LAKERS GET WARRIORS’ TREATMENT
With three All-Stars out on injuries, Warriors rely on Durant against Lakers
Kevin Durant scored 26 points and the injury-plagued Golden State Warriors pulled away in the fourth quarter to beat the Los Angeles Lakers 117-106 on Wednesday night while missing Stephen Curry on his 30th birthday and their two other All-Stars.
Zaza Pachulia returned to the starting lineup for the first time since the All-Star break and had 10 points, 12 rebounds and five assists for the banged-up defend- ing champions, who already had clinched a sixth straight playoff berth this week without playing.
Coach Steve Kerr’s non-traditional, late-season starting lineup of Durant, Quinn Cook, Nick Young, Kevon Looney and Pachulia worked as the Warriors won their eighth straight home game.
Julius Randle had 22 points and 10 rebounds before fouling out late as the Lakers were without starting forward Kyle Kuzma because of a sprained right ankle.
WIZARDS 125, CELTICS 124, 2 OT
In Boston, Bradley Beal scored 34 points, including a three-point play with 1:25 left in the second overtime, and Washington beat short-handed Boston.
Jayson Tatum missed a 3-pointer just before the buzzer that could have won it for the Celtics, who were without six players and missed several opportunities to put away the Wizards.
Otto Porter Jr. finished with 18 points and 11 rebounds. Markieff Morris scored 20 points, Ian Mahinmi added 14 and Tomas Satoransky had 10 points for Washington, which played the night before but still had enough energy. /
That’s been making Golden State so great these last couple years. Guys have to stay ready for situations like this. With three All-Stars out we still want to win a game. We’re not coming in here just to compete. QUINN COOK, reserve who started in Stephen Curry’s place