Oklahoma City made it 12 wins from 13 games with a 116-100 win at Memphis on Wednesday, with Russell Westbrook scoring 27 points for the Thunder.
Among other games, Golden State rallied from a big deficit and came up with a last-gasp winner to sink Dallas, former Celtics coach and now LA Clippers boss Doc Rivers won his first game back in Boston, and San Antonio’s experienced core led the Spurs to a rout of Milwaukee.
Oklahoma City’s Kevin Durant added 18 points and the Thunder had enough in hand to rest him in the fourth quarter, while maintaining a double-digit lead.
Mike Conley had 20 points for the Grizzlies, who were playing the last of a season-long six-game home stand.
Golden State’s Stephen Curry made a pull-up jump shot with 3 seconds remaining to cap a sensational fourth quarter rally by the Warriors, who came from 18 points down to pip Dallas 95-93.
Curry scored 16 of his 33 points in the final period and finished with nine assists, four rebounds and another big shot in a young career already full of them.
With the clock winding down, Curry dribbled on the perimeter, came off a screen, faked a shot to send an opponent jumping past him, then made a 19-footer to give Golden State the lead for good.
Dallas’ Jose Calderon heaved a desperation shot at the buzzer that was never close.
Harrison Barnes scored 17 points for the Warriors, who overcame 18 turnovers and a sloppy start.
Monta Ellis and Dirk Nowitzki each scored 21 points for the Mavericks.
Boston’s Jamal Crawford hit a pair of three-pointers 23 seconds apart to help the Clippers pull away in the last three minutes and beat Boston 96-88.
Crawford came off the bench to score 21 points, while Chris Paul had 22 points, nine assists and seven rebounds for the Clippers.
Jeff Green scored 29 points for the Celtics up against his old coach Rivers.
Boston lost to the Brooklyn Nets on Tuesday night, kicking off a reunion week of sorts by facing former Celtics Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce. One night later, Rivers returned to the TD Garden.
San Antonio’s Tim Duncan had 21 points and 16 rebounds, while playing just 24 minutes, and Tony Parker added 15 points to lead the Spurs to a 109-77 thumping of Milwaukee.
San Antonio shook off some mediocre recent form and dominated from the opening tip, scoring the first nine points and built that to a yawning 38-point lead after three quarters. It could have been worse for Milwaukee, as the Spurs made only four of 17 three-point attempts.
Rookie guard Nate Wolters led the Bucks with a season-high 18 points.
New Orleans’ Ryan Anderson shook off an unusually poor shooting night from long range, hitting two clutch three-pointers in overtime that carried the Pelicans to a 111-106 victory over Detroit.
Jason Smith scored 22 points and grabbed a career-high 16 rebounds for the Pelicans, while Anderson finished with 22 points on 6-of-18 shooting.
New Orleans native Greg Monroe had 28 points and 10 rebounds for Detroit, which led by three points early in overtime, but lost their third in a row.
Minnesota’s Kevin Love had 26 points, 15 rebounds and five assists as the Timberwolves rallied from a 19-point deficit to beat slumping Philadelphia 106-99.
Orlando snapped a six-game skid by beating Charlotte 92-83, with Jameer Nelson scoring 12 of his 17 points in the fourth quarter to guide the Magic home.
New York blew a 23-point lead before recovering to beat Chicago 83-78, with Carmelo Anthony scoring 30 points and getting 10 rebounds.
Utah halted a four-game losing run by defeating Sacramento 122-101, as Richard Jefferson scored 20 points.
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