05.03.2025
Indiana Pacers 115 - 102 Houston Rockets
Tyrese Haliburton led the Indiana Pacers to a 115-102 victory over the Houston Rockets with an impressive performance, scoring 28 points and tying his season high with 15 assists. Despite blowing a 17-point lead late in the third quarter, the Pacers managed to regain control with an 18-3 run after trailing 96-95 on a layup by Amen Thompson. Key contributions included Pascal Siakam with 18 points and Myles Turner's 16 points. For the Rockets, Alperen Sengun scored 25 points and Tari Eason added a double-double with 16 points and 14 rebounds. Indiana, which has now won six of their last eight games, is set to play six of their next seven games on the road, including two meetings with Milwaukee. Meanwhile, the Rockets have lost 11 of their last 16 games and will head to New Orleans for their next matchup. Ben Sheppard made a crucial three-pointer to halt Houston's 15-0 run in the fourth quarter, helping the Pacers maintain their lead.
Orlando Magic 113 - 114 Toronto Raptors
In a thrilling finish, Ja’Kobe Walter of the Toronto Raptors nailed a contested three-pointer with 0.5 seconds left, securing a 114-113 victory over the Orlando Magic after the Raptors had squandered a 12-point lead in the fourth quarter. Paolo Banchero led a valiant comeback for Orlando by scoring 22 of his 41 points in the final period while shooting a perfect 8-for-8. Banchero also contributed with eight rebounds, eight assists, and four steals. Despite his heroics, Toronto's balanced attack with significant contributions from RJ Barrett, Scottie Barnes, and Jakob Poeltl proved decisive. The Raptors managed to overcome their 20 turnovers by outrebounding the Magic 48-35 and maintaining a lead in free throws. The victory marks the Raptors’ improvement to a 7-23 road record, while Orlando, currently eighth in the Eastern Conference, suffered their fourth consecutive loss. The Magic will seek redemption against the Chicago Bulls before hitting the road for a five-game stint.
Atlanta Hawks 121 - 127 Milwaukee Bucks
Giannis Antetokounmpo's triple-double of 26 points, 12 rebounds, and 10 assists led the Milwaukee Bucks to a 127-121 victory over the Atlanta Hawks. This win marks Milwaukee's third consecutive victory, keeping them tied with Indiana for fourth place in the Eastern Conference standings. Trae Young was the standout for Atlanta, contributing 28 points and 13 assists, while Caris LeVert, who was pivotal in a previous win over Memphis, added 21 points. Notably, neither team held a lead larger than eight points throughout the game. Brook Lopez contributed a season-high 13 rebounds alongside 13 points for the Bucks, while Damian Lillard scored 23 points. In roster updates, Atlanta signed Dominick Barlow to a multi-year contract and made additional changes to their lineup, including signing Jacob Toppin. The Bucks will host Dallas next, while the Hawks are set to play Indiana at home.
New York Knicks 102 - 114 Golden State Warriors
Stephen Curry led the Golden State Warriors to a 114-102 victory over the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden, scoring 28 points and notching nine assists to set his personal record at MSG to 12-1. The Warriors, benefiting from Curry’s sharp performance despite previous ankle soreness, improved their record to 3-1 on their current road trip. Supporting Curry, Jimmy Butler and Brandin Podziemski both contributed 19 points. Draymond Green celebrated his 35th birthday with eight points, nine rebounds, and eight assists. The Knicks, missing All-Star center Karl-Anthony Towns due to personal reasons, struggled with outside shooting, hitting just 24% from beyond the arc. OG Anunoby and Jalen Brunson managed strong performances with 29 and 25 points respectively, but New York’s three-game winning streak ended. The pivotal moment came late in the fourth quarter when an 11-0 run by the Warriors dashed the Knicks' comeback hopes. The Warriors will stay in New York to play the Brooklyn Nets next, while the Knicks head to Los Angeles for their own upcoming road trip.
Chicago Bulls 117 - 139 Cleveland Cavaliers
The Cleveland Cavaliers secured their 11th consecutive win, defeating the Chicago Bulls 139-117, with Donovan Mitchell scoring 28 points and Jarrett Allen contributing 25 points and 17 rebounds. Despite resting Evan Mobley and trailing by 15 points early on, the Cavs managed to sustain their third double-digit winning streak of the season. The game remained competitive until a decisive 14-0 run in the fourth quarter by Cleveland, highlighted by Allen's six points and Darius Garland's crucial 3-pointer. Notably, the Cavaliers have consistently overcome substantial deficits in recent victories, including a rally from 25-3 against Boston. Coby White led the Bulls with 25 points as the team struggles to maintain their position for the playoffs. Meanwhile, Mitchell surpassed 13,000 career points, showcasing his consistent scoring ability. The Cavaliers will host Miami next, while the Bulls face Orlando.
