Mavericks Hold Off Lakers 120-106 for Season Series Sweep
LOS ANGELES (AP) _ Tyson Chandler had 20 points to lead seven Mavericks in double-figure scoring, and Dallas tuned up for the postseason with a 120-106 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers on Sunday night.
Richard Jefferson scored 17 points and Dirk Nowitzki had 16 in the third straight victory for the Mavericks, who will finish seventh in the Western
Conference. Dallas led for the final 44 minutes and completed a season sweep of the Lakers for the first time in franchise history.
Wesley Johnson scored 16 points and hit four 3-pointers for Los Angeles before spraining his left ankle shortly before halftime. He didn’t return, leaving the Lakers with nine healthy players in the second half of their sixth loss in seven games.
Jordan Clarkson had 26 points for the Lakers, who extended their team record with their 59th loss.
Duncan leads Spurs to 11th straight win, 107-91 over Suns
SAN ANTONIO (AP) _ Tim Duncan had 22 points and 10 rebounds to lead the San
Antonio Spurs to their 11th straight victory, 107-91 over the Phoenix Suns on
Sunday night.
San Antonio moved into second place in the Western Conference and took a
half-game lead over idle Memphis in the Southwest Division. The defending
champion Spurs have won 21 of 24.
Kawhi Leonard had 18 points and nine rebounds, Marco Belinelli added 13 points
and Tony Parker had 10 points and five assists to help San Antonio improve to
55-26.
Gerald Green had 23 points and Eric Bledsoe added 20 points and 10 assists for
Phoenix. Eliminated from playoff contention Wednesday night, the Suns have lost
four straight and nine of 10 to drop to 39-42.
Harden has 30 to help Rockets over Pelicans 121-114
HOUSTON (AP) _ James Harden scored 30 points and the Houston Rockets used a big
run at the beginning of the fourth quarter to take the lead and held on for a
121-114 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans on Sunday night.
The Rockets ended a two-game skid behind the NBA-leading 35th 30-point game for
Harden, who leads the league in scoring.
Corey Brewer and Dwight Howard carried Houston in the opening minutes of the
fourth quarter combining for all of the Rockets’ points in a 14-5 run that put
them on top 100-91.
New Orleans scored six straight points to get within five with about a minute
left, but Pablo Prigioni made two free throws to extend the lead.
Anthony Davis had 27 points for the Pelicans who are fighting for the final
Western Conference playoff spot.