NBA: Cleveland and Oklahoma Maintain Control of Eastern and Western Conferences
The Cleveland Cavaliers and Oklahoma City Thunder tightened their grip on the top spots in the NBA’s Eastern and Western Conferences, respectively, with victories on Friday. Cleveland defeated the Washington Wizards 134-124, while Oklahoma City overcame the Toronto Raptors 121-109.
Cleveland improved to 42 wins and 10 losses, leading the Eastern Conference, while Oklahoma City moved to 41 wins and 9 losses at the top of the Western Conference.
Oklahoma City welcomed back center Chet Holmgren after he missed 39 games due to a pelvic fracture in November. Holmgren played 22 minutes and recorded four blocks.
Jalen Williams led Oklahoma City’s offense with 27 points, while Canadian star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander added 25, despite sitting out the entire fourth quarter.
In Washington, the duo of Donovan Mitchell and Evan Mobley combined for 60 points, securing Cleveland’s sixth win in seven games. The Wizards attempted to challenge their visitors, but Jordan Poole’s 45-point effort wasn’t enough to turn the tide, as Cleveland emerged victorious 134-124.
Mitchell finished with 33 points, Mobley added 27, and Darius Garland contributed five three-pointers from eight attempts, totaling 23 points.
Cleveland now holds a six-game lead at the top of the Eastern Conference over defending champions Boston Celtics (36-16).
In Charlotte, a clutch three-pointer by Miles Bridges with just 1.4 seconds left secured a 117-116 victory for the Hornets over the San Antonio Spurs.
The Spurs thought they had snatched a win when their new player, De’Aaron Fox (22 points), hit a three-pointer as the buzzer sounded, but officials reviewed the play and ruled it out.
Charlotte improved to a 13-36 record, ranking second-last in the Eastern Conference.
Bridges led the Hornets with 25 points, while LaMelo Ball added 24 points and 10 assists.
For the Spurs, Stephon Castle was the top scorer with 33 points, while French phenom Victor Wembanyama contributed 16 points, 11 rebounds, and five blocks.
In Atlanta, the Milwaukee Bucks squandered a 21-point lead early in the third quarter, ultimately losing 110-115 to the Hawks.
Trae Young led Atlanta with 24 points, as seven Hawks players scored in double digits.
Atlanta mounted a comeback in the third quarter, outscoring Milwaukee by 20 points (37-17) to erase the deficit and turn the game around.
