While everybody else was watching the primary evening of Sweet 16 motion within the Men’s NCAA Tournament, I used to be watching… nicely, I, too, was watching the Men’s NCAA Tournament. But thank goodness for iPads, proper? That’s how I streamed Thursday’s NBA motion, 4 video games that not solely all had the potential to be tight — and began out that means — however have been essential tilts for at the very least one workforce in every matchup. Let’s dig in.
Cavs stun Nets on Okoro game-winner, heels of late run, 116-114
It is a real marvel that the Cleveland Cavaliers gained this recreation. Simply put, that they had no cause to win it. Trailing 112-104 with 2:13 left within the recreation, they appeared useless within the water, minutes from a loss that may put one hell of a damper on an in any other case immaculate run of success over the previous few weeks. Then, out of virtually nowhere, they ended the sport with a 12-2 run, one which was capped off by a nook three from Isaac Okoro, one which put the Cavs forward, 116-114.
It sounds awfully easy. You’ll be removed from shocked to study that it was something however.
The missed free throw; the a number of missed putbacks; the borderline backcourt violation; the crosscourt move from Caris LeVert to the nook, the place Okoro waited, wide-open. It was like a jigsaw puzzle that instantly discovered itself assembled, regardless of having been scattered throughout the lounge ground mere seconds earlier than it created a gorgeous image of a dandelion discipline.
Okoro completed with simply 11 factors, however his closing three have been simply probably the most very important of your entire evening. To prepared the ground for Cleveland, Donovan Mitchell scored 31 factors, Evan Mobley had 26 factors and 16 rebounds, and Jarrett Allen racked up 12 factors and 10 rebounds. The Cavs are 8-2 of their final 10, and at the moment are only one recreation from clinching a playoff berth. In defeat, Mikal Bridges scored 32 factors, whereas Spencer Dinwiddie had 25 factors and 12 assists for the Nets, who’ve now misplaced their fifth straight recreation.
Magic drop struggling Knicks, 111-106
Paolo Banchero should’ve gotten the memo about placing collectively a late flurry to shut out a Thursday-night recreation. In the final 90 seconds of Orlando’s recreation in opposition to New York, he managed to empty a significant three and knock down two free throws within the closing seconds en path to a sealed victory. While New York trailed by 19 within the second quarter and got here again to tie the sport at 75 late within the third, it did not take the lead for the rest of the sport. Banchero led the Magic with 21 factors, although 5 others — Cole Anthony (18), Franz Wagner (16), Wendell Carter Jr. (16), Moritz Wagner (11), and Markelle Fultz (10) — additionally completed in double-figures.
The win marked Orlando’s second in a row. The loss for the Knicks, who have been led by 25 factors apiece from Immanuel Quickley and Quentin Grimes, was their third straight.
Pelicans win third straight, pummel Hornets, 115-96
What if I informed you Brandon Ingram had but to document a triple-double till Thursday evening? Believe it: His 30 factors, 11 rebounds, and 10 assists added as much as the only real triple-double he’s put collectively in his seven-year profession. He scored 17 factors and had six assists within the first quarter to set the tone, serving to New Orleans by no means actually look again en path to a 3rd consecutive win. Jonas Valanciunas added 20 factors and 19 rebounds, whereas C.J. McCollum (20 factors), Trey Murphy (19), and Naji Marshall (16) all served as worthy contributors.
Clippers rebound from Tuesday’s loss, crush Thunder, 127-105
This one was, sadly for viewers, by no means shut. What had been a tightly-contested thriller of a matchup on Tuesday become a messy blowout on Thursday, with the outcomes swapping in favor of the Clippers. L.A. led by as many as 28 factors, with Kawhi Leonard’s 32 factors on 13-of-15 capturing main the best way. Westbrook added 24 factors and 7 assists for the Clippers, and regardless of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scoring 30 for the Thunder, this one was by no means unsure. The Clippers stay tied with the Suns for fourth within the West, with Phoenix barely edging L.A. for homecourt benefit in the mean time. The remainder of the season can’t play out quickly sufficient.