Wizards beat Cavs in first game in Cleveland since trades
CLEVELAND (AP) Bradley Beal scored 18 points, Kelly Oubre Jr. added 17 and tried to untie the sneakers of one of Cleveland's new players, and the Washington Wizards withstood a late assault by LeBron James to beat the new-look Cavaliers 110-103 on Thursday night.
The Wizards nearly blew a late 11-point lead as James scored 14 straight points to pull the Cavs within 106-103. But Beal hit a driving layup and James missed a free throw and committed a lane violation while intentionally missing the second one and the Wizards held on.
Washington is 8-2 since star guard John Wall went down with a knee injury. Tomas Satoransky, who has been starting in Wall's spot, added 17 points and eight assists.
James, back from winning MVP honors at the All-Star Game, scored 32 - 14 in the fourth - for the Cavs, who dropped to 2-1 since acquiring four new players before the trade deadline. J.R. Smith added 15 for Cleveland.
The Wizards spoiled the home debuts for Larry Nance Jr., George Hill, Rodney Hood and Jordan Clarkson, four new faces the Cavs are hoping can get them back to the NBA Finals.
OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) - Stephen Curry swished a beautiful buzzer-beater from way back early and hit another timely 3-pointer late on the way to scoring 44, and Golden State returned from the All-Star break and held off Los Angeles.
Kevin Durant had 21 points and eight assists, Klay Thompson added 19 points, and Draymond Green contributed 13 points, seven rebounds, six assists and two steals.
Curry shot 14 for 19, including 8 of 11 from deep, in his third 40-point game of the season.
Tobias Harris scored 22 points, Danilo Gallinari wound up with 15 and DeAndre Jordan had 14 points and 14 rebounds for Los Angeles, which had won five of six.
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) - Russell Westbrook made a 3-pointer as time expired, lifting Oklahoma City over Sacramento.
The Thunder blew a 23-point lead and trailed 105-102 with 4 minutes remaining before closing the game on an 8-2 run.
Paul George scored 26 points, Carmelo Anthony had 23 and Westbrook finished with 17 to help Oklahoma City to its second win in three games against Sacramento this season.
Zach Randolph scored 29 points to lead five Kings in double figures.
CHICAGO (AP) - Ben Simmons scored 32 points, making two free throws with 5.6 seconds left to complete Philadelphia's rally from five points down in the final minute, and the 76ers beat Chicago.
Joel Embiid had 30 points and 13 rebounds, and Simmons added 11 assists and seven rebounds as Philadelphia won its sixth straight and snapped a four-game road losing streak.
Bobby Portis had a career-high 38 points and Zach LaVine added 23 for the Bulls, who were 18 for 34 on 3-pointers.
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) - Dwight Howard grabbed a season-high 24 rebounds and added 15 points, Kemba Walker scored 31 and Charlotte beat Brooklyn.
Dante Cunningham had 22 points and 12 rebounds for the Nets, who lost their eighth straight game and fell to 19-41.
D'Angelo Russell, starting for the first time since November knee surgery, scored 19 points on 7-of-16 shooting.
All five Charlotte starters scored in double digits and the Hornets hit 52.4 percent from 3-point range. Charlotte improved to 25-33 with its second straight victory.
ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) - Trey Burke came off the bench with a season-high 26 points and six assists to help New York break an eight-game losing streak.
Tim Hardaway Jr. had 23 points and six assists for the Knicks, who won for the first time since Jan. 30 and the first time since losing Kristaps Porzingis for the season to a torn ACL.
Evan Fournier scored 25 points for the Magic, who lost their fourth straight.
