Rozier, Celtics rip Thomas-less Cavs
BOSTON – One by one, the Boston Celtics lined up to embrace Isaiah Thomas.
The next time they see their former teammate, he probably won’t be in a hoodie after watching the game from the bench. And it won’t be so easy. Terry Rozier scored 20 points in 20 minutes, stealing the spotlight from Thomas, LeBron James and Kyrie Irving in a rematch of the Eastern Conference finals and leading the Celtics to a 102-88 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers on Wednesday night. Thomas received a standing ovation from the Boston fans but did not play one night after making his season debut in a return from a hip injury. Rozier made sure to pay his respects, and Thomas told the third-year Celtics guard he was proud of him.
“When I first came in the league, that’s a guy that I watched a lot. The little things he did on and off the court. Like a big brother to me,” Rozier said. “Just to hear those words from him, I’m happy that he’s on his way back – so I can guard him in February.”
In Dallas, Stephen Curry hit a long three-pointer with three seconds to play, sending the Golden State Warriors to a 125-122 victory over the Dallas Mavericks.
Curry finished with 32 points as Golden State’s “Big Four” combined for 100 points – and the Warriors needed every one of them against a Mavericks team that had won four straight.
Kevin Durant and Klay Thompson had 25 points each, and Draymond Green added 18 to go with 10 rebounds.
Wesley Matthews led the Mavericks with 22 points, including seven threepointers, and Dwight Powell tied his career-high with 21.
Dallas, playing from behind most of the game, wouldn’t go away and erased a 12-point deficit with 4:32 to play, tying the score at 120 on Harrison Barnes’ jumper with 39.9 seconds left.
In other results, Houston routed Orlando, 116-98; Philadelphia stunned San Antonio, 112-106; Washington downed New York, 121-103; Brooklyn nipped Minnesota, 98-97; Miami held off Detroit, 111-104; Toronto trounced Chicago, 123-115; Milwaukee thumped Indiana, 122-101; Denver overwhelmed Phoenix, 134-111; and New Orleans blasted Utah, 108-98.