11.03.2025
Atlanta Hawks 132 - 123 Philadelphia 76ers
Dyson Daniels led the Atlanta Hawks with 25 points, guiding them to a 132-123 victory over the injury-laden Philadelphia 76ers. Despite missing key players like Trae Young, the Hawks showcased depth as six players scored double figures, including Zaccharie Risacher's impressive 22 points, with 20 coming in the first half alone. Terance Mann also contributed a season-high 19 points. Daniels, prominently known for leading the NBA in steals, added to his tally right from Philadelphia's first possession. The Hawks secured a decisive 66-57 lead at halftime, outscoring the Sixers 23-7 in the final minutes of the first half and maintained their dominance throughout. Quentin Grimes shone for the 76ers with a game-high 35 points, 17 in the final quarter, while Ricky Council IV equaled his career-high with 19 points. The 76ers struggled with a depleted roster, missing important players like Tyrese Maxey, Paul George, and Andre Drummond. The Hawks' superior rebounding, 47-31, proved crucial in their third consecutive win as both teams prepare for Wednesday's matchups.
Boston Celtics 114 - 108 Utah Jazz
The Boston Celtics, led by Sam Hauser's career-high 33 points and nine 3-pointers, held off the Utah Jazz 114-108 despite missing key players like Jayson Tatum and Kristaps Porzingis. Hauser's remarkable performance included seven 3s in the third quarter, making him the fourth Celtic in the 2024-25 season to hit nine in a game, setting an NBA record as four teammates achieved this feat within a season. The Celtics had a 23-point lead in the fourth, but the Jazz tied it with 3:21 left. Hauser's decisive 3-pointer with 1:20 to go secured the victory, marking Boston's fifth consecutive win. Jaylen Brown contributed 26 points, while the Jazz's John Collins scored 28. Boston survived a potential "trap game" after a win over the Lakers, ahead of facing Oklahoma City.
Brooklyn Nets 111 - 108 Los Angeles Lakers
The Brooklyn Nets ended their seven-game losing streak with a narrow 111-108 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers, who played their first game without LeBron James due to a strained left groin. Noah Clowney led the Nets with 19 points, and both Cam Johnson and Keon Johnson added 18 points each. Despite securing a triple-double with 22 points, 12 rebounds, and 12 assists, Luka Doncic struggled with shooting, hitting only 8 of 26 attempts for the Lakers. Austin Reaves also had a tough night, shooting 3 for 14, as the Lakers faltered with several key players absent. Gabe Vincent led the Lakers with 24 points while Reaves contributed 17 points, 10 assists, and eight rebounds. In a thrilling finish, Luca Doncic managed a 35-foot shot, trimming the deficit to two points, but a strategic play by the Nets allowed Clowney to score a crucial dunk while being fouled, securing the win. This marks Doncic's fifth triple-double of the season, and the Nets successfully held their ground after previously failing to maintain their lead against Charlotte. The Nets now look forward to facing the NBA-leading Cleveland Cavaliers, while the Lakers will regroup before visiting Milwaukee on Thursday.
Miami Heat 102 - 105 Charlotte Hornets
The Charlotte Hornets staged an impressive comeback to secure their first divisional win of the season, defeating the Miami Heat 105-102. Miles Bridges led the Hornets with 35 points, while Mark Williams contributed a double-double with 24 points and 10 rebounds. The Heat, now reeling from their fourth consecutive loss and fifth loss in six games, squandered a 17-point lead for the third time in March, highlighting their struggles to close out games at home. Bam Adebayo shone for the Heat with 23 points, 14 rebounds, and eight assists, with Tyler Herro adding 21 points. The Hornets excelled from the foul line, hitting 22 of 23 attempts, while Miami managed just 14 of 20. Notably, LaMelo Ball contributed 15 points and 10 assists for Charlotte. This victory broke the Hornets' 0-11 streak against Southeast Division opponents this season, helping them avoid becoming the first team since the 1970-71 format change to finish winless within their division. Miami rookie Kel'el Ware had significant fourth-quarter minutes for only the second time in six games, with coach Erik Spoelstra acknowledging that losses bring additional scrutiny to his decisions. The Hornets now head to Atlanta for the next game of their road trip, while the Heat continue their homestand against the Los Angeles Clippers.
