NBA Round Up: Warriors, Cavs win as Thunder struggle again
The Golden State Warriors stayed hot as reigning NBA champions the Cleveland Cavaliers returned to form.
Golden State were too good for the Charlotte Hornets, winning 126-111 on Wednesday to extend their winning streak to four games.
The Cavaliers recovered from their loss to the Dallas Mavericks to ease past the Minnesota Timberwolves 125-97.
Meanwhile, the slumping Oklahoma City Thunder went down 128-100 to the Chicago Bulls.
CURRY: THE THREE-POINT KING
Reigning MVP Steph Curry was at his trademark best, draining 11 three-pointers in Oakland.
Curry finished with 39 points in three quarters following a one-game absence due to illness.
Warriors team-mate Klay Thompson added 29 points and Kevin Durant contributed 18.
NEW MONTH, NEW CAVS
Cleveland struggled in January, going 7-8 for the month as they struggled for consistency.
But James and Irving ensured a strong start to February, with the pair leading the way in Cleveland.
James scored 27 points, while Irving had 14 points and a career-high 14 assists.
BUTLER INSPIRES BULLS
The Bulls dealt the Thunder a third consecutive defeat thanks to Butler.
Butler posted 28 points on the road in Oklahoma City as the Bulls also snapped the Thunder’s five-game winning streak at home.
Dwyane Wade added 18 points for the Bulls, while Russell Westbrook put up 28 points and eight assists.
CURRY’S HIGHLIGHT REEL
#StephenCurry goes 11/15 from deep in 3 quarters of action tonight! #DubNation pic.twitter.com/jUzwD4DOGo
— NBA (@NBA) February 2, 2017
D-Wade brings out the fadeaway for #BullsNation on @ESPNNBA! #NBARapidReplay pic.twitter.com/jMwwQffjVQ
— NBA (@NBA) February 2, 2017
CLIPPERS BOUNCE BACK, CELTICS TOP RAPTORS
After their humiliating loss to Golden State, the Clippers defeated the Phoenix Suns 124-114 on the back of 29 points from Blake Griffin.
The Boston Celtics overcame an eight-point deficit entering the final quarter to trump the Toronto Raptors 109-104.
Elsewhere, the Miami Heat were 116-93 winners over the Atlanta Hawks, the New York Knicks saw off the Brooklyn Nets 95-90, the Denver Nuggets lost 119-99 to the Memphis Grizzlies, the Utah Jazz beat the Milwaukee Bucks 104-88, the Detroit Pistons accounted for the New Orleans Pelicans 118-98, the Indiana Pacers topped the Orlando Magic 98-88, while the Mavericks outlasted the Philadelphia 76ers 113-95.
WARRIORS GO AGAIN
After beating the Hornets, the Warriors travel to the Clippers on Thursday. The San Antonio Spurs entertain the 76ers, while the Hawks are at the Houston Rockets.
