27.03.2025
Philadelphia 76ers 114 - 119 Washington Wizards
The Washington Wizards snapped a five-game losing streak with a 119-114 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers, thanks to Alex Sarr's impressive performance of 24 points and seven rebounds. Justin Champagnie contributed significantly with 18 points, including 16 in the first half, and 10 rebounds. The Wizards built an early advantage, leading 45-29 by the end of the first quarter after a 10-0 run, marking the most points the 76ers have allowed in an opening quarter all season. Despite being outscored in the second half, Washington maintained their lead, aided by Tristan Vukcevic's second-half performance. For the 76ers, Quentin Grimes continued his scoring consistency with 22 points, marking his lowest output in nine games, but Philadelphia still suffered its sixth consecutive defeat. The Wizards outperformed the 76ers from beyond the arc, with nine three-pointers in the first quarter alone, the most for Washington in a single quarter this season.
Brooklyn Nets 86 - 116 Toronto Raptors
The Toronto Raptors dominated the Brooklyn Nets with a 116-86 victory, powered by Orlando Robinson's standout performance of 23 points on 10-of-14 shooting and 12 rebounds. This win marked the Raptors' second consecutive triumph and extended the Nets' losing streak to five games. Additional contributions for Toronto included 15 points each from Jonathan Mogbo, RJ Barrett, and Scottie Barnes. The Raptors had recently snapped a four-game losing streak with a win over Washington, while the Nets continued their struggle with a poor record of 1-8 in their last nine games. The Raptors established an early lead, ending the first quarter 32-18, thanks in part to Robinson's impressive start with 10 points in the opening period. Looking ahead, the Raptors are set to host Charlotte, and the Nets will face the Los Angeles Clippers.
Indiana Pacers 119 - 120 Los Angeles Lakers
LeBron James delivered a dramatic finish with a buzzer-beating tip-in, leading the Los Angeles Lakers to a 120-119 victory over the Indiana Pacers. Despite struggling early with only three points through three quarters, James ended the game with 13 points, 13 rebounds, and seven assists, extending his remarkable streak of scoring at least 10 points to 1,283 consecutive games. Luka Doncic added 34 points, seven rebounds, and seven assists, while Austin Reaves contributed 24 points, helping the Lakers snap a three-game losing streak and tie with Memphis for the fourth seed in the Western Conference. The Pacers, led by Bennedict Mathurin's 23 points and Tyrese Haliburton's 18 assists, made a fierce comeback, erasing a second-half deficit with a late 7-0 run. However, James' timely tip-in secured the win for the Lakers, marking a resurgence as they continue their road trip in Chicago.
New York Knicks 113 - 126 LA Clippers
The Los Angeles Clippers rallied to defeat the New York Knicks 126-113 at Madison Square Garden, preventing the Knicks from securing a playoff spot. James Harden led the Clippers with 29 points, six rebounds, and six assists, while Kawhi Leonard contributed 27 points. Notably, the Clippers went on a decisive 16-3 run to close the third quarter, fueled by Harden scoring 11 consecutive points, including three 3-pointers. This victory allowed the Clippers to tie with Golden State for sixth place in the Western Conference, their first guaranteed postseason spot. The Knicks, who were eager to secure their playoff berth, saw impressive performances from Karl-Anthony Towns with 34 points and 13 rebounds. However, they struggled without Jalen Brunson and Deuce McBride, as their depth at point guard dwindled further with Cam Payne's injury.
Denver Nuggets 127 - 117 Milwaukee Bucks
In a triumphant return, Nikola Jokic delivered a stellar performance with 39 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists, leading the Denver Nuggets to a 127-117 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks. This game marked his 30th triple-double of the season, an NBA-high achievement. Jokic's comeback was crucial for the Nuggets, who had been struggling, losing three of their last four games. Michael Porter Jr. supported with 23 points, hitting his first six shots with five coming from beyond the arc. The Bucks played without stars Damian Lillard and Giannis Antetokounmpo, with Lillard sidelined due to blood clots and Antetokounmpo out with a foot injury. Despite these setbacks, Milwaukee's Brook Lopez scored 26 points, continuing his streak of strong performances. Notably, Russell Westbrook's steal matched Kobe Bryant for 16th most in NBA history, while his recent scoring achievement placed him 20th all-time, surpassing Kevin Garnett. The Nuggets head next to Utah, while the Bucks will face New York.
Phoenix Suns 102 - 132 Boston Celtics
The Boston Celtics secured their seventh consecutive victory with a commanding 132-102 triumph over the Phoenix Suns. Despite missing their star Jayson Tatum due to a sprained left ankle, the Celtics dominated, led by Kristaps Porzingis's 30 points and supported by Jaylen Brown's 24. Boston asserted control with a decisive 27-6 run late in the second quarter, maintaining a comfortable lead throughout, even extending it to 34 points by the third quarter. The Celtics excelled in perimeter shooting, knocking down 10 three-pointers in the first quarter alone. Kevin Durant was the bright spot for the Suns, contributing 30 points in their second-most lopsided loss of the season. Phoenix, missing Bradley Beal, remains just in contention for the final Western Conference play-in spot but faces a challenging schedule ahead.