The NBA is wonderful. That’s all I’ve for this intro. Typically, I’ve to let the video games — nicely, my phrases concerning the video games — do the speaking. So, I’ll just do that.
TO THE SCORES.
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Photograph by Brian Fluharty/Getty Photographs
Quickley, Knicks high Celtics in 2OT to win ninth-straight, 131-129
Full disclosure: I have a tendency to write down these recaps because the video games finish. I attempt to assess what order to place them in because the slate of video games unfolds, and infrequently, one or two video games soar out as the apparent greatest ones from the night time. On Sunday, Phoenix-Dallas felt just like the clear-cut Sport of the Day.
Then, the clock struck 7:30 p.m. ET, Knicks-Celtics tipped off, and the world tilted on its axis. Simply your on a regular basis, common Sunday within the NBA.
Final weekend’s epic tilt between the Kings and the Clippers — you recognize, the one which went to 2 overtimes and ended 176-175, within the Kings’ favor — was in all probability the sport of the 12 months, however Sunday’s matchup between New York and Boston provides it a run for its cash. This recreation, too, went to double-OT and noticed dozens of lead adjustments (15, to be actual), epic performances, and a playoff environment in addition. Oh, and protection was performed. That’s all the time a plus.
Whereas the Celtics held a seven-point lead at halftime, the Knicks made fast work of that, and even surged forward by double-digits late within the third quarter because of a 21-2 run. Within the fourth, Boston responded with a 19-5 run of its personal, chopping into the lead New York constructed. By the point the ultimate moments of the ultimate body arrived, the groups have been virtually buying and selling buckets, with Jayson Tatum and Immanuel Quickley placing on their very own respective reveals down the stretch. Ultimately, after extra bucket-trading and extra playoff-worthy moments, it was Quickley’s night time.
The Knicks’ third-year level guard stepped into the beginning lineup for Jalen Brunson (out with foot soreness) and casually dropped a career-high 38 factors in — sure, that is appropriate — 55 minutes. He additionally had 8 rebounds, 7 assists, and 4 steals. Julius Randle (31 factors and 9 rebounds) and RJ Barrett (29 factors and 11 rebounds) have been enormous for the Knicks. Jayson Tatum (40) and Jaylen Brown (29) led the way in which for the Celtics, who’ve now misplaced two in a row and immediately discover themselves a recreation and a half again from the Bucks atop the East. Now isn’t the time for losses like these.
As for the Knicks, now’s precisely the time for this form of play. And it’s terrifying.
Clutch KD, Suns squeak previous Mavs in thriller, 130-126
Okay, so, in case you by some means missed it, the top to this one bought somewhat bonkers. First got here a late almost-dagger from Kevin Durant, who completed with 37 factors and drained the aforementioned contested midrange jumper with 11.7 seconds remaining to place Phoenix forward for good.
What adopted was a point-blank miss on the rim from Luka Doncic (who, previous to that miss, had scored 34 factors to guide the Mavs).
What adopted THAT was a enjoyable lil alternate between famous besties Doncic and Devin Booker.
And THEN got here the postgame chatter. Luka, on Booker, stated “It’s a aggressive recreation. It’s all good. Subsequent time, simply don’t wait till there’s three seconds left to speak.” Booker, on their in-game alternate, stated, “You guys say you don’t need all people to be pleasant. There you go. We bought some smoke.”
Will we ever. The Suns have gained three in a row; the Mavs at the moment are losers of six of their final eight.
38 from SGA lifts Thunder over Jazz, 129-119
Lakers high Warriors behind dominant night time from AD, 113-105
For the Lakers — nonetheless half a recreation out of the play-in event — to make their manner into the postseason, Anthony Davis must play on the stage he performed at on Sunday in opposition to the Warriors. Does he have to attain 39 factors, pull down eight rebounds, and dole out six assists each single night time? Not essentially. However on condition that L.A. will likely be with out LeBron James for who is aware of how lengthy, Davis wants to indicate up in the same vein, as a minimum. Austin Reaves (16 factors) and Troy Brown Jr. (14) supplied a very good little bit of offensive assist for the Lakers as nicely.
As for the Warriors, Steph Curry made his return after lacking 11 video games as a result of a left leg damage. Although he had simply eight factors on three-of-11 capturing by three quarters, he scored 19 within the recreation’s last body to chop into L.A.’s lead. Klay Thompson added 22 factors, however the Warriors’ five-game successful streak was finally snapped.
Bucks drop Wizards, 117-111
I really feel like this shouldn’t be allowed. However I’ve a lot respect for it.
Rockets clobber Spurs, 142-110
Nets deal with Hornets, 102-86
The Hornets can’t rating. For the second time in three video games, Charlotte didn’t crack 100 factors, and nobody on Charlotte’s roster scored greater than 17 factors on the night time. In the meantime, the Nets made fast work of issues behind 33 factors from Mikal Bridges and 24 from Spencer Dinwiddie.
Haliburton’s late triple leads Pacers over Bulls, 125-122
Zach LaVine’s 42 factors could have led all scorers, however Tyrese Haliburton was the hero. He scored 29 factors and knocked down a deeeeeep triple over Patrick Beverley to take a lead they wouldn’t surrender.
Haliburton then clapped again at Beverley on Twitter after the sport.
The NBA. The place wonderful occurs.
Path Blazers end off Magic in late free-throw battle, 122-119
Tied at 113 with 58.8 seconds left within the fourth quarter, Portland marched down the court docket, took its time, and noticed Nassir Little drain a triple simply earlier than the shot clock expired to place them forward, 116-113.
The ultimate 12 mixed factors of the sport got here on the free throw line, with the Blazers and Magic buying and selling journeys to the charity stripe for the sport’s last 30 seconds. I’ve a sense these final 30 seconds took roughly 19 minutes.
Paolo Banchero (26 factors) and Franz Wagner (24 factors) paved the way in which for Orlando, however they have been no match for Damian Lillard — who else? — who led Portland with 41 factors, his twelfth 40-piece in his final 39 video games. That’s one thing else.
Clippers rally to beat Grizzlies, 135-129
Regardless of giving up 51 factors within the third quarter to the Ja Morant-less Grizzlies, the Clippers have been capable of rebound within the fourth, successful that body by a 38-17 margin, and finally regaining the identical lead they held at halftime for good. It’s secure to say it was a much-needed win for the Clips, who had misplaced 5 in a row and 7 of their final 10 coming into Sunday’s recreation. Oh, and the crew airplane bought struck by lightning. No huge deal or something.
Paul George scored a game-high 42 factors and led the fourth-quarter comeback, whereas Kawhi Leonard poured in 34 of his personal to assist the trouble. Desmond Bane completed with 30 factors for Memphis, whereas Tyus Jones — filling in as place to begin guard for the suspended Morant — had 25 factors, 12 assists, and 5 steals.