Toronto Raptors 119 - 104 Washington Wizards
In a standout performance, Toronto native A.J. Lawson scored a career-high 32 points, including seven 3-pointers, leading the Raptors to a 119-104 victory over the Washington Wizards. The Raptors set a franchise record with 73 rebounds, the most in an NBA game this season, with four players achieving double-doubles in rebounds. Scottie Barnes contributed 14 points and 13 rebounds, while RJ Barrett added 14 points, 10 boards, and eight assists. Orlando Robinson and Alex Sarr also recorded double-doubles with 13 points, 11 rebounds, and 16 points, 11 rebounds respectively. Despite having won their previous two games, the NBA-worst Wizards struggled after losing starter Bilal Coulibaly to an injury early in the game, with Alex Sarr and Jordan Poole each scoring 16 points. This victory was a strong rebound for the Raptors following a narrow loss two nights earlier. Toronto's domination on the offensive boards resulted in 33 second-chance points. The Wizards look to recover in their upcoming game against Detroit while Toronto prepares to face Philadelphia.
Chicago Bulls 121 - 103 Indiana Pacers
The Chicago Bulls extended their winning streak to three games with a commanding 121-103 victory over the Indiana Pacers, led by Josh Giddey, who scored a season-high 29 points and grabbed 10 rebounds before exiting the game with a right ankle injury. Coby White matched Giddey's 29 points, further solidifying the Bulls' position in the final play-in spot in the Eastern Conference. The Pacers, missing point guard Tyrese Haliburton due to a hip issue, struggled with shooting, hitting only 39.6% from the field and managing just 10 of 40 from beyond the arc. Myles Turner led the Pacers with 15 points, but with their starters' minutes limited by coach Rick Carlisle, the team couldn't recover from a second-quarter 40-point surge by the Bulls. Nikola Vucevic's 11 points and 11 rebounds marked his 195th career double-double, surpassing Horace Grant for the third most in Bulls history. The win helped Chicago avoid a season series sweep by Indiana, who had previously won three games by an average margin of over 13 points. The Pacers now prepare to face Milwaukee at home, while the Bulls will host Brooklyn.
Houston Rockets 97 - 84 Orlando Magic
The Houston Rockets secured their third consecutive win by defeating the Orlando Magic 97-84, powered by Jabari Smith Jr.'s 20 points and career-high-tying five 3-pointers. Alperen Sengun contributed a double-double with 14 points and 14 rebounds, while Steven Adams bolstered the defense with 17 rebounds. Dillon Brooks added 17 points as the Rockets overcame the absence of Amen Thompson and Fred VanVleet due to injuries, highlighted by making 16 3-pointers in the game. Despite a strong 25-point performance from Orlando's Paolo Banchero, the Magic struggled to capitalize on their recent win against Milwaukee, continuing their challenging stretch with a 10-22 record since January. Houston's balanced offense and timely scoring helped maintain their edge, particularly in the second half, as they prepare to face the Phoenix Suns next.
Memphis Grizzlies 120 - 118 Phoenix Suns
In a thrilling showdown, the Memphis Grizzlies overcame an early 16-point deficit to edge out the Phoenix Suns 120-118, with Ja Morant leading with 29 points and 12 assists. Rookie Cam Spencer, on a two-way contract, contributed a career-high 16 points for Memphis, including decisive free throws in the final seconds that secured their third consecutive victory. Kevin Durant's impressive 35 points and Devin Booker's 26 were not enough for the Suns, as Durant missed a potential game-winning three-pointer at the buzzer. The game was marked by a tense exchange between Durant and Spencer, resulting in technical fouls for both after a confrontation late in the third quarter. Despite shooting 52.6% from beyond the arc, the Suns fell short and remain in the hunt for a play-in tournament spot, battling a depleted roster without Bradley Beal. Meanwhile, Memphis navigated their seventh close game out of the last ten without leading scorer Jaren Jackson Jr. Both teams are set to return to action on Wednesday, with the Suns facing Houston and the Grizzlies hosting Utah.
