Fortunate Warriors edge Nets in OT to extend streak
OAKLAND: The Golden State Warriors won an 11th consecutive game on Saturday night, beating the Nets 107-99 in overtime with Brooklyn left with only themselves to blame. Reserve Warriors swingman Andre Iguodala sent the game to overtime with a tying three-pointer with 5.9 seconds remaining in regulation, allowing them to outlast the Nets and remain the NBA’s lone unbeaten team. But in between, Nets center Brook Lopez couldn’t convert a lob pass from no more than two feet in front of the rim as time expired, extending the game and eventually leading to the Nets’ ninth loss in 10 games this season. “I think our tank was on empty emotionally and physically,” Nets coach Lionel Hollins said of the overtime that immediately followed Lopez’s miss. “It’s a heartbreaking loss. We had a chance to have our shot at point blank and it didn’t go in.” Brooklyn, which completed its road trip 1-3, had two shots at a win, but point guard Jarrett Jack misfired on an 18-footer before Lopez’s miss at the horn. The play began with five-tenths of a second remaining, with Nets small forward Joe Johnson inbounding from under the Brooklyn basket. “We feel like we should have had this one,” Lopez said. “I blew that chip shot. Joe made a perfect pass. It was exactly the way the play was drawn up. “I owe Joe. He put that on a platter and I just blew it.” The Nets didn’t respond well to the misfortune. They scored only two points in the five-minute overtime after they had fallen 10 down in the first 3:10. Power forward Draymond Green had a hoop and two assists, capping the second tripledouble of his career, in the winning burst as Golden State became just the 11th team in NBA history to open a season 11-0.
Clippers 101, Pistons 96
Forward Blake Griffin had 34 points, nine assists and eight rebounds, while guard Jamal Crawford scored a season-high 37 points to lead the Los Angeles Clippers to a 101-96 victory over the Detroit Pistons. Forward Ersan Ilyasova and point guard Reggie Jackson both scored 20 points for the Pistons, while center Andre Drummond finished with 18 points and 19 rebounds. Clippers guard Austin Rivers, who finished with 13 points, nailed a three-point jumper with 2:34 remaining to lift his side to a 93-90 lead they never relinquished.
Wizards 108, Magic 99
Forward Kris Humphries scored 23 points and sank three of his five three-pointers in the fourth quarter as the Washington Wizards snapped a three-game losing streak with a 108-99 win over the Orlando Magic. Guard Garrett Temple matched his career high with 18 points for the Wizards, who pulled ahead with an 8-0 run for a 94-90 lead. Guard John Wall finished with 15 points and 11 assists. Center Nikola Vucevic had 19 points and 13 rebounds for the Magic. Guard Evan Fournier scored 18 points, Elfrid Payton 17, and forward Aaron Gordon added 12.
Mavericks 110, Rockets 98
Raymond Felton and Charlie Villanueva led a makeshift starting lineup to a 110-98 victory for the Dallas Mavericks over the Houston Rockets. Felton (23 points) and Villanueva (19 points) led six Mavericks in double figures as Dallas rested starters Dirk Nowitzki, Chandler Parsons and Wesley Matthews following a win over the Los Angeles Lakers on Friday.
Spurs 92, 76ers 83
LaMarcus Aldridge had 17 points and 19 rebounds as the San Antonio Spurs received double-figure scoring from four of their five starters in beating the Philadelphia 76ers. Spurs guard Tony Parker and French compatriot Boris Diaw stood at half court before the game with their team mates as a moment of silence was observed for the victims of Friday’s attacks in Paris. The French national anthem was then played as the lights of the arena were kept low in tribute. San Antonio played without Kawhi Leonard (respiratory infection) and Manu Ginobili (adductor tightness) but still had enough firepower to keep Philadelphia winless after 10 games.
Suns 105, Nuggets 81
Phoenix guard Eric Bledsoe scored 30 points in three quarters as the Suns had an easy 105-81 win over the Denver Nuggets. Bledsoe had outscored Denver’s five starters 30-26 when he departed at the end of three quarters with the Suns leading 88-54. He added seven rebounds, four assists and two steals. Center Tyson Chandler added 11 points and eight rebounds while Mirza Teletovic scored 11 points for the Suns. Will Barton had 19 points and 12 rebounds off the bench to lead Denver. — Agencies