Thunder keep Celtics down
OKLAHOMA CITY – The Boston Celtics can only hope their game against the Oklahoma City Thunder is a microcosm of their season: a dreadful first half and a gutsy second half.
Either way, they’d like the final result to be better.
Russell Westbrook scored 31 points, Kevin Durant added 28, and the Thunder sustained a late Boston rally before beating the Celtics, 119-104, on Wednesday night for their 11th straight win at home.
It was the fifth straight loss for Boston, which hits the All-Star break a disappointing 14-16.
Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett led the Celtics with 23 points. Garnett also had 13 rebounds after missing the previous two games for personal reasons, but the Celtics were without point guard Rajon Rondo as he served the second game of a two-game suspension and three other regulars because of injuries.
Rondo was selected to the Eastern Conference All-Star team Wednesday to replace injured Atlanta guard Joe Johnson.
Knicks 99, Hawks 82: At New York, Jeremy Lin had an easy night ahead of his toughest opponent yet, and New York tuned up for its trip to Miami by beating Atlanta.
Lin had 17 points and nine assists, sitting out most of the fourth quarter in a rare game during his remarkable run that the Knicks needed little from him.
Pacers 102, Bobcats 88: At Charlotte, N.C., Tyler Hansbrough had a season-high 22 points and nine rebounds as Indiana continued its dominance of Charlotte.
The Pacers have beaten the Bobcats nine time straight times, including twice this week. This game was much closer than the 35-point rout Sunday in Indianapolis – for three quarters.
The Pacers led by 10 after three but began to pull away in the fourth.
Lakers 96, Mavericks 91: At Dallas, Andrew Bynum had 19 points and 14 rebounds as Los Angeles hit the halfway point of its season with a victory over defending NBA champion Dallas.
Pau Gasol had 24 points for the Lakers, and Kobe Bryant and Derek Fisher each had 15.
Warriors 106, Suns 104: At Phoenix, Monta Ellis hit a 20-foot fadeaway jumper with 1 second remaining, and Golden State beat Phoenix.
Channing Frye’s 3-point attempt rolled off the back of the rim at the buzzer, giving the Warriors their first win in Phoenix since March 18, 2005.
Magic 108, Nets 91: At Newark, N.J., Dwight Howard had 20 points and 17 rebounds to help Orlando roll to victory against New Jersey.
Rockets 93, 76ers 87: At Houston, Luis Scola had 19 points and 10 rebounds, and Kyle Lowry added 13 points and two crucial three-point plays down the stretch to lead Houston over Philadelphia.
Raptors 103, Pistons 93: At Toronto, DeMar DeRozan scored 23 points, Aaron Gray set season highs with 12 points and 12 rebounds and Toronto beat Detroit to snap a three-game losing streak.
Timberwolves 100, Jazz 98: At Minneapolis, Luke Ridnour hit a floater in the lane at the buzzer, capping Minnesota’s comeback from 16 points down in the fourth quarter to beat Utah.
Hornets 89, Cavaliers 84: At Cleveland, Chris Kaman scored 21 points, Marco Belinelli added 19 and New Orleans held off a late rallly to beat Cleveland.
Kings 115, Wizards 107: At Washington, Marcus Thornton scored 18 of his 22 points in the second half, and rookie Isaiah Thomas had 16 of his 18 after halftime to lead Sacramento past Washington.
