“They did a good job of taking us out of our sets, but we also had some really good looks that just didn’t go down for us”, said LeBron James after the game. “(Spurs coach Gregg Popovich) definitely puts those guys in the right position every single possession to be successful for their team”.
Advertisement
As high as the Cavaliers have been, the San Antonio Spurs have been on another level as they seek their 32nd straight win at home when two of the NBA’s best teams meet on Thursday night.
Point guard Tony Parker scored 24 points and Kawhi Leonard added 20 as the Spurs improved to 23-0 at home this season – and won their 32nd straight at the AT&T Center in a streak of dominance dating back to March 12 previous year, when they fell in overtime to the Cavs. James (19 points, seven rebounds, seven assists) and Irving (23 points) excelled while forward Kevin Love chipped in a double-double (11 points, 13 rebounds) as Cleveland closed a season-long, six-game road trip 5-1.
Because of Golden State’s record run this season as it embarks on its second straight title quest, San Antonio’s incredible pace has been largely overlooked. “They were being more physical than us”.
Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James is fouled by San Antonio Spurs guard Manu Ginobili, right, during the first half of an NBA basketball game Thursday, Jan. 14, 2016, in San Antonio. “Of course, when you have a guy like LeBron, the whole team plays different. As a team we were pretty sharp after that first quarter”.
Chicago’s Jimmy Butler scored a career-high 53 points to spearhead the Bulls’ 115-111 come-from-behind overtime triumph over the 76ers in Philadelphia.
In the loss, LeBron James had a strong all-around game with a game-high 37 points, eight rebounds, four assists, three steals and a game-high three blocks in 42 minutes. “We have to be a little bit more determined to play throughout the game with flow and pace”. He also pulled down 10 rebounds and handed out six assists for a Chicago team without center Pau Gasol and guard Derrick Rose.
It wasn’t a classic like last year’s game, when the teams combined for 253 points in an overtime thriller, but the Spurs will take it.
Stephen Curry poured in eight three-pointers en route to 26 points, but it was aging Lakers superstar Kobe Bryant who drew the spotlight in his likely last appearance at Oracle Arena.
The Cavaliers used the momentum from Dellavedova’s shot to propel themselves into the second quarter, and they scored four of the first five baskets of the period, first on a pull-up shot from Irving, which Shumpert followed with a jumper of his own. The reigning NBA MVP made eight 3s for the eighth time this season and the 18th time in his career – most in NBA history.
Kyle Lowry’s 24 points helped the Raptors to an worldwide win and their fourth successive victory, while Victor Oladipo scored 27 points for the Magic.
Playing across the pond can be a tough adjustment for athletes unfamiliar to the drastic time change, but the Raptors showed no signs of jet lag Thursday when they outlasted the Magic 106-103 in overtime.
Nikola Vucevic’s last-second shot from near halfcourt bounced off the rim.
Advertisement
Whiteside had 19 points, 17 rebounds and 11 blocked shots, while Chris Bosh weighed in with 24 points.
