With their season-long, six-game road trip coming to an end, Cleveland recognized the need for one determined push across the finish line and rebounded from their first loss this month to beat the Houston Rockets 91-77.
As anticipation built for Saturday’s matchup, Knicks Coach Derek Fisher continued to play down his October altercation with Memphis forward Matt Barnes.
Kyrie Irving scored 23 points, LeBron James added 19 and the Cleveland Cavaliers wrapped up their longest road trip of the season with an easy 91-77 victory over the Houston Rockets on Friday night.
The Dallas Mavericks came to life just as the Chicago Bulls seemed to deflate.
The Bulls and Mavericks showed signs on Friday that both teams have had busy schedules of late but in the end Dallas had more energy down the stretch and pulled out an 83-77 win at the United Center.
Hassan Whiteside had 19 points, 17 rebounds and 11 blocked shots, and the injury-depleted Miami Heat rallied to beat the Denver Nuggets 98-95 on Friday night.
Ryan Anderson’s six 3-pointers, highlighted by his off-balance rainbow from the left wing at the third-quarter horn, left the Charlotte Hornets little choice but to pay close attention to the Pelicans’ sharp-shooting forward in the waning moments a tie game.
Portland overcame a 6-point deficit with a little under nine minutes left to send the Nets to their 11th loss in their last 12 home games.
Damian Lillard had 33 points and 10 assists, reserve Allen Crabbe added 19 points and the Portland Trail Blazers beat the Brooklyn Nets 116-104 on Friday night for their third straight victory.
Giannis Antetokounmpo had 28 points and 16 rebounds, Khris Middleton scored 26 points and the Milwaukee Bucks beat the Atlanta Hawks 108-101 in overtime Friday night.
Isaiah Thomas said he didn’t have Boston’s game against Phoenix circled on his calendar. He certainly played like he did.
Russell Westbrook followed one of his most forgettable performances of the season with one of his most efficient.
John Wall had 28 points, seven rebounds and eight assists to lead the Washington Wizards to a 118-104 victory over the Indiana Pacers on Friday night.
Regarding Matt Barnes Revenge Night on Saturday, count the Grizzlies forward as a perpetrator of the juicy story line.
The Knicks could be without Carmelo Anthony and Kristaps Porzingis on Saturday against the Memphis Grizzlies.