Bickerstaff a winner in first game as Cavs’ coach
Collin Sexton scored 24 points as the Cavaliers posted a 113-108 victory over the host Washington Wizards on Friday night, making J.B. Bickerstaff a winner in his Cleveland head-coaching debut.
Bickerstaff, who took over after John Beilein resigned on Wednesday, watched the Cavaliers outscore the Wizards 32-21 in the fourth quarter.
Cedi Osman had 16 points and 10 rebounds, and Darius Garland added 15 points for Cleveland, which has won two in a row after losing 13 of its previous 14 games.
MAVERICKS 122, MAGIC 106 >> Luka Doncic scored 33 points, grabbed 10 rebounds and handed out eight assists, Maxi Kleber scored a career-high 26 points off the bench, and Dallas held off host Orlando.
SPURS 113, JAZZ 104 >> Dejounte Murray had 23 points and seven rebounds in San Antonio’s victory over Utah.
DeMar DeRozan added 18 points and seven assists for the Spurs.
Rudy Gobert had 18 points and 14 rebounds for the Jazz. Emmanuel Mudiay also scored 18 points.
CELTICS 127, TIMBERWOLVES 117 >> Gordon Hayward scored 29 points, Daniel Theis had career highs with 25 points and 16 rebounds, and Boston stayed strong out of the All-Star break, holding off Minnesota.
RAPTORS 118, SUNS 101 >> Pascal Siakam had 37 points and 12 rebounds and Toronto beat Phoenix for its 16th victory in 17 games.
PACERS 106, KNICKS 98 >> T.J. Warren had 27 points and eight rebounds, leading Indiana to a victory over New York in its return from the All-Star break.
THUNDER 113, NUGGETS 110 >> Chris Paul scored 29 points, Steven Adams had 19 points and 17 rebounds and Oklahoma City beat Denver.
WALKER DEALING WITH KNEE ISSUES >> Celtics guard Kemba Walker had his left knee drained and also received an injection to deal with ongoing swelling and soreness, coach Brad Stevens said.
Walker, 29, underwent surgeries on his left knee in 2015, 2016 and 2017. He played 29 minutes and scored 23 points Sunday in the All-Star Game, but the time off afterward didn’t help to alleviate the soreness.
Walker didn’t play Friday against the Minnesota Timberwolves.
PISTONS BUY OUT MARKIEFF MORRIS >> The Detroit Pistons and power forward Markieff Morris reached an agreement on a contract buyout. Morris was placed on waivers, and reports indicate the Los Angeles Lakers are the front-runner to sign him. He added that the Toronto Raptors also have shown interest. TOWNS OUT WITH BROKEN WRIST >> Minnesota Timberwolves center Karl-Anthony Towns will sit out for at least two more weeks because of an injured left wrist that the team announced is broken. LAKERS TO WAIVE COUSINS >> Four-time All-Star center DeMarcus Cousins will be waived by the Los Angeles Lakers to open a spot for power forward Markieff Morris, according to an ESPN report citing sources. Cousins is not expected to officially leave the Lakers until Sunday night, after he clears waivers.