NBA: Oklahoma and Cleveland continue to fly, Boston and Golden State do well

NBA: Oklahoma and Cleveland continue to fly, Boston and Golden State well

The Oklahoma City Thunder and the Cleveland Cavaliers continue to fly: the former, increasingly at the top in the West, beat the Minnesota Timberwolves in Minneapolis (130-123) thanks to a stunning Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who scored 37 points, 8 rebounds and 8 assists; the latter scored their seventh consecutive victory over the Memphis Grizzlies (129-123), led by Donovan Mitchell, who scored 33 points and 6 assists, and continue to lead the standings in the East.

Behind the Cavs are the Boston Celtics, who beat New York again (118-105) at TD Garden with Jason Tatum coming close to a triple double (25 points, 10 rebounds, 9 assists). Also smiling are Steph Curry’s Golden State Warriors (30 points, 4 rebounds, 7 assists) who knock out the Dallas Mavericks (126-102) at Chase Center in an important play-in zone challenge in the West.

Back in the East, the fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh-ranked teams also win: the Indiana Pacers knock out the Clippers (129-111) thanks to Tyrese Haliburton’s 29-point, 12-assist double-double; the Milwaukee Bucks beat the Miami Heat (120-113) on the backs of Damian Lillard (28 points) and Giannis Antetokounmpo (23 points); the Detroit Pistons overcome the Atlanta Hawks (148-143) led by Cade Cunningham (38 points, 7 rebounds and 12 assists) and the Orlando Magic overwhelm the Washington Wizards (110-90) thanks to the Franz Wagner (23 points)-Paolo Banchero (19 points) duo.

Finally, the Phoenix Suns collapse to the Toronto Raptors (109-127) who send five players into double figures, including Immanuel Quickley, Chris Boucher and RJ Barrett who put up 23 apiece. Devin Booker s 31 points and Bradley Beal s 30 were not enough for the Suns. The San Antonio Spurs also fell, reeled back by the New Orleans Pelicans who prevailed 114-96 with a 22-point, 9-rebound, 3-assist Zion Williamson.