Nets rally to stun Celtics in OT behind LeVert's 51 points
BOSTON (AP) — Caris LeVert scored 37 of his career-high 51 points in the fourth quarter and overtime to help the Brooklyn Nets erase a 21-point, second-half deficit and beat the Boston Celtics 129-120 on Tuesday night.
It was a stunning end to a four-game losing streak for Brooklyn, which is trying to hold onto the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. Boston has lost two straight.
LeVert had all of Brooklyn's 11 points in the extra period, finishing just three points shy of the Nets' season high for a player. He sent the game to extra frame, getting fouled on a 3-point attempt by Marcus Smart and connecting on all of his free throws with 0.2 seconds left.
Jaylen Brown led Boston with 22 points. Kemba Walker returned to action following a five-game absence with left knee soreness and had 21 points. Smart added 14 points and 10 rebounds before fouling out in overtime.
LAKERS 120, 76ERS 107
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Anthony Davis scored 18 of his 37 points during a phenomenal second-quarter surge, and Los Angeles held off injury-depleted Philadelphia.
LeBron James had 22 points, 14 assists and seven rebounds for the Lakers, who moved to 47-13 with their ninth win in 10 games. Davis hit four 3-pointers while going 13 of 19 from the field and grabbing 13 rebounds.
The Lakers needed every bit of their All-Stars' brilliance to hold off a solid effort by the undermanned Sixers, who played without injured starters Joel Embiid, Ben Simmons and Josh Richardson.
Glenn Robinson III matched his career high with 25 points and Tobias Harris had 18 for the Sixers, who have lost nine consecutive road games since Jan. 20.
SPURS 104, HORNETS 103
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Dejounte Murray scored 21 points and San Antonio gave Tim Duncan his first victory as an acting head coach.
Spurs longtime coach Gregg Popovich missed the game while dealing with “personal business,” according to the team. Popovich is expected to return to the bench for Friday night's game against the Brooklyn Nets.
The team would not say if Popovich made the trip to Charlotte.
Terry Rozier had 20 points and P.J. Washington added 19 with five 3-pointers for the Hornets.
TIMBERWOLVES 139, PELICANS 134
NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Malik Beasley scored 28 points, D'Angelo Russell scored 14 of his 23 points in the second half, and Minnesota beat New Orleans.
Zion Williamson scored 25 points and Jrue Holiday had 27 points, 12 assists and 10 rebounds for New Orleans, which dropped its second straight at home and fell four games behind Memphis for the Western Conference's final playoff spot.
The Pelicans need to pile up wins in the season's final weeks to reach the playoffs. A game against a Minnesota team that came in having won twice in its past 22 games was a clear opportunity to win for the seventh time in 10 games.
Instead, New Orleans hurt itself by turning the ball over 15 times, missing 25 of 39 3-point attempts, missing 11 of 27 free throws and repeatedly breaking down defensively, particularly along the perimeter.
CLIPPERS 109, THUNDER 94
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Kawhi Leonard scored 25 points to help Los Angeles beat Oklahoma City.
Montrezl Harrell and former Thunder player Paul George each added 16 points for the Clippers, who won their fifth straight. George received a warm reception from Oklahoma City's fans. The Thunder traded him last summer.
Dennis Schroder scored 24 points and former Clippers Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Danilo Gallinari each scored 15 for the Thunder, who lost their second straight. The 15-point margin matched Oklahoma City's worst home loss of the season.
WARRIORS 116, NUGGETS 100
DENVER (AP) — Eric Paschall scored nine of his 22 points in the fourth quarter, Andrew Wiggins turned in a double-double and Golden State rallied to stun Denver.
A 16-point underdog, the Warriors were down 77-65 with 5:08 left in the third quarter. They went on a 43-15 run to take control.
Wiggins finished with 22 points and 10 assists for the Warriors, who won for just the second time in 11 games. Dragan Bender scored 14 on the last day of his 10-day contract.
Will Barton and Paul Millsap each had 18 points as the Nuggets fell behind the Los Angeles Clippers for the second seed in the Western Conference. Nikola Jokic scored 16 points and had 13 rebounds in a perplexing loss on the heels of beating the defending champion Toronto Raptors.
RAPTORS 123, SUNS 114
PHOENIX (AP) — Pascal Siakam scored 33 points, Kyle Lowry added 28 and Toronto rallied in the second half to snap a three-game losing streak.
Norman Powell added 26 points while Chris Boucher gave the Raptors crucial production off the bench, finishing with 19 points and 15 rebounds.
The Suns have lost four straight games. They pulled within 114-113 with 2:22 remaining but Boucher responded with a 3-pointer and the Raptors pulled away. Devin Booker led Phoenix with 22 points while rookie Cameron Johnson had a career-high 21.
KINGS 133, WIZARDS 126
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — De’Aaron Fox scored 31 points and Sacramento held on after blowing a 28-point lead to beat Washington.
Bogdan Bogdanovic finished with 21 points, Buddy Hield scored 17 and Cory Joseph added 14 as the Kings had seven players in double figures on a wild night when they won despite being held to 19 points in the third quarter.
Bradley Beal had 35 points for Washington. Rui Hachimura added 20 points and Davis Bertans scored 18 on six 3-pointers.
