March 3,2024 at 7:00 PM
3/18/2024 7:00 PM
Cavaliers Overcome Slow Start To Defeat Pacers
The Cleveland Cavaliers defeated the Indiana Pacers, 108-103, at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on Monday.

The Cavaliers (43-25) managed to hold on and defeated the Pacers (38-31) despite playing on the road. With the win, the Cavaliers moved to 21-12 away from home. Meanwhile, the Pacers fell to 21-15 at home. The Pacers enjoyed a strong start and looked in control here following a 34-25 score in the first quarter. However, the Cavaliers responded with a 29-20 score to even things up at 54-54 at the halftime break. The Cavaliers kept the momentum going in the third quarter and moved to a 36-29 score in the third one, bolstering a seven-point lead they’d never relinquish. The Pacers won the final quarter by a 20-18 score, but that was not enough to turn things around. The Cavaliers secured the victory, overcoming their slow start and surviving the absence of their best player, Donovan Mitchell, due to a nose injury.

Caris LeVert scored 23 points for the Cavaliers, adding 11 assists and eight rebounds. Jarrett Allen came close to a double-double, posting 23 points and nine rebounds. Georges Niang had 13 points and two boards. Darius Garland finished with 13 points, seven assists, six rebounds and two steals. Marcus Morris Sr. had 14 points and four rebounds while going 4-for-5 from three-point range. The Cavaliers shot 47.5 percent from the field and 37.5 percent from deep.

Pascal Siakam led the way for the Pacers with 19 points and 12 rebounds. Tyrese Haliburton also had a double-double after posting 14 points and 12 assists. Myles Turner chipped in with 12 points and three rebounds. T.J. McConnell delivered 14 points, four assists and three rebounds. Obi Toppin came close to a double-double after posting 10 points and eight rebounds off the bench. The Pacers shot 46.2 percent from the field but a meager 23.7 percent from deep.
March 3,2024 at 7:30 PM
3/18/2024 7:30 PM
Celtics Cruise To Victory Over Pistons
The Boston Celtics defeated the Detroit Pistons, 119-94, at TD Garden on Monday.

The Celtics (54-14) bolstered their impressive home record to 31-3 with a solid win over a struggling Pistons (12-56) team. The loss pushed Detroit’s road record to a mere 5-28. The Celtics grabbed a 31-28 lead in the first quarter, but it wouldn’t be until the second quarter that they’d pull away following a 28-18 score. The Celtics didn’t step off the gas the rest of the way, and a 33-20 score in the third quarter gave Boston a 26-point lead entering the final 12 minutes of action. Detroit won the final quarter by a 28-27 score, but the Pistons didn’t have even a slight shot of a comeback.

Jaylen Brown led the way for the Celtics with a 31-point effort that also included seven rebounds and three assists. Derrick White was the star of the game, however, as he notched the first triple-double of his career with 22 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists. Kristaps Porzingis had 20 points and eight rebounds. Luke Kornet posted 10 boards and three blocks while scoring four points. Payton Pritchard delivered 23 points and seven assists. The Celtics shot 45.3 percent from the field and 44.9 percent from deep.

Jaden Ivey led the Pistons in scoring with 21 points, five rebounds and five assists. Stanley Umude had 10 points and six rebounds. No other Detroit starter posted double-digit points. James Wiseman had 12 points and five rebounds off the bench. Malachi Flynn and Tosan Evbuomwan each recorded 11 points and two rebounds. Detroit shot 42.9 percent from the field and 31 percent from deep.
March 3,2024 at 7:30 PM
3/18/2024 7:30 PM
76ers Top Heat, 98-91
The Philadelphia 76ers defeated the Miami Heat, 98-91, at Wells Fargo Center on Monday night.

The two teams came into the critical conference clash jockeying for position just below the No. 6 seed in the East while looking to gain ground on the holder of that slot, the Indiana Pacers, which were also in action. The 76ers (38-30) came out the hotter team by far, building a 31-23 lead through one with strong play on either end of the floor. However, the Heat (37-31) was able to erase six points from its deficit before halftime, but Philadelphia bounced right back with its most dominant period in the third by outscoring the visitors, 28-16. That built enough of a cushion to withstand some late Heat surges, and the Sixers were able to close out on a 10-4 run over the final 3:09 after their advantage had narrowed to just one point.

