The Cleveland Cavaliers gave San Antonio another tense test at home before the Spurs rose up on defense for what they deemed their biggest win of the season.
Tony Parker had 24 points and San Antonio used a furious start to the fourth quarter to beat Cleveland 99-95 on Thursday night, remaining undefeated at home and avenging their previous loss in their own arena.
“Coming into this building, they’re never going to make many mistakes,” said Cavaliers star LeBron James, who had 22 points. Spurs coach Gregg Popovich “definitely puts those guys in the right position every single possession to be successful for their team.”
Photo: EPA
San Antonio (35-6) extended their home winning streak to 23 games to begin the season.
The Spurs have won 32 straight at home and became the first team in NBA history with a 10-game winning streak in six consecutive seasons.
The team’s previous loss in San Antonio came against the Cavaliers on March 12 last year, when Kyrie Irving scored an NBA season-high and career-high 57 points in a 128-125 overtime victory.
Irving was limited to 16 points on six-for-16 shooting this time, but the game was just as intense.
Instead of folding on defense in the fourth period as they did last year, San Antonio rallied in the final quarter on Thursday.
“One of the best opponents we can play against. It gave us so many mismatches. They play different than most other teams,” Spurs guard Manu Ginobili said. “Of course, when you have a guy like LeBron, the whole team plays different. Kawhi [Leonard] did a very good job of making him play uncomfortable. As a team we were pretty sharp after that first quarter.”
James shot nine for 17 and attempted only four free throws.
BULLS 115, 76ERS 111, OT
In Philadelphia, Jimmy Butler scored a career-high 53 points and E’Twaun Moore had seven of his 14 in overtime to lead Chicago over Philadelphia.
Butler also had 10 rebounds and six assists while making 15 of 30 field goals and 21 of 25 free throws to help the Bulls snap a three-game losing streak. He became the first Chicago player to score 50 points since Jamal Crawford in 2004.
Robert Covington scored 25 points and Ish Smith had 24 for the 76ers, who fell to 4-37.
Chicago were without star guard Derrick Rose (injured knee) and starting center Pau Gasol (resting).
WARRIORS 116, LAKERS 98
In California, Stephen Curry scored 26 points, with his first eight baskets coming on three-pointers, as Golden State beat Los Angeles in what was likely Kobe Bryant’s last game in Oakland.
Bryant had eight points, six rebounds and three assists in 28 minutes. It was the Lakers’ final regular-season visit to Oracle Arena, and Bryant plans to retire after this season.
Curry put the Warriors ahead 84-70 on a breakaway dunk off a long pass from Andre Iguodala in the closing seconds of the third quarter for his first score inside the three-point line. The reigning MVP made eight threes for the eighth time this season and the 18th time in his career, the most in NBA history.
RAPTORS 106, MAGIC 103, OT
In London, England, Kyle Lowry scored 24 points and Cory Joseph added 19 as Toronto beat Orlando in overtime at the O2 Arena.
Demar DeRozan had 13 points and 11 rebounds to help the Raptors win their fourth straight game.
Victor Oladipo scored 27 points and Evan Fournier had 21 for Orlando. The Magic lost for the sixth time in seven games.
Nikola Vucevic’s last-second shot from near halfcourt bounced off the rim. Vucevic had 17 points and 11 rebounds for Orlando.
GRIZZLIES 103, PISTONS 101
In Memphis, Tennessee, Mario Chalmers scored 25 points, including a leaning jumper with less than a second left to give Memphis victory over Detroit.
Chalmers was fouled on the play and missed the ensuing free throw. The shot appeared to miss the front of the rim and the clock ran out with players scrambling for the rebound.
KINGS 103, JAZZ 101
In Salt Lake City, Utah, Rudy Gay scored 24 points and hit the game-winning shot with 0.9 seconds remaining to lift Sacramento over the home side.
DeMarcus Cousins had his 21st double-double of the season with 36 points and 17 rebounds. Rajon Rondo added 13 assists and six rebounds for the Kings, one game behind Utah for the No. 8 spot in the Western Conference playoff race.
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