The 2014-15 NBA regular season continued on Monday, April 6 with a slate of seven games featuring 14 competitive teams. The postseason picture was altered tremendously as top contenders were in action with the goal of improving their spot in the standings.
This is how it all transpired.
1. Kawhi Leonard was dominant, recording 26 points and seven steals to get the San Antonio Spurs past the Golden State Warriors 107-92. Stephen Curry led the Warriors with 24 points and six assists, while Tim Duncan had 19 points on 6-of-7 shooting from the field and Danny Green put up 18 for the Spurs.
The Spurs have won seven consecutive games and 10 of 11.
2. San Antonio is the only team to beat Golden State on multiple occasions in 2014-15.
3. James Harden and the Houston Rockets out-dueled Russell Westbrook and the Oklahoma City Thunder 115-112. Harden erupted for 41 points, six rebounds, six assists and there steals for Houston, while Westbrook had 40 points, 13 assists and 11 rebounds.
Westbrook is the first player to record three 40-point triple-doubles in a single season since Michael Jordan.
4. Harden becomes the second player in NBA history to convert at least 200 3-point field goals and 600 free throws. Gilbert Arenas in 2006-07 was the first.
5. Kyrie Irving scored 27 points, J.R. Smith put up 24 and LeBron James tallied 20 points, 12 assists, 10 rebounds, three steals and a block as the Cleveland Cavaliers defeated the Chicago Bulls 99-94. Mike Dunleavy led the Bulls with 24 points and Aaron Brooks posted 17, but it wasn’t enough to overcome the Cavaliers’ balanced attack.
Smith is the first player in NBA history to attempt 17 3-point field goals and zero 2-point field goals in the same game.
6. Chris Paul dished out 15 assists as the Los Angeles Clippers demolished the Los Angeles Lakers 106-78. DeAndre Jordan had 16 points, 11 rebounds, four steals and a block, and Blake Griffin scored 18 to help the Clippers emerge victorious.
The Clippers have won 10 of 11.
7. The Lakers have lost a franchise record 56 games.
8. Luis Scola stepped up with 23 points and 12 rebounds to help the Indiana Pacers get past the Miami Heat 112-89. Dwyane Wade had 27 points for Miami, but the Heat continued to struggle down the stretch.
Paul George made his long-awaited return with 13 points in 15 minutes.
9. Rodney Hood went off for a career-high 25 points to lead the Utah Jazz to a 101-95 victory over the Sacramento Kings. DeMarcus Cousins put up 26 points and 11 rebounds, and Ben McLemore scored 20 points on 8-of-12 shooting for the Kings, but Utah’s defense was too much to overcome.
The Jazz have won four of five.
10. Andrea Bargnani took over with 25 points, eight rebounds, four assists and four blocks as the New York Knicks overcame the Philadelphia 76ers 101-91. Nerlens Noel contributed 14 points, nine rebounds, four assists, two blocks and a steal for the 76ers.
The Knicks snap their nine-game losing streak with this win.
Bonus Fact: