Cavs fall without LeBron and Kyrie…
The Oklahoma City Thunder got another huge performance from point guard Russell Westbrook on Friday night, but it wasn’t enough against the Portland Trail Blazers.
Westbrook put up 40 points, 13 rebounds and 11 assists in another monster performance for his third straight triple-double, as the Thunder continue to try and find a way of winning without Kevin Durant. However, their point guard’s heroics weren’t enough against Portland.
LaMarcus Aldridge responded with 29 points and 16 rebounds to lead the hosts as they improve to 38-19 while OKC slip to 32-27 as they start to lose some momentum in their bid to secure the final playoff spot in the Western Conference.
Elsewhere, the Cleveland Cavaliers fell to the Indiana Pacers as both LeBron James and Kyrie Irving sat out of the game. Irving was out with a left shoulder strain while James was rested by coach David Blatt.
Cleveland are now 2-9 without the ‘King’ this season, as Pacers point guard George Hill recorded a triple-double of his own with 15 points, 12 assists and 10 rebounds in the win.
It was business as usual for both the Golden State Warriors and Atlanta Hawks on Friday, with both teams winning as they maintain their leads at the top of their respective conferences.
Golden State defeated the Toronto Raptors on the road thanks to the ‘Splash Bros’ with 22 points from Stephen Curry while Klay Thompson added 25. Al Horford put up 17 points and 13 rebounds in Atlanta’s win over the Orlando Magic.
Staying in the East, the Chicago Bulls were handed a huge boost on Friday with the news that Derrick Rose may be able to return this season, and it seemed to lift spirits at the United Center during their win over the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Jimmy Butler posted 28 points and 12 rebounds as Pau Gasol sat out due to illness, while Joakim Noah rediscovered his form from last year with 11 points, 12 rebounds and eight assists in a solid all-round performance.
Much to the relief of their fans, the San Antonio Spurs ended their losing streak at four games after defeating the Sacramento Kings on Friday.
Kawhi Leonard led the charge with 17 points as the short-handed Kings were unable to cope with the absence of DeMarcus Cousins.
NBA Results
Cleveland Cavaliers 86-93 Indiana Pacers
Washington Wizards 81-89 Philadelphia 76ers
Orlando Magic 88-95 Atlanta Hawks
Charlotte Hornets 98-106 Boston Celtics
New York Knicks 121-115 Detroit Pistons
Golden State Warriors 113-89 Toronto Raptors
Minnesota Timberwolves 89-96 Chicago Bulls
Brooklyn Nets 98-102 Houston Rockets
Los Angeles Clippers 97-79 Memphis Grizzlies
Miami Heat 102-104 New Orleans Pelicans
Utah Jazz 104-82 Denver Nuggets
San Antonio Spurs 107-96 Sacramento Kings
Milwaukee Bucks 93-101 Los Angeles Lakers
Oklahoma City Thunder 112-115 Portland Trail Blazers
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