CLEVELAND (AP) — Darius Garland scored 26 points and Evan Mobley had 16 points and 10 rebounds after both were named All-Star reserves, helping the NBA-leading Cleveland Cavaliers to a 137-115 win over the Atlanta Hawks on Thursday night.
Donovan Mitchell scored 24 points and Ty Jerome added 20 points off the bench for Cleveland (39-9), which has the best home record in the league at 23-3. Jarrett Allen had nine points and 15 rebounds.
Hawks rookie Zaccharie Risacher, the No. 1 overall draft pick, scored 30 points and De’Andre Hunter had 25 points and made all 12 of his free throws. Atlanta has lost a season-high seven straight.
Cleveland built a 29-point lead in beating the Hawks for the first time in three games this season. Atlanta won the first two meetings by a combined 27 points on Nov. 27 and Nov. 29.
LAKERS 134, WIZARDS 96
WASHINGTON (AP) — LeBron James had 24 points and 11 assists before resting for the final quarter of Los Angeles’ rout of Washington.
While James sat out, his son Bronny played the whole fourth quarter and scored a career-high five points — a development that delighted the crowd, even on the road.
It was the 16th consecutive loss for Washington, tying a franchise record. It’s the second time this season the Wizards have dropped that many in a row.
This one was never close after the first few minutes, even though the Lakers were missing Anthony Davis because of an abdominal muscle strain. Washington was without rookie Alex Sarr, who had a sprained left ankle.
Los Angeles has won five of six, rebounding from a 14-point loss at Philadelphia on Tuesday night.
This was the Lakers’ most lopsided victory this season, surpassing their 111-88 win over the Wizards just over a week ago.
With the Lakers up by 39 and 1:25 remaining, Los Angeles rookie Dalton Knecht was called for two technical fouls — apparently for arguing — and ejected.
Jordan Poole led the Wizards with 19 points.
TIMBERWOLVES 138, JAZZ 113
SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Anthony Edwards scored 16 of his 36 points in the third quarter and Minnesota routed Utah for their fifth straight victory and second in two nights.
Added to the All-Star Game as a reserve Thursday, Edwards had 11 assists and keyed a decisive 44-22 third quarter for the Timberwolves. Minnesota was coming off a 121-113 victory at Phoenix on Wednesday.
After the Jazz made a modest run in the fourth quarter, Edwards made three 3-pointers in a 1:25 span to give Minnesota a 125-97 lead with 4:34 left.
Keyonte George, who was moved out of Utah’s the starting lineup four games ago, scored 23 points on 7-for-7 shooting. Collin Sexton had 19 points, while John Collins and Jordan Clarkson both had 16 in Utah’s eighth consecutive loss.
Minnesota rookie Rob Dillingham had a career-high 19 points. Rudy Gobert and Luka Garza each added 16 points.
GRIZZLIES 120, ROCKETS 119
MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — Desmond Bane had 24 points and 12 rebounds, Jaren Jackson Jr. made the go-ahead free throws with 8.6 seconds left and scored 21, and Memphis rallied past Houston.
Luke Kennard added 21 points and Santi Aldama had 15 for Memphis, which has won six of seven.
Jalen Green led the Rockets with 25 points. Dillon Brooks had 22 points and Amen Thompson finished with 21 points and seven rebounds. Houston’s four-game winning streak ended.
Memphis (32-16) moved within one-half game of Houston for second in the Western Conference.
Both teams were without key players. Houston’s Alperen Sengun, who was announced as a Western Conference All-Star reserve earlier Thursday, was out with a left calf contusion, and Memphis guard Ja Morant sat out with right shoulder soreness.
TRAIL BLAZERS 119, MAGIC 90
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Scoot Henderson had 23 points, seven assists and five rebounds in Portland's victory over Orlando.
Shaedon Sharpe also had 23 points and Deandre Ayton added 22 points and eight rebounds to help Portland win for the sixth time in seven games.
Franz Wagner led Orlando with 24 points. Paolo Banchero had 21.
Portland outscored Orlando 21-5 in fast break points and had a 12-5 edge in 3-pointers.
The Trail Blazers pushed their lead to 16 on Henderson’s layup with 8:26 left in the third. The onslaught continued, with Portland up by 25 points in the quarter.
The Associated Press