The 2014-15 NBA regular season continued on Wednesday, April 8 with a big slate of 13 games featuring 26 teams. A former MVP returned from injury, multiple teams were eliminated from the playoffs and
This is how it all transpired.
1. Tony Parker scored 27 points on 13-of-18 shooting and Kawhi Leonard had 20 to lead the San Antonio Spurs to a convincing 110-98 victory over the Houston Rockets. Boris Diaw added 15 points and nine rebounds, and Manu Ginobili had 13 points in 18 minutes as the Spurs pulled to within .5 games of the Rockets for the No. 3 seed in the Western Conference.
San Antonio matches an NBA record with nine consecutive victories by 12 points or more. The last team to do it: the 2011-12 champion Miami Heat.
2. Kyrie Irving put up 27 points and nine assists, and LeBron James posted 21 points, nine rebounds, eight assists, one block, a steal and the game-deciding 3-point field goal to lead the Cleveland Cavaliers past the Milwaukee Bucks 104-99. Michael Carter-Williams put up 30 points and eight assists for the Bucks, but the Cavaliers’ balanced attack was too much to overcome.
With its win, Cleveland clinches the Central Division title and the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference.
3. Al Horford scored 24 points, Mike Scott finished with 20 points and eight rebounds off the bench and Jeff Teague dished out 12 assists as the Atlanta Hawks defeated the Brooklyn Nets 114-111 on the road. Brook Lopez was great again with 26 points and 10 rebounds, Joe Johnson tallied 21 points and Deron Williams had 13 assists for the Nets, while DeMarre Carroll had 19 points and nine rebounds for the Hawks.
With a 3-of-4 shooting performance from beyond the arc, Kyle Korver moved past Dale Ellis for No. 11 on the NBA’s all-time 3-point field goals made list.
4. The Memphis Grizzlies used a dominant second quarter and a balanced offensive attack to destroy the New Orleans Pelicans 110-74. Zach Randolph put up 15 points, 13 rebounds, six assists and two steals, Marc Gasol had 15 points, eight rebounds, six assists and two blocks, and Jeff Green scored 15 points on 7-of-11 shooting to lead the Grizzlies to victory.
Mike Conley sank two 3-point field goals in this game, bringing his season total to a career-best 107. He made 106 in 2012-13.
5. Bradley Beal led the charge 21 points as seven different scorers reached double-figures to help the Washington Wizards run away with a 119-90 demolition of the Philadelphia 76ers. Robert Covington scored a career-high 27 points for the Sixers, but he only had so much support against Washington, which won without John Wall.
Washington’s 45 victories in 2014-15 are its most since it went 45-37 in 2004-05.
6. DeMar DeRozan had 18 points and seven assists to help the Toronto Raptors win a low-scoring 92-74 game against the Charlotte Hornets. Greivis Vasquez and Louis Williams both put up 16 points and Tyler Hansbrough had 12 points and 12 rebounds for Toronto, while Kemba Walker led Charlotte with 15 points of his own.
Toronto had lost six consecutive games against Charlotte entering this encounter.
7. Victor Oladipo spoiled Derrick Rose’s return with 23 points and the game-winner as the Orlando Magic stunned the Chicago Bulls 105-103. Rose scored nine points in 19 minutes and Jimmy Butler had 19 points for the Bulls, while Elfrid Payton put up 17 points, nine rebounds, nine assists and two steals for the Magic.
Orlando has quietly won three in a row.
8. LaMarcus Aldridge put up 24 points and 13 rebounds to lead the Portland Trail Blazers to a comfortable 116-91 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves. Robin Lopez put up 18 points on 7-of-8 shooting for the Trail Blazers, and Andrew Wiggins led the Timberwolves with 29 points.
Minnesota’s losing streak extends to eight consecutive games.
9. Monta Ellis scored 20 points and Tyson Chandler pulled down 23 rebounds as the Dallas Mavericks pulled out a 107-104 victory over the Phoenix Suns. Gerald Green scored a season-high 30 points for the Suns, but Dirk Nowitzki’s 19 points and clutch scoring gave the Mavericks the win.
This loss knocks the Suns out of postseason contention.
10. Isaiah Thomas exploded for a season-high 34 points as the Boston Celtics out-gunned the Detroit Pistons 113-103. Andre Drummond had 22 points and 14 rebounds, Reggie Jackson tallied 21 points and 15 assists, and Greg Monroe put up 19 points, 10 rebounds, three steals and two blocks, but Detroit found a way to lose.
Via this defeat, the Pistons have been eliminated from the 2015 NBA Playoffs.
Bonus Facts
- Rodney Hood had 20 points and Derrick Favors posted 18 points, 11 rebounds and three blocks as the Utah Jazz continued their defensive dominance with a 103-91 victory over the Sacramento Kings.
- Kenneth Faried erupted for 29 points, 11 rebounds, two blocks and a pair of steals to help the Denver Nuggets get past the Los Angeles Lakers 119-101. Danilo Gallinari added 27 points for Denver and Jordan Clarkson had 21 for Los Angeles.
- George Hill put up 20 points as the Indiana Pacers blew out the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden 102-86.