Miami ends Boston’s streak
Goran Dragic scored 27 points, Dion Waiters had 26 with a pair of big 3-pointers in the final minutes and the Miami Heat held on to beat Boston 104-98 on Wednesday night, snapping the Celtics’ 16-game winning streak.
Tyler Johnson scored 16 points for Miami, which had an 18-point lead cut to one in the final moments. The Heat shot 49 percent and outrebounded the Celtics 48-37.
Kyrie Irving scored 23 points for Boston. Jayson Tatum added 18, and Jaylen Brown and Marcus Morris each had 14.
The Celtics got down by 18 in the first half, which has been a very comfortable place for Boston this season. Boston had overcome 18-point deficits against Oklahoma City and Charlotte, a 17-point hole against Golden State, a 16-pointer against Atlanta and rallied from 13 down to win in Dallas this week. The Celtics almost did it again. Down by 14 midway through the fourth, the unflappable Celtics went on a 13-0 run in just about three minutes — getting to 91-90 when Smart made one of two free throws with 3:14 remaining.
Waiters decided that was close enough. His 3-pointer from the left wing bounced off the rim, then the top of the backboard, before falling to end Miami’s scoreless drought. Waiters added another 3-pointer over Al Horford to make the lead seven, Hassan Whiteside had a big tipin with 1:10 left and Miami would hang on from there.
THUNDER 108, WARRIORS 91
In Oklahoma, Russell Westbrook scored a season-high 34 points and added 10 rebounds and nine assists to help Oklahoma City roll past Golden State.
Oklahoma City beat the Warriors for the first time since Kevin Durant left the Thunder to join the Warriors after the 2015-16 season. Golden State won all four meetings last season.
Westbrook said it was just another game in the buildup, but he didn’t play like it. At one point in the third quarter, Westbrook and Durant went forehead to forehead and were called for double technicals.
Westbrook’s new All-Star teammates came through. Carmelo Anthony had 22 points and Paul George 20.
The crowd booed Durant nearly every time he touched the ball. He finished with 21 points on 8-for-17 shooting. Stephen Curry scored 24 points for the Warriors.
CAVALIERS 119, NETS 109
In Cleveland, LeBron James shook off a blow to the face and scored 23 points in the fourth quarter — including 18 straight for Cleveland — and the Cavaliers beat Brooklyn for their sixth straight victory.
James needed stitches in the third quarter to close a gash above his lip that drew blood. He punched back at the Nets in the fourth and finished with 33 points.
With the Cavs up 100-99, James began his one-man show with a pair of free throws. He dropped in a couple left-handed shots and then drained two 3-pointers — the last a step-back with 55 seconds left to give Cleveland a 118-107 lead.
James’ solo performance enabled the Cavs to avenge a 112-107 loss in Brooklyn last month.
Kevin Love and Dwyane Wade added 18 points apiece for Cleveland. /
Our identity is to be tough and we haven’t shown that consistently enough. Pockets, here and there. It’s that kind of effort to get a six-point win. Nothing is guaranteed, but that has to be what we embrace all the time. So, good. How about next game? ERIK SPOELSTRA