24.02.2025
Boston Celtics 118 - 105 New York Knicks
The Boston Celtics secured their fifth consecutive win with a 118-105 triumph over the New York Knicks, thanks to standout performances from Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown. Tatum narrowly missed a triple-double, contributing 25 points, 10 rebounds, and nine assists, while Brown added 24 points and eight rebounds. The Celtics' Derrick White also scored 19 points, and Kristaps Porzingis electrified the crowd with a key one-handed slam during Boston's decisive 10-0 run in the fourth quarter. Despite the Knicks' Karl-Anthony Towns' 24-point effort and a commendable 20-point, 11-rebound, and nine-assist performance from Josh Hart in his return, New York could not overcome a significant deficit. This victory marked Boston's third win over New York this season, with the Celtics averaging 127 points per game against the Knicks. Boston now looks ahead to a matchup with the Toronto Raptors, while the Knicks will host the Philadelphia 76ers next.
Golden State Warriors 126 - 102 Dallas Mavericks
The Golden State Warriors secured a convincing 126-102 victory over the Dallas Mavericks, with Stephen Curry leading the charge with 30 points. This win highlights the Warriors' strong form, as they have won five of six games since acquiring Jimmy Butler, who scored 18 points in his home debut. Butler's impact has been notable with consistent trips to the free-throw line, as he went 8 for 8 from the line in this game. The Warriors celebrated by retiring Andre Iguodala's jersey, honoring his role in securing four championships for the team. The Mavericks, missing key players like Anthony Davis and three centers, had their three-game winning streak snapped by a vigorous Warriors squad, who excelled with a powerful 39-point third quarter. Both teams are set to play again on Tuesday, with the Warriors hosting the Hornets and the Mavericks facing a testing match against the Lakers in Los Angeles.
Indiana Pacers 129 - 111 LA Clippers
Tyrese Haliburton led the Indiana Pacers to a 129-111 victory over the Los Angeles Clippers with an impressive 29 points and 12 assists, marking his 16th double-double of the season. Haliburton was particularly dominant in the third quarter, scoring 17 points and helping the Pacers build a 101-83 lead. Indiana, boasting an NBA-best record of 16-5 in 2025, saw seven players reach double figures, with Aaron Nesmith scoring a season-high 19 points. Myles Turner returned from injury, contributing 17 first-half points to the Pacers' win. The Clippers, missing key players Norman Powell and Kawhi Leonard due to injuries, struggled despite James Harden's 31 points and 11 assists, as well as Ivica Zubac's 22 points. The Pacers capitalized on their momentum, extending their winning streak to three games, while the Clippers faced challenges in maintaining a competitive edge without their leading scorers.
Atlanta Hawks 143 - 148 Detroit Pistons
The Detroit Pistons secured their sixth consecutive victory with a thrilling 148-143 win over the Atlanta Hawks, thanks to Cade Cunningham’s impressive performance of 38 points, 12 assists, and seven rebounds. This game marked a season-high in points for the Pistons, who shot an impressive 59.1% from the field and went 20 for 40 from beyond the arc. Malik Beasley supported with 24 points, including six 3-pointers, while Tim Hardaway Jr. and Dennis Schroder also contributed significantly from the bench. Despite Trae Young's strong showing with 38 points and 13 assists, the Hawks fell short, marking their third consecutive loss. Cunningham shone even under the defense of Dyson Daniels, renowned for his defensive prowess, forcing the Hawks to frequently double-team him. The Pistons, aiming for their first playoff appearance since 2019, will continue their home stretch against the Los Angeles Clippers, while the Hawks conclude their homestand against the Miami Heat.
Orlando Magic 110 - 90 Washington Wizards
The Orlando Magic surged past the Washington Wizards with a 110-90 victory in Orlando, powered by Franz Wagner and rookie Anthony Black, who each scored 23 points. Black shone particularly in the second half, where he netted 18 of his career-high points. Despite Jordan Poole's 16 points for the Wizards and Richaun Holmes' double-double of 11 points and 10 rebounds, Washington's ongoing injury struggles and defensive lapses in the second half contributed to their sixth consecutive loss, dropping them to 9-47. The Magic capitalized on a strong start to the second half, led by Wendell Carter Jr. and Wagner, who contributed to a decisive 22-6 run. Orlando, struggling with three-point shooting this season, managed to score 9 of 22 from beyond the arc in the second half. As the Magic embarked on a seven-game homestand, this win was a crucial morale boost following a close loss to Memphis, with challenging matchups against Cleveland and Golden State on the horizon. The Wizards will look to regroup as they face Brooklyn next, while the Magic prepare to host Cleveland.
