When the two best players in the world go toe-to-toe, the NBA community will inevitably take notice. What isn’t expected, however, is one star’s team defeating the other’s so badly that it has a perceived impact on the championship picture.
Here’s an explanation of that and everything else that transpired during last night’s action.
1. Kevin Durant scored 33 points and LeBron James finished with 34 in a meeting between the world’s best players. Shockingly, it was the Oklahoma City Thunder that went on the road and destroyed the Miami Heat 112-95. The Thunder erased a 22-4 first quarter deficit by virtue of 16 3-pointers, which is their highest mark since moving to Oklahoma City.
As for Durant, he became the first player to score at least 30 points in 12 straight games since Tracy McGrady in 2003. Kobe Bryant also did it in ’03.
2. Kyle Lowry erupted for 33 points, 11 assists and seven rebounds as the Toronto Raptors defeated the Orlando Magic 98-83. Lowry was 11-of-20 from the field, 6-of-11 from beyond the arc and 5-of-7 from the charity stripe, and Amir Johnson put up 22 points and 11 rebounds.
Toronto is 24-21, which is its best record through 45 games since 2007-08.
3. Dirk Nowitzki posted 38 points and a season-high 17 rebounds, but the true feat was his eclipsing of 26,000 career points. Unfortunately, the Houston Rockets spoiled Dirk’s big night by defeating the Dallas Mavericks 117-115. Chandler Parsons scored 26 points and Dwight Howard had 21.
With the win, the Rockets defeated the Mavericks and San Antonio Spurs in back-to-back games for the first time since 1997.
4. Evan Turner was just 6-of-17 from the floor, but that sixth field goal was the only one that mattered in a 95-94 Philadelphia 76ers win over the Boston Celtics. Turned drove the lane and hit a game-winning buzzer-beater to give the Sixers the victory.
Jared Sullinger had 24 points and 17 rebounds for Boston. After failing to do it a single time before January, Sullinger has two games with at least 20 and 15 this month.
5. The Chicago Bulls went on the road and took down the San Antonio Spurs 96-86. Seven separate Bulls scored in double-figures to help Chicago move above .500 at 23-22 after 45 games played.
As for San Antonio, this is its first three-game losing streak April 17, 2013.
6. The Los Angeles Clippers improved to 33-15 with a 110-103 home win over the Washington Wizards. Blake Griffin starred with 29 points, nine rebounds, four assists, one block and a steal, and J.J. Redick scored 20 points on 7-of-11 shooting from the floor.
The Clippers improve 12-3 in January and 11-3 without Chris Paul. That’s the Doc Rivers effect.
7. Mike Conley dropped 27 points and 10 assists as the Memphis Grizzlies took down former star Rudy Gay and the Sacramento Kings 99-89. Gay, returning from a three-game injury absence, scored 23 points on 10-of-16 shooting to continue his stellar play with the Kings.
As for Conley, it was his first game with at least 25 points and 10 assists since January 31, 2011.
8. Kevin Love returned to his double-double domination with 30 points and 14 rebounds to lead the Minnesota Timberwolves to an 88-77 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans. With the W, Minnesota improves to 23-22 and is above .500 for the first time since November 24, 2013.
If you’re wondering how the Pelicans lost, try the fact that they shot 2-of-21 from 3-point range.
9. Al Jefferson continued his All-Star campaign as he led the Charlotte Bobcats to a 101-99 road upset of the Denver Nuggets. Jefferson took over with 35 points, 11 rebounds and two blocks, marking his second consecutive game with at least 30 and 10.
Randy Foye scored a season-high 33 points for Denver.
10. The Phoenix Suns outlasted the Milwaukee Bucks 126-117 in an offensive battle with little defensive resistance. Goran Dragic led the charge with 30 points and eight assists, and Gerald Green put up 23 points as Phoenix overcame 27 points from Ersan Ilyasova and 24 from Brandon Knight.
Phoenix improves to 27-18,. That’s the Suns’ highest win total through 45 games since 2007-08.
Bonus Facts
- The Atlanta Hawks were set to host the Detroit Pistons, but the game was postponed due to weather.
- Evan Turner is tied for the league-lead with two buzzer-beaters. Andre Iguodala of the Golden State Warriors and Joe Johnson of the Brooklyn Nets also have two.