Wall lifts Wizards over Cavaliers in NBA

Mar 26, 2017 - 5:09 AM John Wall scored 37 points and Bradley Beal added 27 as the Washington Wizards began a challenging road trip by beating LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers 127-115 in the NBA.

Wall scored 18 in the first quarter, when the Wizards shot 82 percent, and Washington held on down the stretch to avenge an overtime loss to the NBA champions last month.

James, who briefly wore goggles to protect an eye injury sustained Friday night (Saturday AEDT), scored 24 and added 11 rebounds and eight assists. Kyrie Irving added 23 points and Kevin Love 17 for Cleveland, playing at home for the only time in a seven-game stretch.

Washington's victory cut Cleveland's lead in the Eastern Conference to a half-game over idle Boston, with the Wizards two games further back.

Kawhi Leonard scored 29 points while LaMarcus Aldridge added 19 points and 10 rebounds to help the San Antonio Spurs beat the New York Knicks 106-98.

Boomers guard Patty Mills contributed 10 points and seven rebounds off the bench.

San Antonio have won four straight heading into home games against Cleveland and Golden State. The Spurs (56-16) are two games behind the Warriors (58-14) for the league's best record.

Derrick Rose and Willy Hernangomez each scored 24 points and Hernangomez added 13 rebounds for the Knicks.

Jamal Crawford scored 28 points off the bench and the Los Angeles Clippers beat the Utah Jazz 108-95 to clinch a playoff berth for the sixth straight year.

The Clippers trail the Jazz by a half-game in their race for the No. 4 playoff seed in the West.

Blake Griffin added 15 points and DeAndre Jordan had 15 rebounds for the Clippers.

Rudy Gobert had 26 points and 14 rebounds for Utah, and reserve Joe Johnson added 17 points.

DeMar DeRozan and Serge Ibaka scored 18 points apiece as the Toronto Raptors beat the Dallas Mavericks 94-86 for their fifth-straight victory.

Patrick Patterson added 14 points for Toronto, including a perfect 4 for 4 on 3-pointers.

Harrison Barnes scored 23 points for the Mavericks, who fell four games behind Denver for the final playoff spot in the West.

Source: AAP