Minnesota Timberwolves 126 - 112 Philadelphia 76ers
In a matchup against the short-handed Philadelphia 76ers, the Minnesota Timberwolves pulled away in the fourth quarter to secure a 126-112 victory. Anthony Edwards contributed 18 points, while Naz Reid and Nickeil Alexander-Walker chipped in with 23 and 20 points, respectively. Despite the absence of key players like Tyrese Maxey and Joel Embiid, the 76ers saw Quentin Grimes lead with 30 points, following a recent career-best performance. Julius Randle marked his return to the Timberwolves with 16 points after being sidelined with a groin strain, and Mike Conley's half-court buzzer-beater provided a crucial momentum shift for Minnesota. The Timberwolves exploited a 25-9 run at the beginning of the fourth quarter to create a decisive lead. Despite Paul's George return, Philadelphia struggled, marking their 13th loss in 15 games. The game highlighted Minnesota's need for victory as they worked to climb in the Western Conference standings.
San Antonio Spurs 127 - 113 Brooklyn Nets
Devin Vassell led the San Antonio Spurs to a 127-113 victory over the Brooklyn Nets by scoring a career-high 37 points and grabbing 10 rebounds. Vassell's standout performance included shooting 8-for-11 from beyond the arc, and his 37-point mark surpassed his previous career best of 33 points. San Antonio, playing without star center Victor Wembanyama, who is sidelined for the season with a blood clot, dominated the paint with a 62-40 advantage. Bismack Biyombo made an immediate impact after signing a contract that day, contributing 13 points and 14 rebounds. The Spurs recorded 37 assists, becoming the first NBA team to achieve 20-plus assists in 200 consecutive games, and Chris Paul's second-quarter 3-pointer marked the franchise's 20,000th successful attempt from long range. The Nets, now on a five-game losing streak, had Cam Thomas leading with 24 points and will next face the Golden State Warriors. Meanwhile, the Spurs will visit Sacramento for De'Aaron Fox's return to the Golden 1 Center.
Phoenix Suns 119 - 117 LA Clippers
In a matchup of two struggling teams, the Phoenix Suns and Los Angeles Clippers faced off, with both squads looking to end season skids. The Suns, who had lost 11 of their last 14 games, were desperate to close their four-game gap from the Western Conference play-in spot, while the Clippers, having lost five of their last six games, aimed to solidify their position in the top six for a guaranteed playoff berth. Despite Kevin Durant's frustration over Phoenix's performance, particularly their 22 turnovers leading to 40 points for the Minnesota Timberwolves, both he and Devin Booker would need to lead a turnaround for their team. The Clippers were dealing with their own issues, including Norman Powell's absence due to injury, while Kawhi Leonard shone with season-highs of 33 points and 10 rebounds in a recent loss to the Lakers. Phoenix, sporting a 3-0 lead in the season series against the Clippers, remains hopeful for a change in fortune with Booker scoring 40 points in one of those victories. Ultimately, the Suns executed a remarkable rally from 23 points down to underline their potential despite their season's adversity.
Los Angeles Lakers 136 - 115 New Orleans Pelicans
In a game marked by LeBron James reaching the 50,000 points milestone, the Los Angeles Lakers extended their winning streak to six games by defeating the New Orleans Pelicans. The Lakers secured a 106-102 victory over the Los Angeles Clippers without key players Rui Hachimura and Austin Reaves, relying heavily on Luka Doncic's performance, who scored 29 points with nine assists. Rookie Dalton Knecht, whose trade was voided, emerged as a pivotal player, netting 19 points, his best performance in months. Meanwhile, the Pelicans have found rejuvenation, having won five of their last seven games, thanks to contributions from Kelly Olynyk, Zion Williamson, and others. Williamson, returning from injury, continues to shine, averaging 24.9 points since his return, while Olynyk, a trade acquisition, demonstrated his versatility and high basketball IQ in their recent win against the Utah Jazz. With both teams in compelling form, the upcoming Lakers-Pelicans matchup promises excitement.