03.12.2023
Sacramento Kings 123 - 117 Denver Nuggets
De’Aaron Fox led the Sacramento Kings to victory over the Denver Nuggets, 123-117, despite Nikola Jokic’s eighth triple-double of the season. Fox had 26 points and a career-high 16 assists, while Malik Monk made a clutch 3-pointer late in the fourth quarter. Jokic finished with 36 points, 14 assists, and 13 rebounds, but it wasn’t enough to overcome the Kings. Denver’s Aaron Gordon returned from injury with 17 points and seven rebounds, while Reggie Jackson added 20 points. The win snapped the Nuggets’ hopes of a third consecutive road win.
Milwaukee Bucks 132 - 121 Atlanta Hawks
Giannis Antetokounmpo recorded his first triple-double of the season and 36th overall, leading the Milwaukee Bucks to a 132-121 victory over the Atlanta Hawks. The Bucks avenged their earlier home loss to the Hawks, with Antetokounmpo contributing 32 points, 11 rebounds, and 10 assists. Trae Young led Atlanta with 32 points and 12 assists, but Milwaukee outscored the Hawks in the final five minutes to secure the win. Cameron Payne and Bobby Portis provided key contributions off the bench for the Bucks, who have won seven straight at home. Milwaukee will next face the New York Knicks in the NBA In-season Tournament quarterfinals, while the Hawks will host the Brooklyn Nets.
Dallas Mavericks 120 - 126 Oklahoma City Thunder
The Oklahoma City Thunder rallied to defeat the Dallas Mavericks 126-120 after allowing a late 30-0 run by the Mavericks in the fourth quarter. The Mavericks took a 117-111 lead before the Thunder scored the game's final eight points, with Jalen Williams leading the way with 23 points. Luka Doncic recorded a triple-double for the Mavericks with 36 points, 18 assists, and 15 rebounds. The Thunder's bench outscored the Mavericks' bench 55-23. Both coaches praised their teams' fortitude following a wild fourth quarter. Doncic returned to the lineup after welcoming a newborn daughter.
Los Angeles Lakers 107 - 97 Houston Rockets
Anthony Davis led the Los Angeles Lakers to a 107-97 victory over the Houston Rockets, keeping the Rockets winless on the road. Davis had 27 points and 14 rebounds, while LeBron James added 16 points and seven assists. The Lakers dominated the paint and their bench outscored the Rockets'. Houston coach Ime Udoka was ejected in the fourth quarter after picking up his second technical for jawing with James, who also got a tech. James made a slick 360-degree reverse layup that sparked the Lakers' bench and crowd. The Rockets will host Oklahoma City next, while the Lakers will host Phoenix in the In-Season Tournament.
LA Clippers 113 - 112 Golden State Warriors
In a thrilling comeback, the Los Angeles Clippers edged out the Golden State Warriors 113-112 with Paul George hitting a game-winning 3-pointer with just 9 seconds remaining, marking the Clippers' first lead of the game. Despite trailing by 22 points in the second half, the Clippers fought back with George leading the team with 25 points, followed by James Harden with 21 points and Kawhi Leonard with 20. Stephen Curry led the Warriors with 22 points and 11 assists, with Draymond Green and Moses Moody adding 21 points each. The Warriors blew a huge lead for the second time in a week, having lost a 24-point advantage against Sacramento earlier.
Charlotte Hornets 117 - 123 Minnesota Timberwolves
TOWNS SCORES 28, GOBERT HAS SEASON-HIGH 26 AND TIMBERWOLVES BEAT HORNETS 123-117 in a game where Minnesota came back strong in the fourth quarter, led by Karl-Anthony Towns and Rudy Gobert. Gobert, who was listed as questionable with a hip injury, had a standout performance with his season-high 26 points and 12 rebounds. Charlotte's head coach Steve Clifford expressed frustration with the officiating, but acknowledged his team's lack of physicality and rebounding as factors in the loss. The Timberwolves improved to 15-4, while the Hornets are set to face Chicago next.
