Portland, Oregon: Portland moved a game clear atop the NBA Western Conference with a 116-112 overtime win over the Los Angeles Clippers in Thursday’s clash of divisional leaders.
The West’s other divisional leader, San Antonio, beat state rival Dallas, while the other Texan team Houston also won, downing Memphis.
Portland’s LaMarcus Aldridge had 32 points and 10 rebounds as the Trail Blazers extended their superb home-court form, having only lost two games there all season.
But the Clippers mounted a challenge after trailing by as many as 11 points early in the second half. Blake Griffin had 35 points and 11 rebounds, while Chris Paul finished with 34 points and 16 assists.
Portland clung to a 114-112 lead with 13.4 seconds left and padded it with Wesley Matthews’ foul shots. Paul missed a 3-point attempt as time ran out.
San Antonio took advantage of Dallas’ weakened front court and beat the Mavericks 116-109.
Tim Duncan had 21 points and 13 rebounds in his 10th double-double of the season, benefiting from playing most of the game on an opponent who was four inches shorter. Mavericks centers Samuel Dalembert played only 24 minutes while Brandan Wright was out with an undisclosed illness.
Tony Parker led San Antonio with 23 points, and reserve Danny Green had 22 on perfect shooting.
Dirk Nowitzki had 25 points scored 23 for the Mavericks. Blair had 14 points and 11 rebounds against his former team.
Houston rallied for a 110-92 win over Memphis, with James Harden scoring 11 of his 27 points in the fourth quarter.
Harden struggled from the field, going 2 for 9, but was 22 of 25 from the free throw line. He made 9 of 11 foul shots in the final quarter.
Jeremy Lin had 14 of his 18 points for the Rockets in the fourth.
Zach Randolph led Memphis with 23 points and 17 rebounds.
Atlanta’s Jeff Teague scored a career-high 34 points, including a tiebreaking 20-foot jumper at the buzzer in the second overtime, leading the Hawks a 127-125 win over Cleveland.
Teague’s fallaway jumper bounced off the rim five times before falling through the net. His 3-pointer with 4.9 seconds left in the first overtime tied the game.
Kyrie Irving led Cleveland with 40 points, including 12 in the second OT.
