(The Sports Xchange) – Highlights of Wednesday’s National Basketball Association games.
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Bulls 103, Warriors 83
Taj Gibson scored 21 points to lead the Chicago Bulls to an easy 103-83 victory over the Golden State Warriors.
Bulls forward Jimmy Butler returned to the lineup after missing two games with a bruised rib, and he added 16 points as the Bulls (31-26) improved to 19-8 since Jan. 1.
Golden State (35-23) had a four-game winning streak snapped.
Guard Jordan Crawford led Golden State with 16 points, while leading scorer Stephen Curry managed to make just two of his 12 shots and finish with a season-low five points.
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Cavaliers 114, Thunder 104
Kyrie Irving posted 31 points and nine assists to lead Cleveland to victory over Oklahoma City.
The loss was the third straight at home for the Thunder (43-15), all since guard Russell Westbrook returned to the lineup.
NBA leading scorer Kevin Durant paced the Thunder with 28 points, 10 rebounds and nine assists. Westbrook chipped in with 24 points and nine assists, but could not help his team overcome the Cavs (23-36).
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Mavericks 108, Pelicans 89
Riding high off a three-game road sweep, the Mavericks beat New Orleans as Pelicans All-Star Anthony Davis left the game with an injury.
Dallas guard Monta Ellis scored 23, forward Dirk Nowitzki added 18 for the Mavericks (36-23).
The injury-ravaged Pelicans (23-34) suffered their latest blow in the first half when Davis left the floor in the second quarter and did not return after spraining his left shoulder battling for an offensive board.
Pelicans guard Eric Gordon led the visitors with 19 points,
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Spurs 120, Pistons 110
San Antonio returned home from a nine-game road trip to knock off the Detroit Pistons.
Reserve Marco Bellinelli led the Spurs with 20 points and converted all four of his three-point attempts.
San Antonio forward Kawhi Leonard, back in the lineup after missing 15 games with a broken hand, scored 15.
Josh Smith led Detroit (23-35) with 24 points. Center Andre Drummond had 16 points and 17 rebounds.
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Grizzlies 108, Lakers 103
The Memphis Grizzlies won their season-high fourth straight home game by defeating the Los Angeles Lakers.
The Grizzlies (32-24) handed out a season-high 28 assists on 45 made baskets. They shot 48.9 percent from the floor.
Shooting guard Courtney Lee had 18 points and five assists to lead a balanced attack for Memphis.
The Lakers (19-39) lost their third straight and lost seven of their last eight. Guard Jodie Meeks paced Los Angeles with 19 points.
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Celtics 115, Hawks 104
Jerryd Bayless scored 21 of his season-high 29 points in the second half as the Boston Celtics snapped a five-game losing streak with victory over the Atlanta Hawks.
Rajon Rondo had 22 points and 11 assists as the Celtics (20-39) topped 100 points for the first time since Feb. 10.
Despite the defeat, the Hawks (26-31) are clinging to the eighth and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.
