11.03.2024
Miami Heat 108 - 110 Washington Wizards
Kyle Kuzma led the Washington Wizards to a 110-108 victory over the Miami Heat with 32 points. This win marked the Wizards' second consecutive victory after ending a 16-game losing streak. Corey Kispert contributed 22 points, Deni Avdija added 16, and Tyus Jones had 12 points and 16 assists. The Heat, who lost their third straight game, were led by Jimmy Butler's 23 points. The Wizards shot 16 of 39 from beyond the arc, including key 3-pointers in the fourth quarter. With this win, the Wizards look to continue their success as they face Memphis next, while the Heat aim to bounce back against Denver.
Cleveland Cavaliers 101 - 120 Brooklyn Nets
Cam Thomas led the Brooklyn Nets with 29 points as they pulled away to defeat the injury-riddled Cleveland Cavaliers 120-101. Cleveland was without several key players, including Donovan Mitchell, and struggled to keep up with the Nets throughout the game. Mikal Bridges contributed 25 points for Brooklyn, who only trailed for 1:41 in the game. The victory puts the Nets at 1-2 on their current road trip, with a matchup against the Orlando Magic next.
Oklahoma City Thunder 124 - 93 Memphis Grizzlies
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the Oklahoma City Thunder to a dominant 124-93 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies, scoring 23 points in just three quarters. Rookie Cason Wallace also had a standout performance with 22 points, while the Thunder made 11 3-pointers in the first half. Despite losing Jalen Williams to an ankle injury, Oklahoma City maintained control of the game and secured their third straight win to stay at the top of the Western Conference standings. The Grizzlies, who were missing key players due to injuries, struggled to keep up with the Thunder's offensive firepower. GG Jackson II scored a season-high 30 points for Memphis in a losing effort.
New York Knicks 73 - 79 Philadelphia 76ers
In a low-scoring affair, the Philadelphia 76ers beat the New York Knicks 79-73, allowing the lowest points total in the NBA this season. The 76ers' defense held the Knicks to just 73 points, with Kelly Oubre Jr. leading with 18 points and 10 rebounds. Jalen Brunson scored 19 points for the Knicks, who shot just 32.5% from the field. The game also included some physical play, with technical fouls handed out. The win snapped a three-game losing streak for the 76ers, who were missing key players due to injury. The teams will meet again on Tuesday at Madison Square Garden.
Los Angeles Lakers 120 - 109 Minnesota Timberwolves
In a dominant performance, Anthony Davis led the Los Angeles Lakers to a 120-109 victory over the short-handed Minnesota Timberwolves with 27 points, a season-high 25 rebounds, and a career-high seven steals. Davis became only the eighth player since 1982 to achieve at least 25 points, 25 rebounds, and five assists in a game, highlighting his impressive performance. The Lakers also got a strong showing from LeBron James with 29 points, nine assists, and eight rebounds. Despite Minnesota's strong shooting from beyond the arc, they couldn't contain Davis without key players like Rudy Gobert and Karl-Anthony Towns. The win pushes the Lakers to six games above .500 for the first time since the 2021-22 regular season, setting them up for success as they head into their next game against Sacramento on Wednesday.
LA Clippers 117 - 124 Milwaukee Bucks
Damian Lillard scored 16 of his 35 points in the fourth quarter, while Giannis Antetokounmpo had 34 points, 10 assists, and seven rebounds as the Milwaukee Bucks defeated the short-handed Los Angeles Clippers 124-117. Antetokounmpo and Lillard became only the second pair of teammates since 1980 to both record at least 30 points and 10 assists in the same game. The Bucks rebounded from back-to-back losses and avoided their first three-game losing streak in a month. The Clippers played without Kawhi Leonard and Paul George, and despite missing multiple key players, Norman Powell scored 26 points in the second half. Clippers coach Tyronn Lue called the weekend's scheduling "very extreme," as the team played without rest. James Harden struggled, while P.J. Tucker scored his first basket since November for the Clippers. The Clippers will host Minnesota next, while the Bucks will play against Sacramento.
Orlando Magic 97 - 111 Indiana Pacers
The Indiana Pacers beat the Orlando Magic 111-97 to close within a game of the Magic in the Eastern Conference standings. Despite falling behind by 15 points early, the Pacers rallied behind T.J. McConnell and Obi Toppin, who each scored 17 points off the bench. The Pacers, known for their transition game, locked in defensively and held the Magic to 37.5% shooting. Indiana's high-energy play led them to a comfortable victory, with Pascal Siakam and Tyrese Haliburton scoring 20 points each. The Magic, missing key players Jalen Suggs and Markelle Fultz, suffered their second consecutive loss after winning 13 of their previous 17 games.
Sacramento Kings 104 - 112 Houston Rockets
The Houston Rockets beat the Sacramento Kings 112-104, but lost leading scorer Alperen Sengun to a right knee and ankle injury. Sengun scored 14 points before the injury and was taken off the court in a wheelchair. Fred VanVleet scored 22 points, Jalen Green added 19, and seven Rockets players finished in double figures. Sacramento's Domantas Sabonis led the Kings with 25 points and 15 rebounds. Houston swept the Kings this season, and they are now 4 1/2 games back of a spot in the play-in tournament in the Western Conference.
Atlanta Hawks 103 - 116 New Orleans Pelicans
The New Orleans Pelicans finished a perfect road trip with a 116-103 win over the Atlanta Hawks, led by Trey Murphy III's 28 points off the bench and Zion Williamson's 27 points, six rebounds, and seven assists. The Pelicans have now won four straight games and snapped the Hawks' three-game winning streak. Herb Jones put on a defensive clinic against Dejounte Murray and the Hawks, holding them to 32% shooting. Saddiq Bey left the game with a left knee injury, and the Pelicans now head home to host the Cleveland Cavaliers while the Hawks start a four-game road trip against the Portland Trail Blazers.