Spurs, Thunder remain in touch
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E-mail Shanghai Daily, April 10, 2012
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"Big 3" power San Antonio Spurs to top the West. |
San Antonio stayed mere percentage points in front of Oklahoma City for the Western Conference lead after both teams won on Sunday to intensify their battle in the final month of the National Basketball Association season.
The Spurs, who had long been chasing the Thunder before catching them on Friday, overpowered the Utah Jazz 114-104 to remain at the top.
Oklahoma City kept pace by beating the Toronto Raptors 91-75 as Kevin Durant led the way with 23 points.
Tony Parker scored 28 and Manu Ginobili added 23 for the surging Spurs, who have captured 11 consecutive victories as they continue to show the kind of form that has made the franchise a consistent winner.
In the Eastern Conference, Carmelo Anthony delivered a 43-point masterpiece to carry the New York Knicks past the Chicago Bulls at Madison Square Garden and spoil the return of Derrick Rose.
Anthony forced overtime with a game-tying 3-pointer in the final seconds of regulation, then added the winning 3 as the Knicks prevailed 100-99.
Rose was playing for the first time since missing 12 straight games with a groin injury. He scored 29 points but missed 18 of his 26 shots.
Miami took advantage of Chicago's defeat by beating the Detroit Pistons 98-75 despite playing without Dwyane Wade.
With Wade resting a sore right ankle, LeBron James scored 26 points as the Heat pulled within two games of the East-leading Bulls.
Elsewhere, it was: Celtics 103, 76ers 79; Nets 122, Cavaliers 117 (in overtime); and Rockets 104, Kings 87.
