LeBron, Cavaliers Get Best of Raptors at Home
Just when you think that the Toronto Raptors have finally found their year to put away the rest of the Eastern Conference, they fail to take care of business against a quality opponent. They had this exact result on Wednesday night, as they blew a 15-point halftime lead on the road in a 132-129 loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers. LeBron James led the Cavs' rally with 35 points and 17 assists, which included setting up a clutch three-pointer late by Kevin Love. His big night helped his team out-shoot the Raptors, 60 percent-54 percent, despite being down five players, as well as their head coach. James took over and sealed the win by hitting two free throws in the final seconds, helping his team overcome a 34-point loss to the Raptors in January. He was helped out by Love, who had 23 points and 12 rebounds in his second game back after missing 21 games with a broken left hand. George Hill also stepped up and had 22 points on a slick 10-of-11 shooting. The Raptors scored 79 points in the first half alone, and were led by Kyle Lowry's 24 points and DeMar DeRozan's 21 in the loss. They return home on Friday night to play host to the Brooklyn Nets. The Cavaliers stay home to host the Phoenix Suns that same night.
Spurs Top Wizards for Fifth Straight Win
While the San Antonio Spurs continue to "implore" Kawhi Leonard to come back, they seem to have possibly found their groove on the floor without their star. They earned their fifth straight win on Wednesday night by holding off the Washington Wizards at home, 98-90. LaMarcus Aldridge had 27 points and nine rebounds, helping the Spurs extend the NBA record for consecutive winning seasons to 21 in a row. It didn't seem like a for sure thing a little over a week ago when they went 3-11 during a tough 14-game stretch. That led them to reportedly hold a players-only meeting to "implore" Leonard to come back from his quad injury. He has missed 63 games with the issue and is now not a lock to return to the team next season. Although, with Wednesday's win, the Spurs moved in to sixth place in the Western Conference, and are just a half game behind the Oklahoma City Thunder for fourth in the standings. The Wizards dropped to sixth in the Eastern Conference with the loss, despite Bradley Beal and Kelly Oubre Jr. scoring 21 points apiece. They will look to get back on track on Friday night when they return home to host the Denver Nuggets. The Spurs will also be home on Friday to battle the red-hot Utah Jazz.
Bruins Fall in Overtime, Clinch Playoff Spot
It was an up-and-down night for the Boston Bruins on Wednesday, as they fell on the road in overtime, 2-1, against the St. Louis Blues. Although, the Bruins recorded their 100th point of the season, which made them the second team in the Eastern Conference to clinch a playoff spot this year, joining the first-place Tampa Bay Lightning. For the Blues, Jaden Scwartz scored twice, including 30 seconds into overtime for his third game-winning goal of the year, which gave the Blues their third straight come-from-behind victory. They also beat the Chicago Blackhawks and New York Rangers the previous two games after trailing in both of them. Heading in to Wednesday's game, the Blues had a record of 2-23-1 when trailing after the second period, which they did in this win. Jake Allen made 21 saves for St. Louis, as he improved to 24-21-2 between the pipes this year. Ryan Donato scored the lone goal for the Bruins, who also moved within four points of the Lightning for the top spot in the Atlantic Division. Their rookie, Donato, now has two goals and two assists in two career NHL games. He will look to stay hot to start his career when Boston visits the Dallas Stars on Friday night. The Blues continue to fight for a playoff spot in the Western Conference and will host the Vancouver Canucks on Friday.
Just when you think that the Toronto Raptors have finally found their year to put away the rest of the Eastern Conference, they fail to take care of business against a quality opponent. They had this exact result on Wednesday night, as they blew a 15-point halftime lead on the road in a 132-129 loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers. LeBron James led the Cavs' rally with 35 points and 17 assists, which included setting up a clutch three-pointer late by Kevin Love. His big night helped his team out-shoot the Raptors, 60 percent-54 percent, despite being down five players, as well as their head coach. James took over and sealed the win by hitting two free throws in the final seconds, helping his team overcome a 34-point loss to the Raptors in January. He was helped out by Love, who had 23 points and 12 rebounds in his second game back after missing 21 games with a broken left hand. George Hill also stepped up and had 22 points on a slick 10-of-11 shooting. The Raptors scored 79 points in the first half alone, and were led by Kyle Lowry's 24 points and DeMar DeRozan's 21 in the loss. They return home on Friday night to play host to the Brooklyn Nets. The Cavaliers stay home to host the Phoenix Suns that same night.
Spurs Top Wizards for Fifth Straight Win
While the San Antonio Spurs continue to "implore" Kawhi Leonard to come back, they seem to have possibly found their groove on the floor without their star. They earned their fifth straight win on Wednesday night by holding off the Washington Wizards at home, 98-90. LaMarcus Aldridge had 27 points and nine rebounds, helping the Spurs extend the NBA record for consecutive winning seasons to 21 in a row. It didn't seem like a for sure thing a little over a week ago when they went 3-11 during a tough 14-game stretch. That led them to reportedly hold a players-only meeting to "implore" Leonard to come back from his quad injury. He has missed 63 games with the issue and is now not a lock to return to the team next season. Although, with Wednesday's win, the Spurs moved in to sixth place in the Western Conference, and are just a half game behind the Oklahoma City Thunder for fourth in the standings. The Wizards dropped to sixth in the Eastern Conference with the loss, despite Bradley Beal and Kelly Oubre Jr. scoring 21 points apiece. They will look to get back on track on Friday night when they return home to host the Denver Nuggets. The Spurs will also be home on Friday to battle the red-hot Utah Jazz.
Bruins Fall in Overtime, Clinch Playoff Spot
It was an up-and-down night for the Boston Bruins on Wednesday, as they fell on the road in overtime, 2-1, against the St. Louis Blues. Although, the Bruins recorded their 100th point of the season, which made them the second team in the Eastern Conference to clinch a playoff spot this year, joining the first-place Tampa Bay Lightning. For the Blues, Jaden Scwartz scored twice, including 30 seconds into overtime for his third game-winning goal of the year, which gave the Blues their third straight come-from-behind victory. They also beat the Chicago Blackhawks and New York Rangers the previous two games after trailing in both of them. Heading in to Wednesday's game, the Blues had a record of 2-23-1 when trailing after the second period, which they did in this win. Jake Allen made 21 saves for St. Louis, as he improved to 24-21-2 between the pipes this year. Ryan Donato scored the lone goal for the Bruins, who also moved within four points of the Lightning for the top spot in the Atlantic Division. Their rookie, Donato, now has two goals and two assists in two career NHL games. He will look to stay hot to start his career when Boston visits the Dallas Stars on Friday night. The Blues continue to fight for a playoff spot in the Western Conference and will host the Vancouver Canucks on Friday.
