Record chasing Warriors beaten by Timberwolves, 76ers avoid unwanted record
The Minnesota Timberwolves stunned the NBA by beating the Golden State Warriors at Oracle Arena.
The Timberwolves needed overtime to get the job done, but they prevailed 124-117 to hand the full-strength Warriors their ninth defeat of the season.
Shabazz Muhammad registered 35 points, and was ably supported by team-mate Andrew Wiggins, who had 32.
The off-colour Warriors could not rely on their usual heroes, with Stephen Curry scoring 21 points and Klay Thompson adding 28 to the home team’s tally.
The win was just the 26th of the season for the Timberwolves.
The Philadelphia 76ers avoided an unwanted record courtesy of their 107-93 win over the New Orleans Pelicans.
The win was their 10th of the season and means the battlers will not repeat their worst ever season, when they went 9-73 in 1972-73.
The 76ers cleared the unwanted record thanks in large part to Carl Landry’s 22 points and nine rebounds.
The Toronto Raptors cleared the Charlotte Hornets 96-90, despite being outscored in the final period by 10 points.
DeMar DeRozan was in fine form once again with 26 points.
The Miami Heat won against the Detroit Pistons 107-89, with Goran Dragic scoring 22 points, while the Atlanta Hawks beat the Phoenix Suns 103-90 despite Devin Booker posting 34 points.
Zach Randolph had a double-double (27 points, 10 rebounds) to help the Memphis Grizzlies to a 108-92 win over the Chicago Bulls, while Giannis Antetokounmpo’s own double-double (22 points, 14 rebounds) was not enough for the Milwaukee Bucks, who fell at home to the Cleveland Cavaliers 109-80.
The Oklahoma City Thunder got the better of the Denver Nuggets 124-102, while the San Antonio Spurs scraped past the Utah Jazz on the road 88-86.
The Jazz’s season record has now evened out to 39-39 as a result.
Elsewhere, the Portland Trail Blazers beat the Sacramento Kings 115-107 and the Los Angeles Clippers won their local affair against the Lakers 103-81, with Chris Paul scoring 25 points.
