Warriors Rally to Avoid Fourth Straight Defeat
The Golden State Warriors have played themselves right out of the best record in the NBA, and they could not afford to drop a game at home to the Philadelphia 76ers. That is exactly what they almost did Tuesday night, as they needed to rally from a 16-point deficit for a close 106-104 victory. The win snaps a three-game losing streak, as Golden State outscored the Sixers by 14 in the final 12 minutes of the win. Steph Curry scored 29 points on his 29th birthday, while Klay Thompson added 28 in the Warriors' 53rd win of the season. Draymond Green had an all-around game with 20 points, eight rebounds, eight assists, and six blocks. Dario Saric had 25 points to lead Philly, who fell to the Warriors for an eighth straight game. The 76ers held a 16-point lead midway through the third quarter, but that was before they broke down on the defensive end. Saric attempted to intentionally miss a free throw late to give his team one last shot, but Golden State secured the rebound and the much-needed win.
Westbrook's Triple-Double Leads to "MVP" Chants on the Road
Russell Westbrook was serenaded by chants of "MVP" on the road in Brooklyn Tuesday night, so it's only fitting that he went off for his 33rd triple-double in a 122-104 Oklahoma City Thunder win over the Brooklyn Nets. Westbrook had 25 points, 19 assists, and 12 rebounds in what was also his 70th career triple-double, becoming the fifth player in NBA history to reach that number. The Thunder star did shoot just 6-of-18 from the field, but received resounding support from the road crowd, who also shouted out how many rebounds he needed to reach another triple-double. Victor Oladipo has become a good second scorer for OKC, finishing with 21 points on the night. Enes Kanter and Taj Gibson each contributed 17 points for the Thunder, who won their third straight game. Brook Lopez had 25 points, while Jeremy Lin finished with 24 for the Nets, who have still not won consecutive games this season.
LeBron's Quick Triple-Double Leads Cavs' Rout of Pistons
LeBron James needed just 28 minutes of playing time to become the first Cavalier in franchise history with 10 triple-doubles in one season, as the Cavs blew past the Detroit Pistons at home, 128-96, on Tuesday night. James had 16 points, 11 rebounds, and 12 assists in his 52nd career triple-double, while Kyrie Irving led the scoring with 26 points. It was a win over a playoff team they lost to on the road last week, which was much-needed on their home floor, as the defending NBA Champs had lost four of their past five games. The triple-double for LeBron was secured at the 3:45 mark of the third quarter, as it was his third in the past four games. Cleveland's entire offense played well as a whole with a quick start, making their first 10 three-pointers, and 22 of their first 25 shots overall. Iman Shumpert added 18 points on the night, as the Cavs improved to just 3-5 in March, holding a 2.5 game lead on the Boston Celtics for first in the East. Tobias Harris led the Pistons with 17 points in the loss, as they remain in seventh place in the conference.
The Golden State Warriors have played themselves right out of the best record in the NBA, and they could not afford to drop a game at home to the Philadelphia 76ers. That is exactly what they almost did Tuesday night, as they needed to rally from a 16-point deficit for a close 106-104 victory. The win snaps a three-game losing streak, as Golden State outscored the Sixers by 14 in the final 12 minutes of the win. Steph Curry scored 29 points on his 29th birthday, while Klay Thompson added 28 in the Warriors' 53rd win of the season. Draymond Green had an all-around game with 20 points, eight rebounds, eight assists, and six blocks. Dario Saric had 25 points to lead Philly, who fell to the Warriors for an eighth straight game. The 76ers held a 16-point lead midway through the third quarter, but that was before they broke down on the defensive end. Saric attempted to intentionally miss a free throw late to give his team one last shot, but Golden State secured the rebound and the much-needed win.
Westbrook's Triple-Double Leads to "MVP" Chants on the Road
Russell Westbrook was serenaded by chants of "MVP" on the road in Brooklyn Tuesday night, so it's only fitting that he went off for his 33rd triple-double in a 122-104 Oklahoma City Thunder win over the Brooklyn Nets. Westbrook had 25 points, 19 assists, and 12 rebounds in what was also his 70th career triple-double, becoming the fifth player in NBA history to reach that number. The Thunder star did shoot just 6-of-18 from the field, but received resounding support from the road crowd, who also shouted out how many rebounds he needed to reach another triple-double. Victor Oladipo has become a good second scorer for OKC, finishing with 21 points on the night. Enes Kanter and Taj Gibson each contributed 17 points for the Thunder, who won their third straight game. Brook Lopez had 25 points, while Jeremy Lin finished with 24 for the Nets, who have still not won consecutive games this season.
LeBron's Quick Triple-Double Leads Cavs' Rout of Pistons
LeBron James needed just 28 minutes of playing time to become the first Cavalier in franchise history with 10 triple-doubles in one season, as the Cavs blew past the Detroit Pistons at home, 128-96, on Tuesday night. James had 16 points, 11 rebounds, and 12 assists in his 52nd career triple-double, while Kyrie Irving led the scoring with 26 points. It was a win over a playoff team they lost to on the road last week, which was much-needed on their home floor, as the defending NBA Champs had lost four of their past five games. The triple-double for LeBron was secured at the 3:45 mark of the third quarter, as it was his third in the past four games. Cleveland's entire offense played well as a whole with a quick start, making their first 10 three-pointers, and 22 of their first 25 shots overall. Iman Shumpert added 18 points on the night, as the Cavs improved to just 3-5 in March, holding a 2.5 game lead on the Boston Celtics for first in the East. Tobias Harris led the Pistons with 17 points in the loss, as they remain in seventh place in the conference.
