NBA Round Up: Korver leads Cavs rally, Warriors bounce back
Kyle Korver proved his value to the Cleveland Cavaliers as the reigning NBA champions stayed hot, while the Golden State Warriors eased past the Chicago Bulls.
Former Atlanta Hawks guard Korver posted a season-high 29 points to help the Cavs erase a 15-point deficit in a 132-117 win over the Indiana Pacers on Wednesday.
LeBron James and Kyrie Irving also starred as the Cavaliers extended their winning streak to four games.
The Warriors were too good for the Bulls, posting a 123-92 victory.
Elsewhere, the San Antonio Spurs bounced back against the Philadelphia 76ers, while the Brooklyn Nets’ woes continued.
KORVER: THE THREE-POINT KING
As the Cavs rallied, Korver was in the thick of the action in Indiana, especially from beyond the arc.
Korver made eight-of-nine three-pointers to lead the streaking Cavs on the road.
James added 25 points, while Irving contributed 29 points.
All 8 of Kyle Korver’s three-pointers, his most in a game since 2007!#DefendTheLand pic.twitter.com/FUscysxgay
— NBA (@NBA) February 9, 2017
WARRIORS AVOID BACK-TO-BACK LOSSES
Not since April 2015 had the Warriors lost consecutive regular-season games, and Golden State stayed clear of that mark.
Kevin Durant’s double-double of 22 points and 10 rebounds inspired the Warriors, who also had 28 points from Klay Thompson on his 27th birthday in Oakland.
LEONARD STARS ON RETURN
After missing the loss to the Memphis Grizzlies, Kawhi Leonard returned from a calf injury in the 111-103 victory at the 76ers.
Leonard had 32 points in a star performance as he earned praise from 76ers head coach and former Spurs assistant Brett Brown.
“I think Kawhi is one of those unique players we’re seeing grow before our eyes,” Brown said. “He might be the best two-way player in the NBA.”
JONES WINS IT FOR MINNESOTA
Clutch shot from Tyus Jones helps the @Timberwolves get the 112-109 W at home over the @Raptors! pic.twitter.com/qr66HL9QVn
— NBA (@NBA) February 9, 2017
Brandan Wright drops the hammer! #GrindCity pic.twitter.com/rPVCFoMm4F
— NBA (@NBA) February 9, 2017
NETS LOSE AGAIN, TIMBERWOLVES UPSTAGE RAPTORS
The Nets suffered an 11th consecutive defeat after going down 114-110 to the Washington Wizards in overtime and Tyus Jones hit a three-pointer with 19.5 seconds remaining as the Timberwolves stunned the Toronto Raptors 112-109.
Knicks great Charles Oakley was ejected and arrested in New York’s 119-115 loss to the Los Angeles Clippers, the Utah Jazz accounted for the New Orleans Pelicans 127-94, the Miami Heat defeated the Milwaukee Bucks 106-88 for a 12th successive triumph, the Phoenix Suns lost 110-91 to the Grizzlies, the Hawks were 117-106 winners over the Denver Nuggets, the Detroit Pistons topped the Los Angeles Lakers 121-102, while the Boston Celtics lost 108-92 to the Sacramento Kings.
CAVS AT THUNDER
The in-form Cavaliers are back in action on Thursday, this time travelling to Russell Westbrook’s Oklahoma City Thunder.