Dwyane Wade scored 21 of his 32 points in the first half, while Goran Dragic added 20 as the Miami Heat handed LeBron James another loss on his former home floor with a 106-92 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers on Monday.
Hassan Whiteside had 16 points and 11 rebounds and Mario Chalmers finished with 16 points off the bench for the Heat, who won both of James’ regular-season trips to Miami this season — his first two games back since leaving the team and returning to Cleveland last summer.
Miami closed the first half on a 19-5 run to take a 56-38 lead and pushed the margin to 25 in the third.
Photo: AFP
James scored 16 of his 26 points in the fourth quarter for Cleveland, who had their four-game winning streak snapped. Kyrie Irving added 21.
MAVERICKS 119, THUNDER 115
In Dallas, Texas, Chandler Parsons scored 31 points and Dirk Nowitzki added 22 with some big three-pointers as Dallas rallied from 15 down in the third quarter to beat Oklahoma City.
Russell Westbrook just missed his seventh triple-double in 10 games, finishing with 24 points, 12 assists and eight rebounds. However, he picked up his fifth and sixth fouls 0.6 seconds apart trying to bring the Thunder back in the final minute.
The Mavericks moved into fifth place in the Western Conference and put a little more distance between themselves and the Thunder and New Orleans Pelicans, who are a half-game apart in the race for the final playoff spot.
Rajon Rondo had 11 points and 13 assists for his first double-double in those categories since Dec. 22 last year, his second game with Dallas after getting traded by Boston. Monta Ellis scored 24 and made four free throws in the final 31 seconds.
WARRIORS 108, LAKERS 105
In Oakland, California, Klay Thompson scored 26 points, and Stephen Curry had 19 points and nine assists as Golden State secured a playoff spot before beating the depleted Lakers.
The Warriors sealed their post-season berth during a timeout late in the second quarter when they learned Oklahoma City lost 119-115 at Dallas. The videoboards above halfcourt displayed “CLINCHED,” and fans inside the sold-out arena gave the home team a standing ovation.
It is the first time the franchise has made the playoffs in three consecutive seasons since 1975 to 1977.
The Lakers (17-49), who have tormented Golden State for most of the past three decades, are the team trying to climb out of the Pacific Division cellar now. Los Angeles kept the game close, but never overtook the Warriors in the final minutes.
HAWKS 110, KINGS 103
In Sacramento, California, Jeff Teague scored 23 points, while Paul Millsap added 19 points and 10 rebounds to help Atlanta set a franchise record with its 23rd road win of the season.
DeMarre Carroll added 16 points and Shelvin Mack had 14 for the Eastern Conference-leading Hawks, who have won 10 of 12 games overall and 14 straight against Sacramento.
DeMarcus Cousins scored 20 points and Jason Thompson added 18 for the Kings, who have lost seven of eight and continue to struggle following their second coaching change of the season.
Sacramento fell to 4-10 under George Karl, who replaced Tyrone Corbin as coach last month. Corbin took over for the fired Michael Malone in December last year.
In other NBA action, it was:
‧ Raptors 117, Pacers 98
‧ Wizards 105, Trail Blazers 97
‧ Celtics 108, 76ers 89
‧ Grizzlies 92, Nuggets 81
‧ Nets 122, Timberwolves 106
‧ Jazz 94, Hornets 66
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