26.03.2024
Cleveland Cavaliers 115 - 92 Charlotte Hornets
The Cavaliers responded with a dominant performance after Marcus Morris Sr. was ejected for a flagrant foul on Nick Richards, defeating the Hornets 115-92. Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen each scored 17 points, with Mobley also tallying a career-high eight assists and seven rebounds in just 25 minutes. Georges Niang added 17 points off the bench for Cleveland, who had 41 assists on 46 made field goals. Morris stated that his physical play was meant to toughen up the team and set the tone going forward. The struggling Hornets have now lost five straight and 12 of their last 14 games. The Cavaliers play the Hornets again on Wednesday in Charlotte.
Atlanta Hawks 120 - 118 Boston Celtics
In a stunning turn of events, the Atlanta Hawks rallied from a 30-point deficit to stun the NBA-leading Boston Celtics with a final score of 120-118. De’Andre Hunter hit a clinching 3-pointer with 9.2 seconds remaining in the game, securing one of the most improbable wins in franchise history. The Celtics, who had won 20 of 22 games, saw their nine-game winning streak come to an end. Jayson Tatum led the Celtics with 37 points, but it was the Hawks' bench players who stepped up with Vit Krejci scoring 16 points and Wesley Matthews hitting key 3-pointers. The game marked the biggest comeback win for Atlanta since at least the 1997-98 season, with the Hawks pulling off a remarkable comeback against all odds.
New York Knicks 124 - 99 Detroit Pistons
In a dominating performance, Donte DiVincenzo made a franchise-record 11 three-pointers and scored 40 points as the New York Knicks routed the Detroit Pistons 124-99. DiVincenzo broke the previous record of 10 three-pointers held by J.R. Smith and Evan Fournier and moved into third in the NBA in three-pointers made this season. Jalen Brunson added 28 points and Josh Hart had a triple-double with 11 points, 14 rebounds, and 10 assists. The Knicks won their 15th straight game against the Pistons, who shot 39% and were without key players due to injuries. The Knicks remain a half-game behind Cleveland for third place in the Eastern Conference.
Toronto Raptors 88 - 96 Brooklyn Nets
The Brooklyn Nets snapped a six-game losing streak by beating the Toronto Raptors 96-88, with Dennis Schroder and Trendon Watford each scoring 19 points. The Nets outscored Toronto in the fourth quarter, and Mikal Bridges added 13 points while Jalen Wilson contributed 12. The Raptors, who were missing several key players including Jontay Porter, have now lost 11 straight games. Brooklyn celebrated with a team dinner after the game, and will face the Washington Wizards next, while the Raptors will host the New York Knicks.
Chicago Bulls 105 - 107 Washington Wizards
Jordan Poole scored 23 points as the Washington Wizards secured a season-high third straight win by defeating the Chicago Bulls 107-105. Corey Kispert recorded his first career double-double with 19 points and 12 rebounds, while DeMar DeRozan led the Bulls with 27 points. The Wizards led by 16 in the second quarter before Chicago came back, but Washington ultimately held on for the victory. The Bulls, who have lost three in a row, are ninth in the Eastern Conference, while the Wizards are starting to gain momentum. The final score was a close 107-105, with the Wizards' winning streak continuing.
Houston Rockets 110 - 92 Portland Trail Blazers
Jalen Green's impressive 27 points led the Houston Rockets to their ninth straight win, a 110-92 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers, putting them just half a game behind Golden State for the final spot in the NBA Play-In Tournament. Houston outscored Portland by 13 points in the third quarter, with Jock Landale stepping up in Jabari Smith Jr.'s absence to contribute 17 points. The Blazers, missing several key players, suffered their seventh straight loss and fell to 4-13 since the All-Star break. Portland's coach Chauncey Billups praised Houston's defensive pressure, while the Rockets now look ahead to a matchup with the Oklahoma City Thunder.
San Antonio Spurs 104 - 102 Phoenix Suns
DEVIN VASSELL AND JEREMY SOCHAN LEAD SPURS PAST SUNS 104-102 AS INJURED VICTOR WEMBANYAMA WATCHES FROM SIDELINES. Sochan hit a key 3-pointer in the final minute, finishing with 26 points and a career-high 18 rebounds, while Vassell added 26 points for San Antonio. Devin Booker scored 36 points and Kevin Durant added 29 for the Suns, but it wasn't enough to overcome the Spurs. Bradley Beal left the game with a sprained finger and his status remains undetermined. The win was critical for Phoenix, who now face 10 consecutive playoff-bound teams. San Antonio unexpectedly turned the tables on Phoenix after being blown out in their previous matchup.
Denver Nuggets 128 - 103 Memphis Grizzlies
The Denver Nuggets, led by Nikola Jokic's 29 points, 11 rebounds, and eight assists, defeated the Memphis Grizzlies 128-103. Jokic fell two assists shy of a triple-double and helped the Nuggets secure their 15th win in 17 games since the All-Star break. Despite missing key starters, Denver shot over 50% from the field and dominated the Grizzlies, who were without Ja Morant and Marcus Smart for much of the season. The Nuggets are now in first place in the Western Conference, one game ahead of Oklahoma City, while the Grizzlies look to improve their performance for the remainder of the season.
Utah Jazz 105 - 115 Dallas Mavericks
Luka Doncic recorded a triple-double with 29 points, 13 assists, and 12 rebounds as the Dallas Mavericks defeated the Utah Jazz 115-105. Kyrie Irving added 27 points for the Mavericks, who won their fourth consecutive game. Lauri Markkanen scored 34 points for the Jazz, who struggled in the fourth quarter, scoring only 17 points. Dallas tightened up their defense after a high-scoring first quarter and went on a 16-2 run in the final minutes to secure the victory. Doncic and Irving were instrumental in the win, with Dallas focusing on defense to allow them to shine on offense.
Sacramento Kings 108 - 96 Philadelphia 76ers
In a milestone night for Domantas Sabonis, the Sacramento Kings beat the Philadelphia 76ers 108-96, with Sabonis recording his NBA-leading 25th triple-double of the season and his 54th consecutive double-double. Sabonis had 11 points, 13 rebounds, and 10 assists, joining a select group of players in NBA history. The Kings snapped a 10-game losing streak against the Sixers and moved into a tie for sixth place in the Western Conference. Tyrese Maxey scored 29 points for the Sixers, but it wasn't enough as they dropped into eighth place in the Eastern Conference. Maxey scored 84% of the team's first-quarter points, but his efforts were not matched by his teammates. Buddy Hield and Kelly Oubre missed the game due to injury.
LA Clippers 116 - 133 Indiana Pacers
Pascal Siakam scored 31 points to lead the Indiana Pacers to a 133-116 win over the Los Angeles Clippers, with Myles Turner adding 24 points and Tyrese Haliburton contributing 21 points and nine assists. The Pacers, who had been beaten badly by the Clippers in December, bounced back with strong defense, holding the Clippers to 1 for 9 on 3-pointers in the second half. Rookie forward Jarace Walker emerged as a key player in the game with eight points, while the struggling Clippers, who have lost five consecutive home games, continue to search for an identity. Russell Westbrook made his return from injury with 14 points, but it was not enough to lift the Clippers as they prepare to face the Philadelphia 76ers next.