NBA Sunday recap: Nowitzki stars in Dallas's win; Kings inflict third loss on the Knicks
Western Conference
Dallas Mavericks 132-120 Portland Trailblazers
Venue: American Airlines Center, Dallas
Dirk Nowitzki starred with 40 points on the night as the Mavericks defeated the Trailblazers by 12 points in the Western Conference game on home turf on Sunday night. The German-born player was well supported by Deron Williams who netted in 31 points along with 16 assists.
Despite ending on the losing end, Damien Lillard proved to be a bright spot for the Trailblazers, scoring 26 points on the night and found able support, courtesy CJ McCollum who scored 22 points.
Toronto Raptors 105-100 Orlando Magic
Venue: Air Canada Centre, Toronto
In one of the two tightly-contested matches of the night, DeMar DeRozan and Luis Scola starred for the Toronto Raptors with 25 points and 20 points respectively to help their side cross the line by 5 points at the Air Canada Centre, Toronto.
For the visitors, it was, Victor Oladipo and Evan Fournier who contributed 21 points each, but couldn't prevent their side from going down narrowly in the contest.
Boston Celtics 120-105 Philadelphia 76ers
Venue: Wells Fargo Center, Philadelphia
Isaiah Thomas scored 26 points as the Boston Celtics clinched a super win and extend their winning run to 8 against the Philadelphia 76ers on their home turf on Sunday night. He was well supported by Jared Sullinger, who scored 17 points along with 13 rebounds.
Hollis Thompson was the bright spot for the hosts on the night. scoring 18 points while Jermai Grany scored 11 points.
New Orleans Pelicans 109-105 Los Angeles Clippers
Venue: Smoothie King Center, New Orleans
Jrue Holiday starred for the Pelicans at the Smoothie King Center with 22 points as the hosts beat the Clippers 109-105 in the second close contest of the day. Dante Cunningham gave Holiday good support with 19 points while Omar Asik scored 15 points as the Pelicans registered their 18th home win of the season.
Utah Jazz 94-85 Milwaukee Bucks
Venue: BMO Harris Bradley Center, Milwaukee
Gordon Hayward scored 18 points for the Jazz including 13 in the last quarter, to help the visitors inflict a 9-point loss on the Bucks opn Sunday. He was well supported by Shelvin Mack, who scored 13 points on the night. Rudy Gobert and Derrick Favoras also scored 12 points apiece.
For the hosts it was Jabari Parker, who was the star, scoring 19 points and an off day for Giannis Antetokounmpo who scored a mere 12 points didn't help the cause of the hosts either as they went down by 9 points.
Sacramento Kings 88-80 New York Knicks
Venue: Madison Square Garden, New York
DeMarcus Cousins starred for the Kings with 24 points as the Kings inflicted a third consecutive loss on the Knicks at the Madison Square Garden on Sunday night.He recieved good support from Rudy Gay who scored 17 points and Darren Collison who scored 13 points.
Although it was a disappointing result, overall, Robin Perez proved to a bright spot for the hosts, scoring 23 points on the night.