NBA Roundup: Lakers Extend Streak, Spurs and Celtics Win Key Battles
Slovenian star Luka Dončić scored 36 points, leading the surging Los Angeles Lakers to their sixth straight win in the NBA, defeating the Houston Rockets 100-92 on Monday.
The decisive clash between the third- and fourth-placed teams in the Western Conference saw the Lakers seize the lead in the final minute of the fourth quarter, securing a notable road victory.
This win gives the Lakers (43 wins, 25 losses) a crucial edge over the Rockets (41 wins, 26 losses) in the race for Western Conference playoff spots.
Dončić was once again the decisive factor, while the Lakers' stout defense limited the Rockets' scoring.
Dončić said: "We held them to just 92 points, which is great against this team. We had an excellent defensive performance," adding: "We could have been better, but all that matters is the win. We need to keep it going."
LeBron James finished with 18 points, Austin Reaves added 15, while Jabari Smith Jr. led Houston with 22 points.
In another game, San Antonio Spurs relied on balanced offense to beat the Los Angeles Clippers 119-115, solidifying their second-place spot in the West.
Stephon Castle topped the Spurs' scorers with 23 points, while French star Victor Wembanyama had 21 points, 13 rebounds, and 4 blocks in a complete performance.
Wembanyama said: "They pressured us in the first quarter, and sometimes basketball doesn't go as planned. So we had to get a bit fiercer." This marked San Antonio's 18th win in their last 20, overcoming a 14-point first-quarter deficit for a deserved victory, improving to 50-18 and staying close to Oklahoma City Thunder leaders (53-15).
Boston Celtics kept chasing Detroit Pistons atop the East, beating visiting Phoenix Suns 120-112.
The game turned into a high-scoring duel between Boston's Jaylen Brown (41 points) and Phoenix's Devin Booker (40), with Celtics clinching it.
Brown got support from Jayson Tatum and Derrick White (21 points each), while Payton Pritchard shone off the bench with 19 points, including 15 from threes.
Boston's second straight win lifts them to 45-23, 3.5 games behind Detroit (48-19).
Phoenix drops to 39-29 in 7th West, outside direct playoff spots.
After five straight losses, Golden State Warriors regained winning form, beating Washington Wizards 125-117.
Despite missing key players like Stephen Curry, Latvian Kristaps Porziņģis off the bench starred with 30 points in his new Warriors jersey, worn only 5 times since joining in early February.
The matchup between streaking teams went to Atlanta Hawks, who notched their 10th straight win over Orlando Magic (7 straight wins), 124-112.
