Heat beat Wizards 112-97 to claim top spot in East, get 4th consecutive victory

By Emre Asikci

ISTANBUL (AA) - Miami Heat claimed a 112-97 victory over Wizards Thursday for the fourth consecutive victory.

Playing at FTX Arena, Miami Heat made seven out of eight 3-pointers in the third period to gain control. Heat guard Duncan Robinson's 3-pointer with 3:59 remaining time in the quarter gave his team its largest lead at 75-57 score.

Center Bam Adebayo, who returned from a two-clash absence due to left knee produced 20 points and nine rebounds.

All-Star forward Jimmy Butler was the highest scorer of the game with 32 points.

P. J. Tucker scored 15 points while Nigerian guard Gabe Vincent came off the bench to add 18 points.

For the losing side, Kyle Kuzma posted a double-double with 19 points and 13 rebounds.

Bradley Beal helped his team with 30 points.

First-place Miami Heat have an 11-5 win/loss record in the Eastern Conference.

- Curry scores 40 points in Warriors' win

Golden State Warriors defeated Cleveland Cavaliers with a 104-89 score at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse.

Both sides were close in the first half that ended with Cleveland having a three-point lead, 54-51.

Cleveland got away with an 8-point lead (68-60) before the end of the third period and with a 13-point lead (81-68) by the end of it.

But Golden State Warriors got off on a 17-0 run that put them ahead 85-81, allowing the team to open the gap even more.

Warriors star Stephen Curry led all scorers with 40 points as Cavaliers' Darius Garland played with 25 points for his team.

With this win, the Warriors remained at top of the Western Conference with a 13-2 win/loss record.

- Results:

Cleveland Cavaliers - Golden State Warriors: 89-104

Miami Heat - Washington Wizards: 112-97

Memphis Grizzlies - Los Angeles Clippers: 120-108

Minnesota Timberwolves - San Antonio Spurs: 115-90

Denver Nuggets - Philadelphia 76ers: 89-103

Utah Jazz - Toronto Raptors: 119-103