It’s a new month in the NBA, but the stunning results haven’t changed. A streaky scorer went off for 40 points, an embattled franchise clinched a postseason berth, a reserve posted a career-high in a rare start and star beat the buzzer.
Again.
Here’s everything that you need to know about last night’s action.
1. Joe Johnson scored 32 points on 13-of-21 shooting as the Brooklyn Nets defeated the Houston Rockets 105-96. It was a balanced attack for Brooklyn, which had six scorers in double-figures on a day in which the Nets shot 53.0 percent from the field.
With its win, the Nets secured a berth in the 2013-14 NBA playoffs.
2. Omer Asik started in place of the injured Dwight Howard. All he did was post 12 points, two blocks, one steal and a career-high 23 rebounds.
3. Stephen Curry finished with 23 points, 10 assists and the game-winner to lead the Golden State Warriors over the Dallas Mavericks 122-120. Dirk Nowitzki dropped 33 points and 11 rebounds for the Mavericks, but Dallas failed to close out a critical game.
This is the second time that Curry has hit a game-winner with 1.5 seconds or less on the clock against Dallas in 2013-14 alone.
4. Curry leads the NBA with 15 games with at least 20 points and 10 assists.
5. Nick Young went off for a season-high 40 points, but the Los Angeles Lakers fell 124-112 to the Portland Trail Blazers. LaMarcus Aldridge posted 31 points, 15 rebounds, six assists, two blocks and one steal to lead Portland past the Lakers at the Staples Center.
With this performance, Aldridge matched his career-high with 38 double-doubles in one season.
Bonus Fact: The Nets have won 14 consecutive home games.