White powers Spurs to victory
SAN ANTONIO — Derrick White scored a careerhigh 36 points as the San Antonio Spurs beat the Denver Nuggets 118-108 on Thursday night, withstanding a first-half lapse to take a 2-1 lead in the Western Conference firstround series.
White attacked Denver point guard Jamal Murray from the opening tip after being on the receiving end of Murray's career outing Tuesday night. Murray had only six points a game after scoring 21 of his 24 points in the fourth quarter to help the Nuggets overcome a 19-point deficit to even the series.
DeMar DeRozan pitched in with 25 points, including 21 in the second half. LaMarcus Aldridge added 18 points and 11 rebounds, and Rudy Gay had 11 points and 10 rebounds.
Nikola Jokic had 22 points, eight rebounds and seven assists for Denver.
Kevin Durant scored 38 points, and Stephen Curry added 21 points to lead visiting Golden State to an easy victory over Los Angeles.
The Warriors, who lead the Western Conference first-round series 2-1, set the tone early, racing to a 41-24 lead after one quarter. Ivica Zubac and Lou Williams led the way for the Clippers with 18 and 16 points, respectively.
76ERS 131, NETS 115
Ben Simmons scored a career playoff-high 31 points, and Tobias Harris added 29 points and 16 rebounds as visiting Philadelphia shook off the absence of Joel Embiid to beat Brooklyn for a 2-1 lead in the Eastern Conference first-round series.
Without their All-Star man in the middle, the 76ers relied on Simmons slashing to the basket, and Harris and JJ Redick shooting from the perimeter.
Simmons was 11-for-13 from the field, repeatedly getting to the rim even with Brooklyn sagging well off him in hopes he would shoot a jumper. He added nine assists and eventually quieted a crowd that loudly booed him every time he touched the ball early.
Embiid warmed up before the game, but Philadelphia announced before tip-off that the All-Star center would not be available because of a sore left knee. Greg Monroe started in his place and had nine points and 13 rebounds.
D’Angelo Russell and Caris LeVert each scored 26 points for the Nets.