Kawhi Leonard matched his career-high with 26 points and set a career-high with seven steals as the San Antonio Spurs rolled past Golden State 107-92 on Sunday, ending the Warriors’ 12-game winning streak while extending their own to seven straight.
San Antonio also extended their home winning streak over Golden State to 32 straight.
Tim Duncan had 19 points and Danny Green added 18 points for San Antonio, who led by as many as 28 points.
Stephen Curry had 24 points, but was harassed into nine-for-17 shooting by Leonard. Klay Thompson was held to six points on three-for-11 shooting for Golden State.
KNICKS 101, 76ERS 91
In New York, Andrea Bargnani scored 25 points, while Shane Larking added 15 and 11 rebounds as the New York Knicks ended a nine-game losing streak.
Lance Thomas chipped in 14 points for the Knicks, whose last victory was on March 17 over defending champions the San Antonio Spurs at Madison Square Garden.
Ish Smith and reserve forward Hollis Thompson each had 17 points for the visiting 76ers, who have lost six straight.
PACERS 112, HEAT 89
In Indianapolis, Indiana, Paul George’s season debut provided a needed boost on Sunday as the Pacers put themselves back in playoff contention.
George finished with 13 points in 15 minutes — his first action since breaking his right leg on Aug. 1 last year.
Luis Scola scored a season-high 23 points to lead Indiana to their second straight win. The Pacers moved into a tie with Miami for the No. 9 spot in the Eastern Conference. Both teams trail Boston by one game for the conference’s eighth and final playoff spot.
ROCKETS 115, THUNDER 112
In Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, James Harden scored 41 points, as the Houston Rockets overcame Russell Westbrook’s triple-double to beat the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Harden and Westbrook, the league’s top two scorers, both entered the game averaging 27.5 points. Harden made 12 of 22 shots and six of nine three-pointers before fouling out with 33 seconds left. The Rockets hung on to win for the seventh time in eight games.
Enes Kanter added 21 points and 17 rebounds for the Thunder, who lost their third straight. Their lead over New Orleans for the No. 8 spot in the Western Conference was cut to a half a game.
CLIPPERS 106, LAKERS 78
In Los Angeles, Blake Griffin scored 18 points, while DeAndre Jordan added 16 points and 11 rebounds as the Los Angeles Clippers sent the Lakers to their team-record 56th defeat of the season.
Matt Barnes scored 14 points and Chris Paul had 15 assists for the Clippers, who handed that historic loss to their Staples Center roommates while beating the Lakers for a record sixth straight time overall.
With six games still to play, the Lakers have surpassed last season’s team as the worst in the 16-time champions illustrious history.
JAZZ 101, KINGS 95
In Sacramento, California, Rodney Hood scored 13 of his season-high 25 points in the fourth quarter as the Utah Jazz pulled away.
The Jazz were clinging to an 83-82 lead with 6 minutes, 10 seconds remaining when Hood scored the first nine points of a 14-2 run. He had a pair of three-point plays and a three-pointer during the streak, then later made a 17-foot jumper to give Utah a 99-88 lead.
CAVALIERS 99, BULLS 94
In Cleveland, Ohio, LeBron James recorded his first triple-double since returning to Cleveland, and the Cavaliers made 16 three-pointers while winning their 18th straight home game.
J.R. Smith made eight three-pointers, Kyrie Irving casually dropped one from 52 feet and scored 27 as the Cavs moved closer to a Central Division title and securing the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs.
Mike Dunleavy scored 24 and Aaron Brooks 17 for the Bulls, who could have star guard Derrick Rose back in the next few days.
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