26.02.2024
Phoenix Suns 123 - 113 Los Angeles Lakers
Grayson Allen led the Phoenix Suns to a 123-113 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers with 24 points, while Royce O'Neale and Jusuf Nurkic also had standout performances. The Suns, known for their Big Three of Kevin Durant, Devin Booker, and Bradley Beal, showcased their depth with role players stepping up for the win. The Lakers, led by LeBron James and Anthony Davis, fell behind by 20 points early but made a comeback before the Suns pulled away in the fourth quarter. Phoenix outrebounded Los Angeles and had four starters score at least 20 points. The Suns are now the West's No. 8 seed, ahead of the Lakers at No. 9, both aiming to avoid the play-in tournament in the competitive Western Conference.
Houston Rockets 110 - 123 Oklahoma City Thunder
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had a dominant performance with 36 points as the Oklahoma City Thunder won their fifth straight game, defeating the Houston Rockets 123-110. Chet Holmgren added 29 points for the Thunder, who moved into a tie for first place in the Western Conference. The Rockets, led by Fred VanVleet and Jabari Smith Jr., were unable to keep up with Oklahoma City's offensive firepower. The Thunder used a strong second half, including a 16-2 run in the third quarter, to secure the victory. The teams will meet again in Oklahoma City on Tuesday night for a rematch.
New Orleans Pelicans 106 - 114 Chicago Bulls
In a hard-fought game, the Chicago Bulls led by Nikola Vucevic and DeMar DeRozan came out on top with a 114-106 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans, sweeping the season series. Vucevic recorded his 500th career double-double with 22 points and 13 rebounds, while DeRozan added 24 points, including a crucial 3-pointer late in the game. The Bulls overcame injuries to key players to secure the win, with Ayo Desunmu also contributing 21 points. Zion Williamson had a strong showing for the Pelicans with 19 points, 11 assists, and nine rebounds, but Brandon Ingram's 22 points were overshadowed by his nine turnovers. The Pelicans committed 19 turnovers overall, leading to the Bulls' comeback in the third quarter. Chicago will next host Detroit, while New Orleans will visit New York.
Indiana Pacers 133 - 111 Dallas Mavericks
Myles Turner scored a season-high 33 points, leading the Indiana Pacers to a 133-111 victory over the Dallas Mavericks, snapping Dallas' seven-game winning streak. Luka Doncic also scored 33 points for the Mavericks, but it wasn't enough to overcome Indiana's hot shooting, as the Pacers made 14 3-pointers and shot 56% from the field. Tyrese Haliburton added 17 points and 10 assists for the Pacers, who have now won three games in a row and solidified their hold on sixth place in the Eastern Conference. The Mavericks will look to bounce back on Tuesday against the Cleveland Cavaliers, while the Pacers are set to face the Toronto Raptors on Monday.
Golden State Warriors 103 - 119 Denver Nuggets
Nikola Jokic led the Denver Nuggets to a 119-103 victory over the Golden State Warriors with his third straight triple-double of the season, finishing with 32 points, 16 rebounds, and 16 assists. The win marked the Nuggets' seventh consecutive victory against the Warriors, sweeping the four-game season series and making a statement as the regular season winds down. Klay Thompson scored 23 points in the first half for the Warriors, while Stephen Curry finished with 20 points. Jokic's dominant performance, along with strong contributions from Jamal Murray and Aaron Gordon, helped the Nuggets secure the win and continue their winning streak against the Warriors.
Utah Jazz 128 - 109 San Antonio Spurs
The Utah Jazz defeated the San Antonio Spurs 128-109, snapping a five-game losing streak. Lauri Markkanen led the way with 26 points, while Jordan Clarkson added 22 points and 10 assists. The Jazz excelled in transition and took advantage of San Antonio turnovers, outscoring the Spurs on the fast break. Devin Vassell had 27 points for the Spurs, but it wasn't enough to overcome Utah's strong performance. The win brings the Jazz within three games of a Western Conference play-in spot.
Portland Trail Blazers 80 - 93 Charlotte Hornets
The Charlotte Hornets defeated the Portland Trail Blazers 93-80 as Portland struggled with their 3-point shooting, going 3 of 32 from beyond the arc. Nick Richards had a double-double with 21 points and 10 rebounds for the Hornets, while Deandre Ayton led the Trail Blazers with 26 points and 19 rebounds. Miles Bridges added 18 points and 10 rebounds for Charlotte. The win improved the Hornets to 15-42, while the Trail Blazers dropped their eighth straight game to fall to 15-41. Portland will look to bounce back when they host Miami next, while the Hornets will face off against Milwaukee.
LA Clippers 107 - 123 Sacramento Kings
The Sacramento Kings beat the Los Angeles Clippers 123-107 behind De’Aaron Fox's 33 points and Domantas Sabonis's triple-double, handing LA back-to-back losses for the first time since December. Norman Powell led the Clippers with 21 points in place of Paul George, who was out with a knee injury. The Kings won their third game in a row, with Harrison Barnes adding 22 points. Sabonis recorded his 20th triple-double of the season, making him one of six players in NBA history to achieve this feat. The Clippers cut the deficit to five in the fourth quarter but the Kings pulled away for the victory. Los Angeles will look to bounce back against the Lakers on Wednesday, while the Kings face the Miami Heat in a back-to-back matchup on Monday.
Washington Wizards 105 - 114 Cleveland Cavaliers
In a matchup between the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Washington Wizards, the Cavs avoided a three-game losing streak by defeating the Wizards 114-105. Jarrett Allen had a double-double with 22 points and 12 rebounds, while Caris LeVert contributed 18 points and 12 boards. Darius Garland scored 15 points, including eight during a late 22-4 run to secure the win. The victory put the Cavs back on track as they currently sit second in the Eastern Conference, one game ahead of Milwaukee. Jordan Poole scored a season-high 31 points for the Wizards, who extended their losing streak to 11 games under interim coach Brian Keefe. The Cavs will host Dallas next, while the Wizards will host Golden State.
Philadelphia 76ers 98 - 119 Milwaukee Bucks
The Milwaukee Bucks beat the Philadelphia 76ers 119-98 in Doc Rivers' return to Philadelphia, with Giannis Antetokounmpo scoring 30 points and Damian Lillard adding 24. Rivers, who was fired by the 76ers last season, received a chorus of boos but his team quickly took control with a blistering first quarter. Antetokounmpo had 12 rebounds and nine assists, while the Bucks' defense held the 76ers to just 11 free throw attempts. Malik Beasley added 20 points and Bobby Portis Jr. had 17, as the Bucks won their second straight game under Rivers' coaching. Tyrese Maxey led the 76ers with 24 points as they have dropped eight of 12 games since losing Joel Embiid to injury.
Atlanta Hawks 109 - 92 Orlando Magic
Dejounte Murray stepped up in place of injured Trae Young, nearly recording a triple-double with 25 points, 11 assists, and 9 rebounds as the Atlanta Hawks trounced the Orlando Magic 109-92 to snap a three-game skid. Jalen Johnson added 21 points and nine rebounds for the Hawks, while Franz Wagner led the Magic with 19 points. The Hawks' defense held the Magic to their lowest point total of the season, with the Magic struggling at the free-throw line. Murray's 12 points in the third quarter fueled an 18-1 run that helped the Hawks pull away for the win. Kobe Bufkin also saw his first action at point guard in place of Young.