The team might not have the flare of the “Heatles” but this year’s Heat is starting to put the pieces together. Miami just hopes its not too late. By knocking off the reeling 76ers, the Heat winning in the second half is music to the fans’ of South Beach’s wet ears. The Jazz are also playing a strong tune, as is the former music city down in New Orleans. Graceland was rocking hard with a win on Monday too.
Let’s get to the games:
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Philadelphia 76ers | 108 | (12-44) |
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Miami Heat | 119 | (24-31) |
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If the Heat are looking for a new nickname for the remainder of the season, it can start with “Double Dare.” Luol Deng and Goran Dragic are now a formidable pair with a knack for scoring. Deng scored 29 points and the newest Miami player added 23. Dwayne Wade chipped in with 17 points as the Heat’s playoff hopes remain very much alive, despite its losing record. Both teams had 27 assists with Dragic leading the Heat with 10 and 10 players recording at least one for Philadelphia. Ish Smith dished out seven assists, himself. Hollis Thompson came off the bench to score 22 points for the 76ers.
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Milwaukee Bucks | 71 | (31-25) |
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Chicago Bulls | 87 | (36-21) |
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The Bulls dominated the glass and the game. With 62 rebounds, Chicago made up for an otherwise poor night as it had trouble scoring points. Joakin Noak led with 16 rebounds, Nikola Mirotic had 14 and Pau Gasol added 10 for the Bulls. Tony Snell came off the bench to lead with 20 points. Milwaukee didn’t fare much better. Kris Middleton scored 17 points, Ersan Ilyasova had 15 and Giannis Antetokounmpo added 11, but no other Bucks player reached double figures. In fact, other starters Jerryd Bayless (eight) and John Henson (two) only combined to score 10 points.
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Toronto Raptors | 97 | (37-19) |
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New Orleans Pelicans | 100 | (29-27) |
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Luke Babbitt scored 18 points to help the Pelicans come from behind to dispatch the Raptors. It’s fitting, too, that New Orleans trailed by 18 points at one point in the fourth quarter. Babbitt knocked down a 3-pointer with under two minutes remaining that helped the Pelicans control the remainder as Alexis Ajinca hit the game-winning jumper in the final seconds to seal it. Omer Asik Tyreke Evans each had a double-double for New Orleans; Asik scored 14 points with 11 rebounds and Evans had 13 points with 12 assists. Four starters scored in double figures for Toronto with Kyle Lowry leading with 22 points.
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Minnesota Timberwolves | 102 | (12-43) |
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Houston Rockets | 113 | (38-18) |
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James Harden has proclaimed himself as one of the top players in the league. He’s been well on his way all season and Monday night he proved it once again with his second triple-double with Houston. Harden scored 31 points, grabbed 11 rebounds and dished out 10 assists to lead the way. Josh Smith added 17 points for the Rockets and Terrance Jones had 15 rebounds. Ever Minnesota starter scored in double figures with Andrew Wiggins leading with 30 points. The rookie cut the Houston lead to just one point with four minutes left. Since that point, though, the Rockets went on a 14-2 run.
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San Antonio Spurs | 81 | (34-22) |
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Utah Jazz | 90 | (21-34) |
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It’s a streak that means a lot, to an extent. As the Jazz have faded out of the playoff picture, its defense has shined brightly holding the last five opponents to under 100 points. The Spurs are also streaking as loser of their last three games. Every Utah player recorded at least one steal with Derrick Favors, Joe Ingles and Elijah Milsap all forcing three each. Trey Burke came off the bench to score 23 points and Gordon Hayward added 18 for the Jazz. Tim Duncan recorded San Antonio’s only double-double with 14 points and 10 rebounds.
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Boston Celtics | 115 | (21-33) |
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Phoenix Suns | 110 | (29-28) |
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Boston found itself in back-to-back, down-to-the wire, thrilling games. Luckily for the Celtics, they now know the feeling of winning one. Isaiah Thomas led a late rally to secure the win and finish with 21 points. Earlier in the second half, Boston had to hold off a 16-2 Suns’ run, despite holding a double digit lead before halftime. Avery Bradley led all scorers with 23 points as the Celtics shot nearly 50-percent from behind-the-arc. Phoenix attempted 97 shots, sinking 44, and were led by Eric Bledsoe’s 21 points.
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Brooklyn Nets | 110 | (23-31) |
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Denver Nuggets | 82 | (20-36) |
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By outscoring the Nuggets, 25-13, in the fourth quarter following a 31-point outburst in the third, Brooklyn captured its second-straight win. All starters scored in double figures, along with two bench guys. Brooke Lopez was one of the reserve standouts leading the team with 19 points. Deron Williams had 16 points and 12 rebounds. Danilo Gallinari led Denver with 22 points.
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Memphis Grizzlies | 90 | (41-14) |
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Los Angeles Clippers | 87 | (37-20) |
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The Clippers found that all good things must come to and end as their four-game winning streak was snapped by the Grizzlies. It was also the Grizzlies second win over Los Angeles this season. Mike Conley scored 18 points and disrupted the Clippers’ final attempt to tie the game down the stretch with a steal. Jeff Green added 16 points and Marc Gasol had 14. Chris Paul led all scorers with 30 points and dished out 10 assists. Memphis was 19-of-26 from the free throw line, while the Clippers only attempted 12 foul shots.