Returning Butler helps Bulls past Rockets, Spurs improve to 30-0 at home and LeBron surpasses Duncan
The San Antonio Spurs preserved their perfect record at home with a 104-94 victory over the Sacramento Kings in the NBA on Saturday.
Despite missing regulars LaMarcus Aldridge, Tim Duncan and Danny Green, the Spurs managed to improve to 30-0 in San Antonio.
The Spurs, who extended their franchise-record start to 53-9 on the back of an eighth successive win, were led by Kawhi Leonard’s double-double.
Leonard posted 25 points and 13 rebounds, while Manu Ginobili made his first appearance since undergoing testicle surgery last month, scoring 22 points.
DeMarcus Cousins had 31 points for the Kings.
LeBron James moved above Tim Duncan on the NBA’s all-time scoring list after helping the Cleveland Cavaliers past the Boston Celtics 120-103.
James had 28 points and 11 rebounds to surpass Duncan in 14th position with 26,378 points – 12 more than the Spurs veteran.
It was also the 700th consecutive regular-season game that James posted double-digit points as the Celtics’ five-game winning streak came to an end.
The Chicago Bulls and New York Knicks both snapped skids against the Houston Rockets and Detroit Pistons respectively.
Pau Gasol (28 points, 17 rebounds) and Jimmy Butler (24 points) combined to lead the Bulls to a 108-100 win over the Rockets, ending a four-gaming losing streak.
The Knicks snapped a three-game skid thanks to a 102-89 victory at home to the Detroit Pistons.
Also on Saturday, Paul George’s 38 points inspired the Indiana Pacers to a 100-99 win against the Washington Wizards.
The Minnesota Timberwolves outlasted the Brooklyn Nets 132-118, the Utah Jazz accounted for the New Orleans Pelicans 106-94, while the Atlanta Hawks topped the Los Angeles Clippers 107-97.