Oklahoma City Thunder 127 - 140 Denver Nuggets
The Denver Nuggets, led by Nikola Jokić's impressive performance of 35 points, 18 rebounds, and eight assists, defeated the Oklahoma City Thunder 140-127, effectively avenging their previous day's loss. Jamal Murray contributed significantly with 34 points. Despite the Thunder's initial strong showing and halftime lead driven by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Isaiah Hartenstein, Oklahoma City's momentum waned after All-Star Jalen Williams exited with a hip strain. The defeat halted the Thunder's seven-game winning streak, raising concerns over Williams' quick recovery as they seek to maintain their top Western Conference standing. Denver capitalized on their third-quarter lead, with key contributions from Russell Westbrook and Peyton Watson, securing the game in the fourth quarter. The Nuggets host Minnesota next, while the Thunder face Boston.
San Antonio Spurs 129 - 133 Dallas Mavericks
The Dallas Mavericks snapped a five-game losing streak by narrowly defeating the San Antonio Spurs 133-129, despite the absence of several key players due to injuries, including stars like Kyrie Irving and Anthony Davis for Dallas and Victor Wembanyama for San Antonio. Spencer Dinwiddie led the Mavericks with 28 points, while crucial contributions came from Kessler Edwards, who tallied 22 points and 11 rebounds despite playing with an eye injury, and Caleb Martin, who played limited minutes as he returned from a hip injury. San Antonio, which suffered its third consecutive defeat, saw standout performances from Harrison Barnes and Keldon Johnson, who scored 29 and 28 points, respectively. Notably, the Spurs' Devin Vassell and Keldon Johnson both surpassed Sean Elliott on the franchise's all-time 3-pointers list. The game was marked by its intensity as San Antonio, hitting only 14 of 24 free throws, fell short in a tight finish. Dallas and San Antonio are set to face each other again on Wednesday.
Golden State Warriors 130 - 120 Portland Trail Blazers
The Golden State Warriors secured their fifth consecutive victory by defeating the Portland Trail Blazers 130-120, with Stephen Curry scoring 24 points and nearing the historic milestone of 4,000 career three-pointers. Curry, already the 26th player in NBA history to surpass the 25,000-point mark, required seven three-pointers to reach this new record, hitting five against the Blazers. Jimmy Butler notched the Warriors' first triple-double of the season with 15 points, 10 assists, and 10 rebounds, helping his team improve their record to 12-2 since his debut on February 8. Gary Payton II achieved a career-high 26 points, contributing decisively to Golden State's tenth win in their last eleven games. Despite the Blazers' fourth consecutive loss, Deni Avdija delivered an impressive performance with season-highs of 34 points, 16 rebounds, and six assists, a feat last accomplished by a Blazer in 1990. Portland's Anfernee Simons added 32 points, while Jerami Grant missed the game due to a knee issue. The Warriors showcased a strong 51.2% shooting from beyond the arc, with notable contributions from Buddy Hield and Quinten Post. The Blazers face the Knicks next, while the Warriors look to extend their streak against the Sacramento Kings.
Sacramento Kings 104 - 133 New York Knicks
In a game riddled with setbacks and high stakes, the New York Knicks managed to stave off their losing streak against the Sacramento Kings despite lacking their All-Star guard Jalen Brunson due to a sprained ankle. Entering the contest with the weight of three consecutive losses and two defeats on a five-game Western swing, the Knicks were propelled by strong performances from Karl-Anthony Towns, who posted 23 points and 10 rebounds, and Mikal Bridges, who added 22 points. The clash highlighted New York's resilience as they aimed to complete a season sweep against Sacramento after a previous 143-120 triumph, even as Sacramento grappled with the continued absences of key players Malik Monk and Domantas Sabonis. The Kings, dealing with the aftermath of a narrow 111-110 overtime loss to the Clippers, showcased efforts from DeMar DeRozan and Zach LaVine, but still found themselves 1 1/2 games behind the Clippers in the standings. Despite out-rebounding their opponents and limiting turnovers, Sacramento's inability to close out games cost them as they struggled to hold onto their place in the competitive Western Conference standings.