After losing several big games at home this season, the Bulls dominate the Spurs. Out west, the Clippers destroy the Nets, while the Trail Blazers have a really really bad day.
Let’s get to the games:
Spurs 81 (27-17) – Bulls 104 (18-16)
The Bulls needed to pick up a win to right the ship, and a win at home over the world champions did a lot to prove they can still get it done. Still fighting injuries, the Bulls had big nights from several key members while the Spurs just seemed defeated after big 2nd and 3rd quarters. Derrick Rose finished with 22 and 5 assists, while Eastern Conference All-Star starter Pau Gasol had 12 with 17 assists. Taj Gibson and Aaron Brooks both added 15 in a true team effort for the Bulls. For the Spurs, Kawhi Leonard continued his great play since returning from injury, finishing with 16 points while Patty Mills had 12 and 4 assists.
Jazz 101 (15-28) – Bucks 99 (21-21)
Utah held on after a big Milwaukee 3rd quarter to get the win on the road after the Bucks missed their final five shots in the closing minute. Gordon Hayward led the Jazz with 24, 6 assists, and 6 rebounds, while Enes Kanter had 23 and 16 rebounds. Rudy Gobert finished with a double-double as well on 14 points and 10 rebounds. For the Bucks, Brandon Knight had 16 but missed several shots in the last few minutes. Zaza Pachulia also had a good night, with 10 and 10 rebounds.
Celtics 90 (14-26) – Trail Blazers 89 (31-13)
An Evan Turner three pointer with one second left to win the game finished off a pretty bad day for the Blazers. Earlier, they learned that LeMarcus Aldridge would need 6-8 weeks of recovery for surgery on this finger, and a team that already needed a third option to step up, now needs someone to step into the #2 role. Avery Bradley led the Celtics with 18, while Brandon Bass had 13 and 10 rebounds, and Jared Sullinger added 17. The Blazers were led by Damian Lillard with 21, 7 assists, and 6 rebounds while Wesley Mathews added 18.
Nets 84 (18-25) – Clippers 123 (29-14)
Up 11 after the first quarter, the game was never really in doubt – but a 70-37 halftime score pretty much put the nail in the coffin for Brooklyn. With Williams and Garnett both out, and Mirza Teletovic being taken to the hospital at halftime, the Nets are short-handed, but never got the performance they needed from any of their healthy players. For the Clippers, Blake Griffin had 24 and 6 rebounds, DeAndre Jordan finished with 14 and 12 rebounds, and Chris Paul distributed 17 assists. The Nets were led by Mason Plumlee with 16 and Joe Johnson added 9 and 6 rebounds.