Rose and Bulls overcome Wall and the Wizards…
The Los Angeles Lakers defeated the NBA-best Golden State Warriors on Tuesday night despite the absence of Kobe Bryant at the Staples Center.
Stephen Curry scored 22 points and dished out six assists on the night, but it wasn’t enough for the visitors who were stunned by the Lakers and now drop to 23-4 for the season.
Bryant sat out for the first time this season to rest, but Carlos Boozer stepped up with 18 points, Wayne Ellington added 12 points in place of Kobe while Ronnie Price put up 17 points and eight assists in a team effort from the hosts.
“Looking at our schedule coming up, I just thought it was a good time to give him a day of rest and let him prepare for the next game,” Lakers coach Byron Scott said of Bryant resting.
“Kobe told me last night, anyway, `Coach, whatever you want me do. Just let me know.’ So he’s on board with it.”
Staying in the Western Conference, there was a thriller in Oklahoma City with the Thunder losing to the Portland Trail Blazers in overtime.
Damian Lillard put up 40 points, six rebounds and 11 assists in a huge performance which included a tying 3-pointer with three seconds left in regulation. The Trail Blazers rallied from a 13-point, fourth quarter deficit as Lillard posted his second 40-point game in the past four outings.
Russell Westbrook responded with 40 points, 10 rebounds and six assists, but with Kevin Durant still sidelined with an ankle sprain, the Thunder dropped to 13-16 while Portland improve to 23-7.
Over in the East, the Atlanta Hawks continued their impressive stretch of results with a win over the Los Angeles Clippers behind a career-high 25 points from DeMarre Carroll.
The Hawks overcame a 13-point deficit to record their fifth straight victory as they improve to 21-7.
The Cleveland Cavaliers were also victorious on Tuesday with a comfortable win over the Minnesota Timberwolves. Kyrie Irving scored 29 points while Kevin Love added 20 points in his first game against his former team.
However, the Cavs’ night was soured after big man Anderson Varejao suffered an injury in the third quarter and had to be helped off the floor. The Brazilian was unable to put any weight on his left leg and left the arena on crutches with his leg in an immobilising air cast.
The Chicago Bulls continued their impressive run of results with a win over rivals the Washington Wizards at the Verizon Center.
Pau Gasol had 18 points and nine rebounds while Derrick Rose once again ignited a fourth-quarter rally to secure a win over John Wall and the Wiz.
Rose scored 25 points including six of the Bulls’ eight points in a rally in the last 12 minutes to seal their fourth straight win to improve to 19-9 for the season.
NBA Results:
Minnesota Timberwolves 104-125 Cleveland Cavaliers
New Orleans Pelicans 84-96 Indiana Pacers
Boston Celtics 95-100 Orlando Magic
Chicago Bulls 99-91 Washington Wizards
Los Angeles Clippers 104-107 Atlanta Hawks
Denver Nuggets 96-102 Brooklyn Nets
Philadelphia 76ers 91-87 Miami Heat
Charlotte Hornets 108-101 Milwaukee Bucks
Portland Trail Blazers 115-111 Oklahoma City Thunder
Dallas Mavericks 115-124 Phoenix Suns
Golden State Warriors 105-115 Los Angeles Lakers
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