Cavs rest big stars, drop finale to Raptors
Jonas Valanciunas made his first career 3-pointer and the Toronto Raptors closed the regular season with a 98-83 win over the Cavaliers last night in Cleveland, who didn’t play their “Big 3” AllStars so they’re playoff ready.
Norman Powell scored 25 points as the Raptors beat the Cavs for the first time in four tries this season. The Raptors chose to keep legs fresh as All-Star forward DeMar DeRozan (flu-like symptoms) and Serge Ibaka watched.
Although there was still a chance to secure the No.1 seed in the East, the Cavs put more value on rest and sat LeBron James, Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love. The Cavs did get forward Tristan Thompson back after he missed four games with a sprained right thumb. Wearing a brace that he’ll sport in the playoffs, Thompson scored 10 points in 18 minutes.
Cleveland also got its first look at newly signed 7-foot-3 center Edy Tavares, who blocked six shots and grabbed 10 rebounds. The Cavs also signed guard Dahntay Jones, who was signed on the last day of the regular season last year and played in a role in their championship run.
Pacers 104, Hawks 86 — In Indianapolis, Paul George finished with 32 points and 11 rebounds, Jeff Teague added 19 points and Indiana clinched a playoff spot by beating Atlanta.
The Pacers completed the regular season on a fivegame winning streak to earn the Eastern Conference’s No. 7 seed, and will face Cleveland in the opening round.
Ersan Ilyasova scored 15 points and Jose Calderon had 12 on a night the Hawks rested five of their top six players.
Bulls 112, Nets, 73 — Jimmy Butler scored 25 points, and host Chicago beat depleted Brooklyn in the regular-season finale to clinch the final Eastern Conference playoff spot to earn a first-round date against the Celtics.
Paul Zipser added a career-high 21 points off the bench as Chicago took advantage of a short-handed Brooklyn lineup to secure its first playoff appearance under coach Fred Hoiberg.
Heat 110, Wizards 102 — Goran Dragic scored 28 points, Hassan Whiteside added 24 points and 18 rebounds, and host Miami defeated Washington while being eliminated from the NBA playoffs.
Trey Burke scored 27 for Washington.
Rockets 123, Timberwolves 118 — James Harden had his 22nd triple-double with 27 points, 10 rebounds and 12 assists to help host Houston wrap up the regular season with a win over Minnesota.
The MVP contender became the first player in NBA history to finish the regular season with at least 2,000 points (2,356), 900 assists (907) and 600 rebounds (659).
Karl-Anthony Towns finished with 28 points and 21 rebounds for the Timberwolves, who end the season with a six-game losing streak.
Knicks 114, 76ers 113 — Carmelo Anthony scored 17 points after deciding to play in what could be his final game in New York, which edged Philadelphia, which got 26 points from Justin Anderson.
In other Knicks news, Joakim Noah has a right rotator cuff injury and team doctors have recommended offseason surgery for their suspended center.
Magic 113, Pistons 109 — Aaron Gordon had 32 points and 12 rebounds, Elfrid Payton scored 21 points and host Orlando overcame a late-run beat Detroit.
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Ish Smith both scored 20 points each to lead Detroit.
Mavericks 100, Grizzlies 93 — Nicolas Brussino and Devin Harris each scored 15 points and Dallas snapped a five-game losing streak with a victory in Memphis.
The Mavericks won despite leaving starters Dirk Nowitzki, Harrison Barnes and Wesley Matthews, and reserve J.J. Barea at home.
Nuggets 111, Thunder 105 — Russell Westbrook got an MVP endorsement from Oscar Robertson before the game, and the Oklahome City guard only played the first half of the loss to Denver.
Jazz 101, Spurs 97 — In Salt Lake City, Gordon Hayward scored 14 and the Utah held on to beat San Antonio.
Clippers 115, Kings 95 — DeAndre Jordan had 18 points and 17 rebounds, and host Los Angeles defeated Sacramento to clinch the No. 4 seed in the West and home-court advantage in the playoffs.
Warriors 109, Lakers 94 — In Oakland, Calif., Kevin Durant had 29 points, eight rebounds and five assists in his final playoff tuneup, and Golden State beat Los Angeles.
Pelicans 103, Trail Blazers 100 — Jordan Crawford had 15 points and visiting New Orleans snapped a five-game losing streak with a victory against playoff-bound Portland.
Elsewhere in the NBA — Philadelphia 76ers guard Gerald Henderson was fined $25,000 by the NBA for throwing an elbow at Indiana Pacers forward Paul George in Monday night’s game. And George has been fined $25,000 for publicly criticizing the officiating afterward.