Bam Adebayo and Terry Rozier co-led the Heat with 20 points apiece, adding 13 and eight rebounds, respectively. Rozier added six assists. Caleb Martin supplied 13 points, four rebounds, two assists, four steals and one block. Haywood Highsmith and Thomas Bryant produced matching 11-point efforts while recording five and two rebounds, respectively.

Tyrese Maxey paced the 76ers with 30 points, supplementing them with 10 assists, eight rebounds, one steal and one block. Kelly Oubre generated a 22-point, 11-assist double-double that included three assists and five blocks. Kyle Lowry delivered 16 points, four rebounds, one assist, two steals and one block. Buddy Hield tallied 12 points, two rebounds, one assist and one block.

The Heat remain on the road and visit the Cleveland Cavaliers on Wednesday night, while the 76ers visit the Phoenix Suns on Wednesday night as well.
March 3,2024 at 8:00 PM
3/18/2024 8:00 PM
DeRozan's 28 points, Dosunmu's 10 dimes help Bulls hold of Trail Blazers
The Chicago Bulls took down the Portland Trail Blazers, 110-107, at the United Center on Tuesday night.

It was a close encounter for the first half, with neither squad holding a double-digit lead. The home team Bulls (34-35) managed to turn a five-point halftime lead into 14 as they won the third quarter, 35-26. They extended their lead to 16 in the fourth quarter, but the Trail Blazers (19-49) fought back to retake the lead with less than four minutes to play. It was a back-and-forth battle down the stretch, but Chicago were able to make the buckets when they counted to hold on at the end. The Bulls improved to 18-17 at home, while Portland dropped to 8-25 on the road.

Anfernee Simons led the Trail Blazers with 30 points, three rebounds and nine assists. DeAndre Ayton finished with 25 points, 15 rebounds and two blocks for his 26th double-double of the season. Duop Reath led the bench with 14 points, while Scoot Henderson chipped in 14 points, six rebounds and five assists. Dalano Banton filled the stat sheet with 11 points, five rebounds, two blocks and three steals in reserve.

DeMar DeRozan led the Bulls with 28 points, five rebounds and six assists. Ayo Dosunmu dished out a season-high 10 assists to go along with 23 points for his first double-double of the season. Nikola Vucevic added 22 points, nine rebounds and two steals. Andre Drummond added nine points and 11 rebounds off the bench, while Onuralp Bitim had nine points and four rebounds in reserve.

Next up, the Trail Blazers head back to Portland to start the first of a two-game home series against the Los Angeles Clippers on March 20. The Bulls travel to the Lone Star State to visit the Houston Rockets on March 21.
March 3,2024 at 9:00 PM
3/18/2024 9:00 PM
Timberwolves Best Jazz, 114-104
The Minnesota Timberwolves defeated the Utah Jazz, 114-104, at Delta Center on Monday night.

The Jazz (29-39) defied their home underdog status early, coming out of the gate hot on offense to take a surprising 37-25 lead through one. However, that splash of cold water seemed to wake up the Timberwolves (47-21), which were without their starting frontcourt of Rudy Gobert and Karl-Anthony Towns due to rib and knee injuries, respectively. Minnesota was able to knot the game up going into the fourth quarter by outscoring Utah, 58-46, during the middle periods, and then following that surge up with a 31-21 advantage over the final 12 minutes during which they fought off several late runs by the hosts.

Anthony Edwards led the Timberwolves with 32 points, adding eight assists, seven rebounds, two blocks and one steal. Naz Reid furnished 17 points, four rebounds and one block. Nickeil Alexander-Walker delivered 13 points, five assists, four rebounds, three steals and two blocks. Jordan McLaughlin netted 11 points, while Kyle Anderson contributed 10 points, six boards, five assists and one block.

Collin Sexton paced the Jazz with 24 points, adding two assists and one rebound. Lauri Markkanen generated a 22-point, 12-rebound double-double that included one assist, two steals and one block. Keyonte George supplied 15 points, eight assists, three rebounds and one steal. John Collins tallied 11 points and six rebounds.

The Timberwolves return home home to host the Denver Nuggets on Tuesday night, while the Jazz visit the Oklahoma City Thunder on Wednesday night.
March 3,2024 at 10:00 PM
3/18/2024 10:00 PM
Knicks Hold On For Fourth Straight Win
The New York Knicks defeated the host Golden State Warriors, 119-112, at Chase Center on Monday evening.

