NBA scores 2017: Warriors and Cavaliers both lose on weird night around the league

Dion Waiters hit a game-winner over Klay Thompson and the Cavaliers lost to the Pelicans without Anthony Davis.

Jan 24, 2017, 1:00 PM UTC

NBA: Golden State Warriors at Miami Heat

Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

It was an interesting night around the NBA as the Warriors lost to the Heat, the Cavaliers lost to the Pelicans, and the Knicks finally snapped a 9-game losing streak on the road. On a night where things were a bit different than normal, one thing remained the same, and that was Russell Westbrook recording another triple-double. It was his 22nd of the year and his first ever against the Utah Jazz. Westbrook is now tied for fifth all-time in triple doubles with Larry Bird at 59.

Dion Waiters hit a game-winner over Klay Thompson

Yes, you read that correctly. Dion Waiters hit a game-winner to beat the Warriors. The Heat aren’t in playoff contention and probably won’t get close to the eighth seed this season, but they have won five games in a row now and just beat the Warriors. The Heat in fact snapped a seven-game winning streak for the Warriors and handed them their seventh loss of the season.

The Heat were ahead by as much as 10 points in the fourth quarter, but the Warriors fought back to tie the game at 102. Waiters had other plans, though, as he scored a career-high 33 points on Monday night. This career high is actually a tie as Waiters also scored 33 points in the previous Heat game. Waiters was clutch for the Heat down the stretch by hitting two three-pointers, including this game-winner with 0.6 remaining.

In true Dion Waiters fashion, he gave us an instant classic celebration that quickly turned into an internet meme.

When Kevin Durant was asked about the game-winner he said it felt “sh***ty” but said it with a smile. He appears to still have good feelings toward his former teammate from the Thunder.

The Cavaliers lost to the Pelicans without Anthony Davis

This may sound strange but the Cavaliers lost on a night where Kyrie Irving scored 49 points and LeBron James had a triple-double with 26 points, 10 rebounds, and 12 assists. The Cavaliers were actually down by 20 points at halftime, but the Pelicans were able to hold off the comeback, winning 124-122 in New Orleans.

Terrence Jones and Jrue Holiday were huge for the Pelicans as they played without Anthony Davis. Jones had 36 points and 11 rebounds while Holiday finished with 33 points, 10 assists, six rebounds, three steals, and two blocks. Games like this will remind folks that Holiday will be a highly sought after unrestricted free agent this summer.

Jones also had this nice block on LeBron James to top off the night.

While it was a strange loss for the Cavaliers, there apparently is a pattern here.

The Pelicans are only two games out of the eighth seed in the West, which is anyone’s to grab at this point. While the Nuggets currently sit in eighth place, six teams including the Pelicans, Trail Blazers, Pelicans, Kings, Timberwolves, and Mavericks are currently within four games of the last playoff spot.

Russell Westbrook hit a game-winner over the Jazz

It was a night for streaks to end as the Jazz also had their six-game winning streak snapped. Russell Westbrook finished the night with 38 points, 10 rebounds, 10 assists, and one game winner. Westbrook missed 13 straight shots at one point during the game but was able to hit four of his final six, including the game-winner. Let Westbrook be Westbrook, they say.

Sequence of the night

Myles Turner got the block on Derrick Rose on defense and then followed up with a putback dunk on the other the end. Just a friendly reminder that he is only 20 years old.