The Warriors used great play from their guards to rebound with a win over the Rockets, while the Hawks just continue to win – this time over the Noah-less Bulls. The Wizards righted the ship against the Nets, while the Pistons continued their winning ways in a blowout.
Let’s get to the games:
Pacers 71 (15-27) – Hornets 80 (16-25) OT
Lance Stephenson has not been having the best year of his career, but you wouldn’t know it by the amount of trash-talk he had for his former teammate Roy Hibbert. In the end, the Hornets won despite a mediocre night from Stephenson in a boring, low-scoring game in Charlotte. Gerald Henderson led the Hornets with 20, while Michael Kidd-Gilchrist had 9 and 16 rebounds and Bismack Biyombo had 8 with 14 rebounds including 7 offensive rebounds. The Pacers were led by David West with 19 points and 8 boards, while Roy Hibbert had a double-double with 12 points and 14 rebounds and Donals Sloan added 13 points off the bench.
76ers 89 (8-32) – Pistons 107 (16-25)
The Pistons have now won 8 of their last 10 and have become a different team since waiving Josh Smith. Tonight, they simply routed the 76ers at home, with 6 players finishing in double figures. Kyle Singler led Detroit when they needed it and finished with 20 points on the night. Greg Monroe had 12 points and 13 rebounds and Caldwell-Pope added 17. The 76ers featured Michael Carter-Williams with 15 points and 6 assists and Henry Sims came off the bench with 12 points and 10 rebounds.
Wizards 99 (28-13) – Nets 90 (17-24)
A night after being blown out by the Nets in Washington, the Wizards rebounded thanks to better play from their big men and bench. The Wizards owned the 3rd quarter, which was their demise last night, and were calm down the stretch to get the win in Brooklyn and even the season series. NeNe had 20 points and 6 rebounds, while Gortat added 10 and 16 boards to solidify the front line for Washington. Bradley Beal had a big night as well, with 17 points, 9 rebounds, and 8 assists. For the Nets, Jarret Jack impressed for the second night in a row with 22 points on 8 assists, Joe Johnson and Brook Lopez both added 15 points, and Kevin Garnett had 8 with 10 rebounds.
Hawks 107 (33-8) – Bulls 99 (17-15)
The Hawks continue to roll over the league with a big win over the Bulls. It was the 12th straight victory for the Hawks, and puts them 6 1/2 clear of the Bulls in first place in the Eastern Conference. Without Noah, the Bulls seemed to lack a final gear, and the Hawks seemed to be in control throughout. Kyle Korver featured for the Hawks with a career-high 7 three-pointers on the way to 24 points. Al Horford had 22 with 9 rebounds and Jeff Teague had 17 points and 11 assists. For the Bulls, Derrick Rose had another good night with 23 points plus 10 assists and 8 rebounds. Pau Gasol continued his good play with 22 points and 15 rebounds, and Jimmy Butler added 15 points.
Warriors 131 (32-6) – Rockets 106 (28-13)
A big 33-point third quarter for the Warriors was the difference tonight as the Warriors rebounded from a loss in Oklahoma City last night. The Golden State guards were the key on both ends of the floor, and the return of Bogut and Igoudala helped round out a clearly better team. Stephen Curry finished with 27 points, 11 assists, and 7 rebounds while Klay Thompson had 27 points and added 5 rebounds. David Lee impressed off the bench with 18 points and 8 rebounds. For the Rockets, Dwight Howard dominated inside with 23 points and 10 rebounds, and Montejunas added 14 and 7 boards. James Harden, meanwhile, was held to 12 points and 4 assists.
Trail Blazers 98 (30-11) – Grizzlies 102 (29-11)
Memphis jumped out in the first half, leading throughout, but it took a strong effort to hold off the Blazers who were determined but unsuccessful in avoiding their third straight loss. With Mike Conley out, the Grizzlies needed someone to step up, and Beno Uldrich filled in for Conley with 17 points and 7 rebounds including key 4th quarter shots that served to put the Blazers away. Zach Randolph added 20 points and 15 rebounds and Gasol had 15 with 8 rebounds and 6 dimes. The game focused on the front court on both ends, as Portland got a great effort from LeMarcus Aldridge in 32 points and 9 rebounds. Damian Lillard featured for 23 with 6 assists and 6 rebounds, and Wesley Matthews added 25 points.
Wolves 113 (7-32) – Nuggets 105 (18-22)
Andrew Wiggins continues to impress and improve, and tonight we saw one of the best games of his career as the Wolves handily beat the trade-rumor heavy Nuggets in Denver. Wiggins had 31 points with 9 rebounds, 4 assists, and 3 blocks, and seemed to be in control for much of the game. Thaddeus Young added 22 points and 6 rebounds for the Wolves, while Robbie Hummel had 15 and 13 rebounds. For the Nuggets, Ty Lawson had 22 with 7 assists, but the bench came up big, with Jameer Nelson adding 16 and J.J. Hickson scoring 14 with 10 rebounds.
Clippers 117 (27-14) – Kings 108 (16-24)
The Kings came in without Demarcus Cousins, which is a very bad thing for a team in distress that needs its best player every night. The Clippers, meanwhile, came in tired after an up-and-down game with the Cavs the night before, and ran their way through this game to get the win. Matt Barnes had one of his best nights of the season with 26 points and 10 rebounds, while Blake Griffin had 30 points with 5 boards and 5 assists. J.J. Redick added 18 including 4 from behind the arc. The Kings were led by Jason Thompson with 23 and a huge 22 rebounds, while Darren Collison had 17 and 4 assists and Rudy Gay, a late clearance for the game, had 22 points and 5 rebounds.