Kevin Durant scored 31 points and Russell Westbrook added 29 to help the Oklahoma City Thunder defeat the short-handed San Antonio Spurs 111-92 on Saturday.
Oklahoma City won their seventh straight, but the game was not the late-season showdown that was anticipated when the schedule first came out after the Spurs rested Kawhi Leonard, LaMarcus Aldridge, Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili and Tony Parker.
“Another opportunity for us to keep growing and building our habits,” Durant said. “It wasn’t on us that they didn’t play their starters. We just had to continue to play our game and do what we do.”
Photo: AP
Assured of a spot in the playoffs, Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said his team played hard, but did not have the talent available to keep up.
“We hung in there really well and did a good job,” Popovich said. “You learn from everything. Win or lose, it doesn’t matter.”
The Cleveland Cavaliers bounced back from Thursday’s loss in Brooklyn to beat the New York Knicks 107-93.
LeBron James had 27 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists for his third triple-double of the season and the 42nd of his career. He also moved within three points of Dominique Wilkins for 12th place on the NBA’s scoring list.
DeMar DeRozan scored 23 points and Patrick Patterson 16 as the Toronto Raptors beat the New Orleans Pelicans 115-91 to tie a franchise record with their 49th victory of the season as they prepare for the playoffs.
“We’ve got to understand the second half of the season is where it counts, where it matters, where we understand who we are and what we’ve got to do to win,” DeRozan said.
Paul Millsap had 23 points and nine rebounds as the Atlanta Hawks ended the Detroit Pistons’ five-game victory streak, winning 112-95 The Hawks have won 13 of their last 16 and moved a game ahead of Miami atop the Southeast Division.
Isaiah Thomas scored 28 points against his former team as the Boston Celtics held off the Phoenix Suns 102-99 despite almost blowing a 21-point lead.
Orlando journeyman center Dewayne Dedmon scored a career-high 18 points as the Magic dealt the Chicago Bulls a blow to their fading playoff hopes, winning 111-89 to end a six-game losing streak.
The Bulls (36-36), fighting to climb back into the eighth and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference, dropped their third straight game.
Brook Lopez scored 23 points and Bojan Bogdanovic added 18 as the Brooklyn Nets beat the Indiana Pacers 120-110.
Gordon Hayward scored 16 of his 18 points in the fourth quarter as the Utah Jazz finished a five-game road trip with a 93-84 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Nicolas Batum scored 23 of his 25 points in the first half as the Charlotte Hornets used a three-point barrage to rout the Milwaukee Bucks 115-91.
C.J. McCollum converted a three-point play with 7.6 seconds left to break a tie and lift the Portland Trail Blazers past the Philadelphia 76ers 108-105, avoiding another embarrassing loss to the NBA’s worst team.
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