Nov 10, 2015; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Pelicans forward Anthony Davis (23) is guarded by Dallas Mavericks forward Dwight Powell (7) during the second quarter of a game at the Smoothie King Center. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
Westbrook finished with 22 points, 11 rebounds and 11 assists for the Thunder (5-3), who led 68-50 at halftime and by as many as 29 points in the second half. Guard Dion Waiters scored 25 points and forward Serge Ibaka had 23 points. Oklahoma City sank 15 of 23 3-pointers during its second straight win.
Durant, a fan favorite from the nearby Maryland suburbs, grabbed at his left leg late in the second quarter. He did not return for the second half as the team announced he suffered a hamstring strain. The 2014 NBA Most Valuable Player still managed a double-double with 14 points and 10 rebounds while helping the Thunder take control early.
Center Marcin Gortat and guard Ramon Sessions scored 15 points, and forward Otto Porter had 14 for the Wizards (3-4). Washington avoided its recent rash of turnovers, yet lost its third straight game while allowing its most points this season. Guard John Wall scored a season-low nine points.
Pelicans 120, Mavericks 105
NEW ORLEANS — Forward Ryan Anderson scored 25 points as New Orleans snapped a season-opening, six-game losing streak with a victory over Dallas at Smoothie King Arena.
However, the win may have been costly, as star forward Anthony Davis sustained a calf injury early in the third quarter and did not return. Davis scored 17 points and grabbed seven rebounds in 19 minutes.
Eric Gordon, Ish Smith and Toney Douglas also scored 17 points for the Pelicans. Jrue Holiday added 10 points in 15 minutes.
Cavaliers 118, Jazz 114
CLEVELAND — LeBron James scored 31 points, including 17 in the fourth quarter, and Cleveland Cavaliers survived against Utah because of the brute strength of their best player.
The Cavaliers trailed by as many as nine in the fourth, but James stole a pass and dribbled the length of the floor for an impressive three-point play to pull the Cavs within 95-94. Jazz guard Rodney Hood did his best to wrap up James and prevent the shot, but James powered through for the basket and foul.
The play revived the slumbering Cavaliers, who remained unbeaten at home (5-0) with their seventh straight victory, but had to work for it on a night they were sloppy with the ball (16 turnovers) and off rhythm most of the night.
Heat 101, Lakers 88
MIAMI — Kobe Bryant didn’t make a final game appearance at the AmericanAirlines Arena on Tuesday, but Miami was just fine with having the 17-time All-Star guard in street clothes.
With Bryant a late scratch to give him a rest, the Heat handled Los Angeles.
Chris Bosh led the Heat with 30 points on 9-of-16 shooting from the field and 10-of-12 from the free-throw line. Not to be outdone by the Heat forward, Hassan Whiteside finished with 19 points, 15 rebounds and three blocks. He shot 8-for-12 from the floor.
Knicks 111, Raptors 109
TORONTO — Carmelo Anthony scored 25 points and New York held on in the fourth quarter to defeat Toronto.
It was the second win in a row for the Knicks and the third loss in a row for the Raptors.
Lance Thomas scored 15 points off the bench for the Knicks and Langston Galloway scored 15, also as a reserve. Robin Lopez had 12 points and eight rebounds before fouling out.
Celtics 99, Bucks 83
MILWAUKEE — A 16-0 third-quarter run propelled Boston to an easy victory over Milwaukee at the BMO Harris Bradley Center.
Isiah Thomas scored 20 points to lead the Celtics, who also got 12 from Jae Crowder and 11 from Jered Sullinger. David Lee added 13 and Kelly Olynyk had 11, sparking a Boston bench that wore down the short-handed Bucks, who were without their starting backcourt of Michael Carter-Williams and O.J. Mayo.
The Celtics’ reserves combined for 48 points compared to just 25 for Milwaukee, which got 12 points from reserve Jerryd Bayless.
Hornets 104, Timberwolves 95
MINNEAPOLIS — Jeremy Lin and Jeremy Lamb helped key Charlotte’s victory over Minnesota at the Target Center.
Lin scored a game-high 19 points, while Lamb added 18 points and four rebounds to give the Hornets their second road victory of the year.
Lamb came off the bench to score 14 of his points in the first half. Lin was 6-of-8 from the free-throw line en route to his season high.
Minnesota rookie Karl-Anthony Towns tallied his fifth double-double in his first seven NBA games. The first overall pick in this year’s draft had 19 points and 13 rebounds, along with three blocks, to pace the Timberwolves.
