The NBA’s final play date before this season’s All-Star weekend featured four games, with two going to OT and two going down the wire. Let’s take a look at the action:
Warriors Edge Out Rockets Behind Steph Curry Heroics
Steph Curry fired a game-high 27 points to lead the Golden Warriors (28-27) to a 105-98 win over the Houston Rockets (34-21) at Toyota Center.
Jimmy Butler had his third straight solid showing for the Dubs, finishing with 19 points, 8 rebounds, and 4 assists along with a two-handed slam late to ice the game. Brandin Pozdiemski added 18 markers for the Warriors, who will enter the All-Star break one game above .500.
Aaron Holiday put up a career-high 25 points for the Rockets, who are 3-7 in their last 10 games.
Up next:
Warriors vs. Sacramento Kings on February 22
Rockets vs. Minnesota Timberwolves on February 22
Pelicans Subdue Kings as CJ McCollum Nets 43
CJ McCollum scored 43 points—including 37 after the break—to help the New Orleans Pelicans (13-42) subdue the Sacramento Kings (28-27), 140-133, in overtime at Smoothie King Center.
Trey Murphy III and Jose Alvarado each chipped in 18, with the former adding 9 rebounds and 11 assists and the latter recording 8 assists and 3 steals. Jordan Hawkins and Jeremiah Robinson-Earl chipped in 16 off the bench.
Zach Lavine led Sacramento with 32 points, while Malik Monk fired 24. He also grabbed a crucial rebound off a missed free throw by Domantas Sabonis and was fouled. Monk made both freebies to send the game to OT.
Up next:
Pelicans vs. Dallas Mavericks on February 22
Kings vs. Warriors on February 22
Mavs Topple Heat as Seven Players Score in Double-Digits
Dante Exum led seven players in double-digits as the Dallas Mavericks (30-26) toppled the Miami Heat (25-28), 118-113, at Kaseya Center.
Exum finished with a season-high 27 points—one off his career-high—to lead the undermanned Mavs, who were without Kyrie Irving, Anthony Davis, PJ Washington, Dereck Lively II, Daniel Gafford, and Klay Thompson. Max Christie added 19 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists, and 3 steals, while Spencer Dinwiddie chipped in 18 points and 6 assists.
Dallas’ balanced attack spoiled Tyler Herro’s 40-point outing.
Up next:
Mavs vs. Pelicans on February 22
Heat vs. Toronto Raptors on February 22
Clippers Survive Jazz as Norm Powell, James Harden Combine for 73
Norm Powell and James Harden combined for 73 points to rally the Los Angeles Clippers (31-23) past the Utah Jazz (13-41), 120-116, in overtime at Delta Center.
Powell finished with a season-high 41 points, while Harden had 32 points, 10 rebounds, and 7 assists. Ben Simmons, in his debut, chipped in 12 points, 7 rebounds, and 6 assists for the Clippers, who trailed by as much as 50-30 in the second quarter.
Kyle Filipowski led the Jazz with a career-high 20 points on top of 10 rebounds. Lauri Markkanen also had 20, while John Collins and Isaiah Collier chipped in 17 and 16, respectively.
Up next:
Clippers vs. Milwaukee Bucks on February 21
Jazz vs. Oklahoma City Thunder on February 22
