NBA Recap: Phoenix Suns, Warriors continue winning, Nets lose again
Pistons, Timberwolves, Nuggets, Bulls all win
In the first round of games after the All-Star break, the Phoenix Suns strengthened their grip on the Western Conference with a 124-104 win over the Oklahoma City Thunder.
The Phoenix Suns were without influential Point Guard Chris Paul, who is set to miss the rest of the regular NBA season after picking up an injury just before the All-Star Game last weekend.
Devin Booker stepped up in Paul’s absence with a double-double of 25 points and 12 assists. The duo of Cam Johnson and Mikal Bridges also contributed 21 points apiece for the Phoenix Suns, who have now won eight straight games in the division.
The Boston Celtics defeated the Brooklyn Nets 129-106 in their NBA encounter on Thursday. Jayson Tatum led the scoring for the Celtics with 30 points, seven rebounds and four assists. Jaylen Brown contributed 18 points, and Marcus Smart recorded 15 points.
The Nets were still without Ben Simmons, Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant, but Seth Curry led the scoring with 22 points for them in the game.
The Denver Nuggets defeated the Sacramento Kings 128-110 in their NBA clash on Thursday. Will Barton led the scoring for the Nuggets with 31 points, and Nikola Jokic contributed 25 points, 12 rebounds and nine assists. Domantas Sabonis led all scorers for the Kings with 33 points in the encounter.
The Minnesota Timberwolves picked up a 119-114 win over the Memphis Grizzlies. D’Angelo Russell led the scoring for the Timberwolves with 37 points and nine assists, and Karl-Anthony Towns contributed 22 points. Jaren Jackson Jr and Ziaire Williams contributed 21 points apiece for the Grizzlies.
Eastern Conference leaders Chicago Bulls defeated the Atlanta Hawks 112-108. DeMar DeRozan led the scoring with 37 points, six rebounds and three assists, and Zach LaVine contributed 20 points for the Bulls in their narrow win.
The Golden State Warriors kept pressure on the Phoenix Suns in the Western Conference with a 132-95 routing of the Portland Trail Blazers on their first game after the All-Star break.
Fresh from his heroics at the All Star Game, Steph Curry led his team with 18 points and 14 assists on the night, with Klay Thompson also recording 18 points for the Warriors. Jonathan Kuminga scored 17 points in the game, as well.
The Detroit Pistons defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers 106-104 thanks to Cade Cunningham draining four free throws in the final minute of the match. Hamidou Diallo led the scoring for the Pistons with 21 points, but it was Cunningham’s performance that proved decisive against the Cavaliers in the game. The rookie contributed 17 points for his team in the game.
