Warriors down Cavs as Thunder, Wizards register victories

Kevin Durant scored 25 points, Klay Thompson added 24 and both madecrucial plays in the final seconds Monday, lifting the NBA championGolden State Warriors over Cleveland 99-92.In a Christmas rematch of the NBA Finals that marked their thirdconsecutive meeting on the holiday, the host Warriors won for the 12thtime in 13 games to reach 27-7 while the Cavaliers fell to 24-10. Golden State grabbed a 90-81 edge, the Warriors’ biggest of the night,before the Cavaliers answered with an 11-2 run, pulling level at 92-92on a LeBron James layup with two minutes remaining. Thompson sank a3-pointer to put Golden State ahead to stay and tough defensive pressureby Durant forced James to lose the ball out of bounds.“He wants to guard him,” coach Steve Kerr said of Durant’s desire todefend James. “It just so happens that KD is the right matchup for usand he wants the job.”The Cavaliers got the ball back after the Warriors missed two 3-pointshots. James drove to the basket and appeared to be fouled, but nowhistle was blown and the ball was ruled to have gone out of bounds offJames. “He fouled me twice,” James said. “But whatever. What are you going to do about it?”Durant said his moves were clean. “He’s too big,” Durant said. “He’s too big for that. He’s too big. That ain’t no foul.”The Cavs were forced to foul to stop the clock and Thompson sank four late free throws to seal the triumph. “Klay was great down the stretch and we were able to pull this game out,” said Warriors forward Draymond Green.“Kevin was great. He made a big play on LeBron. He was able to put hisheart out there and make the big play and get us the ball.”Green contributed 12 points, 12 rebounds and 11 assists for his first triple double of the season.Cleveland’s Kevin Love had game highs of 31 points and 18 rebounds whileJames added 20 points but made a game-high seven turnovers.The Warriors were without Stephen Curry, who has missed three weeks withan ankle injury and could miss another week, while the Cavaliers werewithout Isaiah Thomas, who has been sidelined since being obtained in atrade with Boston involving Kyrie Irving. Wizards dump CelticsAt Boston, the Celtics took a 95-90 lead with 6:18 remaining on anIrving 3-pointer in their first-ever Christmas Day home game. ButWashington scored the next 12 points, Bradley Beal and Kelly Oubre eachmaking five points in the pivotal run, and the Wizards closed the game with a 21-8 run in a 111-103 victory.Beal scored a game-high 25 points while John Wall added 21 points and 14assists and Otto Porter added 20 points for the Wizards. Irving andJayson Tatum each scored 20 to lead the Celtics. Minnesota had 23 points each from Taj Gibson and Jimmy Butler whileKarl-Anthony Towns added 21 points and 10 rebounds to power theTimberwolves over the host Los Angeles Lakers 121-104. Kyle Kuzma ledthe Lakers with a game-high 31 points.Thunder down HoustonAt Oklahoma City, Russell Westbrook scored 31 points and passed off 11assists to spark the host Thunder over Houston 112-107.  Paul Georgeadded 24 points and Carmelo Anthony contributed 20 as Oklahoma Citysurged ahead in the final minutes for the victory.James Harden had 29 points and 14 assists to lead the Rockets, who fellto 25-7 and a game behind Golden State for the NBA’s best record. AtMadison Square Garden, Joel Embiid scored 25 points and grabbed 16rebounds while JJ Redick added 24 points to power the Philadelphia 76ersover host New York 105-98.Redick sank four 3-pointers while Australian Ben Simmons, who finishedwith only eight points, made a steal and breakaway slam dunk with 66seconds remaining to give the 76ers an eight-point cushion.Enes Kanter had 31 points – 14 in the third quarter – and 22 rebounds tolead the Knicks while Kristaps Porzingis added 22 points in a losingcause.