Danilo Gallinari scored 19 points to lead a balanced attack as the Denver Nuggets extended their winning streak to 15 games with a 101-95 victory over the Sacramento Kings on Saturday.
Kenneth Faried had 17 points and nine rebounds for the Nuggets, who had all five starters in double figures in winning a franchise-best 17th straight game at home.
And they did it while Ty Lawson (right heel) and Wilson Chandler (shoulder), two of their top players, were out with injuries.
It took until the final minutes to hold off the Kings, who got 24 points and 15 rebounds from DeMarcus Cousins.
John Salmons, who finished with 18 points, hit a three-pointer with 16 seconds left to get the Kings within four points, but Andre Miller sank two foul shots to seal the win.
CLIPPERS 101, NETS 95
In Los Angeles, Chris Paul scored 17 of his 29 points in the fourth quarter after banging his left knee early in the game as Los Angeles held off Brooklyn in a matchup of playoff-bound teams.
Paul made 12 of 13 free throws and had 11 assists, Willie Green added 15 points, DeAndre Jordan had 13 points and 12 rebounds and Blake Griffin scored 11 points for the Clippers, who improved to 28-8 at home and won their second in a row.
It was their franchise-record 10th consecutive victory against an Eastern Conference team.
The Nets were led by Brook Lopez and Deron Williams with 18 points each. Gerald Wallace and Joe Johnson added 15 points each and ex-Clipper Reggie Evans had 16 rebounds.
BULLS 87, PACERS 84
In Chicago, Luol Deng scored 20 points, while Carlos Boozer had 18 as Chicago overcame the absence of starting center Joakim Noah to beat Indiana.
Deng had 13 points at halftime, but Chicago’s reserves sparked the Bulls’ second-half rally, outscoring Indiana’s reserves 32-15. Taj Gibson scored 11, while Daequan Cook and Nate Robinson had nine apiece.
The Bulls went on a 13-5 run starting the fourth quarter to take an 81-72 lead. A four-point play by George Hill brought Indiana within 87-84 in the final minute. After a missed driving shot by Chicago’s Kirk Hinrich with 16 seconds left, the Pacers had a chance to tie, but Paul George had two three-point tries go off the rim in the final 10 seconds, including one at the final buzzer.
GRIZZLIES 110, CELTICS 106
In Memphis, Tennessee, Jerryd Bayless scored a season-high 30 points and Memphis weathered a fourth-quarter rally by Boston’s reserves to escape with the victory.
Seven Memphis players finished in double figures and three recorded double-doubles. Darrell Arthur, starting for Zach Randolph, scored 18 points, while Randolph had 15 points and 11 rebounds off the bench.
Paul Pierce led Boston with 26 points, while Jordan Crawford keyed a fourth-quarter rally, scoring 14 of his 21 points in the final frame. The Celtics lost their fourth straight game.
Both teams played without key players. Kevin Garnett and Courtney Lee sat out for Boston with left ankle sprains. Memphis center Marc Gasol is out indefinitely because of an abdominal tear.
KNICKS 110, RAPTORS 84
In New York, Carmelo Anthony scored 28 points and Kenyon Martin had another big game against Toronto to help New York finish off a home-and-home sweep of the Raptors.
J.R. Smith added 25 points for the Knicks, who beat the Raptors for the second straight night and won their fourth consecutive game. Martin had 18 points and seven rebounds, a night after he had 19 points and 11 rebounds in the Knicks’ victory in Toronto that clinched a playoff berth.
DeMar DeRozan scored 17 points for the Raptors, who played without leading scorer Rudy Gay because of a bad back and lost their fourth straight.
Knicks guard Jason Kidd had three points, three rebounds and two assists on his 40th birthday.
WARRIORS 101, WIZARDS 92
In Oakland, California, Stephen Curry scored 35 points before injuring his ankle late in Golden State’s victory over Washington.
Curry and backcourt mate Klay Thompson hit 14 of their 22 combined shots in the first half and totaled 53 points in the first game of a five-game homestand.
Curry left with 6:03 left in the game after turning his right ankle after being fouled hard by Cartier Martin while driving to the hoop. Curry’s right ankle has given him problems in the past.
PISTONS 92, BOBCATS 91
In Charlotte, North Carolina, Charlie Villanueva scored 14 of his 18 points in the fourth quarter, including a go-ahead driving layup with 15 seconds left, as Detroit beat Charlotte to snap a 10-game losing streak.
US track and field athletes have about four dozen pieces to choose from when assembling their uniforms at the Olympics. The one grabbing the most attention is a high-cut leotard that barely covers the bikini line and has triggered debate between those who think it is sexist and others who say they do not need the Internet to make sure they have good uniforms. Among those critical or laughing at the uniforms included Paralympian Femita Ayanbeku, sprinter Britton Wilson and even athletes from other countries such as Britain’s Abigail Irozuru, who wrote on social media: “Was ANY female athlete consulted in
Four-time NBA all-star DeMarcus Cousins arrived in Taiwan with his family early yesterday to finish his renewed contract with the Taiwan Beer Leopards in the T1 League. Cousins initially played a four-game contract with the Leopards in January. On March 18, the Taoyuan-based team announced that Cousins had renewed his contract. “Hi what’s up Leopard fans, I’m back. I’m excited to be back and can’t wait to join the team,” Cousins said in a video posted on the Leopard’s Facebook page. “Most of all, can’t wait to see you guys, the fans, next weekend. So make sure you come out and support the Beer
Former US Masters champion Zach Johnson was left embarrassed after a foul-mouthed response to ironic cheers from spectators after a triple bogey at Augusta National on Friday. Johnson, the 2007 Masters winner, missed the cut after his three-over-par round of 75 left him on seven-over 151 for 36 holes, his six on the par-three 12th playing a big role in his downfall. Television footage showed Johnson reacting to sarcastic cheers and applause when he tapped in for the triple bogey by yelling: “Oh fuck off.” Such a response would be considered bad form in any golf tournament, but is particularly out of keeping
The sacred flame for the Paris Olympics was lit yesterday in Olympia, Greece, the birthplace of the ancient Games, in a ceremony inspired by antiquity and marked by messages of hope amid multiple global crises. “In ancient times, the Olympic Games brought together the Greek city states, even — and in particular — during times of war and conflict,” International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach said. “Today, the Olympic Games are the only event that brings the entire world together in peaceful competition. Then as now, the Olympic athletes are sending this powerful message — yes, it is possible to compete fiercely