ALDRIDGE LIFTS SPURS OVER JAZZ IN OVERTIME

ANTONIO» LaMarcus SAN Aldridge had a career-high 45 points, helping San Antonio overcome Donovan Mitchell’s 35-point performance for Utah in the Spurs’ 124-120 overtime victory over the Jazz on Friday night.

The Spurs won their sixth straight and beat the Jazz for the first time in four meetings this season.

Utah’s 12-game road winning streak came to an end, but only after Mitchell had 14 points in the fourth quarter, including three 3-pointers in the final two minutes to force overtime.

San Antonio remained sixth in the Western Conference with the same record as fifth-place New Orleans, a half game behind Oklahoma City for fourth. Utah remained eighth in the West.

FRIDAY’S HIGHLIGHTS

Russell Westbrook scored 17 of his 29 points in the fourth quarter to help the Thunder beat the Heat 105-99. Westbrook shot 6for-6 from the field and made 3of-4 free throws in the final period. He also had 13 rebounds and eight assists. Steven Adams added 24 points and 12 rebounds for the Thunder, which has won seven of eight. … LeBron James scored 27 points in three quarters, Kevin Love added 20 and the Cavaliers welcomed back three players from injury during a 120-95 blowout of the sinking Suns, who lost their 10th straight game. … Kyle Lowry had 25 points, 12 assists and 10 rebounds in his 10th triple-double with Toronto, and the Raptors beat Brooklyn 116-112 for their 12th straight victory over the Nets. … Bojan Bogdanovic scored 28 points and the Pacers used a late 9-0 run to hold on for a 109-104 victory over the Clippers, putting them on the precipice of clinching a playoff berth. … Shabazz Muhammad scored 21 points and the Bucks overcame another sluggish start to beat the Bulls 118-105. … Karl-Anthony Towns had 24 points and 13 rebounds, and the Timberwolves clinched their first winning record in 13 years by beating the

Knicks 108-104.

FOOTNOTE

Irving set to have surgery.

The Celtics said all-star point guard Kyrie Irving will have surgery Saturday to alleviate pain in his left knee. Irving has been out since March 11, missing the last four games. There is no timetable for his return, but the team said his status will be updated after the “minimally invasive” procedure.