NBA Sunday recap: Warriors tie 1995-96 Bulls record with win No. 72, Pacers clinch Playoff spot
Golden State Warriors 92-86 San Antonio Spurs
It was a game between two Western Conference heavyweights with a lot at stake. Records would remain or would be broken depending on which team would win on Sunday at San Antonio.
Ultimately the Golden State Warriors triumphed, registering win No. 72 and tying the 1995-96 Chicago Bulls record for most wins in a regular season. The best part is Golden State have one game remaining on Wednesday against the Memphis Grizzlies, giving them a chance to break the Bulls record for most wins.
The win also gives the Warriors it’s 34th road win, the most in NBA history breaking the 1995-96 Bulls record. Even in the worst case scenario that the Warriors lose the final game, they will still be the only team in NBA history to go through an entire season without losing back to back games.
However, the biggest record broken was a streak, which will surely help Golden State come to San Antonio with more confidence, if the two teams were to meet in the Playoffs. The drought broken:
Warriors: win snaps 33-game regular-season losing streak at San Antonio; first regular season win in San Antonio since February 14, 1997
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) April 11, 2016
Both teams got off to rough shooting starts in the game but after halftime the game opened up and both both offenses’ started to produce easily on a consistent basis. A good start to the fourth quarter by the Warriors’ bench not only swung the balance in the favor of the team but also allowed reigning MVP Stephen Curry to rest on the bench for over six minutes before checking back into the game.
In the wake of the Golden State’s win, the Spurs lose their third consecutive game. They went 77 games of the season without losing back to back games and then lost three in a row.
The loss comes despite big games from Kawhi Leonard (20 points, 13 rebounds, 5 assists, 3 blocks) and LaMarcus Aldridge (24 points, 10 rebounds). For the Warriors, Stephen Curry led the way scoring 26 of his 37 points in the second half along with 5 rebounds and 5 assists.
Los Angeles Clippers 98-91 Dallas Mavericks
It wasn’t must win yet for the Dallas Mavericks but the team would have liked to seal their Playoff berth as soon as they could.
Unfortunately, they met a Clippers squad which was at full strength and riding a four-game losing streak. Blake Griffin had his first double-double and big game since returning from injury as he led the Los Angeles to an easy win over Dallas. He had a near triple-double with 17 points, 11 rebounds, 7 assists and 2 steals.
Dallas stayed within range up until half-time, entering the locker rooms trailing by just five points. However the game blew open in the third quarter where the Clippers outscored the Mavericks 27-12.
Off the bench, Raymond Felton had the most effective and productive game with 21 points, 5 assists and 4 rebounds. Clippers shooting guard had a game worth mentioning, scoring 20 points on 80% shooting.
The Mavericks have two games remaining and need to win at least one to seal their post-season berth. The remaining two games ahead are really tough for Dallas, with both against fellow Playoff competitors in the Utah Jazz and the San Antonio Spurs.
Meanwhile the Clippers, who booked the fourth spot for the themselves, continue marching winning their fifth in a row with two games to go.
Indiana Pacers 129-105 Brooklyn Nets
The Indiana Pacers just had to win one game of their remaining three to book their ticket to the post-season and eliminate the Chicago Bulls at the same time.
Visiting Brooklyn, the Pacers made easy work of the Nets handing them a 24 point drubbing behind rookie Myles Turner’s double double of 28 points, 10 rebounds and 2 blocks in just 26 minutes. Paul George contributed 15 points, 6 assists and 5 rebounds while forward Solomon Hill had a huge game off the bench with 13 points, 12 rebounds and 3 assists.
Meanwhile for the Nets, this game was just another of many that the team had been fielding a D-League team and resting their better players like Brook Lopez and Rondae Hollis Jefferson.
Houston Rockets 130-110 Los Angeles Lakers
James Harden (HOU): 40 pts, 13 asts, 4 rebs, 4 stls
Kobe Bryant (LAL): 35 pts
Toronto Raptors 93-89 New York Knicks
DeMar Derozan (TOR): 27 pts, 4 asts, 3 rebs.
Kyle Lowry (TOR): 15 pts, 7 asts, 2 stls
Miami Heat 118-96 Orlando Magic
Hassan Whiteside (MIA): 18 pts, 15 rebs, 2 blks
Dwyane Wade (MIA): 17 pts, 3 rebs, 3 asts, 3 stls
Utah Jazz 100-94 Denver Nuggets
Rudy Gobert (UTA): 16 pts, 14 rebs, 6 blks
Gordon Hayward (UTA): 22 pts, 9 rebs, 5 asts
Milwaukee Bucks 109-108 Philadelphia 76ers (OT)
Giannis Antetokounmpo: 14 pts, 9 rebs, 7 asts, 5 blks, 3 stls
Khris Middleton: 36 pts, 9 asts, 6 rebs, 4 stls
Washington Wizards 113-98 Charlotte Hornets
Ramon Sessions (WAS): 15 pts, 11 asts, 5 rebs
Frank Kaminsky (CHA): 18 pts, 11 rebs