NBA Round Up: Harden sets record, Warriors, Cavs beaten as Wizards end Thunder´s streak
Reigning NBA champions the Golden State Warriors were upstaged by the Utah Jazz 129-99, while the Cleveland Cavaliers crashed to defeat against the Detroit Pistons.
It was a night to forget for the Warriors, who had their three-game winning streak ended on Tuesday.
The performance disgusted Steve Kerr, with the Warriors head coach saying: “I saw one team get their [tail] kicked. Our hearts weren’t in it. At this level, if your heart’s not in it, I don’t care how much talent you have. You’re going to lose. … It happens. It’s the NBA. It’s a long season.
“Our guys will tell you, that was a pathetic effort out there. That was disgusting basketball.”
Klay Thompson posted 27 points for the Warriors, Kevin Durant had 17, while Stephen Curry was limited to just 14 of his own.
The Jazz were led by Ricky Rubio’s double-double, which included 23 points and 11 assists.
As for the Cavaliers, they slumped to a 125-114 loss to the Pistons.
Cleveland’s woes were compounded with an injury to Kevin Love, who suffered a broken hand in the defeat.
LeBron James scored 21 points for the Cavs, while All-Star Andre Drummond put up 21 points and 22 rebounds.
HARDEN MAKES HISTORY WITH ROCKETS
James Harden set the Rockets’ all-time single-game scoring record with 60 points on 19-of-30 shooting with 11 assists and 10 rebounds in Houston’s 114-107 victory against the Orlando Magic. He came the first ever player with a 60-point triple-double.
“One of the greatest to ever put on a #Rockets uniform, it’s great to be in the company of Calvin Murphy. We gotta keep racking up these wins.” #JamesHarden talks about his historic 60pt triple-double. pic.twitter.com/7aWbs0uPSY
— Houston Rockets (@HoustonRockets) January 31, 2018
WESTBROOK STRUGGLES AS THUNDER HAVE STREAK SNAPPED
Russell Westbrook cannot play like a superhuman every night. Tuesday was one of those occasions, as he had seven turnovers and shot five of 18 from the floor for 13 points in the Oklahoma City Thunder’s 102-96 defeat to the Washington Wizards. It snapped OKC’s eight-game winning streak.
ACY IS ACE!
Enes Kanter had a great night with 20 points and 20 rebounds in the New York Knicks’ 111-95 win over the Brooklyn Nets, but Quincy Acy got the best of him on this dunk.
oh my @QuincyAcy pic.twitter.com/RFLmaZXXAB
— Brooklyn Nets (@BrooklynNets) January 31, 2018
TUESDAY’S RESULTS
Washington Wizards 102-96 Oklahoma City Thunder
New York Knicks 111-95 Brooklyn Nets
Detroit Pistons 125-114 Cleveland Cavaliers
San Antonio Spurs 106-104 Denver Nuggets
Portland Trail Blazers 104-96 Los Angeles Clippers
Toronto Raptors 109-104 Minnesota Timberwolves
Houston Rockets 114-107 Orlando Magic
Sacramento Kings 114-103 New Orleans Pelicans
Utah Jazz 129-99 Golden State Warriors
HEAT AT CAVALIERS
Third place in the Eastern Conference is at stake, as the underachieving Cavaliers host the Miami Heat, who are playing better than most observers expected this season.
