Hawks Pay for Resting Stars: NBA Review for Mar 8

The Hawks rest several stars and come up short against the 76ers in a shocking turn of events. Elsewhere, James Harden continues his strong MVP bid and the Rockets get the win, while Memphis finds Anthony Davis to be too much to handle.

Let’s get to the games:

Memphis Grizzlies 89 (44-18)
New Orleans Pelicans 95 (34-29)
Final

The Pelicans got off to a slow start in this game which is to be expected as they face one the best team in the East the Memphis Grizzlies. After falling to a 38-50 first half, Tyreke Evans and Anthony Davis combined for a total of 49 points to clinch the 95-88 victory at home.

 

Atlanta Hawks 84 (49-13)
Philadelphia 76ers 92 (14-49)
Final

For two teams who couldn’t be further apart in the standing this game turned into quite the show. With both teams battling until the end it was Hollis Thompson and Luc Mbah a Moute who scored 19 points apiece, and the 76ers surprised the short-handed Hawks 92-84 on Saturday night.

 

Indiana Pacers 92 (28-34)
New York Knicks 86 (12-49)
Final

In a game where the offense looked to have vanished for both teams it was the Pacers who came out on top, 92-86. With both teams only shooting around 38% for the game, the Indiana bench was the x-factor as they scored 44 points to seemingly carry the team to this late season victory.

 

Phoenix Suns 79 (33-31)
Cleveland Cavaliers 89 (40-25)
Final

Despite a 4th quarter drought of only 9 points the Cavs pulled out a big win that ties them for 2nd place in the Eastern Conference. Lebron James dish out 8 dimes to tie him with Mark Price at 4206 career assists. The Cavs sealed this game early, 89-79.

 

Sacramento Kings 109 (21-40)
Miami Heat 114 (28-34)
Final – OT

As the heat faced another deficit tonight of 16 points they didn’t seem to skip a beat. Dwyane Wade scored 28 points, Tyler Johnson’s 24-point preformance was capped by a backbreaking 3-pointer as the shot clock was expiring with just under a minute left, and the Heat found a way to beat the Sacramento Kings 114-109 in overtime and move back to No. 8 in the Eastern Conference playoff race.

 

Portland Trail Blazers 113 (41-20)
Minnesota Timberwolves 121 (14-47)
Final

The Portland Trail Blazers knew they were in for a long night with Wesley Matthews injury in the back of their minds. It didn’t take long for Minnesota to show them why. Kevin Martin scored 29 points and Ricky Rubio hit a big 3-pointer with a minute left to help the Timberwolves snap a four-game skid with a 121-113 victory over the Trail Blazers on Saturday night. Matthews will be a huge void to fill as he ruptured his Achilles in Thursday nights game and is out for the season.

 

Washington Wizards 85 (35-28)
Milwaukee Bucks 91 (33-29)
Final

Khris Middleton scored a career-best 30 points and hit the ever crucial 3-pointer from the corner with 40.8 seconds left. Milwaukee got over their tough stretch as of late and snapped a four-game losing streak with a 91-85 victory over theWizards on Saturday night. It was an important win for a young Bucks team after nearly blowing the 60-43 lead they spent all night building with 8:50 left in the third quarter.

 

Houston Rockets 114 (43-20)
Denver Nuggets 100 (22-41)
Final

James Harden scored 28 points, Corey Brewer had 24 against his old team and the Houston Rockets snapped a three-game road losing streak by annihilating the constantly struggling Denver Nuggets 114-100 on Saturday night. The only flashes of brilliance for the Nuggets were Wilson Chandlers 26 point effort and the pair of 3-pointers and a three-point play from Randy Foye at the start of the third quarter to surge in front 62-58.