OAKLAND, California (AP) Golden State’s Draymond Green became the second Warriors player in history to post three straight triple-doubles, leading the hosts to a 111-101 victory over Charlotte which extended their winning streak in regular-season home games to 35.
Green joined Tom Gola, who did it back in 1959-60, in achieving the rare feat as the Warriors pushed their lead in the NBA’s Pacific Division out to 10-1/2 games.
They are three games ahead of San Antonio in the fight over the top record in the Western Conference, with the Spurs keeping up by winning convincingly at Milwaukee.
In another key result, Kyrie Irving led Cleveland to a comfortable home win against Toronto in a clash of Eastern Conference divisional leaders.
Green had 13 points, 15 rebounds and 10 assists. The previous player in the NBA to post three straight triple-doubles was Oklahoma City’s Russell Westbrook, who had a four-game streak last season.
Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson scored 30 points apiece for the Warriors.
Kemba Walker and Jeremy Lamb each scored 22 points for the Hornets, who have lost a season-worst four straight.
San Antonio’s Kawhi Leonard scored 10 of his 24 points in the decisive third quarter to guide the Spurs to a 123-98 win at Milwaukee.
Rookie swingman Jonathon Simmons scored a career-high 18 for the Spurs, who set a season high for points just two days after they had done the same by posting 121 against Houston.
San Antonio won despite being without starting point guard Tony Parker due to right hip soreness.
Cleveland’s Kyrie Irving showed he was getting back to his best after a long injury absence, scoring 25 points to lead the Cavaliers to a 122-100 win against Toronto.
Irving, playing his sixth game since returning from a broken left kneecap, was 10 of 16 from the field. The three-time All-Star was injured in Game 1 of last season’s NBA Finals.
J.R. Smith had 24 on eight 3-pointers for the Cavaliers, who had all five starters score in double figures and improved to 15-1 at home.
The Raptors were led by Kyle Lowry’s 23 points.
Miami came from 18 points down in the third quarter to force overtime and wound up beating Indiana 103-100.
Chris Bosh scored 31 points while Dwyane Wade had 27 including a layup that beat the buzzer and forced overtime.
Paul George scored 32 points on 12-for-29 shooting for Indiana, but his 3-pointer from the right corner bounced off the rim on the game’s final play.
Detroit posted its biggest victory margin of the season by beating Orlando 115-89.
Andre Drummond had 17 points and 12 rebounds while Kentavious Caldwell-Pope scored 21 points for the Pistons, who were only ahead by three points early in the third quarter before pulling away.
Victor Oladipo, starting in place of injured guard Elfrid Payton, led Orlando with 18 points.
Sacramento capitalized on the absence of Kevin Durant due to a sprained big toe and won 116-104 at Oklahoma City, led by 33 points and a season-best 19 rebound by DeMarcus Cousins.
Portland’s Damian Lillard returned from seven games out with plantar fasciitis but it was not enough for the Trail Blazers, who lost 91-78 at home against Memphis, with Zach Randolph contributing 26 points and 18 rebounds off the bench against his former team.
Houston snapped a four-game skid by overrunning Utah and winning 93-91 after having been 15 points down midway through the third quarter when James Harden lit up en route to 30 points.
Boston’s Jae Crowder scored a career-high 25 points with a strong start and a clutch finish, steering the Celtics to a 103-94 victory against Brooklyn, which has lost seven straight home games.
Philadelphia notched its third win in six games – after having lost 30 of 31 before then – by beating Minnesota 109-99.
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