Stephen Curry had several dazzling plays on his way to 31 points and Klay Thompson scored 39 as the Golden State Warriors tuned up for a showdown in San Antonio with a 130-112 victory over the Dallas Mavericks on Friday.
Among a number of displays that drew roars from the Dallas crowd, Curry stole the ball from Dirk Nowitzki near midcourt before hitting a 35-footer over him at the first-quarter buzzer. He then glanced a three-pointer off the glass from the corner with Nowitzki in his face again in the second quarter.
The Warriors made 14 of their first 17 from long range, finished 22 of 38 and won their seventh straight. Now they try to tackle the NBA’s longest losing streak on another team’s court — 32 straight at the Spurs going back to Feb. 14, 1997.
Photo: AP
The Warriors (62-6) have won seven straight and are now two games ahead of Chicago’s pace when the Bulls set the NBA record with 72 wins in 1995-1996, while the Spurs (58-10) have won 43 straight on their home floor.
“Right now, by NBA standards, this is bigger than the Rolling Stones on tour,” Dallas coach Rick Carlisle said. “Wherever they go, there’s a mass of people and a huge following.”
CAVALIERS 109, MAGIC 103
In Orlando, Florida, Kyrie Irving scored 26 points and LeBron James had 18, including a layup and pair of free throws down the stretch, to help the Cleveland Cavaliers hold off the Magic and clinch a playoff spot.
Channing Frye came off the bench to make four three-pointers and score 14 against his old team as the Cavs beat the Magic for the 14th consecutive time. A rested James returned to the lineup after taking off Wednesday’s home victory over Dallas and finished 6-of-15 shooting with eight assists and seven rebounds.
Victor Oladipo had a career-high 45 points for Orlando, but only scored six in the fourth quarter. The last of his six three-pointers trimmed Cleveland’s lead to 107-103 before James made two free throws to put it away.
THUNDER 111, 76ERS 97
In Philadelphia, Russell Westbrook recorded his league-leading 13th triple-double with 20 points, 15 rebounds and 10 assists, and Kevin Durant had 26 points and 13 boards to lead the Oklahoma City Thunder to a victory over the 76ers.
Westbrook’s 13 triple-doubles tie Grant Hill (1996-1997) and Jason Kidd (2007-2008) for most in a season over the past 25 years. Westbrook, appropriately, reached the triple-double by assisting Durant on a layup with 4 minutes, 14 seconds left in the game.
Enes Kanter contributed 16 points for the Thunder, who clinched a playoff spot with their 14th straight victory over Philadelphia.
The NBA-worst 76ers lost their fourth straight and 17th in 18 games while falling to 9-60, keeping alive the possibility of matching the 1972-1973 76ers for worst record in the 82-game season. That Philadelphia team went 9-73.
Rockets 116, Timberwolves 111
In Houston, Texas, James Harden had 29 points and 14 assists as the Rockets bounced back from an ugly loss to beat Minnesota.
Harden’s final assist came on a fast-break pass to Trevor Ariza for a dunk in transition with less than 15 seconds remaining to put away the game.
After allowing 72 points in the first half of a 122-106 blowout at the hands of the Clippers, the Rockets held Minnesota to 52 first-half points, including just 23 in the first quarter. Houston rank among the league’s worst in first-quarter points allowed.
The Rockets have won 10 of their last 11 games against the Timberwolves, including seven straight at home.
Karl-Anthony Towns led the Timberwolves with 32 points and 11 rebounds. Andrew Wiggins had 21 points, and Shabazz Muhammad scored 12 off the bench.
In other NBA action, it was:
‧ Pistons 115, Kings 108
‧ Trail Blazers 117, Pelicans 112
‧ Suns 95, Lakers 90
‧ Raptors 105, Celtics 91
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