Close contests were the norm on Friday, but the one circled on everyone’s calendar wasn’t as comparable as expected. The East-leading Hawks handled the Cavaliers as the Wizards, Jazz, Magic and Celtics earned victories within six points.
Let’s get to the games:
 |
Miami Heat | 97 | (28-34) |
 |
Washington Wizards | 99 | (35-28) |
| Final | |||
A 40-point outburst in the first quarter nearly wasn’t enough for Washington. The Heat overcame an eventual 35-point deficit Friday, but the Wizards held on as Bradley Beal made two free throws with under two seconds remaining in regulation. Washington led 67-39 at halftime, but only scored 11 points in the fourth quarter. Beall finished with 17 points and Nene Hilario led with 20. Marcin Gortat scored 14 points with 17 rebounds. Goran Dragic led Miami with 18 points and Shabazz Napier added 16.
 |
Utah Jazz | 89 | (25-36) |
 |
Philadelphia 76ers | 83 | (14-49) |
| Final | |||
By only scoring 13 points in the third quarter against the Jazz, the 76ers dropped to 8-22 at home this season. Gordon Hayward poured in 25 points for Utah and Derrick Favors added 15 points and 10 rebounds. Rudy Gobert just missed out on a triple-double, scoring nine points with 15 rebounds. The Jazz scored 19 points off Philadelphia turnovers. The 76ers were led by Isaiah Canann, who scored 16 points. Nerlens Noel added 10 points and 11 rebounds, while Thomas Robinson scored 11 points with 12 rebounds.
 |
Chicago Bulls | 84 | (39-24) |
 |
Indiana Pacers | 98 | (28-34) |
| Final | |||
A 32-18 run in the fourth quarter lifted the Pacers past the Bulls. Ian Mahimini scored 14 points with 11 rebounds, while David West had 10 points and 10 rebounds. Solomon Hill led Indiana with 16 points. Pau Gasol and Mike Dunleavy sank all of their foul shots and finished with 18 and 14 points, respectively. The Bulls had 20 points off Pacers’ turnovers.
 |
Toronto Raptors | 94 | (38-24) |
 |
Charlotte Hornets | 103 | (27-33) |
| Final | |||
The Hornets shot nearly 50-percent from the field and ran past the Raptors. Toronto, though, only committed five turnovers compared to 16 by Charlotte. Mo Williams scored 23 points, including four 3-pointers and Al Jefferson had 23 points with 13 turnovers. DeMar Rozen led all scorers with 30 points for Toronto.
 |
Sacramento Kings | 114 | (21-40) |
 |
Orlando Magic | 119 | (20-43) |
| Final | |||
Second chances weren’t enough for the Kings. Sacramento grabbed 19 offensive rebounds and held the overall advantage on the glass, but still fell on the road to Orlando. Victor Oladipo tallied 32 points and 10 rebounds for the Magic, while Channing Frye had 22 points and 10 rebounds. Elfrid Payton also had a double-double with 10 points and 12 rebounds. Rudy Gay had a game-high 39 points for Sacramento and DeMarucs Cousins chipped in with 29 and 12 rebounds.
 |
Cleveland Cavaliers | 97 | (40-25) |
 |
Atlanta Hawks | 106 | (49-13) |
| Final | |||
In a battle of the beasts of the East, Atlanta soared over the Cavaliers. The Hawks fast start and strong finish dispatched Cleveland as the home team outscored Cleveland by a combined 61-37 in the first and fourth quarters. Al Horford paced six Hawks in double figures with 19 points, though nobody on the team recorded a double-double. Al Horford added 16 points and Paul Milsap also finished with 16. For the Cavs, LeBron James was limited to 18 points and Kyrie Irving scored 20.
 |
Boston Celtics | 104 | (25-35) |
 |
New Orleans Pelicans | 98 | (34-29) |
| Final | |||
Isaiah Thomas has certainly made his point for sixth man of the year. The Celtics’ reserve registered a team-high 27 points in a road victory over the Pelicans. He sunk four 3-pointers along the way and added three assists. Evan Turner added 16 points. Anthony Davis paced the Pelicans with 29 points and 14 rebounds and Eric Gordon added 20 points. New Orleans also scored 20 points off turnovers.
 |
Detroit Pistons | 93 | (23-38) |
 |
Houston Rockets | 103 | (43-20) |
| Final | |||
James Harden registered a triple-double to heighten his case for MVP. The Rockets’ star scored 38 points with 12 rebounds and 12 assists in Houston’s 10-point win. Terrence Jones added 17 points and Corey Brewer added 15. The Rockets held a 55-50 rebound advantage, but Andre Drummond brought down 21 rebounds for the Pistons. Greg Monroe scored 19 points for the Pistons to lead the team for the second-straight game.
 |
Los Angeles Lakers | 90 | (16-45) |
 |
Memphis Grizzlies | 97 | (44-18) |
| Final | |||
The Grizzlies put away the Lakers by scoring 30 points to their 19 in the fourth quarter. Memphis, however, made just one 3-pointer — by Mike Conley. Conley finished with 12 points. Zach Randolph led with 24 points, Marc Gasol added 18 and Jeff Green scored 16. Jordan Clarkson led the Lakers with 25 points.
 |
Phoenix Suns | 108 | (33-31) |
 |
Brooklyn Nets | 100 | (25-35) |
| Final – OT | |||
The Suns surged with a 23-point fourth quarter and outscored the Nets, 16-8, in the overtime period. Despite shooting just 11-percent from behind-the-arc, Phoenix had three players reach 19 points — Marklieff Morris, Marcus Morris and Eric Bledsoe. Brooklyn held a 57-51 rebounding advantage with Cody Jefferson and Brook Lopez each grabbing 13 boards. Bledsoe had 10 rebounds for the Suns. Every bench player for Brooklyn scored in double figures with Lopez leading with 19 points.
 |
Denver Nuggets | 111 | (22-41) |
 |
San Antonio Spurs | 120 | (38-23) |
| Final | |||
The Spurs improved to 22-7 at home, despite Denver shooting 52-percent from the field, but San Antonio shot 75-percent from the free throw line. Kawhi Leonard and Tony Parker scored 25 and 24 points, respectively, for the Spurs as every starter reached double figures. All 12 Spurs that appeared in the game had at least one of San Antonio’s 36 rebounds. Tim Duncan chipped in with 15 points. Ty Lawson led Denver with 23 points.
 |
Dallas Mavericks | 89 | (40-24) |
 |
Golden State Warriors | 104 | (48-12) |
| Final | |||
The Warriors overcame 22 turnovers as Steph Curry scored 22 points in a big win. Andrew Bogut grabbed 13 of Golden State’s 51 rebounds and Shaun Livingston had 10 points with 10 rebounds. The Warriors did score 19 points off the Mavericks’ turnovers and created 28 assists as a team. All 13 players appeared in the game for Dallas, as Rajon Rondo and Dirk Nowitzki each scored 14 points.