By ASSOCIATED PRESS
CLEVELAND (AP) — Donovan Mitchell scored 27 points and the Cleveland Cavaliers matched the second-most wins in franchise history, defeating the New York Knicks, 124-105, on Wednesday night, April 2.
Jarrett Allen added 21 points for the Cavaliers, who have 61 wins, equaling the 2009-10 squad. That was the final season in LeBron James’ first stint with the team. The franchise record is 66 wins during the 2008-09 season.
With Cleveland’s win and Boston’s loss to Miami, the Cavaliers have a five-game lead for the top seed in the Eastern Conference with six games remaining.
The Cavaliers trailed 60-53 at halftime before taking control in the third quarter. The game was tied at 83-all before they went on a 15-2 run over a four-minute span late in the third and early in the fourth to go on top for good.
New York’s Karl-Anthony Towns had 25 points, 13 rebounds and seven turnovers after missing Tuesday’s game due to knee soreness. OG Anunoby scored 23.
Knicks: New York is 8-6 without Jalen Brunson, but the star guard has been cleared to resume basketball activities and could return to the lineup for the the final week of the regular season.
Cavaliers: They have scored at least 120 points 44 times this season, a franchise record. … Forward Dean Wade did not play due to illness.
Meanwhile, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 33 points, and the Oklahoma City Thunder beat the short-handed Detroit Pistons, 119-103, for their 11th straight win.
Jalen Williams scored 23 points and Chet Holmgren added 22 points, 11 rebounds and five blocks for the Thunder.
Oklahoma City has a three-game lead over the Cleveland Cavaliers with six games remaining in the race for the league’s best record and homecourt advantage throughout the playoffs.
Tim Hardaway Jr. led the Pistons with 23 points to pick up the slack for All-Star guard Cade Cunningham, who was out with a bruised left calf. The Pistons also were missing three players because of their altercation with the Minnesota Timberwolves on Sunday. Forward Ron Holland II and guard Marcus Sasser served their suspensions Wednesday and forward/center Isaiah Stewart served the first game of his two-game suspension against Oklahoma City.
In Dallas, It came to Anthony Davis following his pregame nap that he would finally play all out for the Dallas Mavericks that night against the Atlanta Hawks and finally put the adductor strain that sidelined him Feb. 8 for six weeks out of his mind.
“Whatever happens, happens,” Davis said. “Just go out there and play with a lot of energy, a lot of force, a lot of dominance.”
Dominate he did. The 10-time All-Star had 34 points (his most in six games with Dallas), 15 rebounds and five blocks (also a Dallas best) despite missing most of the second quarter after taking an elbow above his right eye as the Mavericks rallied from an 11-point deficit in the third quarter to beat the Hawks, 120-118.
In Inglewood, Kawhi Leonard scored 28 points and James Harden had 21 points and 10 assists to lead the Los Angeles Clippers to a 114-98 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans.
Ivica Zubac added 17 points and 10 rebounds for the Clippers, who won for the fourth time in five games and 12th in 15 games. Bogdan Bogdanovic scored 16 points.
Jose Alvarado had 17 points and 10 assists for the Pelicans, who are 3-7 in their last 10. Bruce Bowen added 16 points and Yves Missi grabbed 12 rebounds.
In Denver, Harrison Barnes scored 20 points to lead six San Antonio players in double figures and the Spurs beat the short-handed Nuggets, 113-106.
In his second career start, Jaylen Pickett recorded his first triple-double with 17 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists.
Russell Westbrook scored 30 points, but didn’t have any in the fourth quarter, when he missed a running reverse layup that would have tied the game with 4 1/2 minutes remaining.
