By conventional measures, Thursday, April 3 was a slow day in the NBA with only two games being played. Fortunately for fans of the association, those two games featured three championship contenders and another team looking to solidify their place in the postseason.
Here’s everything that you need to know about last night’s action.
1. Kevin Durant scored 28 points and Russell Westbrook added 27 as the Oklahoma City Thunder defeated the San Antonio Spurs 106-94. Patty Mills posted 21 points and both Tim Duncan and Kawhi Leonard had 17 for the Spurs, but it wasn’t enough for San Antonio to win on the road.
The Spurs’ loss snaps a franchise-record 19-game winning streak. It’s the first time San Antonio lost since February 21.
2. Durant has scored at least 25 points in 39 consecutive games. That’s the longest streak since Michael Jordan did it in 40 straight in 1986-87.
3. As a result of their victory, the Thunder achieved a season-sweep of the Spurs. It’s the first time that’s happened since 1996-97, when OKC was still the Seattle SuperSonics and Bob Hill opened the season as San Antonio’s coach.
Gregg Popovich didn’t take over until 18 games into that season. 1996-97 ended up being the only time San Antonio has ever closed out a season with a losing record under Pop.
4. Dirk Nowitzki posted 26 points and 11 rebounds to lead the Dallas Mavericks to a 113-107 road victory over the Los Angeles Clippers. DeAndre Jordan responded with 21 points, 15 rebounds, two blocks and a pair of steals, but L.A. ultimately fell short of victory.
Entering 2013-14, Jordan had 39 career double-doubles. He has 39 in 2013-14.
5. It didn’t lead to a win, but Blake Griffin went off for 25 points, 11 assists, 10 rebounds, one block and a steal. It was Griffin’s first triple-double of the season and the fourth of his career.
Bonus Fact: Dallas’ win pushes it into the No. 7 seed. Both the Memphis Grizzlies and Phoenix Suns are .5 games back.