LDN - Sports

NBA roundup: Booker scores 70, but Suns lose

[March 25, 2017] The Sports Xchange

BOSTON -- Devin Booker erupted for an NBA season-high 70 points, the most points ever scored in a game against the Boston Celtics, but it wasn't nearly enough for his Phoenix Suns on Friday night.

Isaiah Thomas accumulated 34 points and seven assists, and the Celtics scored the game's first six points and never looked back en route to a 130-120 victory.

The undermanned Suns lost their seventh in a row, but it wasn't because of Booker, who got the TD Garden crowd on his side as he ran wild in the closing minutes -- scoring 28 points in the fourth quarter.

Booker, who also had eight rebounds and six assists, scored the most points ever in either of the Celtics' two home buildings. His free throw with 45.2 seconds left broke Elgin Baylor's 1959 record of 64 points against Boston. Klay Thompson of the Golden State Warriors had the previous season high in the league with 60.

Cavaliers 112, Hornets 105

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- LeBron James narrowly missed a triple-double with 32 points, 11 assists and nine rebounds, and the Cavaliers completed a season sweep of Charlotte.

Kyrie Irving added 26 points and Kevin Love finished with 15 points and 12 rebounds for the Cavs, who had lost six of their previous 10 games.

The Hornets had a three-game winning streak snapped and lost vital ground in their quest to grab an Eastern Conference playoff berth. Kemba Walker led the Hornets with 28 points.

Nuggets 125, Pacers 117

INDIANAPOLIS -- Nikola Jokic had 30 points and 17 rebounds and Wilson Chandler added 24 points to lead, the Nuggets, which withstood a Pacers' rally.

The Nuggets led by 23 points with eight minutes left, but the Pacers got the margin down to 113-108 with Paul George made a 3-pointer with 1:47 remaining. But Jokic answered with a 3-pointer.

George led the Pacers with 27 points. The Nuggets have won nine of their last 13 games.

Magic 115, Pistons 87

ORLANDO, Fla. -- Elfrid Payton had 14 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists -- his fourth triple-double of the month - to lead the Magic, who have won three of their last four games.

The Pistons have lost six of their last seven, including five by at least 10 points, and have faded from the playoff race.

All Magic starters reached double figures before the third period ended. None played in the fourth. Reserve Jon Leuer led the Pistons with 16 points.

Wizards 129. Nets 108

WASHINGTON -- John Wall scored 22 points and Bradley Beal had 19 as the Wizards concluded a four-game season sweep of the Nets.

Brandon Jennings had 18 points and nine assists off the bench for the Wizards, who shot 50.5 percent from the field, made 21 of 22 free throws and led by as many as 28 points.

The loss snapped Brooklyn's first two-game winning streak of the season. Justin Hamilton scored 20 points for the Nets.

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Bucks 100, Hawks 97

MILWAUKEE -- Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 34 points as the Bucks continued their charge up the Eastern Conference standings.

Antetokounmpo hit 13 of 22 shots, grabbed 13 rebounds and added five assists with three blocked shots for the Bucks.

Atlanta received 28 points from Dennis Schroder, and 25 from Tim Hardaway Jr. but lost for the sixth consecutive game.

Rockets 117, Pelicans 107

HOUSTON -- James Harden paired 38 points with a career-high-tying 17 assists for Houston, which shot 7 for 12 on 3pointers in the final period.

Patrick Beverley finished with 17 points and six rebounds.

Anthony Davis had 33 points and 16 rebounds and DeMarcus Cousins added 29 points for the Pelicans.

76ers 117, Bulls 107

CHICAGO -- The 76ers only had 10 players in uniform but still beat Chicago, which had won the last 12 games against Philadelphia.

Dario Saric had a career-high 32 points and grabbed 10 rebounds to lead five players in double-figure scoring for the Sixers, who had lost their last nine straight games in Chicago.

Jimmy Butler had 36 points and 11 assists to lead the Bulls, who trail the Miami Heat by 1 1/2 games for the eighth and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.

Warriors 114, Kings 100

OAKLAND, Calif. -- Draymond Green connected on three 3-pointers in a crowd-pleasing, third-quarter runaway that helped the Warriors extended the NBA's longest active winning streak to six games.

Green finished with 23 points and Stephen Curry had a 27-point, 12-assist double-double for the Warriors (58-14), who moved 2 1/2 games ahead of San Antonio (55-16) for the best record in the league.

Rookie Buddy Hield had 22 points for the Kings, who lost their eighth consecutive game in Oakland.

Lakers 130, Timberwolves 119 (OT)

LOS ANGELES -- Jordan Clarkson scored a career high 35 points, helping the Lakers end a six-game skid with an overtime victory.

Clarkson converted a career-best eight 3-pointers, missing just two attempts. Julius Randle had 23 points and 12 rebounds.

Andrew Wiggins scored 36 points to lead the Timberwolves, who lost their fifth in a row.

Karl-Anthony Towns had 25 points and 13 rebounds before sitting out the final 1:23 of overtime after a heated verbal exchange with Minnesota coach Tom Thibodeau.

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