Clippers extend winning streak, Warriors too good for Kings
Chris Paul starred as the high-flying Los Angeles Clippers defeated the Charlotte Hornets 97-83 in the NBA on Saturday.
Paul posted 25 points and seven assists for the Clippers, who extended their winning streak to eight games in Los Angeles.
Jamal Crawford scored 19 points, J.J. Redick added 17 points and DeAndre Jordan contributed 11 points and 19 rebounds as the Clippers improved to 7-0 in the absence of injured star Blake Griffin.
The out-of-form Hornets, who fell to a sixth consecutive defeat, were led by Jeremy Lin’s game-high 26 points on the road.
Reigning champions the Golden State Warriors won again, this time defeating the Sacramento Kings 128-116.
NBA MVP Steph Curry showed no signs of the shin injury that has proved troublesome recently, top-scoring with 38 points and 11 assists in Golden State’s sixth straight win.
Warriors team-mate Draymond Green chipped in with 25 points, while DeMarcus Cousins had 33 points and 10 rebounds in a double-double for the Kings.
The Chicago Bulls’ six-game winning streak came to an end, beaten 120-105 at the Atlanta Hawks.
Chicago had accounted for the Boston Celtics, Milwaukee Bucks, Toronto Raptors, New York Knicks and Indiana Pacers during the run but came unstuck against the Hawks and Al Horford, scored a season-high 33 points and 10 rebounds.
The Washington Wizards defeated the Orlando Magic for a 12th consecutive game, winning 105-99.
Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan led the Raptors past the Philadelphia 76ers 108-95, the Utah Jazz upstaged the Miami Heat 98-83 and the Detroit Pistons were too good for the Brooklyn Nets 103-89.
