NBA GAME RECAPS

NBA Recaps: Spurs knock Cavs into second place

The Sports Xchange

March 27, 2017 at 11:00 pm.

Mar 27, 2017; San Antonio, TX, USA; San Antonio Spurs small forward Kawhi Leonard (2) shoots the ball against the Cleveland Cavaliers during the first half at AT&T Center. Photo Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports

Mar 27, 2017; San Antonio, TX, USA; San Antonio Spurs small forward Kawhi Leonard (2) shoots the ball against the Cleveland Cavaliers during the first half at AT&T Center. Photo Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports

SAN ANTONIO — Kawhi Leonard scored 25 points before leaving to a standing ovation with 10:32 to play as the San Antonio Spurs clobbered the defending NBA champion Cleveland Cavaliers 103-74 on Monday at the AT&T Center.

The loss dropped the Cavaliers a half-game behind idle Boston for the best record in the Eastern Conference. Cleveland’s 74 points were a season low.

Cleveland’s LeBron James suffered a blow to the back of his neck in the final minute of the third quarter after a collision under the basket with the Spurs’ David Lee. He slumped to the floor near midcourt and stayed there for several minutes before walking to the bench on his own. With the Cavaliers trailing 81-58 entering the fourth quarter, James — who scored 17 points on 7-of-17 shooting — did not see the court again.

San Antonio, which has won five straight games, pulled back to within two games of idle Golden State in the race for the best record in the NBA. The Spurs and Warriors play in San Antonio on Wednesday.

Knicks 109, Pistons 95

NEW YORK — The Knicks snapped a five-game losing streak and dealt a blow to Detroit’s playoff hopes.

Kristaps Porzingis came through for New York with 25 points, eight rebounds and three blocked shots. Carmelo Anthony, who missed the previous two games with a sore knee, had 21 points, and Derrick Rose added 27 points.

The Pistons have lost four straight and seven of their last eight. The loss dropped the Pistons 1 1/2 games behind the Heat for the last playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.

Marcus Morris led the Pistons with 20 points.

Raptors 131, Magic 112
TORONTO — DeMar DeRozan scored 36 points to lead Toronto to its sixth straight victory.

Cory Joseph added a double-double for the Raptors with 15 points and a career-best 13 assists.

Elfrid Payton led Orlando with 22 points and nine assists.

ALL  |  NFL  |  College Football  |  MLB  |  NBA