The Knicks got out to a strong start and led, 30-22, after one quarter. The Warriors picked up the pace in the second but could not make much progress as they outscored the visitors, 34-32, and trailed by six points at the break. The Knicks came out strong again in the third and managed to push it to an 11-point game heading into the final quarter. The hosts kept up the fight in the fourth but it was not enough, as the Knicks closed out their fourth straight win. This also marks the second loss in the last three games for the Warriors.

Jalen Brunson led the Knicks with 34 points, five rebounds, seven assists and a steal, in 35 minutes. Miles McBride followed up with 29 points, two assists and a steal, while Josh Hart logged 10 points, 11 rebounds, 11 assists and a steal.

Meanwhile, Stephen Curry led the Warriors with 27 points, five rebounds and five assists, in 33 minutes. Trayce Jackson-Davis followed up with 19 points, nine rebounds, two assists and three blocks, while Klay Thompson added 18 points, two rebounds, eight assists, two steals and a block.

The Warriors (35-32) will look to bounce back as they play host to the Grizzlies on Wednesday. The Knicks (41-27) take on the Nuggets in Denver on Thursday.
March 3,2024 at 10:00 PM
3/18/2024 10:00 PM
Kings Defeat Grizzlies in OT, 121-111
The Sacramento Kings defeated the visiting Memphis Grizzlies in OT, 121-111, at Golden One Center on Monday.

There were 10 ties and 10 lead changes in this game, taking an overtime session to determine a winner. Sacramento took command in the extra frame, ripping off a 12-0 run to complete their victory. The Kings out-rebounded the Grizzlies, 70-55, while out-assisting them, 30-22. Sacramento shot 45 percent from the field while holding Memphis to 38 percent shooting. They also outscored the Grizzlies bench, 47-20.

The Grizzlies (23-46) were led by Jaren Jackson Jr, generating 25 points, two rebounds, four assists and four blocks. Desmond Bane had 24 points, five rebounds, four assists and three steals. GG Jackson tallied 22 points, seven rebounds and two steals, while Santi Aldama amassed 14 points, nine rebounds, two assists and two steals. Jake LaRavia led the bench with 12 points, eight rebounds and five assists.

The Kings (39-28) were led by Malik Monk, providing 28 points, six rebounds and six assists off the bench. Domantas Sabonis led the starters with 25 points, 18 rebounds, five assists and two blocks. De'Aaron Fox finished with 23 points, seven rebounds, 10 assists and three steals. Keegan Murray totaled 15 points, 10 rebounds, three assists and two steals.

Both teams return to action on Wednesday, with Sacramento traveling to face the Toronto Raptors and Memphis staying in Cali to play the Golden State Warriors.
March 3,2024 at 10:30 PM
3/18/2024 10:30 PM
Lakers Defeat Hawks, 136-105
The Los Angeles Lakers defeated the visiting Atlanta Hawks, 136-105, at Crypto.com Arena on Monday.

While Atlanta kickstarted this game with an 11-2 lead, that was their only bright spot in this game. Los Angeles closed the quarter on a 36-17 run, never relinquishing the lead after that opening frame. They won all four individual quarters in this game, leading by at least 20 points for the entirety of the fourth quarter. LA got their lead up to 35 points at times. The Lakers shot 58 percent from the field and 42 percent from three-point range while holding the Hawks to 43 percent from the field and 22 percent from long range. Los Angeles also recorded 39 assists while committing just eight turnovers.

The Hawks (30-38) were led by Jalen Johnson, generating 25 points, nine rebounds and four assists. Bogdan Bogdanovic amassed 17 points and three boards. Dejounte Murray collected 13 points, five rebounds, 10 assists and three steals. Clint Capela totaled 10 points and nine boards, while Onyeka Okongwu led the bench with 11 points, four rebounds, two assists and two steals.

The Lakers (37-32) were led by D'Angelo Russell, registering 27 points, four rebounds and 10 assists. LeBron James tallied 25 points, seven rebounds and 10 assists. Anthony Davis accumulated 22 points, 15 rebounds, six assists and two steals. Austin Reaves amassed 12 points, six rebounds and four assists, while Max Christie led the bench with 11 points and three boards.

On deck for Atlanta is a road matchup with the Phoenix Suns on Thursday. As for Los Angeles, they're off until Friday, remaining home to face the Philadelphia 76ers.