Hawks pull away late to thump Suns
ATLANTA — Clint Capela scored 18 points to lead seven scorers in double figures and the Atlanta Hawks pulled away late to overcome Devin Booker’s 30 points and rout the Phoenix Suns 135-103 on Wednesday night.
The Suns began the night even with the Utah Jazz in the race for the NBA’s best record, thanks to a five-game winning streak. Phoenix faded badly in the fourth quarter of the back-to-back following Tuesday night’s 134-118 overtime win at Cleveland. Atlanta outscored Phoenix 38-15 in the fourth period.
BLAZERS 141, CAVS 105
Damian Lillard had 32 points and nine assists, leading Portland to its highest point total of the season and a rout of Cleveland.
Portland moved within one-half game of the Mavericks and Lakers for fifth place in the West. The Trail Blazers are seventh and would be the top seed in the play-in tournament.
BUCKS 135, WIZARDS 134
Jrue Holiday scored 29 points, and Milwaukee withstood a triple-double from Russell Westbrook to beat visiting Washington.
Westbrook had 29 points, 17 assists and 12 rebounds for his 179th career triple-double. He’s just two shy of Oscar Robertson’s NBA record of 181 triple-doubles.
JAZZ 126, SPURS 94
Jordan Clarkson scored 30 points, Bojan Bogdanovic added 24, and host Utah routed San Antonio. With Atlanta’s victory over Phoenix, the Jazz reclaimed the No. 1 spot in the NBA and Western Conference playoff race despite the All-Star backcourt of Donovan Mitchell (ankle) and Mike Conley (hamstring) missing another game.
NUGGETS 113, KNICKS 97
Nikola Jokic scored 24 of his 32 points in a dominant first quarter to help Denver defeat visiting New York for its 10th win in 12 games.
CELTICS 132, MAGIC 96
Kemba Walker tied a season high with 32 points in his return from a four-game injury absence, and Evan Fournier had 18 points in his first game back in Orlando since being traded to Boston.
GRIZZLIES 139 TIMBERWOLVES 135
Ja Morant had 37 points and 10 assists, and Memphis held off host Minnesota. Desmond Bane scored 22 points off the bench, including a few key 3-pointers late, and Kyle Anderson added 20 points for the Grizzlies.
KINGS 104, PACERS 93
Marvin Bagley III kept Sacramento’s slim playoff hopes alive, scoring a season-high 31 points to lead the Kings to a victory at Indiana.