NBA roundup: Garland scores 40 in Cavs' 12th straight win, Lakers-Hornets postponed
Darius Garland (24) delivered an impressive performance, scoring 40 points as the Cleveland Cavaliers rallied to maintain their unbeaten streak, defeating the Toronto Raptors 132-126 on Thursday.
Just a day after a hard-fought victory against the Oklahoma City Thunder, the Cavaliers found themselves in a precarious position, trailing by 12 points late in the third quarter.
However, Garland's late-game scoring surge revitalized the Cavaliers, and a dominant 34-23 fourth quarter ultimately secured the win for the Eastern Conference leaders.
Garland's final tally of 40 points came from an efficient 14-of-22 shooting, including 14 crucial points during a fourth-quarter explosion that shifted the momentum firmly in favor of Cleveland.
Cavaliers head coach Kenny Atkinson acknowledged the significance of Garland's contribution to the victory, which positions Cleveland at the top of the standings with a remarkable 33-4 record, six games ahead of the defending champion Boston Celtics.
"He carried us," Atkinson remarked regarding Garland's impact. "This is the first game all year where I felt like one player truly led us."
"While we struggled, he single-handedly dominated this game."
Atkinson further emphasized that Garland's performance solidifies his candidacy for next month's All-Star game.
"I have great respect for the league, but he deserves to be recognized among the All-Star elite. He was extraordinary, completely taking control of the game and leading us."
In the absence of Donovan Mitchell, Garland received scoring support from Evan Mobley, who contributed 21 points, while Jarrett Allen added 18 points along with 15 rebounds, two blocks, and a steal, showcasing a well-rounded performance.
In other NBA matchups on Thursday, the injury-plagued Dallas Mavericks executed a remarkable comeback in the fourth quarter, securing a 117-111 victory against the Portland Trail Blazers in Dallas.
Despite the absence of key players Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving, the Mavericks appeared to be on the verge of defeat, trailing by 10 points with just over four minutes left in the game. However, a stunning 16-0 run turned the tide, leading to an unexpected win for Dallas. P.J. Washington was the standout performer, scoring 23 points, while Dereck Lively contributed 21 points to seal the victory.
In Orlando, Julius Randle recorded 23 points and Anthony Edwards added 21 as the Minnesota Timberwolves comfortably defeated the Magic with a score of 104-89.
Meanwhile, in Detroit, the Golden State Warriors narrowly overcame the Pistons, finishing with a 107-104 win on the road. Buddy Hield was the leading scorer for the Warriors with 19 points, while Stephen Curry managed 17 points despite a rare off night, shooting only five-of-21 from the field and making just two of 14 attempts from beyond the arc.
In Los Angeles, the scheduled home game for the Lakers against the Charlotte Hornets was postponed due to devastating wildfires that have ravaged large areas of the city. Lakers head coach J.J. Redick was among those affected, as his home in Pacific Palisades was destroyed by the flames.
SportsLigue