NBA
April 2, 2016

Post Up: Streak Snapped

Celtics 109 (44-32), Warriors 106 (68-8)

The Warriors are undefeated at home no longer. Evan Turner (21 points), Isaiah Thomas (22 points), and Jared Sullinger (20 points) took advantage of 13 combined turnovers from Stephen Curry and Draymond Green. The Warriors, who hadn’t lost at the Oracle Arena in 54 games, also snapped a six-game winning streak. Golden State fans were understandably floored by the photo-finish.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Fxj_epb8Gk&ab_channel=Aqupas%E2%84%A2

Cavaliers 110 (54-22), Hawks 108 (45-32)

LeBron James’ 29 points helped Cleveland eke out a victory over Paul Millsap, Jeff Teague, and the Hawks. In addition to finishing just one assist shy of a triple-double, King James reached a personal milestone in Friday’s OT win; passing Oscar Robertson on the NBA all-time scoring list.

Victory hardly came easily for the Cavs in this road match-up. Kyrie Irving (20 points on 5-of-23 shooting from the field) caught an earful from LeBron in overtime.

76ers 91 (9-67), Hornets 100 (44-31)

Kemba Walker dropped 27 points, Nicolas Batum contributed 19 points with seven dimes, and Jeremy Lin added a circus shot en route to Charlotte’s third straight W. After tonight’s victory, the Hornets may be in position to clinch a playoff berth by tomorrow night.

Marvin Williams added insult to injury for Philadelphia with this poster smash in the third quarter:

Mavericks 98 (38-38), Pistons 89 (40-36)

J.J. Barea’s 19 points led Dallas to a crucial victory, as the Mavericks remain tied for the seventh seed of the Western Conference. Alternatively, the Pistons absorbed a blow to their playoff aspirations, as Detroit now holds a slim 1.5 game lead in the cellar of the Eastern Conference. After the game, coach Stan Van Gundy was characteristically blunt about his team’s performance.

“Our bench has played well all year, especially lately, but they couldn’t get anything going at all tonight,” Van Gundy said. “That’s going to happen, and they got obliterated.”

Nets 91 (21-55), Knicks 105 (31-46)

The Knicks shot a combined 50 percent from the field in Friday’s cross-town match-up, sinking Thomas Robinson (14 points, 13 boards) and the Nets. While both teams have long been eliminated from playoff contention, the Knicks can take solace in excellent play from Jerian Grant (14 points, first NBA start) and Langston Galloway (18 points). Brook Lopez may have come two rebounds short of a double-double on his 28th birthday, but he did receive this homemade cake from Rondae Hollis-Jefferson.

Raptors 99 (51-24), Grizzlies 95 (41-35)

DeMar DeRozan and Kyle Lowry, profiled on the cover of SLAM 198, dropped a combined 49 points en route to Toronto’s second straight W. Having already clinched a franchise record in regular season victories, Toronto’s sole intention is pursuing the number one seed of the Eastern conference. With Cleveland’s victory, the Raptors remain 2.5 games behind the Cavs.

Magic 110 (32-44), Bucks 113 (32-44)

Jabari Parker lit up the Magic for a series of highlight-reel jams in this match-up, including this posterizing jam of Jason Smith.

Meanwhile, Nikola Vucevic continues to excel in his return from a 13-game absence, scoring at least 20 points in his second game back from injury.

Timberwolves 85 (25-51), Jazz 98 (38-38)

The Jazz defeated Andrew Wiggins (24 points), Karl-Anthony Towns (17 points, 11 boards) and the Timberwolves in a game with playoff implications. Maintaining a one game lead for the eighth seed of the Western Conference, Utah’s intent on staving off the Rockets to secure a playoff berth.

Heat 112 (44-31), Kings 106 (30-46)

Hassan Whiteside flaunted his skill-set in a match-up with his former team, securing 13 boards in a close W over the Kings. Despite the loss, Sacramento had their moments in Friday’s contest; most notably when Rajon Rondo showed off his handles on Amar’e Stoudemire.

Wizards 106 (37-39), Suns 99 (20-56)

The Wizards aren’t eliminated from playoff contention just yet, as Markieff Morris, John Wall, and Bradley Beal combined for 64 points in a win over Mirza Teletovic (24 points) and the Suns. Acquired from Phoenix at the NBA trade deadline, Morris reiterated his conflicted relationship with his former team.

“It’s just tough to do certain things with no trust and play for people you really don’t trust,” Morris said at shootaround, declining to elaborate.

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