Cavaliers set franchise record with 16th straight win, Celtics clinch playoff spot
The Cleveland Cavaliers extended their winning streak to a franchise-record 16 games with a 133-124 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies on Friday, further solidifying their grip on the Eastern Conference lead.
Cleveland, who overcame a double-digit deficit in Tuesday’s win over Brooklyn, had no such trouble in Memphis, racing to a commanding 18-point halftime lead after pouring in 75 first-half points. The Cavaliers, already assured of a postseason berth, improved to 56-10, winning 20 of their last 21 games.
Evan Mobley led Cleveland’s balanced scoring effort with 22 points, while Darius Garland added 20. Seven Cavaliers finished in double figures.
Ja Morant delivered a season-high 44 points for the Grizzlies, but it was not enough to halt Cleveland’s momentum.
The Cavaliers now lead the second-placed Boston Celtics by 8.5 games in the East. The defending champion Celtics responded to Wednesday’s loss against Oklahoma City with a 103-91 win over the Miami Heat to officially book their playoff spot.
Derrick White scored 12 fourth-quarter points as Boston outscored Miami 25-14 down the stretch. Jayson Tatum led with 28 points, including five three-pointers, while Jrue Holiday finished with 25. Andrew Wiggins had 23 for Miami.
Meanwhile, the Denver Nuggets edged the Los Angeles Lakers 131-126 in a dramatic finish, with Nikola Jokic, Jamal Murray, and Russell Westbrook combining for eight unanswered points in the final seconds. Austin Reaves scored 37 for the short-handed Lakers, who suffered their fourth straight loss.
(Source: AFP)
