04.04.2024
Charlotte Hornets 86 - 89 Portland Trail Blazers
The Portland Trail Blazers snapped a 10-game losing streak by beating the Charlotte Hornets 89-86, led by Scoot Henderson who had 22 points and 10 assists. Henderson outdueled Brandon Miller, who finished with 21 points but struggled from long range. Deandre Ayton had a dominant game with 24 points and 16 rebounds, while Jabari Walker added 14 points and a career-high 22 rebounds. Despite both teams missing key players due to injuries, the game came down to a thrilling finish with missed free throws and shots in the final seconds. The victory sets the Trail Blazers up to face the Golden State Warriors next, while the Hornets will host the Orlando Magic.
Washington Wizards 120 - 125 Los Angeles Lakers
Anthony Davis led the Lakers to their eighth win in nine games with a 125-120 victory over the Wizards, scoring 35 points and grabbing 18 rebounds. The Lakers are making a push towards the postseason despite being ninth in the Western Conference, two games behind Phoenix and Sacramento. LeBron James contributed 25 points and nine assists, while Rui Hachimura scored 19 points against his former team. Washington's Jordan Poole led his team with 29 points, and the Wizards were coming off an impressive win over Milwaukee. Davis dominated the first quarter, making 15 free throws without a miss, and the Lakers held on for the win despite a late push from the Wizards.
Atlanta Hawks 0 - 0 Detroit Pistons
Game postponed
Boston Celtics 135 - 100 Oklahoma City Thunder
The Boston Celtics secured the best record in the NBA and home-court advantage throughout the playoffs with a dominant 135-100 win over the Oklahoma City Thunder. Kristaps Porzingis led the Celtics with 27 points, 12 rebounds, and five blocks, while Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown also had strong performances. Boston won its 11th consecutive home game and improved to 60-16 on the season. The Thunder played without Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams, and were unable to keep up with the Celtics. Porzingis showcased his versatility as a rim protector and floor spacer, and the Celtics had a strong offensive performance, scoring 60 points in the first half. The win was a milestone for the Celtics, but coach Joe Mazzulla emphasized the importance of staying focused and not dwelling on the achievement.
Brooklyn Nets 115 - 111 Indiana Pacers
The Brooklyn Nets outlasted the Indiana Pacers 115-111 with Cam Thomas scoring 27 points and rookie Noah Clowney impressing with a career-high 22 points and 10 rebounds. Despite the win, the Nets were eliminated from postseason contention, ending their playoff hopes. Clowney, who shot 7 for 9 from the field, became the second youngest player in franchise history to score over 20 points in a game. Pascal Siakam led the Pacers with 26 points, but it wasn't enough to secure the win. The Pacers led by 14 points in the first half, while the Nets had a 13-point lead in the third quarter. Both teams exchanged leads in the final minutes, with Dennis Schroder and Clowney making crucial plays for the Nets. The Pacers play Oklahoma City next, while the Nets face Detroit in their upcoming games.
Milwaukee Bucks 101 - 111 Memphis Grizzlies
Jaren Jackson Jr. scored 35 points to lead the Memphis Grizzlies to a 111-101 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks. The Bucks, struggling to hold onto the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference, lost their fourth game in five outings. Jackson dominated in the second half, making critical 3-pointers in the fourth quarter to secure the win. Despite injuries to key players on both teams, the Grizzlies outscored the Bucks in the paint and capitalized on Antetokounmpo's foul trouble to pull ahead. Milwaukee coach Doc Rivers expressed concern about Antetokounmpo's health after the game, with Lillard and Middleton also out for the Bucks. Jackson's impressive performance helped extend the Grizzlies' winning streak to five as they prepare to host Detroit next, while the Bucks will host Toronto.
Minnesota Timberwolves 133 - 85 Toronto Raptors
The Minnesota Timberwolves dominated the short-handed Toronto Raptors, winning 133-85 thanks to strong performances from Anthony Edwards and Naz Reid. The 48-point win was the largest margin of victory for the Timberwolves this season and moved them into a tie for first place in the Western Conference with the Denver Nuggets. Despite injuries leaving the Raptors with just eight available players, Malik Williams made his NBA debut for Toronto after signing a 10-day contract. The Raptors have now lost 15 straight games, with the 48-point loss marking the largest in franchise history. Edwards broke his cold shooting streak from deep by hitting 5 of 12 3-pointers, and Reid was hot from beyond the arc, going 6 for 10. The Timberwolves' depth allowed them to rest key players in the fourth quarter, setting up a matchup with the Phoenix Suns next.
New Orleans Pelicans 108 - 117 Orlando Magic
Paolo Banchero led the Orlando Magic to a 117-108 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans, scoring 32 points and helping his team move into fourth place in the Eastern Conference. The game was marred by the ejections of three Pelicans players in the final seconds due to frustration with the physical play. CJ McCollum had 36 points for New Orleans, but it wasn't enough to overcome the Magic's strong performance. Zion Williamson briefly left the game due to an injury concern, while Orlando's Franz Wagner and Moritz Wagner added 24 and 18 points, respectively. Orlando's ability to stay composed in a physical game showed significant growth for the young team, which has now won three straight games.
Phoenix Suns 122 - 101 Cleveland Cavaliers
Devin Booker's impressive 52-point performance led the Phoenix Suns to a 124-111 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans, pulling them within one game of a playoff spot in the West. Booker joined Wilt Chamberlain as the only players to post three straight 50-point outings against the same opponent. The Suns hope to continue their success as they face the Cleveland Cavaliers, who are coming off a win against the Utah Jazz despite star Donovan Mitchell's absence due to injury. The victory snapped a four-game road skid for the Cavaliers, and they are looking to continue their momentum against the Suns.