League Update
Western Conference
Steph Curry, on his 27th birthday, led his Golden State Warriors (52-13) to a 125-94 thrashing of the New York Knicks. The MVP 2015 favourite had 25 points and 11 assists, and was supported by Splash Brother Klay Thompson’s 27, as the Warriors turned a second quarter Knicks lead into a rout.
Their likely first round play-off rivals, the OKC Thunder (37-29) also won against Eastern rivals, this time the Chicago Bulls. Curry’s biggest MVP barrier, Russell Westbrook, had 36 points, 11 rebounds and 6 assists as the Thunder jumped marginally ahead of New Orleans Pelicans (36-29) for the final play-off spot.
The Pelicans have won eight of their last 10 bouts, including three in three. Facing the Milwaukee Bucks, another MVP possible Anthony Davis matched his career high 43 points as his team triumphed 114-105. Davis also had 10 rebounds, six assists, two blocks and a steal.
Third placed Dallas Mavericks (42-25) faced the LA Clippers this week, with the LA side on the wrong end of a blowout. The bench carried the load for Dallas in a 129-99 win.
Likely play-off rivals the Houston Rockets and the LA Clippers (42-24) are locked in battle today, with the Clippers leading by a small margin.
Eastern Conference
Indiana push on in play-off quest
The Indiana Pacers (30-35), have won eight in 10, edging their way towards securing a play-off spot in the tight battle for the last two spots in the East.
However, one of the teams locked in that battle — the Boston Celtics (29-36) — ended the Pacers’ seven-game winning streak with a close 93-89 victory in Indiana territory. This was despite George Hill’s best efforts of 30 points and eight assists.
Splitting Boston and Indiana, in ninth, are the Miami Heat (29-36). They lost to third place in the conference Toronto Raptors (39-26) who had Kyle Lowry’s 19 points, eight assists and seven steals to thank for a 102-92 victory.
Cleveland Cavaliers (42-25) continue to try to close gap on Atlanta Hawks (51-14) in first, with their three wins on the trot. This included a 128-125 win over the San Antonio Spurs, in which Kyrie Irving went for a franchise record 57 points.