Toronto Raptors 127 - 109 Phoenix Suns
In a decisive win, the Toronto Raptors defeated the Phoenix Suns 127-109, with Immanuel Quickley, Chris Boucher, and RJ Barrett each contributing 23 points. The Raptors were particularly impressive from long range, making 20 of 35 3-pointers, including a perfect 8 for 8 from beyond the arc in the fourth quarter. Chris Boucher also recorded a double-double with 10 rebounds, while Scottie Barnes added 20 points. Despite strong performances from Suns' stars Devin Booker, who scored 31 points, and Bradley Beal with 30, the Suns struggled from 3-point range, finishing 7 for 28 and matching a season low for 3-pointers made. Kevin Durant had a challenging night, shooting 5 for 15 overall and 0 for 5 from 3-point range. Notably, the Suns trimmed a 19-point deficit to just two points in the final minutes, thanks in part to Greyson Allen's 3-pointer, but the Raptors sealed the victory with clutch 3-point shots from Boucher and Quickley. Toronto hosts Boston next, while Phoenix concludes its trip in Memphis.
Milwaukee Bucks 120 - 113 Miami Heat
The Milwaukee Bucks secured their fourth consecutive win by defeating the Miami Heat 120-113, with a strong fourth-quarter performance led by Damian Lillard, who scored 28 points and provided eight assists, and Giannis Antetokounmpo, who contributed 23 points and grabbed 16 rebounds. Despite Lillard's brief absence due to a hamstring strain, he returned to make a crucial impact. Brook Lopez added 17 points, while Tyler Herro shone for Miami, matching his season-high with 40 points and recording 11 assists. Giannis and Lillard, both under expected playing-time restrictions, played significant minutes, with the Bucks outscoring the Heat 35-20 in the decisive final quarter. Milwaukee overcame a 14-point deficit, fueled by key plays such as Kevin Porter Jr.'s alley-oop to Jericho Sims, which helped them take a vital lead. The Bucks' bench also dominated, outscoring Miami's 34-12. Herro, a Milwaukee native and 3-point contest winner, struggled with his long-range shot, finishing 3 for 12 from deep.
New Orleans Pelicans 114 - 96 San Antonio Spurs
The New Orleans Pelicans rallied from a 17-point deficit to defeat the San Antonio Spurs 114-96, with Zion Williamson leading the charge with 22 points and nine rebounds. The victory marked the Pelicans' second win in their last three games following a 10-game losing streak. Newcomer Kelly Olynyk achieved his first double-double since joining the team, and rookie centers Yves Missi and Karlo Matkovic contributed significantly, combining for 25 points and 21 rebounds. The Pelicans dominated the latter stages of the game, outscoring San Antonio 51-22 in the final 14 minutes. Meanwhile, the Spurs struggled with poor shooting, managing only 33% from the field. San Antonio's Julian Champagnie tied his career-high with six three-pointers, but it wasn't enough, as they fell to 1-2 since losing Victor Wembanyama for the season due to a blood clot in his shoulder. The teams are set to face off again in New Orleans.
Cleveland Cavaliers 129 - 123 Memphis Grizzlies
The Cleveland Cavaliers continued their impressive run with a seventh straight win, defeating the Memphis Grizzlies 129-123, thanks to Donovan Mitchell's 33-point performance and Evan Mobley's near triple-double with 25 points, 13 rebounds, and eight assists. Ty Jerome notably contributed with 15 of his 26 points in the fourth quarter, securing Cleveland's status as the team with the longest active winning streak in the league. Despite All-Star guard Darius Garland's absence due to a hip injury, the Cavaliers maintained their dominance at Rocket Arena with a 27-4 record. Meanwhile, Memphis, holding second place in the Western Conference, suffered their third defeat in four games. Jaren Jackson Jr., Ja Morant, and Luke Kennard were key contributors for the Grizzlies, though they couldn't overcome Cleveland's offensive power. The game emphasized both teams' high scoring abilities, as the Cavaliers average 122.9 points per game and the Grizzlies 122.8. A tense moment arose in the third quarter when Donovan Mitchell and Desmond Bane received technical fouls during a scuffle on the court, with Ja Morant and Tristan Thompson also being penalized for their involvement. Despite their shooting struggles from beyond the arc, where they finished 13 of 47, Cleveland capitalized on their opportunities to seal the victory.
Minnesota Timberwolves 123 - 130 Oklahoma City Thunder
The Oklahoma City Thunder are on a hot streak, having won eight of their last nine games, including a dominant 130-107 victory over the Utah Jazz. They aim to continue their success as they face off against the Minnesota Timberwolves in a home-and-home series. Thunder forward Jalen Williams attributes their success to the team's growing maturity and health, with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander leading the scoring at 32.2 points per game. The return of Chet Holmgren has allowed the Thunder to experiment with a "two-big" lineup, alongside Isaiah Hartenstein, providing strategic advantages on both ends of the court. Meanwhile, the Timberwolves have struggled in close games, with recent losses highlighting their need for improved performance in clutch situations. Timberwolves coach Chris Finch emphasizes the importance of better decision-making and execution under pressure as they rely on Anthony Edwards, who currently averages 27.6 points per game, amidst injuries to key players like Julius Randle. This third meeting of the season between the teams sees them split at one win each.