DARIUS Garland’s 25 points and Ty Jerome’s 24 helped carry the Cleveland Cavaliers as they maintained their unbeaten record by beating the visiting Charlotte Hornets 128-114 on Sunday night (Monday in Manila).
Four Cleveland players had more than 20 points as the Cavaliers extended their franchise-best winning streak to 15 games. They are the fourth team in NBA history to begin a season 15-0. Only the Golden State Warriors (24-0 in 2015-16) have enjoyed a better start.
Evan Mobley put up 23 points and 11 rebounds and Jarrett Allen added 21 points and 15 rebounds to boost an offense that clicked on 57.1 percent shooting from the field. The Cavaliers excelled without guard Donovan Mitchell (24.6 points per game), who took a rest day and was replaced by Jerome in the starting lineup.
LaMelo Ball had 31 points to go with 12 assists, while Miles Bridges added 19 points for the Hornets, who’ve lost their past five road games after winning the season opener in Houston. Charlotte’s Josh Green, Brandon Miller and Grant Williams all scored 15 points.
In other games, it was the Wolves 120, Suns 117; Clippers 116, Jazz 105; Pistons 124, Wizards 104; Pacers 119, Heat 110; Knicks 114, Nets 104; Mavs 121, Thunder 119; Grizzlies 105, Nuggets 90; Blazers 114, Hawks 110; and Rockets 143, Bulls 107.
Wolves 120, Suns 117
Julius Randle drilled a 3-pointer at the buzzer to lift Minnesota to a dramatic win over Phoenix in Minneapolis.
The loss spoiled a 44-point performance from Devin Booker, who shot 15 of 29 from the field and 6 of 13 from beyond the arc for the Suns. Grayson Allen added 18 points off the bench, and Tyus Jones had 13 points and 11 assists.
Randle, who also hit a buzzer-beater at the end of the first half, finished with 35 points on 11-for-20 shooting and 5 of 11 from behind the arc. Anthony Edwards scored 24 points on 9-for-14 shooting.
Clippers 116, Jazz 105
James Harden scored 20 points, dished out 11 assists and moved into second place on the all-time made 3-pointers list as Los Angeles ended a three-game losing streak with a victory over Utah in Inglewood, Calif.
Ivica Zubac scored 22 points to go with 11 rebounds and Norman Powell added 19 points as the Clippers extended their home winning streak to four games. Los Angeles led by as many as 23 points in the second quarter and cruised to the victory.
Jordan Clarkson scored 21 points and Lauri Markkanen added 18 points and 10 rebounds as the Jazz committed 19 turnovers to Los Angeles’ nine. Kyle Filipowski and John Collins each scored 13 points for Utah, which lost for the fifth time in seven road games this season.
