Sexton, Thompson lead Cavs past Wizards
Rookie Collin Sexton matched a career high with 29 points, Tristan Thompson had 23 points and 19 rebounds and the Cleveland Cavaliers beat the Washington Wizards 116-101 on Saturday night in Cleveland.
Cleveland dominated, going ahead for good late in the first quarter and building a 29-point lead in the second half.
Wizards guard John Wall was held to a career low one point in 26 minutes — a free throw early in the third quarter with Cleveland holding a 74-48 lead. Wall returned after missing Washington’s victory Wednesday night over Atlanta because of personal reasons.
The five-time AllStar, who didn’t participate in the shootaround Saturday because he was under the weather, missed all five shots and had six assists. Wall was taken out late in the third quarter and didn’t return.
Bradley Beal scored 27 points, but the Wizards turned in a flat performance after winning three straight.
Sexton was 13 of 23 from the field and had six assists, including an alley-oop pass to Larry Nance J. for a one-handed dunk that brought the crowd to its feet late in the game.
Cleveland had only 10 available players because of injuries and Friday’s three-team trade with the Wizards and Milwaukee Bucks, but didn’t play like a short-handed team. The Cavaliers hit 15 of 31 3-pointers.
Rodney Hood missed the game because of a sprained right toe that caused him to sit out the second half Friday against Sacramento. Matthew Dellavedova acquired in Friday’s trade, watched from the bench in street clothes.
The first quarter had seven lead changes before Cleveland ended the period with an 18-3 run. Jalen Jones, signed to a two-way contract last week, hit a 3-pointer on consecutive possessions and Jordan Clarkson made two 3-pointers, helping Cleveland to a 38-25 lead.
MAVERICKS 107, ROCKETS 104: Luka Doncic shrugged off a rough shooting night with 11 straight points to erase an eight-point deficit late in the fourth quarter and Dallas went on to their ninth consecutive home victory, beating Houston. Doncic was 3 of 13 before hitting backto-back 3-pointers to get Dallas within two. After Chris Paul missed two free throws, Doncic hit a floater in the lane for a tie, then followed an air-ball 3 from James Harden with another from long range for a 105-102 lead. It was 26th lead change. The Slovenian rookie had 21 points along with Wesley Matthews, who missed two free throws with a chance to put the game away in the final seconds. Harden overcame early foul trouble to finish with 35 points, and Paul had 23. CELTICS 133, BULLS 77: Jaylen Brown scored 23 points, Daniel Theis added a career-high 22 points and grabbed 10 rebounds, and Boston routed Chicago for its fifth straight victory. The 56-point loss was the worst in Bulls’ history, eclipsing a 53-point (12774) defeat at Minnesota on Nov. 8, 2001. Jayson Tatum had 18 points and Terry Rozier added 15 for the Celtics.
LAKERS 111, GRIZZLIES 88: LeBron James had 20 points, nine assists and eight rebounds, Kyle Kuzma added 20 points and nine rebounds, and Los Angeles dominated Memphis. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Josh Hart added 16 points apiece, and JaVale McGee had 10 points and 10 rebounds. Wayne Selden led Memphis with 17 points.