The streak is alive.
Despite missing Donovan Mitchell, the NBA-best Cavaliers survived another thriller with Darius Garland stepping up in the clutch for a 12th straight win.
Meanwhile, the Minnesota Timberwolves and Houston Rockets stayed on point in stretching their own winning runs.
GARLAND GOES FOR 40-PIECE; MAVERICKS COMPLETE GUSTY COMEBACK
- Cleveland Cavaliers (33-4) def. Toronto Raptors (8-30), 132-126: For the second straight time, the Cavaliers proved steadier in the endgame to keep their winning streak alive.
- DG THE PG 40-PIECE: Darius Garland dropped season-high 40 points as Cleveland won 12 straight games and improved to a league-best 20-1 record at home.
- Dallas Mavericks (22-16) def. Portland Trail Blazers (13-24), 117-111: Dallas used an electrifying 36-22 fourth quarter to complete a gutsy comeback over the Trail Blazers.
- Golden State Warriors (19-18) def. Detroit Pistons (19-19), 107-104: The Warriors kicked off a four-game East coast road trip with a 107-104 squeaker over the Pistons, whose five-game winning run ended.
[ALSO READ: Warriors buck Stephen Curry off-night to end Pistons’ five-game winning streak]
- Miami Heat (19-17) def. Utah Jazz (9-27), 97-92: Make it back-to-back victories for the Heat after disposing of the Jazz to clinch their 19th dub of the season.
TIMBERWOLVES, ROCKETS KEEP SURGING IN WEST
- Minnesota Timberwolves (20-17) def. Orlando Magic (22-17), 104-89: Make it three straight wins for the Timberwolves after taking care of business against the Magic.
- Early ‘Dunk of the Year’ candidate?: Anthony Edwards added another insane dunk to his highlight reel with a poster slam over Anthony Black en route to finishing with 21 points and seven assists.
- Houston Rockets (25-12) def. Memphis Grizzlies (24-14), 119-115: In a battle between the no. 2 and 3 teams in the West, Alperen Sengun posted a 32-point, 14-rebound outing to lead a close Rockets win.
- Phoenix Suns (17-19) def. Atlanta Hawks (19-19), 123-115: Bradley Beal, Kevin Durant, and Devin Booker joined forces to score 68 points in a much-needed Suns victory to open a three-game homestand.
[ALSO READ: Suns open three-game homestand with big win over Trae Young-led Hawks]
