Suns beat the Bulls while Cleveland win again…
The Atlanta Hawks extended their winning streak to an incredible 18 straight on Friday night win a win over the Portland Trail Blazers.
Atlanta have been unstoppable during their stretch of wins and they improved to 39-8 for the season with six players finishing the game in double scoring figures.
Al Horford was handed the stat line of the night with 17 points, eight rebounds, four assists, three steals and two blocks, while they also overcame a 37-point performance from LaMarcus Aldridge to win again.
Despite losing DeMarre Carroll and Thabo Sefolosha to injury, coach Mike Budenholzer showed off the depth he has on his roster as Kent Bazemore stepped up off the bench to make a difference.
“We’re confident in one through 15 here,” Horford said. “Guys really put in the time, guys work every day. They just don’t get the opportunity because we’re so deep.”
Elsewhere, the Toronto Raptors eventually overcome the Brooklyn Nets but needed overtime at the Barclays Center to clinch the win. DeMar DeRozan led the way with 26 points and nine assists while the Nets were able to stay competitive in large part to Jarrett Jack’s 35 points, 13 assists and eight rebounds.
The Cleveland Cavaliers also extended their winning streak to make it nine wins in a row as LeBron James returned from injury to to put up 19 points while Kevin Love and Kyrie Irving combined for 44 points to ensure that the Cavs gained further momentum.
After being named an All-Star, DeMarcus Cousins put up 21 points and 13 rebounds along with 5 steals, but he was unable to lift the Kings to a win.
The Phoenix Suns were also winners on Friday as Eric Bledsoe (23 points, six assists, four rebounds) teamed up with Goran Dragic to down the Chicago Bulls, but there were two shocks on the night too.
The Golden State Warriors fell on the road to the Utah Jazz with Gordon Hayward scoring 26 points as despite a 32-point response from Stephen Curry, the Western Conference leaders slumped to their second loss in a row.
In addition, the New Orleans Pelicans defeated the Los Angeles Clippers without Anthony Davis, as Eric Gordon scored 28 points and added seven assists to lead his team past their visitors.
NBA Results
Minnesota Timberwolves 94-103 Philadelphia 76ers
Portland Trail Blazers 99-105 Atlanta Hawks
Houston Rockets 93-87 Boston Celtics
Toronto Raptors 127-122 Brooklyn Nets
Sacramento Kings 90-101 Cleveland Cavaliers
Los Angeles Clippers 103-108 New Orleans Pelicans
Dallas Mavericks 93-72 Miami Heat
Golden State Warriors 100-110 Utah Jazz
Chicago Bulls 93-99 Phoenix Suns
COMMENTS