Spurs snap Grizzlies’ win streak
SAN ANTONIO — Kawhi Leonard scored 19 points, Tony Parker had 18 and the San Antonio Spurs snapped the Memphis Grizzlies' four-game winning streak with a 92-82 victory on Saturday night (Sunday, Philippine time).
Manu Ginobili added 15 points for San Antonio, which is unbeaten in six home games.
Tim Duncan had 10 points, including a pair of running floaters in the lane in the final 90 seconds to seal the victory, as well as 10 rebounds.
Mike Conley had 16 points and Courtney Lee added 15 points off the bench.
Memphis' only lead came on Tony Allen's 20-foot jumper to open the game.
Neither team had its starting power forward. LaMarcus Aldridge was a late scratch with a sprained left ankle, his first missed game with San Antonio. Memphis' Zach Randolph was in uniform, but did not play in his second straight game due to right knee soreness.
Ginobili returned from a two-game absence to give the Spurs an early spark.
He scored 12 straight points in 3 minutes bridging the first and second quarters. After making three straight 3pointers, the 38-year-old stepped in front of a pass on the wing to Lee and beat the younger Grizzlies guard down the court for a left-handed layup.
CAVALIERS 109, HAWKS 97
Kevin Love scored a season-high 25 points, LeBron James added 19 and the Cleveland Cavaliers beat the Atlanta Hawks, 109-97.
The teams met for the first time since the Cavaliers swept the Hawks in the Eastern Conference finals, and it didn't take long for Cleveland to continue its dominance.
The Cavaliers took control after trailing 17-16 midway through the first quarter. Cleveland quickly built a 10-point lead, stretched the margin to 57-40 late in the first half and the Hawks never recovered.
Hawks coach Mike Budenholzer was ejected in the second quarter after making contact with an official. Budenholzer was given a technical for arguing a call, bumped referee Mark Ayotte after stepping on the floor and was quickly tossed.
HEAT 96, 76ERS 91
Philadelphia was ahead most of the night, even building its biggest lead of the season. The Miami Heat weren't fazed. Dwyane Wade scored 27 points, Justise Winslow came up with a huge tip-in with 27 seconds remaining and the Heat held Philadelphia without a field goal for a sevenminute stretch in the fourth quarter to survive a huge scare and beat the still-winless 76ers, 96-91.
Hassan Whiteside had 13 points, nine rebounds and eight blocked shots for the Heat, who were down 17 at one point and still trailed 87-76 after a dunk by Nerlens Noel with 7:10 remaining. Miami outscored Philadelphia 19-2 to escape, dropping the 76ers to 0-14 this season and handing them their 24th consecutive loss going back to last season.
KNICKS 107, ROCKETS 102
Kristaps Porzingis had 24 points, 14 rebounds and seven blocked shots to lead the New York Knicks to a 107-102 victory over the slumping Houston Rockets.
The Knicks (8-6) won their fourth straight overall. They also snapped an 11-game losing streak against the Rockets and a 10-game skid when playing in Houston.
The Knicks didn't get their eighth win last season until Jan. 23, when they were 8-36.
James Harden had 24 points, 10 assists and seven rebounds as the Rockets lost for the sixth time in their last seven games.
RAPTORS 102, LAKERS 91
Kyle Lowry had 25 points, DeMar DeRozan scored seven of his 18 in the final 3:34, and the Toronto Raptors snapped a three-game skid with a 102-91 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers.