CLEVELAND (AP) – LeBron James made a big 3-pointer in the final minute of the second overtime and scored 41 points to offset 43 by Indiana’s Paul George, and the Cleveland Cavaliers opened their April schedule with a 135-130 win Sunday over the Indiana Pacers, who remain on the outside of the playoff picture in the Eastern Conference.
James added 15 rebounds and 11 assists in 52 minutes for the defending NBA champions, who ended the game with some drama as Tristan Thompson and James angrily exchanged words during a timeout in the second OT.
Kyrie Irving made four free throws in the final 16.5 seconds and Kevin Love had 20 points and 12 rebounds as Cleveland stayed within a half-game of Boston for the top spot in the East. The Cavs visit the Celtics on Wednesday night.
ROCKETS 123, SUNS 116
PHOENIX – Patrick Beverley scored a career-high 26 points and the Houston Rockets sent the Phoenix Suns to their 12th straight loss with a 123-116 victory despite not having James Harden in the lineup.
Harden was ruled out with acute viral syndrome, the team announced before the game. He had not missed a game all season and entered Sunday tied for second in the league in scoring at 29.2 points per game.
WARRIORS 139, WIZ 115
OAKLAND, California – Stephen Curry hit nine 3-pointers and scored 42 points, also dished out eight assists, and Golden State moved closer to locking up the Western Conference’s top playoff seed by beating Washington.
CELTICS 110, KNICKS 94
NEW YORK – Isaiah Thomas scored 19 points in just 24 minutes and Boston remained atop the Eastern Conference with its 50th victory, beating New York.
HORNETS 113, THUNDER 101
OKLAHOMA CITY – Kemba Walker scored 29 points to help Charlotte overcome Russell Westbrook’s sixth straight triple-double and beat Oklahoma City.
SPURS 109, JAZZ 103
SAN ANTONIO – Kawhi Leonard had 25 points and seven assists, and San Antonio held off Utah in a matchup of postseason-bound teams.
NUGGETS 116, HEAT 113
MIAMI – Danilo Gallinari scored 29 points, Nikola Jokic and Wilson Chandler each added 19, and Denver topped Miami.
BULLS 117, PELICANS 110
NEW ORLEANS – Jimmy Butler scored 39 points and Chicago sustained its playoff push with a victory over recently resurgent New Orleans.