The NBA has been completely on fireplace since coming back from the All-Star break, kicking the motion into excessive gear for the ultimate stretch earlier than the playoffs. Some have speculated this may very well be commissioner Adam Silver auditioning for the Disney CEO job, and if that’s the case, what a superb transfer to have Scott Foster boost the motion:
A pair issues are sure: (1) the NBA might be a greater place when Foster is gone and (2) I’m actually hoping we, as a basketball-viewing public aren’t subjected to him deciding the outcomes of playoff video games this summer time.
We’re into March, and which means thrilling basketball is in your doorstep. Let’s hold the NBA’s motion clear and never affected by Foster or any officers. Celtics and Cavs, amongst many others on Monday night time, did a terrific job of bringing pleasure on their very own phrases:
Celtics blow one other double-digit lead, 118-114 in time beyond regulation to Cavs
Grant Williams advised Donovan Mitchell “I’m making both” free throws earlier than lacking each with an opportunity to take the lead with two free throws within the closing second. It’s the Celtics’ third straight loss, all after having a double-digit lead. Mitchell, in the meantime, notched his eighth 40-point efficiency of the season within the win:
Sixers get final giggle in 147-143 thriller as Harden, Haliburton go toe-to-toe
James Harden’s exceptional 20-assist night time seems to be unimpressive subsequent to Haliburton’s 40 factors and 16 assists, his second 40-point night time of the yr. It’s additionally the primary time any Pacer has ever had 40 and 15. But Haliburton didn’t get an important stat of the night time, a W.
Joel Embiid led all scorers with 42 factors of his personal in a sport that in any regular yr would’ve been close to the highest in mixed factors; this season, a sport with 290 factors mixed continues to be about 60 behind tops for the season, that Clippers-Kings double-OT sport from not too way back.
With the win and the Boston loss, the Sixers at the moment are nearer to #2 within the East than #4 after Boston spent a lot of the season on the high of the East by themselves. Philly is 8-3 over their final 11, beginning to tighten issues up earlier than the playoffs.
Lillard’s 30-point triple double will get Blazers previous Pistons 110-104
Dame Lillard is having an all-time season, there’s simply no different strategy to say it. He adopted up 41 factors on Sunday with 31 factors, 13 rebounds, and 12 assists to now be averaging 32.4 factors (47/38/92 taking pictures splits) and seven.2 assists on the yr. Monday’s is Lillard’s second triple double of the season and third of his profession.
You begin to consider what awards season may appear like for Lillard, and I believe it has to begin with All-NBA recognition. If he’s capable of lead the Blazers to the play-in match (they’re at the moment tied with three different groups for #9), it’s arduous to assume there are two guards with a greater case for even First Team All-NBA.
Heat maintain off late push by Hawks in 130-128 win
Defense was elective within the first quarter as the 2 mixed to shoot 29-44 (65.9%) from the ground and 9-15 (60.0%) from three as Atlanta took a 43-30 lead. Hawks noticed their lead slip away over the following couple quarters however was knocking on the door late, forcing Miami to actually shut the door on the comeback try.
Atlanta may by no means recover from the hump and the Heat made the performs they wanted to to be able to get the win. Victor Oladipo, Jimmy Butler, and Tyler Herro mixed for 26 factors within the fourth, together with all of Miami’s closing 14 factors over the ultimate 5 minutes.
Nuggets beat Raptors 118-113 behind late-game Scott Foster shenanigans
The closing eight Denver factors got here on the free throw line, together with 4 following the Scottie Barnes ejection, and Jamal Murray (game-high 24 factors on the night time) and Aaron Gordon (19 factors) mixed for the ultimate 5 made baskets to be the participant catalysts on the night time.
The refs stated Barnes “questioned the integrity of the crew.”
Kings take over in 123-108 win over Pelicans
New Orleans continues to be struggling sans Zion Williamson and a real level guard, however Sacramento confirmed they don’t even want their elite level guard to have crew success as they gained handily with out star De’Aaron Fox.
Kevin Huerter (game-high 25 factors, together with 6-10 from three) and Domantas Sabonis (19 factors, 11 rebounds, and 11 assists for his eighth triple double this season) every stepped up in Fox’s absence as Sacramento lights the beam for the thirty eighth time, only one shy of their greatest win whole since 2005-06, which was additionally the final time they made the playoffs.