Raptors lose top spot in the East to the Hawks…
Dallas Mavericks point guard Rajon Rondo enjoyed his best game of the season so far on his return to face former team the Boston Celtics on Friday night.
Rondo was in top form as he finished the night with a season-high 29 points, along with six rebounds and five assists while he also dropped a career-high five 3-pointers in the game.
Monta Ellis added 22 points, Dirk Nowitzki had 17 while Tyson Chandler grabbed 16 rebounds to help the Mavs to a fourth consecutive win, but it was Rondo’s night on his first return to Boston.
“Obviously, it was a special day,” the four-time All-Star said after his first game in the TD Garden since he was traded to Dallas last month. “I’m emotionally tired. I’m physically tired, and I’m drained.”
Avery Bradley scored 22 points while Tyler Zeller had 17 points and 10 rebounds, but it wasn’t enough for the Celtics to spoil Rondo’s homecoming as they slip to 11-19 while the Mavs improve to 24-10.
Elsewhere, the Cleveland Cavaliers won without LeBron James as Kevin Love and Kyrie Irving combined to overcome the Charlotte Hornets who were dealing with their own injury woes.
Love scored 27 points while Irving added 23 as the Cavaliers ended their three-game losing streak and won their first game since it was announced that James would be sidelined for two weeks. Tristan Thompson also played a key role as he had 14 points and 14 rebounds in the win.
Staying in the East, the Toronto Raptors lost the lead of the Conference after they fell to defeat to the Golden State Warriors while the Atlanta Hawks beat the Utah Jazz.
Stephen Curry scored 32 points and dished out 12 assists in the win over the Raptors (24-9), while Draymond Green recorded his first career triple-double with 16 points, 13 assists and 11 rebounds.
Meanwhile, the Hawks (24-8) were fueled by point guard Jeff Teague who had 26 points and eight assists in the win over the Jazz.
In the West, Kobe Bryant missed a clutch opportunity to send the Los Angeles Lakers into overtime against the Memphis Grizzlies. Mike Conley had 19 points and nine assists while Jeremy Lin responded with 20 points, but it wasn’t enough for the Lakers in a closely fought game.
NBA Results
Cleveland Cavaliers 91-87 Charlotte Hornets
Brooklyn Nets 100-98 Orlando Magic
Dallas Mavericks 119-101 Boston Celtics
Detroit Pistons 97-81 New York Knicks
Houston Rockets 83-111 New Orleans Pelicans
Washington Wizards 102-109 Oklahoma City Thunder
Indiana Pacers 94-91 Milwaukee Bucks
Philadelphia 96-112 Phoenix Suns
Atlanta Hawks 98-92 Utah Jazz
Toronto Raptors 105-126 Golden State Warriors
Memphis Grizzlies 109-106 Los Angeles Lakers
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