THURSDAY’S GAMES
HOME team in caps.
Nets 125, HORNETS 111: Allen Crabbe made his first six 3-point attempts and finished with 29 points and eight rebounds, helping Brooklyn beat Charlotte to snap a four-game losing streak. Caris Levert scored 16 of his 22 points in the second half, and Rondae Hollis-Jefferson had 18 points and 12 rebounds to provide a spark off the bench for the Nets.
HEAT 108, 76ers 99: Hassan Whiteside scored 26 points, Dwyane Wade added 16 and Miami moved a step closer to the playoffs by beating Philadelphia. Josh Richardson scored 13 points, Tyler Johnson had 12 and Kelly Olynyk added 10 to help the Heat stay No. 7 in the Eastern Conference and move within a game of No. 6 Philadelphia.
Celtics 117, TIMBERWOLVES 109: Kyrie Irving returned from a one-game absence to help Boston fend off Minnesota, finishing with 23 points, seven rebounds and eight assists to pace the Celtics. Al Horford added 20 points, eight rebounds, six assists for the Celtics, who stayed two games behind Toronto in the Eastern Conference race.
THUNDER 115, Suns 87: Russell Westbrook had 27 points, eight rebounds and nine assists to help Oklahoma City rout Phoenix. Paul George added 21 points, Corey Brewer had 17, Steven Adams 16, and Carmelo Anthony 11. Brewer replaced Josh Huestis in the starting lineup and responded with a 6-for-11 performance from the floor.
San Antonio at GOLDEN STATE (late): Stephen Curry scored 34 points with six 3-pointers, and the Warriors won their sixth straight since the All-Star break by beating the Nets 114101 on Tuesday night. Kevin Durant added 19 points and six rebounds for the defending champions, who are still trying to put together four steady quarters.