Brooklyn Nets 129 - 101 Orlando Magic
BRIDGES SCORES 42 POINTS, 26 IN FIRST QUARTER, AS NETS SNAP MAGIC'S NINE-GAME WINNING STREAK
Mikal Bridges led the Brooklyn Nets to a 129-101 victory over the Orlando Magic, ending the Magic's nine-game winning streak. Bridges scored 42 points, with 26 coming in the first quarter alone, falling just three points short of his career high. The victory was a bounce-back performance for the Nets after a tough loss to Charlotte, with Spencer Dinwiddie also contributing 22 points. Despite the loss, Franz Wagner and Cole Anthony each had 20 points for the Magic, who now look to bounce back against the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Detroit Pistons 101 - 110 Cleveland Cavaliers
STRUS, GARLAND LEAD CAVALIERS OVER PISTONS 110-101, handing Detroit their 17th straight loss. Max Strus and Darius Garland each scored 22 points, with reserve Isaac Okoro contributing nine points, seven rebounds, four steals, and four assists off the bench for Cleveland. Bojan Bogdanovic made his season debut for the Pistons, scoring 22 points, while Cade Cunningham added 23 points and 11 assists. Detroit started the second half strong but couldn't maintain the lead as Cleveland pulled away in the fourth quarter to secure the win. The Pistons are now 2-18 on the season, while the Cavaliers are set to host Orlando next while Detroit hosts Memphis.
Phoenix Suns 116 - 109 Memphis Grizzlies
Devin Booker returned from a sprained ankle to lead the Phoenix Suns to a 116-109 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies with 34 points, 10 rebounds, and seven assists. Booker was perfect from the free-throw line and hit a key 3-pointer early in the fourth quarter to extend the Suns' lead. Jaren Jackson Jr. had a season-high 37 points for the Grizzlies, but it wasn't enough to overcome Phoenix. The Suns had a significant advantage in free throws made and held on for the win, snapping their two-game losing streak. The game also featured Kevin Durant ending his single-season team record streak of made free throws at 67.
Miami Heat 129 - 144 Indiana Pacers
The Indiana Pacers put on a historic shooting display against the Miami Heat, shooting 66% from the field and setting a franchise record. Despite missing their leading scorer Tyrese Haliburton, the Pacers dominated offensively with Bruce Brown scoring 30 points, Obi Toppin adding 22, and T.J. McConnell contributing 20 points and 11 assists off the bench. The Heat, led by Jimmy Butler with 33 points, fell 144-129 to the Pacers in a high-scoring affair. Miami, missing Bam Adebayo and Haywood Highsmith, could not keep up with the Pacers' hot shooting. The Pacers look ahead to a matchup with Boston in the In-Season Tournament quarterfinals, while the Heat will face Toronto next.
Chicago Bulls 124 - 118 New Orleans Pelicans
In a high-scoring game, the Chicago Bulls defeated the New Orleans Pelicans 124-118, with Coby White scoring a season-high 31 points and DeMar DeRozan adding 24 points and 10 assists. The Bulls, missing Zach LaVine, turned the game around in the third quarter and secured their second straight victory. Zion Williamson played on back-to-back nights for the first time all season and scored 27 points for the Pelicans. Despite missing key players, the Pelicans held opponents to the lowest 3-point shooting percentage in the NBA. Bulls guard Alex Caruso left the game with a left toe injury, adding to the team's injury concerns. The Pelicans will face the Sacramento Kings in an in-season tournament quarterfinal, while the Bulls will host the Hornets next.
Utah Jazz 118 - 113 Portland Trail Blazers
In a thrilling overtime battle, the Utah Jazz emerged victorious over the Portland Trail Blazers with a final score of 118-113. Collin Sexton led the Jazz with a season-high 25 points, while Keyonte George added a career-high 21 points. Malcolm Brogdon and Shaedon Sharpe each scored 25 points for Portland, with Scoot Henderson adding a career-high 17 points. Omer Yurtseven had a season-high 15 rebounds for Utah, including a crucial putback dunk in overtime to secure the win. Despite a valiant effort from the Trail Blazers, the Jazz never trailed in the second half after a strong second quarter run. Jerami Grant left the game due to injury and will be reexamined for a possible concussion.