(The Sports Xchange) — Danny Green scored 24 points and had five steals, helping the San Antonio Spurs defeat Houston 110-106.
Green hit four free throws in the final 22 seconds, enabling the Spurs (19-13) to snap a six-game losing streak against Houston.
James Harden led Houston (21-8) with 28 points, but he also committed nine turnovers, including one that came with 25 seconds left and the Spurs leading by three points.
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Pistons 103, Cavaliers 80
Brandon Jennings scored 25 points and the Detroit Pistons dominated Cleveland in the second half to beat the Cavaliers 103-80.
The Cavs (18-12) led by 15 early in the second quarter but quickly lost their lead to suffer a crushing home loss to the Pistons (7-23). LeBron James finished with 17 points, 10 rebounds and seven assists but made just five of 19 shots.
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Mavericks 112, Thunder 107
Dirk Nowitzki overcame foul trouble and carried the Dallas Mavericks late to a 112-107 victory over Oklahoma City.
The future Hall of Fame power forward tied a career high with 30 points in a rare start at center with regular starter Tyson Chandler out. Nowitzki made eight of 13 shots, including two of three three-pointers, and all 12 of his free throws.
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Trail Blazers 101, Knicks 79
The Portland Trail Blazers continued their mastery of the NBA Eastern Conference on Sunday night, defeating the depleted New York Knicks 101-79.
Portland’s Wesley Matthews led all scorers with 28 points and the Blazers raised their record against the East to 14-1.
For the Knicks (5-28), Carmelo Anthony got most of the night off with a sore knee as the Blazers steadily pulled away.
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Raptors 116, Nuggets 102
Kyle Lowry had 30 points and 11 assists, Lou Williams had 31 off the bench and the Toronto Raptors beat the Denver Nuggets 116-102.
It was the Raptors’ eighth win in nine games and ended a nine-game losing streak in Denver.
The Raptors (24-7) own the best record in the Eastern Conference and have started this Western Conference portion of their six-game road trip with two wins in as many nights. They beat the Clippers in Los Angeles on Saturday.
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Suns 116, Lakers 107
Goran Dragic scored 24 points and Eric Bledsoe added 22 as the Phoenix Suns beat the Los Angeles Lakers 116-107 despite Kobe Bryant’s return after a three-game absence.
The Suns (18-14) pulled away in the third quarter where they outscored Los Angeles 33-25 for their sixth straight victory.
Bryant had 10 points, eight rebounds and seven assists for the Lakers (9-22), who lost their third straight.
