26.03.2025
Charlotte Hornets 104 - 111 Orlando Magic
In a closely contested game, the Orlando Magic triumphed over the Charlotte Hornets with a 111-104 victory, largely thanks to Paolo Banchero's continued hot streak, scoring 32 points alongside seven rebounds and six assists. This marked Banchero’s fourth consecutive game scoring at least 30, propelling the Magic to win five of their last seven games, and they managed to sweep Charlotte in all their matchups this season. Franz Wagner also contributed significantly with 26 points, hitting crucial free throws late in the game to seal the win. Despite a solid performance from LaMelo Ball, who recorded 25 points and nine assists, the Hornets were unable to avert another loss, their fifth in six games, which underscores their struggles after being ousted from playoff contention. The decisive moment came after Josh Green tied the game at 104, when Black's dunk and Wagner's consistent free-throw shooting ensured the victory for Orlando. Meanwhile, the Magic demonstrated discipline, committing only eight turnovers, and will next face the Dallas Mavericks, while the Hornets are set to meet the Toronto Raptors.
Detroit Pistons 122 - 96 San Antonio Spurs
In a decisive victory, the Detroit Pistons defeated the San Antonio Spurs 122-96, with Marcus Sasser scoring a career-high 27 points in just 26 minutes off the bench. Despite missing their star player Cade Cunningham for a second game due to a bruised calf, the Pistons showcased their depth with contributions from Tobias Harris, Jalen Duren, and Ausar Thompson. Detroit, now closely trailing Milwaukee for fifth place in the Eastern Conference, captured its second straight win. The Spurs, missing key players Victor Wembanyama and De’Aaron Fox, saw standout performances from Devin Vassell with 26 points and rookie Stephon Castle with 19, but ultimately struggled with a 36.3% shooting effort. The Pistons dominated the second quarter, outscoring the Spurs 30-12, and capitalized on their strong shooting, including 48.4% from beyond the arc.
Miami Heat 112 - 86 Golden State Warriors
In a dominant 112-86 victory over the Golden State Warriors, the Miami Heat showcased their offensive prowess, shooting an impressive 56% from the field and hitting 17 of 25 from beyond the arc. Bam Adebayo led Miami with 27 points, while Tyler Herro added 20, as the team never trailed throughout the game. The match marked Jimmy Butler’s first return to Miami since being traded and saw him score 11 points. For the Warriors, who were missing Stephen Curry due to a pelvic contusion, Alec Burks topped the scoring with 18 points, while Jonathan Kuminga added 15. Interestingly, all five Golden State starters, including Butler, each had just two points at halftime, marking a rare event not seen since 2012. Additionally, Miami's Nikola Jovic received clearance to resume basketball activities after missing 16 games due to injury but didn't play. A highlight of the game was a remarkable third-quarter move where Ware, mid-air, retrieved a knocked-away ball and scored off the glass, pushing the Heat to a 78-60 lead.
New York Knicks 128 - 113 Dallas Mavericks
In a notable game, the New York Knicks defeated the Dallas Mavericks 128-113, highlighted by impressive performances from Karl-Anthony Towns and OG Anunoby. Towns achieved his first triple-double in over three years with 26 points, 12 rebounds, and 11 assists, while Anunoby powered the Knicks with 35 points. Josh Hart also recorded a triple-double, marking his ninth of the season, and the duo became the first teammates in Knicks history to achieve triple-doubles in the same game. Although the Mavericks had a strong first half, shooting 65.1% with Naji Marshall scoring a career-high 38 points, they were outmatched in the second half by New York's depth and defense. Dallas struggled in the third quarter, hitting only 4 of 18 field goals, which allowed New York to dominate the period 30-16. With this win, the Knicks improved to a 45-26 record, while the Mavericks dropped their tenth game in 13, now standing at 35-38.
