Ten teams were in action in the NBA's traditional Christmas feast yesterday, and one of the five games was a first meeting since last year's Finals between the Golden State Warriors and Cleveland Cavaliers.
In June the Warriors clinched their first title in 40 years and they again got the better of the Cavs with an 89-83 victory to remain perfect at home this season. Draymond Green starred with 22 points, 15 rebounds and seven assists.
Including last year's regular season, Golden State have won 32 straight home games and now sit at 28-1 at the top of the Western Conference after snapping the Cavs' six-game winning streak, despite LeBron James's game-high 25-point haul for the visitors.
In the match before, the Chicago Bulls ended their three-game losing streak with a 105-96 success away at the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Jimmy Butler, after making a slow start, finished with 23 points for the Bulls, while Kevin Durant shone in defeat for the Thunder, who lost for the first time in four games, with 29 points, nine boards and seven assists.
The first game of the day took place at AmericanAirlines Arena and overtime was needed to separate the Miami Heat and New Orleans Pelicans.
Chris Bosh led the way with 30 points and 10 rebounds as the Heat came through 94-88 to inflict a 14th away defeat on New Orleans, whose star forward Anthony Davis put up 29 points, 15 rebounds, four assists, four steals and three blocks.
The longest winning streak in the league came to an end at Toyota Center as the Houston Rockets edged out the San Antonio Spurs 88-84 in an all-Texan affair.
The Spurs had won seven in a row, but could only score a season-low total in points to lose for the sixth time this season as James Harden (20 points, nine assists) helped Houston return to .500 (15-15).
The final game of the day was between Los Angeles's two teams and the Clippers eased to victory over the Lakers.
It was a first win in four for the Clippers, who led by 28 after three quarters before holding off a late rally by the Lakers. Clippers point-guard Chris Paul top-scored with 23 in the win.
Results in full: New Orleans Pelicans 88-94 Miami Heat, Chicago Bulls 105-96 Oklahoma City Thunder, Cleveland Cavaliers 83-89 Golden State Warriors, San Antonio Spurs 84-88 Houston Rockets, Los Angeles Clippers 94-84 Los Angeles Lakers
Pascal Lemesre
