NBA roundup: Clippers rally to defeat Cavaliers, short-handed Celtics defeat Nets

Kawhi Leonard recorded 33 points, while Ivica Zubac contributed 28 points on his 28th birthday, leading the Los Angeles Clippers to a comeback victory over the NBA-leading Cleveland Cavaliers, 132-119, on Tuesday.

The Cavaliers, who are dominating the Eastern Conference, began their five-game road trip in Los Angeles with a strong performance, amassing 45 points in the first quarter and taking a 73-68 lead into halftime.

However, the Clippers, despite the absence of coach Tyronn Lue due to back spasms, limited the Cavaliers to just 46 points in the second half. This marked Cleveland's second consecutive loss, a first for them since January.

Max Strus led the Cavaliers with 24 points, as their 16-game winning streak was snapped by Orlando on Sunday.

"It's my birthday, I had to bring it," Zubac remarked, emphasizing the Clippers' determination to secure the win as they vie for sixth place in the Western Conference against the Golden State Warriors and Minnesota Timberwolves for a direct playoff spot.

Meanwhile, Golden State's star guard Stephen Curry sat out as the Warriors bounced back from a loss to Denver with a 104-93 win over Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks in San Francisco.

Warriors coach Steve Kerr noted that his "exhausted" superstar required rest following a subpar performance against Denver.

In Curry's absence, Jimmy Butler led the scoring with 24 points, while Brandin Podziemski, starting at guard, added 17 points. The Warriors successfully defended against the Bucks' attempts to mount a comeback in the second half.

Draymond Green contributed defensively, scoring only three points but recording three of his four blocked shots in the first quarter, along with two steals and ten rebounds.

"Draymond, that defence tonight on Giannis was incredible," Kerr said. "To hold him to five field goals - Draymond showed why he's one of the great defenders in the world.

"It wasn't just the defence," Kerr added. "It was the leadership, the energy."

Kyle Kuzma was the top scorer for the Bucks with 22 points, while Antetokounmpo contributed 20 points and Damian Lillard added 16.

After trailing 58-44 at halftime, the Bucks managed to establish a six-point lead late in the third quarter, capitalizing on the Warriors' struggles, which included 10 turnovers out of a total of 19.

However, Butler's three free throws at the end of the third quarter allowed the Warriors to regain a two-point advantage heading into the final period, and the Bucks were unable to reclaim the lead thereafter.

In a separate matchup, Kristaps Porzingis and rookie Baylor Scheierman played pivotal roles as the NBA champion Boston Celtics overcame the absence of their star players, Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, to secure a 104-96 victory against the Brooklyn Nets on Tuesday.

Porzingis showcased his efficiency by making nine of 13 shots, finishing with a game-high 25 points. In his second game back after an eight-game hiatus due to a respiratory illness, he also recorded 13 rebounds, a steal, and three blocked shots.

Scheierman excelled as well, scoring 12 of his career-high 20 points in the fourth quarter, helping the Celtics pull away in a contest where they initially struggled offensively without Brown and Tatum, who were both resting due to persistent knee injuries.

This opportunity enabled Scheierman to excel, as he converted seven out of eight attempts, with six of those being three-pointers.

His three-point shot at the conclusion of the third quarter propelled Boston into the final period with a 71-70 advantage.

Selected as the 30th pick in the NBA draft, he hit consecutive three-pointers in the middle of the fourth quarter, establishing a four-point lead for the Celtics that they maintained until the end.

"He's got a high level of toughness," Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla said of Scheierman, who received a huge ovation as he left the court at Boston's TD Garden arena.

"Probably a top-three environment I've ever been a part of," Scheierman said. "It's just special... the best sports town in the country, best city in the country."

The Celtics, who are headed to the playoffs, achieved their 50th victory of the season. They are currently in second place in the Eastern Conference, trailing only the Cleveland Cavaliers, while maintaining a solid advantage over the third-ranked New York Knicks.

However, Mazzulla emphasized prior to the game that he would not assume the second seed in the East is secure as they approach the final 13 games of the regular season.

"I don't think anything's locked up," Mazzulla said. "We need to win."

SportsLigue