NBA Round Up: LeBron leads Cavs to 13th straight victory, Warriors win without Curry
The in-form Cleveland Cavaliers extended their winning streak to 13 games by downing the Sacramento Kings 101-95 in the NBA, while reigning champions the Golden State Warriors saw off the Charlotte Hornets.
Cleveland had to rally from a 14-point deficit in the third quarter and it was a clutch shot from LeBron James that made the difference on Wednesday.
All-Star James knocked down a step-back three-pointer with 15 seconds remaining to ensure the Cavs’ franchise-record-tying 13th straight win.
James finished with 32 points, 11 rebounds and nine assists.
Cleveland’s playoff nemesis the Warriors did not have any trouble against the Hornets despite playing without Stephen Curry and Draymond Green.
Kevin Durant stepped up in a 101-87 win with his first triple-double of the season.
Durant had 35 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists, while Klay Thompson scored 22 as Golden State won their fifth successive game after tasting consecutive defeats against the hapless Kings and the Los Angeles Lakers.
BOOGIE NIGHTS WITH DEMARCUS
With Anthony Davis out for the New Orleans Pelicans, DeMarcus Cousins came through in a big way during a 123-114 win over the Denver Nuggets. Cousins had 40 points, 22 rebounds, four blocks, and four assists. It was Cousins’ second 40-point, 20-rebound game of the season. He is the only player in the NBA this season with one such game.
IT GOES FROM BAD TO WORSE FOR THE BULLS
The Chicago Bulls became the first team to hit 20 losses this season after blowing a 16-point half-time lead to the Indiana Pacers. Chicago, who are just 3-20 for the season, scored a mere 13 points in the fourth quarter as Indiana earned their 14th win of the campaign.
MILESTONE MAN WILLIAMS
Los Angeles Clippers veteran Lou Williams nailed a three-pointer against the Minnesota Timberwolves, the 1,000th of his career.
Lou Williams knocks down the 1,000th 3 of his career! #ThisIsWhyWePlay
: ESPN pic.twitter.com/oAmvgFocJB
NBA (@NBA) December 7, 2017
WEDNESDAY’S RESULTS
Indiana Pacers 98-96 Chicago Bulls
Orlando Magic 110-106 (OT) Atlanta Hawks
Boston Celtics 97-90 Dallas Mavericks
New Orleans Pelicans 123-114 Denver Nuggets
San Antonio Spurs 117-105 Miami Heat
Cleveland Cavaliers 101-95 Sacramento Kings
New York Knicks 99-88 Memphis Grizzlies
Milwaukee Bucks 104-100 Detroit Pistons
Golden State Warriors 101-87 Charlotte Hornets
Minnesota Timberwolves 113-107 Los Angeles Clippers
ROCKETS AT JAZZ
The nightcap of Thursday’s four-game slate features two red-hot playoff contenders in the West. The Utah Jazz have won six of their last seven, while James Harden has the Houston Rockets winners of their past seven. The first time these teams met this season, Harden dropped a career-high 56 points.
