Hawks and Warriors continue to roll at the top of their respective Conferences…
The Cleveland Cavaliers secured a comfortable win over the Bulls on Monday night as the frustration starts to grow in Chicago after six losses in their last eight.
LeBron James scored 26 points while JR Smith added 20 as the Cavs secured their third straight win while the Bulls continue to slump.
Jimmy Butler had 20 points while Derrick Rose put up 18, but it wasn’t enough as the visitors were without center Joakim Noah for the third game in a row and their usually sound defense continues to be a problem this year.
As a result, both Rose and coach Tom Thibodeau were clearly frustrated after the game and they have called for a change in attitude quickly or their season may be heading one way.
“We’ve got to decide when enough is enough,” a disgusted Thibodeau said. “We’ve got to get better. It’s really that simple. The way we’re playing is not acceptable, so we have to change it.”
Elsewhere in the East, the New York Knicks ended their 16-game losing streak with a home win over the New Orleans Pelicans.
Returning to action after their trip to London, the Knicks finally picked up a W to improve to 6-36 for the season, with Carmelo Anthony posting 24 points, nine rebounds and three assists.
Langston Galloway added 21 points for the Knicks who still have the worst record in the NBA, but given their situation they will be delighted with getting that winning feeling back no matter how short it lasts.
Over in the West, James Harden had a huge night for the Houston Rockets with 45 points in the win over the Indiana Pacers, while the Dallas Mavericks overcame the Memphis Grizzlies on the road thanks in large part to 25 points and seven assists from Monta Ellis.
The Atlanta Hawks continue to surge with their 13th straight win which keeps them well placed at the top of the East, as Al Horford put up 14 points, six rebounds and seven assists in a win over the Detroit Pistons.
It was a similar situation on the West Coast as the Golden State Warriors routed the Denver Nuggets behind 20 points and eight assists from Stephen Curry and they looked impressive on both ends of the court in their most lop-sided win of the season thus far.
NBA Results
Minnesota Timberwolves 80-105 Charlotte Hornets
Philadelphia 76ers 76-111 Washington Wizards
Detroit Pistons 82-93 Atlanta Hawks
Boston Celics 93-102 Los Angeles Clippers
Denver Nuggets 79-122 Golden State Warriors
Dallas Mavericks 103-95 Memphis Grizzlies
Indiana Pacers 98-110 Houston Rockets
New Orleans Pelicans 92-99 New York Knicks
Chicago Bulls 94-108 Cleveland Cavaliers
Toronto Raptors 92-89 Milwaukee Bucks
Sacramento Kings 94-98 Portland Trail Blazers
Los Angeles Lakers 100-115 Phoenix Suns
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