George leads Pacers past Cavs, Warriors down Raptors and Clippers lose
The Indiana Pacers made most of LeBron James’ absence as they upstaged the Cleveland Cavaliers, while the Golden State Warriors were too good for the Toronto Raptors.
James was rested by reigning champions the Cavs in their quest for a franchise-record best start to a season and the Pacers took full advantage, winning 103-93 on Wednesday.
MVP Steph Curry and Kevin Durant led the Warriors past the Raptors 127-121, while the Atlanta Hawks extended their winning run to six games via a 107-100 victory against the Milwaukee Bucks.
The Memphis Grizzlies snapped the Los Angeles Clippers’ seven-game winning streak with a shock 111-107 triumph.
Elsewhere, the Oklahoma City Thunder ended their losing streak, the San Antonio Spurs edged the Sacramento Kings, while the Philadelphia 76ers recorded an overdue win.
CAVS FALL SHORT IN RECORD TILT
Cleveland matched their best start to a season in franchise history on Tuesday, but they dropped to 9-2 24 hours later.
The absence of James – who has been averaging 23.4 points and 8.9 rebounds – hurt the Cavs, who were led by Kevin Love’s double-double of 27 points and 16 rebounds.
Paul George scored 31 points for the Pacers (6-6).
WARRIORS SPOIL ‘DRAKE NIGHT’
All eyes were on Canadian rapper Drake for the team’s fourth annual ‘Drake Night’ in Toronto.
Even the appearance of Toronto FC star and reigning MLS MVP Sebastian Giovinco could not inspire the Raptors (7-4), who went down the Warriors (9-2).
NBA scoring leader DeMar DeRozan had 34 points, while Kyle Lowry contributed 24 of his own.
The streaking Warriors made it five consecutive wins thanks to Curry’s 35 points and 30 from Durant.
THUNDER END SKID
After four successive losses, the Thunder finally returned to winning ways.
Led by Russell Westbrook’s 30 points, the Thunder trumped the Houston Rockets 105-103.
WESTBROOK BRINGS DOWN THE HOUSE
The @okcthunder bench reacts as Russ puts in the EXCLAMATION! #ThunderUp pic.twitter.com/9HnUjPpdfD
— NBA (@NBA) November 17, 2016
That’s a wrap from @Drake Night. #WeTheNorth pic.twitter.com/itOd0wOCF7
— Toronto Raptors (@Raptors) November 17, 2016
SIXERS WIN SECOND GAME
Wins are never easy to come by when you are associated with the 76ers, who held off the injury-plagued Washington Wizards 109-102 for just their second victory in 11 games this season.
The Boston Celtics downed the Dallas Mavericks 90-83, the New York Knicks defeated the Detroit Pistons 105-102, the Denver Nuggets beat the Phoenix Suns 120-104 and the Orlando Magic edged the New Orleans Pelicans 89-82, while the Spurs topped the Kings 110-105.
BULLS ON THE ROAD
Dwyane Wade and the Chicago Bulls are at the Utah Jazz on Thursday. The 76ers face the Minnesota Timberwolves, while the New York Knicks and the Houston Rockets are also in action.
