Friday featured 14 NBA regular season matchups. Ailing Golden State routed visiting Portland calling an end to a four-game skid thanks to Kevin Durant's 32 points, eight rebounds, and seven assists. LA Clippers defeated Memphis in an onerous overtime match, ranking first in the Western Conference. Toronto nailed another in a streak of four wins, continuing to dominate in the Eastern Conference.
Warriors pound Blazers to end skid
Kevin Durant #35 of the Golden State Warriors passes the ball against the Portland Trail Blazers at ORACLE Arena in Oakland, California, November 23, 2018. /VCG Photo
Kevin Durant scored 14 of his game-high 32 points in a second-quarter run-away, as the Golden State Warriors snapped a four-game losing streak with a 125-97 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers in Oakland, California.
Klay Thompson was right behind with 31 points as the Warriors, who shot 56.5 percent overall and 53.1 percent on three-pointers, beat the Trail Blazers for the eighth consecutive time at home.
Durant had a three-pointer and a three-point play among his 14 points in what turned out to be a 35-11 burst that produced a 59-40 lead late in the half.
The Warriors went on to lead by as many as 22 points in the third period before coasting home.
Leonard shines as Raptors pull away from Wizards
Toronto Raptors forward Kawhi Leonard (2) tries to get pass Washington Wizards center Thomas Bryant (13) and Washington Wizards forward Kelly Oubre Jr. (12) during the first half NBA basketball action in Toronto, November 23, 2018. /VCG Photo
Kawhi Leonard had 27 points and 10 rebounds, and Toronto pulled away for a victory against visiting Washington for its fourth straight win.
Five other Raptors scored in double figures, led by Kyle Lowry and OG Anunoby, who finished with 15 points each. Toronto, owner of the NBA's best record (16-4), shot 49.5 percent, including 43.6 percent (17 of 39) from 3-point range.
Bradley Beal led the Wizards with 20 points. John Wall had 11 points and 11 assists but turned the ball over seven times, as Washington was unable to build on its stirring come-from-behind win over the Clippers on Tuesday.
Clippers post OT win to halt Grizzlies' win streak
Montrezl Harrell #5 of the LA Clippers shoots the ball against the Memphis Grizzlies on November 23, 2018 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California. /VCG Photo
Montrezl Harrell recorded 22 points and 11 rebounds off the bench, and Danilo Gallinari added 20 as Los Angeles rallied to earn a victory and end visiting Memphis' five-game winning streak.
The Clippers trailed by eight points with two minutes remaining in regulation, capping their game-tying comeback when Gallinari made three free throws with 0.8 seconds remaining after he was fouled by Marc Gasol on a three-point attempt.
Gasol had 27 points and 13 rebounds while Mike Conley scored 19 points with 11 assists for the Grizzlies, who had just moved atop the Western Conference after a victory at San Antonio on Tuesday.
Other games include: (with the home team in bold)
Minnesota Timberwolves 112-102 Brooklyn Nets
Detroit Pistons 116-111 Houston Rockets (OT)
Boston Celtics 114-96 Atlanta Hawks
New York Nicks 114-109 New Orleans Pelicans
Cleveland Cavaliers 121-112 Philadelphia 76ers
San Antonio Spurs 111-100 Indiana Pacers
Miami Heat 103-96 Chicago Bulls
Oklahoma City Thunder 109-104 Charlotte Hornets
Phoenix Suns 116-114 Milwaukee Bucks
Denver Nuggets 112-87 Orlando Magic
Los Angeles Lakers 90-83 Utah Jazz