Warriors Complete Season Series Sweep of Thunder
As the Kevin Durant drama continues to linger in OKC, the Warriors' star was not in action for the first time against his former team, but that did not stop the defending Western Conference champs from rolling on the road Monday night. Klay Thompson led the offense with 34 points, as Golden State completed the season series sweep of the Oklahoma City Thunder with a 111-95 blowout win. Steph Curry added 23 points in their fourth straight win, as they snapped the Thunder's five-game win streak, and have won all four meetings with OKC by at least 16 points. Russell Westbrook was held to just 15 points on 4-of-16 shooting, and showed the frustration from his poor performance by getting into a shoving match with Curry. This led to a skirmish involving multiple players, including the controversial Draymond Green. Golden State frustrated the Thunder all night long, leading by as many as 27 on the night, including by 20 at halftime after outscoring OKC by 17 in a dominant second quarter.
Thomas Leads Celtics to Important Win Over Wizards
The Boston Celtics have turned into a legitimate threat to the Cavaliers in the East, and they're looking to hang on to that No. 2 spot in the standings. Monday night really helped their case, as Isaiah Thomas scored 25 points to lead the Celtics past the third-place Washington Wizards, 110-102. Thomas had missed the previous two games with a bruised right knee, but returned with a vengeance in the win. Avery Bradley added 20 points in the victory, as Boston now holds a 2.5 game lead on Washington, and trail the Cavs by just two games. Jae Crowder and Al Horford each put up 16 points and nine rebounds, as the Celtics improved to 24-9 on their home floor. Bradley Beal had 19 points, while John Wall added 16 points and eight assists in the loss. Washington did make it interesting late, cutting a 15-point fourth-quarter deficit down to six with about four minutes left, but could not complete the comeback.
Harden, Rockets Slip Past Nuggets
James Harden finished the night with 39 points, as he improved his MVP case by helping his Houston Rockets squeeze past the Denver Nuggets, 125-124, on Monday night. Harden ran the length of the floor for the game-winning layup with 2.4 seconds remaining, as he finished three rebounds shy of his 20th triple-double of the year. The final score came as no surprise, as it was a matchup of the second and third highest scoring teams in the league. The Rockets trailed by three at the half after getting out-rebounded, 30-13, in the first half, and outscored, 37-27, in the second quarter. Houston went 17-for-38 from three-point range in the second half, helping them overcome a 7-for-20 first half from beyond the arc. Eric Gordon had 18 points off the bench, while the Rockets had four other players finish in double figures on the night. Gary Harris scored a career-high 28 points for the Nuggets, who also got 22 points, 13 rebounds, and eight assists from Nikola Jokic. Denver now hangs on to a half game lead on the Portland Trail Blazers for the final playoff spot in the West.
As the Kevin Durant drama continues to linger in OKC, the Warriors' star was not in action for the first time against his former team, but that did not stop the defending Western Conference champs from rolling on the road Monday night. Klay Thompson led the offense with 34 points, as Golden State completed the season series sweep of the Oklahoma City Thunder with a 111-95 blowout win. Steph Curry added 23 points in their fourth straight win, as they snapped the Thunder's five-game win streak, and have won all four meetings with OKC by at least 16 points. Russell Westbrook was held to just 15 points on 4-of-16 shooting, and showed the frustration from his poor performance by getting into a shoving match with Curry. This led to a skirmish involving multiple players, including the controversial Draymond Green. Golden State frustrated the Thunder all night long, leading by as many as 27 on the night, including by 20 at halftime after outscoring OKC by 17 in a dominant second quarter.
Thomas Leads Celtics to Important Win Over Wizards
The Boston Celtics have turned into a legitimate threat to the Cavaliers in the East, and they're looking to hang on to that No. 2 spot in the standings. Monday night really helped their case, as Isaiah Thomas scored 25 points to lead the Celtics past the third-place Washington Wizards, 110-102. Thomas had missed the previous two games with a bruised right knee, but returned with a vengeance in the win. Avery Bradley added 20 points in the victory, as Boston now holds a 2.5 game lead on Washington, and trail the Cavs by just two games. Jae Crowder and Al Horford each put up 16 points and nine rebounds, as the Celtics improved to 24-9 on their home floor. Bradley Beal had 19 points, while John Wall added 16 points and eight assists in the loss. Washington did make it interesting late, cutting a 15-point fourth-quarter deficit down to six with about four minutes left, but could not complete the comeback.
Harden, Rockets Slip Past Nuggets
James Harden finished the night with 39 points, as he improved his MVP case by helping his Houston Rockets squeeze past the Denver Nuggets, 125-124, on Monday night. Harden ran the length of the floor for the game-winning layup with 2.4 seconds remaining, as he finished three rebounds shy of his 20th triple-double of the year. The final score came as no surprise, as it was a matchup of the second and third highest scoring teams in the league. The Rockets trailed by three at the half after getting out-rebounded, 30-13, in the first half, and outscored, 37-27, in the second quarter. Houston went 17-for-38 from three-point range in the second half, helping them overcome a 7-for-20 first half from beyond the arc. Eric Gordon had 18 points off the bench, while the Rockets had four other players finish in double figures on the night. Gary Harris scored a career-high 28 points for the Nuggets, who also got 22 points, 13 rebounds, and eight assists from Nikola Jokic. Denver now hangs on to a half game lead on the Portland Trail Blazers for the final playoff spot in the West.
