Ex-Hawks star Korver nails key shot
ATLANTA — On a record-breaking night when Kyrie Irving and LeBron James combined for 81 points, it was fitting that the biggest shot belonged to Kyle Korver.
Irving scored 43 points and James 38 as the Cleveland Cavaliers set the NBA regular-season record with 25 3-pointers as they turned back the Atlanta Hawks’ late rally to win 135130 on Friday.
After Paul Millsap’s baseline jumper over James cut Cleveland’s lead to 124-123, Korver — who was traded from Atlanta to the Cavaliers on Jan. 7 — hit the record-breaking 3.
“Kyle knocked it down when it mattered the most,” said Tim Hardaway Jr., who led Atlanta with a career-high 36 points. “That’s why he’s one of the best shooters.”
Cleveland made 25 of 46 3s to break a record that stood less than three months. Houston made 24 treys in a 122-100 win over New Orleans on Dec. 16.
James, who made 6 of 10 3s, had 13 rebounds and eight assists.
“It was great to be a part of a record-setting night, and it’s even better that Kyle was the one to hit the record back in the building that he played so many seasons in,” James said.
Korver played in Atlanta for five seasons.
Players from both benches applauded the Hawks’ video tribute for Korver after the first quarter.
Spurs 101, Pelicans 98, OT — At New Orleans, Kawhi Leonard scored 31 points, and Patty Mills hit two key 3-pointers in overtime for San Antonio, which won its sixth straight. Anthony Davis had 29 points and DeMarcus Cousins 23 rebounds for New Orleans, which is 0-4 with Cousins in the lineup.
Bucks 112, Clippers 101 — At Milwaukee, Giannis Antetokounmpo ROUNDUP and Greg Monroe each scored 24 points for Milwaukee, which saw an early 23-point lead shrink to three late in the third quarter but benefited from Los Angeles’ season-high 23 turnovers.
76ers 105, Knicks 102 — At Philadelphia, Justin Anderson, who made his first seven shots, hit the go-ahead basket with 24.3 seconds left and matched his career high with 19 points. He also forced New York star Carmelo Anthony into 5-for-18 shooting.
Raptors 114, Wizards 106 — At Washington, DeMar DeRozan hit a key late 3-pointer and totaled 32 points and 13 rebounds for Toronto, which pulled into a tie with Washington for third place in the East.
Suns 118, Thunder 111 — At Phoenix, Alan Williams had 14 points and 13 rebounds for Phoenix, which overcame Russell Westbrook’s 48 points, 17 rebounds and nine assists in its third straight home win.
Jazz 112, Nets 97 — At Salt Lake City, George Hill scored a season-high 34 points for Utah, which never trailed and extended its lead for the No. 4 West playoff seed to 1½ games over the Clippers.
Mavericks 104, Grizzlies 100 — At Dallas, Nerlens Noel had 15 points and tied a career best with 17 rebounds in his first start with Dallas, which overcame a five-minute fourth-quarter scoring drought.
Celtics 115, Lakers 95 — At Los Angeles, Isaiah Thomas scored 18 points for Boston, which used a 70-point first half to hand Los Angeles its sixth straight loss and fourth in a row at home.
Magic 110, Heat 99 — At Orlando, Fla., Nikola Vucevic scored 25 points and Aaron Gordon 21 for Orlando, which beat Miami for the third straight time to win the season series 3-1.