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January 1, 2014

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Suns spank the Clippers

Phoenix closed within half a game of the Los Angeles Clippers for the NBA Pacific Division lead with an impressive 107-88 road win on Monday.

Goran Dragic scored 26 points and dished out eight assists for the Suns before sitting out the fourth quarter.

Among the day’s other games, LeBron James celebrated his 29th birthday by returning to Miami’s lineup in a narrow win over slumping Denver, New Orleans edged Portland thanks to Tyreke Evans last-gasp jump-shot, and Dallas also prevailed in a tight contest to beat Minnesota.

Phoenix’s Gerald Green added 21 points off the bench for the Suns, who have won 10 of their past 12 under first-year coach Jeff Hornacek.

Blake Griffin and Jamal Crawford each scored 15 points for Los Angeles, which had won by an average of 20 points in its previous three home games against Phoenix, but suffered its heaviest loss of the season this time.

Miami’s James scored 26 points on his return from a groin injury to help steer an injury-stricken Heat lineup to a 97-94 win over Denver.

James played a key role for the Heat who had to do without Dwyane Wade, who sat out the second half due to back spasms, and his replacement Norris Cole, who had a heavy fall midway through the third quarter.

“Great road win,” James said. “We came in with a mindset that we wanted to end 2013 on the right note and we did.

“They made a run and we were able to withstand that and get a great road win.”

Chris Bosh had 17 points for Miami while Ty Lawson had 26 points to lead the Nuggets, who have lost seven straight.

New Orleans’ Tyreke Evans hit a pull-up jumper from 17 feet with 1.2 seconds left to give the Pelicans a 110-108 win over Portland.

Evans’ big basket came right after Portland’s Damian Lillard, who has hit several game-winners this season, made a contested 3-pointer to tie the score at 108.

Anthony Davis forced LaMarcus Aldridge into a tough shot from the baseline that bounced off the top of the backboard as time ran out, allowing the Pelicans to hang on for their fourth-successive home win.

In other games, it was: Mavericks 100, Timberwolves 98; Wizards 106, Pistons 99; Bulls 95, Grizzlies 91; and Jazz 83, Bobcats 80.

 




 

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