The Nuggets fend off the Warriors with out Jokic, 112-110
I have been feeling that method for some time, however wins like this on Sunday make me consider: Denver is the perfect crew within the Western Convention. He performs with out perennial MVP contender Nikola Jokic (calf pressure that brought about him to overlook three video games in a row), Jamal Murray, Michael Porter Jr. and others. held off Golden State in Denver. Murray scored 26 factors and blocked potential game-winner Klay Thompson within the ultimate seconds to seal the deal. Porter Jr. he led all scorers with 29 factors and added 11 rebounds to sweeten the deal.
For the Warriors, Thompson led with 25 factors whereas Steph Curry scored 21, however solely hit two of 14 from deep, together with misfires on his first 5 makes an attempt.
A win in one of many final 4 video games or a single loss to Memphis will see the Nuggets high the West for the primary time in franchise historical past. And if wins like Sunday’s are any indication, they’ve what it takes to take that high spot effectively.
Kevin Durant breaks out because the Suns silence the thunder, 128-118
The Nuggets could also be the perfect crew within the West, however the Suns are virtually actually their strongest potential playoff opponent. They’ve Kevin Durant who exploded with 35 factors in Sunday’s 13-of-21 capturing, main all scorers. They’ve Devin Booker, arguably the perfect two-point guards within the NBA, who scored 22 targets in opposition to OKC to assist Durant’s effort. They’ve the likes of Deandre Ayton, Chris Paul, Josh Okogie and Torrey Craig aspect by aspect to make up top-of-the-line all-around squads within the league. And it was all on show with Phoenix’s fifth win in a row. This can be a terrifying crew. And Denver may run into them within the second spherical.
Bucks trample Sixers, 117-104
The Milwaukee Bucks have gone by way of this season so simply that to say they want a win on Sunday appears inappropriate as a result of it goes off the tongue. However they wanted it, dropping 41 to Boston the final time we noticed them in motion. They usually received, over Joel Embiid (28 factors), Tyrese Maxey (29, the crew’s most), and the remainder of the Philadelphia 76ers in a convention conflict that followers have been ready for. Giannis Antetokounmpo did what Giannis Antetokounmpo did, which was to attain 33 factors, knock down 14 boards, deal six dimes and block three photographs to steer the Bucks. Brook Lopez (21), Khris Middleton (19), Jrue Vacation (18) and Bobby Portis (18) additionally posted double figures.
The Nets edged the Jazz, 111-110, an inch nearer to a playoff spot
Brooklyn’s magic quantity is now two: simply two extra wins they usually may safe a spot within the postseason – playoffs, not play-ins. The Nets narrowed the tally to 2, successful their third recreation in a row and their fourth recreation of 5, giving them a two-game lead forward of the Miami Warmth for sixth within the East. Mikal Bridges led the cost with 30 factors and Spencer Dinwiddie completed the sport with 17 assists and 12 assists.
Nevertheless, they needed to survive one doozy from the Utah return provide to take action. The Nets led by 23 factors, however a 42-point explosion within the fourth quarter gave the Jazz an opportunity. Talen Horton-Tucker scored 15 of his 32 factors within the fourth quarter as Utah led 26-8 to come back shut. Ultimately, it wasn’t sufficient, as regardless of taking the ultimate shot, praying for Kelly Olynyk, the Jazz misplaced their fifth recreation in six makes an attempt. They fell to twelfth place within the West and their budding post-season hopes almost got here to naught.
Raptors fly previous Hornets, 128-108
Hornets had about three players. Fred VanVleet took benefit of this, scoring 20 factors and dealing 20 assists, a franchise document. The Raptors are actually half a recreation forward of Atlanta, eighth within the East, and will mild up at simply the correct second: they’re 7-3 of their final 10 video games.
Pistons Magic Home, 128-102
20 losses in 21 tries for Detroit. Thread.
The Knicks beat the Wizards 118-109 and take a playoff spot
Occasion prefer it’s solely 2021, New York! Regardless of lacking Julius Randle for (a minimum of) the subsequent few weeks, the Knicks went into enterprise in opposition to a weakened Washington crew that was with out Kristaps Porzingis, Kyle Kuzma, Bradley Beal and Monte Morris. Cory Kispert (29 factors all-scorers lead) strengthened of their absence, however New York at all times had the higher squad. The 4 Knicks scored a 20-plus in Sunday’s victory, whereas Jalen Brunson and Quentin Grimes scored 27 factors every. The Knicks have now received 4 in a row.
Shorthanded Blazers shock Timberwolves, 107-105
Removed from a flagship day for Minnesota, who suffered a probably devastating blow because it pertains to their hopes of avoiding the sport with this defeat. Though the Path Blazers have been trailing 12 by the tip of the third quarter, they regained the power of Shaedon Sharpe (27 factors) and Kevin Knox II (19), taking the T-Wolves’ third straight loss. Anthony Edwards led all scorers with 37.
Regardless of giving up a 19-4 run in Minnesota’s fourth, she nonetheless had an opportunity to win after the final possession of the sport. It did not go as deliberate.
The loss not solely affected Minnesota’s possibilities of dropping under ninth or tenth within the Western Convention standings, it made historical past. At the least within the betting world.
Minnesota favorites Timberwolves with 19.5 factors simply suffered their worst recorded NBA ATS loss since 1995, a disastrous loss that noticed them lose 2 losses to the eighth seed within the West with 3 video games left to play. A situation that might doom them to sudden dying within the play-in bracket.
— Rob Perez (@WorldWideWob) April 2, 2023
The Lakers defeat the Rockets 134-109
The Spurs outperform the Kings in additional time, 142-134
Regardless of De’Aaron Fox’s electrifying efficiency within the fourth quarter, who scored 16 of his 28 caps, the Spurs proved too sturdy in additional time. They used every of the primary six photographs to leap ahead, and by the point the buzzer sounded, the Kings had misplaced an unforgivable 17 factors in additional time. Doug McDermott (30 factors) and Julian Champagnie (26) led for San Antonio.
Bulls hit Grizzlies, 128-107
You see the rating and also you see an explosion in favor of the Bulls. However what about what may have been: the precise reverse? Memphis’ largest lead was 23, however the Bulls’ dominant second-half efficiency gave them the ultimate lead. They beat the Grizzlies 75-39 within the final two frames of the sport, together with 40-16 within the third quarter. Even when Memphis acquired three wickets in the course of the fourth, the Bulls responded with an 11-0 collection.
Zach LaVine led all scorers with 36 factors and DeMar DeRozan added 31. Chicago received eight of 11 as they continued their late battle for a play-in spot within the East.
Cavs rally to high Pacers, 115-105
The Hawks survived the additional time, defeating the Mavs 132-130
A bit funky, a disappointing ending to what was in any other case thrilling. After a clean end within the room for Kyrie, Irving tied the sport at 130, the Mavs had a foul to commit. They gave it with only a few ticks with six seconds left, solely to commit an admittedly odd foul 5 seconds later, sending Trae Younger to the lane.
It is disappointing that an ideal recreation ends like this, however sadly it occurs. Kyrie was surely man of the match regardless of a late foul, scoring 41 factors and main all scorers. Luka Doncic (22 factors) had an opportunity to win in the long run however rebounded off the rim when the buzzer sounded. Trae Younger (24 factors, 12 assists) and Dejounte Murray (25 factors) led seven Atlanta gamers who completed in double figures.