Nets defeat Spurs in Pop’s return to bench
Caris LeVert and the Nets treated Dr. J to a show in his first game in Brooklyn.
Gregg Popovich sure didn’t enjoy it after reclaiming his seat on the Spurs bench.
LeVert had 27 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists and the Nets pounded San Antonio 139-120 on Friday night in Popovich’s return from a one-game absence.
With Julius Erving attending one of their games for the first time since they moved to Brooklyn in 2012, the Nets rang up 75 points in the first half, put eight players in double figures and led by as much as 33 in front of one of the greatest players in franchise history.
Joe Harris scored 20 points, Spencer Dinwiddie added 19 points and nine assists, and the Nets outrebounded the Spurs 51-38.
LeVert, who had a careerhigh 51 points in a victory at Boston on Tuesday, recorded his first career triple-double.
DeMar DeRozan had 24 points and nine assists for the Spurs. Trey Lyles and Derrick White each added 19 points.
Routed by Memphis in their last game, the Nets changed their starting lineup, inserting Wilson Chandler for Taurean Prince, and the new look sure looked good.
It was already 20-6 by the time Popovich used his second timeout, not even halfway through the first quarter. That couldn’t slow down the Nets, who led 41-22 after one following DeAndre Jordan’s dunk on an offensive rebound..
WIZARDS 118, HAWKS 112 >> Bradley Beal scored 35 points and Washington held off Atlanta.
Beal was 13 of 21 from the field, going 7 of 10 from 3-point range. The Wizards were 15 of 31 on 3s. THUNDER 126, KNICKS 103 >>
Danilo Gallinari scored 22 points in 27 minutes and was one of six Oklahoma City players to finish in double figures as it routed New York.
Chris Paul added 21 points and 12 assists for Oklahoma City, which has won two straight an seven of 10. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 18 points. Dennis Schroder and Hamidou Diallo had 16 and 12, respectively, off the bench, and Steven Adams contributed 12 points and 11 rebounds.
SUNS 127, TRAIL BLAZERS 117 >> Aron Baynes scored a career-high 37 points on a career-high nine 3-pointers, Dario Saric added 24 points and Phoenix beat Portland to snap a fourgame losing streak.
Phoenix never trailed and made 19 3-pointers. It was a much-needed win for the Suns after they had lost four straight home games to hurt their already fading playoff hopes.
MAGIC 132, TIMBERWOLVES 118 >> Nikola Vucevic had 28 points and 12 rebounds to lead Orlando past Minnesota, although the Magic played most of the second half without coach Steve Clifford, who left in the third quarter due to illness.
JAZZ 99, CELTICS 94 >> Mike Conley made six 3-pointers and scored 25 points, Jordan Clarkson added 17and the Utah Jazz beat the Boston Celtics 99-94 on Friday night for their fourth straight victory.
PACERS 108, BULLS 102 >> Domantas Sabonis dominated with 24 points and 12 rebounds, and Indiana hung on to beat Chicago.
PELICANS 110, HEAT 104 >> Brandon Ingram overcame a poor shooting performance that included missing 15 of his first 17 shots by scoring five points in the final 62 seconds to help New Orleans hold off Miami.