Thunder outlast Warriors; Cavs win.
MIAMI (AP) – Goran Dragic scored 27 points, Dion Waiters had 26 with a pair of big 3-pointers in the final minutes and the Miami Heat held on to beat Boston 104-98 on Wednesday night, snapping the Celtics’ 16-game winning streak.
Tyler Johnson scored 16 points for Miami, which had an 18-point lead cut to one in the final moments. The Heat shot 49 percent and outrebounded the Celtics 48-37.
Kyrie Irving scored 23 points for Boston. Jayson Tatum added 18, and Jaylen Brown and Marcus Morris each had 14.
The Celtics got down by 18 in the first half, which has been a very comfortable place for Boston this season. Boston had overcome 18-point deficits against Oklahoma City and Charlotte, a 17-point hole against Golden State, a 16-pointer against Atlanta and rallied from 13 down to win in Dallas this week.
The Celtics almost did it again.
Down by 14 midway through the fourth, the unflappable Celtics went on a 13-0 run in just about three minutes – getting to 91-90 when Smart made one of two free throws with 3:14 remaining.
THUNDER 108, WARRIORS 91
In Oklahoma City, Russell Westbrook scored a season-high 34 points and added 10 rebounds and nine assists to help Oklahoma City roll past Golden State.
Oklahoma City beat the Warriors for the first time since Kevin Durant left the Thunder to join the Warriors after the 2015-16 season. Golden State won all four meetings last season.
Westbrook said it was just another game in the buildup, but he didn’t play like it. At one point in the third quarter, Westbrook and Durant went forehead to forehead and were called for double technicals.
Westbrook’s new All-Star teammates came through. Carmelo Anthony had 22 points and Paul George 20.
CAVALIERS 119, NETS 109
In Cleveland, LeBron James shook off a blow to the face and scored 23 points in the fourth quarter – including 18 straight for Cleveland – and the Cavaliers beat Brooklyn for their sixth straight victory.
James needed stitches in the third quarter to close a gash above his lip that drew blood. He punched back at the Nets in the fourth and finished with 33 points.
