Kings with 19 points. Hield Indiana (37-36) moved into
Stephen Curry added 21 and Portland defeated Los overtake Dallas, Portland added 15 as the Kings a tie for fifth place in the
points and 11 assists, and Angeles to pull even with and Denver for the No. 8 snapped a four-game los- Eastern Conference with
Andre Iguodala scored Denver in the race for the seed. ing streak and won for only Atlanta and Milwaukee. q