(The Sports Xchange) – LaMarcus Aldridge scored 26 points, the final two on a crucial basket in the last minute, as the San Antonio Spurs roared back from a ragged beginning to defeat the Oklahoma City Thunder 104-101 at the AT&T Center.
After trailing by as many as six points in the fourth quarter, Oklahoma City pulled to within 100-99 on a free throw by Paul George with 45 seconds to play.
On the ensuing possession, Aldridge scored on a putback to push San Antonio’s lead to 102-99 before the Thunder’s Carmelo Anthony canned a jumper with his right foot on the three-point line with five seconds remaining to cut the lead to 102-101.
Pau Gasol then hit two free throws with two seconds to play and, after a time out, Oklahoma City’s Russell Westbrook had to settle for a contested, wild shot at the buzzer that didn’t even hit the rim.
Cavaliers 118, Clippers 113 (OT)
LeBron James scored 19 of his 39 points in the second half and overtime to lead Cleveland over Los Angeles.
Kevin Love added 25 points and Dwyane Wade scored 23 points with a season-high 11 rebounds for the Cavs, who did not lead until overtime and trailed by as many as 15.
The Clippers have lost seven straight. Blake Griffin led them with 23 points but shot 8-for-25.
Kings 86, Trail Blazers 82
Willie Cauley-Stein set a season-high with 22 points, the last one a free throw with 3.4 seconds remaining that lifted Sacramento over Portland.
Cauley-Stein, relegated to coming off the bench for the first time this season, scored 13 in the second half and had two key put-backs in the fourth quarter.
Sacramento won its third straight at home and snapped a three-game losing streak.
Timberwolves 111, Mavericks 87
Jimmy Butler scored 21 and Andrew Wiggins added 19 points to lead a balanced attack and Minnesota rallied from a 14-point deficit to rout Dallas. The Timberwolves had six players score in double figures, including all five starters.
Karl-Anthony Towns (15 points and 11 rebounds), Jeff Teague (15 points and 10 assists) and Taj Gibson (10 points and 11 rebounds) each notched double-doubles.
Bulls 123, Hornets 120
Justin Holiday scored 27 points, Kris Dunn had 22 and Lauri Markkanen hit a pair of free throws with 2.6 seconds remaining as Chicago beat Charlotte.
Denzel Valentine scored 18 points to go along with 16 from Markkanen. Jerian Grant and Bobby Portis each finished with 10 points for the Bulls (3-10).
Kemba Walker scored 47 points for Charlotte, which lost its sixth straight.
