Duke Holds Off Virginia For Sixth Straight Win
The Duke Blue Devils have been rolling since the return of Coach K, and kept rolling on Wednesday night for their sixth straight win, 65-55, over No. 14 Virginia. The 12th-ranked Blue Devils trailed by four at the break, but outscored the Cavaliers by 14 in the second half for the victory. Jayson Tatum had a season-high 28 points, 21 of which came in the second half. Tatum shot 6-for-7 from three-point range, and 8-for-12 overall, while Luke Kennard added 16 points in the win. The Blue Devils now sit in a three-way tie with Louisville and Florida State in the ACC, all just one game behind North Carolina. Virginia fell for a fourth time in six games, despite getting within one with 8:33 left. London Perrantes had 14 points and Ty Jerome finished with 13 to lead the Cavs in the loss.
Westbrook, Harden Put Up Triple-Doubles, Get Different Results
The usual triple-double suspects did just that in their final games before the All-Star break, but only one came in a winning effort. Russell Westbrook had 38 points, 14 rebounds, and 12 assists in his 27th triple-double of the year, as his Oklahoma City Thunder got past the New York Knicks, 116-105. The 27 triple-doubles are now good for third all-time in one season, as Oscar Robertson sits at No. 1 with 41. Victor Oladipo added 21, as the Thunder avenged a 30-point effort from now All-Star Carmelo Anthony. The Thunder were able to come back from an early 16-2 deficit to lead by two at the half. Meanwhile, James Harden's triple-double was to no avail, as the Houston Rockets fell to the Miami Heat, 117-109. Hassan Whiteside had 23 points, 14 rebounds, and five blocks, helping the Heat overcome Harden's 15th triple-double. Harden had 38 points, 12 rebounds, and 12 assists, but his Rockets fell for just the second time in seven games.
Warriors Pull Away in Second Half Against Kings
The Golden State Warriors were able to put aside a two-point halftime deficit with a dominant third quarter en route to a 109-86 blowout of the Sacramento Kings on Wednesday night. Klay Thompson scored 10 of his 35 points in the third quarter, where the Warriors outscored the Kings 42-15, putting the game out of reach from there. Kevin Durant had 21 points, while Steph Curry added 13 points and nine assists, as Golden State heads into the All-Star break with an NBA-best 47-9 record. The Warriors were able to shut down the Kings' key big man, DeMarcus Cousins, who was held to just 13 points in the loss. Thompson's big night was the fifth 30-point game of the season for him. The one downside for the Warriors was Draymond Green's first ejection of the season, which came after consecutive technical fouls in the second quarter.
The Duke Blue Devils have been rolling since the return of Coach K, and kept rolling on Wednesday night for their sixth straight win, 65-55, over No. 14 Virginia. The 12th-ranked Blue Devils trailed by four at the break, but outscored the Cavaliers by 14 in the second half for the victory. Jayson Tatum had a season-high 28 points, 21 of which came in the second half. Tatum shot 6-for-7 from three-point range, and 8-for-12 overall, while Luke Kennard added 16 points in the win. The Blue Devils now sit in a three-way tie with Louisville and Florida State in the ACC, all just one game behind North Carolina. Virginia fell for a fourth time in six games, despite getting within one with 8:33 left. London Perrantes had 14 points and Ty Jerome finished with 13 to lead the Cavs in the loss.
Westbrook, Harden Put Up Triple-Doubles, Get Different Results
The usual triple-double suspects did just that in their final games before the All-Star break, but only one came in a winning effort. Russell Westbrook had 38 points, 14 rebounds, and 12 assists in his 27th triple-double of the year, as his Oklahoma City Thunder got past the New York Knicks, 116-105. The 27 triple-doubles are now good for third all-time in one season, as Oscar Robertson sits at No. 1 with 41. Victor Oladipo added 21, as the Thunder avenged a 30-point effort from now All-Star Carmelo Anthony. The Thunder were able to come back from an early 16-2 deficit to lead by two at the half. Meanwhile, James Harden's triple-double was to no avail, as the Houston Rockets fell to the Miami Heat, 117-109. Hassan Whiteside had 23 points, 14 rebounds, and five blocks, helping the Heat overcome Harden's 15th triple-double. Harden had 38 points, 12 rebounds, and 12 assists, but his Rockets fell for just the second time in seven games.
Warriors Pull Away in Second Half Against Kings
The Golden State Warriors were able to put aside a two-point halftime deficit with a dominant third quarter en route to a 109-86 blowout of the Sacramento Kings on Wednesday night. Klay Thompson scored 10 of his 35 points in the third quarter, where the Warriors outscored the Kings 42-15, putting the game out of reach from there. Kevin Durant had 21 points, while Steph Curry added 13 points and nine assists, as Golden State heads into the All-Star break with an NBA-best 47-9 record. The Warriors were able to shut down the Kings' key big man, DeMarcus Cousins, who was held to just 13 points in the loss. Thompson's big night was the fifth 30-point game of the season for him. The one downside for the Warriors was Draymond Green's first ejection of the season, which came after consecutive technical fouls in the second quarter.
