Spurs give Popovich a milestone win
MINNEAPOLIS — LaMarcus Aldridge scored 25 points, Rudy Gay added 22 and the San Antonio Spurs held on to give coach Gregg Popovich another milestone victory in a 116-113 win against the Minnesota Timberwolves on Friday night.
The win was the 520th on the road in Popovich’s career, tying him with Pat Riley for the most in NBA history. It also continued San Antonio’s mastery of Minnesota. The Spurs have won 16 of the past 18 games between the teams.
Marco Belinelli added 19 points off the bench for San Antonio, which was playing without leading scorer DeMar DeRozan because of left ankle soreness.
Karl-Anthony Towns had 23 points for the Timberwolves.
CELTICS 122, GRIZZLIES 116
Kyrie Irving scored 20 of his 38 points in the third quarter and host Boston Celtics held off Memphis.
“He was able to pick his spots and make plays,” Boston coach Brad Stevens said. “I thought it was a patient, really good, smart attack by him.”
Marcus Smart had 20 points and Al Horford finished with 18 for the Celtics. Irving also had 11 assists and seven rebounds for Boston, which beat the Grizzlies for the seventh consecutive time.
Memphis has lost 10 of 11 overall, and six in a row on the road. Mike Conley led the Grizzlies with 26 points.
PISTONS 98, HEAT 93
Blake Griffin had 32 points and 11 rebounds, and Detroit overcame an early exit by injured Andre Drummond to beat the Miami at Detroit.
Dwyane Wade scored 20 points for the Heat, but missed badly on an offbalance 3-pointer in the final seconds that could have tied the game.
Drummond left after being hit in the face in the first quarter by the arm of Miami’s James Johnson. Drummond has a nasal contusion and will be re-evaluated on Saturday.
Luke Kennard scored 22 points for the Pistons, and Reggie Bullock added 19.
WARRIORS 112 CLIPPERS 94
Stephen Curry scored 28 points and Kevin Durant added 24 as Golden State won at Los Angeles.
DeMarcus Cousins, in his debut with the Warriors, contributed 14 points and six rebonds.
Tobias Harris had 28 points and nine rebounds for the Clippers.
NETS 117, MAGIC 115
D’Angelo Russell matched his career high with 40 points and Brooklyn came back from a 21-point deficit to win at Orlando.
Russell’s 3-pointer with 27.1 seconds left put the Nets up for the first time since the game’s first minute.
Aaron Gordon scored 23 points for Orlando, which has lost six of eight.
TRAIL BLAZERS 128 PELICANS 112
Damian Lillard scored 22 points, and CJ McCollum and Jake Layman had 20 apiece as Portland won at home.
Anthony Davis led New Orleans with 27 points.
JAZZ 115, CAVALIERS 99
Donovan Mitchell scored a game-high 24 points, and Rudy Gobert had 19 points and 15 rebounds as host Utah won.
Ante Zizic had 15 points and 10 rebounds for Cleveland.