Durant wins on return for GSW
Los Angeles, Feb. 28: Kevin Durant returned from injury with a bang on Monday, scoring 27 points as the Golden State Warriors overpowered the Philadelphia 76ers 119-108.
Durant, who missed the Warriors previous game with a bruised left hand, showed no sign of lingering after-effects to help power the Dubs to their fourth straight victory.
The Warriors, who are already assured of a place in the playoffs, improved to a league best 50-9 after rattling up their seventh win in eight games.
Klay Thompson added 21 points for Golden State while Zaza Pachulia scored a season best 16 points.
Draymond Green chipped in with 14 points, 11 rebounds and five steals.
But it was a rare off-night for Stephen Curry. The Warriors star contributed a respectable 19 points but drew a blank from threepoint range, missing all 11 of his attempts.
The defeat capped a day of disappointment for the Sixers who earlier revealed that rookie center Joel Embiid — the team’s top scorer and rebounder — faced an indefinite layoff due to a knee injury.
CAVS OUTMUSCLE THE BUCKS LeBron James shrugged off his recent illness to post 24 points as the Cleveland Cavaliers outlasted the Milwaukee Bucks 102-95 on Monday.
Reigning NBA finals MVP James added 10 rebounds and six assists as Cleveland bounced back from Saturday’s defeat to Chicago to cement their place at the top of the Eastern Conference.
The Cavaliers improved to 41-17 with the win as Cleveland completed a strong February which saw them compile a 9-2 record over the month.
Cleveland coach Tyronn Lue said James’ return had been pivotal. The Cavs are 0-4 on nights James has not featured this season.
James’ meanwhile expressed satisfaction at Cleveland’s February resurgence. Kyrie Irving led the scoring with 25 points and nine assists, his ninth consecutive game with at least 20 points.
Derrick Williams (14) and Kyle Korver (13) also provided useful points off the bench along with Richard Jefferson who added 11.
Malcolm Brogdon led the Bucks scoring with 20 points while Giannis Antetokounmpo had a poor night, making just four of 13 attempts.
Antetokounmpo finished with only nine points, along with seven rebounds and eight assists.