Houston Rockets 121 - 114 Atlanta Hawks
In a thrilling game in Houston, Jalen Green powered the Rockets to a 121-114 victory over the Atlanta Hawks with an impressive performance that included 32 points and 11 rebounds. Fred VanVleet contributed significantly, scoring 21 points while shooting a perfect 8-for-8 from the free-throw line. Tari Eason dominated the boards with 14 rebounds. Despite Dyson Daniels' notable all-around play for the Hawks, with 19 points, eight rebounds, 10 assists, and four steals, the Rockets maintained control after taking the lead late in the first quarter. Houston was ahead by 17 at halftime and stretched its lead to 20 after three quarters, although Atlanta made a strong push late in the game. The Rockets' accurate free-throw shooting, hitting 26 of 29 attempts, proved crucial, particularly in the final moments, helping them secure their place as the No. 2 seed in the West. This victory marks Houston's 10th win in their last 11 games, while Atlanta, struggling with their 3-point game, saw their three-game winning streak snapped.
Utah Jazz 103 - 140 Memphis Grizzlies
In a dominant second-half performance, the Memphis Grizzlies secured a 140-103 victory over the Utah Jazz, despite missing star player Ja Morant. Desmond Bane led the Grizzlies with 21 points, followed closely by Jaren Jackson Jr., who contributed 19 points before briefly leaving the game in the third quarter after being hit in the face. The Grizzlies, who struggled with injuries and form in recent games, showed resilience by outscoring the Jazz 76-38 and outrebounding them 33-8 after halftime. Utah outperformed Memphis from the 3-point line early on, making 13 out of 19 attempts, but faltered in the second half as the Grizzlies clamped down defensively, holding the Jazz to just one field goal for over seven minutes. Isaiah Collier led the Jazz with 21 points, but the team faced challenges without key players John Collins, Lauri Markkanen, and Jordan Clarkson. With this win, Memphis ended their losing streak and will face Oklahoma City next, whereas the Jazz will take on Houston.
Portland Trail Blazers 111 - 122 Cleveland Cavaliers
The Cleveland Cavaliers secured a 122-111 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers, driven by Darius Garland's 27 points and eight assists, and a strong performance from Ty Jerome, who scored 25 points off the bench. Evan Mobley contributed a robust double-double with 21 points and 12 rebounds. Despite missing star guard Donovan Mitchell due to a groin injury, the Cavs maintained their grip on the top spot in the Eastern Conference, holding a five-game lead over Boston. Portland's offensive efforts were led by Scoot Henderson and Shaedon Sharpe with 18 points each, though the team remains 3½ games behind Phoenix for a play-in tournament position in the Western Conference. Coach Kenny Atkinson of the Cavs downplayed the importance of focusing solely on playoff seeding, prioritizing team health instead. Meanwhile, Portland's Toumani Camara showcased improved 3-point shooting this season. Jerome's third-quarter surge helped keep Cleveland ahead, and the Cavs dominated in the paint with a 64-42 advantage. Both teams face their next games on Thursday, with Cleveland hosting San Antonio and Portland traveling to Sacramento.
Sacramento Kings 105 - 121 Oklahoma City Thunder
The Oklahoma City Thunder secured their 60th win of the season with a 121-105 victory over the Sacramento Kings, led by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's 32-point performance. This triumph marked the Thunder's seventh consecutive win and their 14th in 15 games, maintaining their position as the NBA's leading team. Chet Holmgren contributed 18 points and 10 rebounds, and Alex Caruso added 15 points. Meanwhile, the Kings, who have now lost four straight games, were led by Keegan Murray's 28 points, including nine three-pointers, and Zach LaVine's 19 points. Despite a strong third-quarter rally, the Kings couldn't overcome a 24-point first-half deficit, ultimately falling to a dominant Oklahoma City in the fourth quarter. The Thunder became the first team to reach 60 wins this season, tying their 2012-13 team's achievement since the franchise's relocation from Seattle. As Sacramento sits tied with Phoenix for ninth place in the Western Conference, they risk missing the play-in tournament, with only a half-game lead over Dallas for the final spot.