basketball
Dedmon powers Hawks past Griffin, Pistons
BOSTON, Feb 12, (AP): LeBron James quieted a Celtics crowd that came to celebrate Paul Pierce on Sunday, finishing with 24 points, 10 assists and eight rebounds to give new-look Cleveland a 121-99 victory over Boston in an individual performance reminiscent of the rivalry’s heyday.
And this time, Pierce was sitting courtside in street clothes, unable to do anything about it.
James shook off a first-quarter leg injury to score 13 in the second quarter — eight of them during a 13-2 run that turned a one-point deficit into a double-digit lead. The Celtics made it 64-55 on the first basket of the third quarter but never got within 10 again.
As the Cavaliers opened a 27-point lead midway through the fourth, the crowd began chanting “We want Paul Pierce!” But he remained in his baseline seat, awaiting the postgame ceremony that would raise his No. 34 to the TD Garden rafters.
Terry Rozier had 21 points and nine assists, and Kyrie Irving had 18 points against his former team before sitting out the fourth quarter.
Hawks 118, Pistons 115
In Atlanta, Dewayne Dedmon gave Atlanta the lead with a three-point play and then padded the margin with a 3-pointer, lifting the Hawks to a 118-115 win over Blake Griffin and Detroit Pistons on Sunday.
Dedmon matched his career high with 20 points and had 13 rebounds in his matchup with Andre Drummond, who had 25 points and 15 rebounds for Detroit.
Dennis Schroder had 23 points, including six free throws in the final 20 seconds, for Atlanta.
Dedmon’s three-point play gave Atlanta a 109-107 lead with 1:34 remaining. Following a missed jumper by Jameer Nelson, Dedmon sank a 3-pointer from the corner to push the lead to five points.
Griffin, who had 23 points, answered with a 3-pointer for Detroit. Schroder made two free throws for a 114110 lead. Griffin’s layup cut the Atlanta lead to two points before Schroder added two more free throws with 9.2 seconds remaining for a 116-112 advantage.
Anthony Tolliver missed a 3-pointer for Detroit before Schroder iced the win with two more free throws. Griffin added a 3 as the final buzzer sounded.
Thunder 110, Grizzlies 92
In Oklahoma City, Paul George scored 33 points and Oklahoma City beat Memphis without fellow stars Russell Westbrook and Carmelo Anthony.
Westbrook missed the game with a sprained left ankle and Carmelo Anthony sat out with a sprained right ankle. George responded by making 10 of 24 shots and adding eight assists.
Jazz 115, Trail Blazers 96
In Portland, Oregon, Donovan Mitchell scored 27 points and newcomer Jae Crowder had 15 in his Utah debut to help the Jazz win their 10th straight game.
Crowder, acquired in a three-team trade from the Cavaliers at the deadline this week, made his first appearance with the Jazz, entering the game with 6:12 left in the first quarter. Crowder’s dad, Corey, played for the Jazz in the 1991-92 season.
Joe Ingles added 24 points for the Jazz, who were playing without Ricky Rubio because of a sore hip. It is Utah’s longest winning streak since stringing together nine in 2010.
Pacers 121, Knicks 113
In Indianapolis, Victor Oladipo had 30 points, nine assists and eight rebounds to help Indiana beat New York.
Bojan Bogdanovic made four 3-pointers and finished with 20 points and Thaddeus Young added 18 points, 11 rebounds and five assists. The Pacerso have won six of eight.
Enes Kanter and Tim Hardaway, Jr. each scored 17 points, and Michael Beasley had 16 points and 13 rebounds for the Knicks. They have lost six in a row.
Timberwolves 111, Kings 106
In Minneapolis, Karl-Anthony Towns scored 29 points, Jeff Teague added 12 points and 10 assists and Minnesota overcame an uncharacteristic sloppy performance at home to beat Sacramento.
Minnesota had 17 turnovers and allowed Sacramento 22 second-chance points, but prevailed after back-to-back road losses. Jimmy Butler scored 18 points, 15 in the second half, for the Timberwolves in their 13th straight home win. De’Aaron Fox had 23 points for Sacramento.
Rockets 104, Mavericks 97
In Houston, James Harden scored 27 points, Chris Paul added 25 and Houston routed Dallas. The Rockets have won eight straight and 12 of 13.
Yogi Ferrell scored 20 points for the Mavericks. They have lost eight of 10.
Raptors 123, Hornets 103
In Charlotte, North Carolina, DeMar DeRozan had 25 points and eight assists, C.J. Miles added 24 points and Toronto routed Charlotte for its fifth straight victory.
Jonas Valanciunas added 21 points and nine rebounds for Toronto, sparking the Raptors’ pivotal run in the third quarter. Dwane Casey earned his 300th victory as head coach of the team.