Daily NBA Fix 3-1-04: Not The Good Old Days For Trio Of Bellwether Franchises
By Phil Watson
OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER 113, Memphis Grizzlies 107
Kevin Durant went off in the second half, helping the Thunder hold off a late run from Memphis and win their first game since the All-Star break nearly two weeks ago. Durant finished with 37 points—30 in the second half—to help Oklahoma City hang on after their 16-point fourth-quarter lead dwindled to three. Russell Westbrook added 21 points and Serge Ibaka had 16 points and three blocks. Mike Miller scored 19 for the Grizzlies—including hitting 4-of-5 from long range—while Marc Gasol scored 17 and Zach Randolph logged 13 points and 10 rebounds.
CLEVELAND CAVALIERS 99, Utah Jazz 79
All-Star Game MVP Kyrie Irving notched his first career triple-double as the Cavs routed Utah, outscoring the Jazz 60-38 in the second half after trailing 41-39 at the break. Irving has 31 points, 12 assists and 10 rebounds for Cleveland, Tristan Thompson added 18 points and 14 rebounds and Luol Deng scored 16 points. Spencer Hawes appears to be settling in after the trade from Philadlephia; he had 13 points and 16 rebounds. Gordon Hayward led the Jazz with 18 points.