Jazz knocks off Cavs on James’ birthday
SALT LAKE CITY — Donovan Mitchell scored 29 points, and the Utah Jazz handed LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers their third straight defeat, 104-101 on Saturday night.
James had 29 points, eight rebounds and six assists on his 33rd birthday as Cleveland lost at Utah for the sixth straight time. The Cavs’ three-game losing streak is their second this season.
Mitchell blew by J.R. Smith with the dribble and finished a layup in traffic over James with 35 seconds remaining to give the Jazz a 100-97 lead. James then missed a layup, and Utah finished off the game from the free-throw line. The Jazz snapped a threegame losing streak.
Mitchell shot 10 for 17 from the field. Ricky Rubio had 16 points, 10 rebounds and eight assists.
PISTONS 93, SPURS 79: Andre Drummond had 14 points and 21 rebounds, and the Detroit Pistons held San Antonio to its lowest point total of the season in a 93-79 victory over the Spurs on Saturday night.
Playing without starting guards Reggie Jackson (right ankle sprain) and Avery Bradley (sore right groin), the Pistons defended gamely and never trailed. Reggie Bullock scored 22 points for Detroit and rookie Luke Kennard added 20 — both were career highs. Kawhi Leonard scored 18 points for San Antonio, which shot 37 percent from the field and 5 of 26 from 3-point range. Detroit led 24-13 after the first, which equaled San Antonio’s lowest-scoring quarter of the season. HEAT 117, MAGIC 111: Tyler Johnson scored 22 points in the third quarter and Goran Dragic had 14 in the fourth to help the Miami Heat overcome an 18-point deficit and beat the Orlando Magic. Johnson finished with a season-high 31 points, and Dragic had 25 points and eight assists. Aaron Gordon led the Magic with 39 points, and Evan Fournier added 23. KNICKS 105, PELICANS 103: Kristaps Porzingis scored 30 points, Jarrett Jack made two free throws to break a tie with 9 seconds remaining and the New York Knicks defeated the New Orleans Pelicans. Jack finished with 15 points, and Michael Beasley scored 15 off the bench for the Knicks, who snapped a season-worst four-game losing streak. WARRIORS 141, GRIZZLIES 128: Stephen Curry made a sensational return from injury by scoring 38 points with a seasonhigh 10 3-pointers, and the Golden State Warriors beat the Memphis Grizzlies.
Curry shot 13 for 17 and 10 of 13 from deep in 26 minutes for his ninth 30-point game this season after missing 11 games with a sprained right ankle. His mere presence brought an energy to the Warriors and all of Oracle Arena, and he spent much of the fourth quarter pacing, gesturing in delight while cheering his teammates with a towel draped over his head.