21.03.2024
Detroit Pistons 103 - 122 Indiana Pacers
The Pacers dominated the short-handed Pistons with Pascal Siakam scoring 25 points and Tyrese Haliburton adding 20 points and 9 assists in a 122-103 victory. Isaiah Jackson had a strong performance with 10 points, 11 rebounds, and 6 assists. Cade Cunningham led the Pistons with 23 points, 10 assists, and 6 rebounds, but the team struggled without key players due to injuries. The Pistons couldn't keep up with the Pacers' high-scoring offense and fell behind early, leading to their fourth consecutive loss. Detroit went 5 for 23 on 3-pointers, while Indiana cruised to their ninth win in the last ten games.
Cleveland Cavaliers 104 - 107 Miami Heat
Terry Rozier's go-ahead 3-pointer with 14.5 seconds left helps the Heat beat the Cavaliers 107-104 in a thrilling comeback victory. Rozier scored nine points in the final 1:24, including a 4-point play and two free throws, finishing with 24 points. Jimmy Butler added 30 points for Miami, while Jarrett Allen had 25 points and 20 rebounds for Cleveland. The Cavaliers were without three starters, including All-Star Donovan Mitchell, while Miami was missing Bam Adebayo and Duncan Robinson. Rozier, a Youngstown, Ohio native, shot 5 of 6 on 3-pointers in his homecoming. The Heat are now within half a game of the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.
Toronto Raptors 89 - 123 Sacramento Kings
Domantas Sabonis had his 24th triple-double of the season as the Sacramento Kings routed the short-handed Toronto Raptors 123-89, extending their losing streak to eight. Sabonis recorded at least a double-double in 51 consecutive games, matching NBA legends Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Moses Malone. Kings coach Mike Brown believes Sabonis deserves MVP consideration for his impressive performances. De’Aaron Fox scored 20 points, Malik Monk added 17, and Harrison Barnes had 16 as the Kings won their second straight game. The Raptors made 22 turnovers, leading to 33 points for the Kings. Toronto was without key players such as Scottie Barnes and Immanuel Quickley, and the Kings took advantage to secure a commanding victory.
Boston Celtics 122 - 119 Milwaukee Bucks
The Boston Celtics opened a big lead against the Milwaukee Bucks and held on for a 122-119 victory without Giannis Antetokounmpo. Celtics guard Payton Pritchard scored 19 points, including 10 in the second quarter, in response to an insult from the Bucks' Patrick Beverley. Jayson Tatum added 31 points for Boston, who won their seventh straight game and have not lost to an Eastern Conference team at home all season. Bobby Portis had 24 points and 15 rebounds for the Bucks, who made a late run but fell short. Antetokounmpo missed his second consecutive game with a left hamstring issue. Boston holds an 11-game lead over Milwaukee in the race for home-court advantage.
Oklahoma City Thunder 119 - 107 Utah Jazz
Chet Holmgren dominated with 35 points and 14 rebounds as the Oklahoma City Thunder defeated the Utah Jazz 119-107. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander added 31 points, becoming the 13th player in NBA history to score 30+ points in 50 games. The Thunder, with the best record in the Western Conference at 48-20, capitalized on 15 turnovers by the Jazz and scored 35 points on second-chance opportunities. Utah, missing key players due to injury, fought hard but ultimately fell to Oklahoma City. The Thunder's strong second half performance secured the victory, with Holmgren's dunks and key plays helping to extend the lead. Oklahoma City will next face the Toronto Raptors, while the Jazz will take on the Dallas Mavericks.
Portland Trail Blazers 103 - 116 LA Clippers
Paul George scored 27 points and James Harden had 19 points and 14 assists to lead the Los Angeles Clippers to a 116-103 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers. The win gave the Clippers a one-game lead over the New Orleans Pelicans for the fourth seed in the Western Conference playoff race. Kawhi Leonard contributed 24 points, including 17 in a crucial third quarter where the Clippers pulled away. Portland's rookies Scoot Henderson and Kris Murray combined for 35 points in the losing effort. The Clippers dominated the third quarter, outscoring the Blazers 34-20, and forced multiple turnovers leading to easy points. The two teams will face off again on Friday in Portland to complete a two-game set.
Phoenix Suns 115 - 102 Philadelphia 76ers
Grayson Allen was the standout player of the game as he scored 32 points and tied a career-high with 9 three-pointers, helping the Phoenix Suns defeat the Philadelphia 76ers 115-102. Kevin Durant added 22 points for the Suns, while teammate Devin Booker fell just shy of a triple-double with 18 points, nine rebounds, and 11 assists. The Sixers struggled with a 38% free throw percentage and have been sliding with a 9-18 record since January. Durant also moved up to eighth place on the NBA's career scoring list. Suns coach Frank Vogel praised Allen's performance and the team's ability to secure the win despite committing 23 turnovers.
Golden State Warriors 137 - 116 Memphis Grizzlies
Stephen Curry reached 300 3-pointers for a record fifth time, leading the Warriors to a 137-116 victory over the Grizzlies. The Warriors had a season-high 43 assists with only six turnovers, while Jonathan Kuminga scored 26 points and Andrew Wiggins added 22. The game got heated at times with technical fouls handed out, but the Warriors emerged victorious with their fourth straight win and improved their home record to 18-18. The Grizzlies will look to bounce back as they face the Spurs next, while the Warriors will host the Pacers.