The 2014-15 NBA regular season continued on Thursday, December 18 with four impressive games. Every single outing was decided by single-digits, including a one-point victory and a clash between two Western Conference title favorites.
Here’s how it all transpired.
1. Stephen Curry went off for 34 points, nine assists and four steals as the Golden State Warriors narrowly defeated the Oklahoma City Thunder 114-109. Russell Westbrook had 33 points on 11-of-30 shooting and Kevin Durant scored 30 on a mark of 10-of-13 from the field, but Golden State managed to pull out the close win.
The loss snaps Oklahoma City’s seven-game winning streak.
2. Durant’s season-high 30 points all came in the first half. He missed the third and fourth quarters after rolling his ankle in the second.
3. Anthony Davis ripped off 30 points, 14 rebounds, three assists, five blocks and two steals as the New Orleans Pelicans picked up a 99-90 road win over the Houston Rockets. Jrue Holiday added 16 points and 10 assists, while Dwight Howard led Houston with 17 points, 13 rebounds and three blocks.
Houston falls to 5-6 when it fails to score 100 points. It’s 14-0 when it reaches 100.
4. Jimmy Butler took over with 35 points as the short-handed Chicago Bulls took down the Carmelo Anthony-less New York Knicks 103-97. Tim Hardaway Jr. led the Knicks with 23 points and five assists, while Pau Gasol posted 20 points, seven rebounds and five blocks for the Bulls.
Butler’s 35 points set a new career-high. He’s averaging a career-best 21.5 per game in 2014-15.
5. DeMarcus Cousins returned in style, but the Sacramento Kings ultimately fell 108-107 to the Milwaukee Bucks. Cousins tallied 27 points, 11 rebounds, five assists and a steal on 8-of-12 shooting from the field and 11-of-13 from the charity stripe, while Brandon Knight led Milwaukee with 20 points of his own.
Cousins had missed 10 consecutive games due to viral meningitis.
Bonus Fact: OKC has lost three consecutive games in which both Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook scored at least 30 points.