Stephen Curry returns to help Warriors beat Washington, Dallas Mavericks beat Raptors
Last Updated: 25/02/15 11:05am
Golden State's Stephen Curry returned from injury to top score with 32 points and help the Warriors to a 114-107 win at Washington on Tuesday, extending their overall NBA lead.
The Warriors extended their Western Conference lead to 3-1/2 games over idle Memphis, and are now one game ahead of East leaders Atlanta.
Curry missed Sunday's defeat at Indiana with a sore right foot but showed little sign of discomfort at Washington, playing nearly 34 minutes and hitting 11 of 18 field goal attempts, including five of nine from 3-point range.
Klay Thompson added 17 more for Golden State, who have won five of their last six games. Paul Pierce had 25 points, with 18 coming in the second half, for the Wizards, who have lost four in a row.
In the day's other key game, Dallas surged at the start of the fourth quarter to beat Toronto. The Mavericks hit seven of their first 10 shots in the fourth quarter to set up a 99-92 victory over the Raptors.
Monta Ellis scored 20 points and Dirk Nowitzki had 18 for the Mavericks, whose third-straight win moved them within half a game of state rival Houston in the Western Conference playoff race. DeMar DeRozan had 18 points for the Raptors.
Cleveland's Kevin Love tied a career-best with eight 3-pointers for 24 points, helping the Cavaliers win 102-93 at Detroit.
Love fell just one short of team-mate J.R. Smith's record of nine 3-pointers against Detroit. Love missed both his two-point attempts.
LeBron James added 19 points and 11 assists, and nearly achieved an odd triple-double, turning the ball over nine times, one short of his career worst. The Cavaliers have won 17 of 19 and are only half a game behind Chicago for the Central Division lead.
Reggie Jackson had 22 points, nine assists and eight rebounds in his second game with Detroit.
Oklahoma City extended their winning streak to seven with a 105-92 victory over Indiana, with Russell Westbrook picking up his third triple-double of the season with 20 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists.
Tuesday's results:
Dallas Mavericks 99-92 Toronto Raptors
Detroit Pistons 93-102 Cleveland Cavaliers
Oklahoma City Thunder 105-92 Indiana Pacers
Washington Wizards 107-114 Golden State Warriors