There were three games last night in which both teams were in the playoff race, giving viewers a competitive slate for Sunday. The best players in the NBA were on display last night, as more than half of the NBA played and the stars performed up to their talents. With so many competitive games, Sunday’s slate went a long way in clearing up the playoff picture.
Let’s get to the games:
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Chicago Bulls | 100 | (40-28) |
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Oklahoma City Thunder | 109 | (37-29) |
| Final | |||
In a matchup of playoff competitors, the Thunder edged the Bulls on Sunday night in a matchup two high flying teams. Russell Westbrook had 36 points, 11 rebounds, and six rebounds and Enes Kanter had 18 points and 18 rebounds to pace the Thunder. Nikola Mirotic scored 27 points and grabbed four rebounds off the bench for the Bulls and Pau Gasol added 20 points and eight rebounds, but the Thunder outrebounded the Bulls 52-33. Chicago moves on to play Indiana and the Oklahoma City Thunder will match up Dallas.
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Houston Rockets | 100 | (44-22) |
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Los Angeles Clippers | 98 | (42-25) |
| Final | |||
In Blake Griffin’s first game since Feb. 6, the Los Angeles Clippers were edged out by the Houston Rockets. The NBA’s leading scorer was at it again, as James Harden led the Rockets to victory with 34 points, seven rebounds, and seven assists while Terrance Jones had 16 points and 12 rebounds. Blake Griffin had a double-double in his return with 11 points and 11 rebounds, DeAndre Jordan grabbed 20 rebounds, and Chris Paul had 23 points, but the Clippers had 20 turnovers. Los Angeles turns their focus to Charlotte while Houston turns their attention to Orlando.
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Denver Nuggets | 118 | (26-41) |
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New Orleans Pelicans | 111 | (36-30) |
| Final – 2OT | |||
Denver and New Orleans played a two overtime classic with Denver landing a major blow on New Orleans’ playoff hopes with a victory. Denver had five players with more than 15 points scored, led by Will Barton’s 25 points, and Kenneth Faried had 20 points and 10 rebounds. New Orleans had 18 turnovers, leading to their demise, but Anthony Davis had one of the best stat lines of the year: 36 points, 14 rebounds, nine blocks, seven assists, and a steal. New Orleans will play Milwaukee next while Denver turns their focus to Memphis.
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Cleveland Cavaliers | 123 | (43-25) |
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Orlando Magic | 108 | (21-47) |
| Final | |||
The Cleveland Cavaliers continue to stay hot as they beat the Magic in Orlando. Kyrie Irving led the Cavaliers with 33 points and LeBron James had 21 points, 13 assists, eight rebounds, and three steals as the Cavaliers shot 59.2% from the field and made 18 three point field goals. Orlando had three players in the starting lineup score 20 points, led by Victor Oladipo’s 25 points and Nikola Vucevic’2 22 points and 15 rebounds, but they could not slow Cleveland’s offensive outburst. Orlando turns their focus to Houston while Cleveland moves their focus to Miami.
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Portland Trail Blazers | 113 | (44-20) |
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Toronto Raptors | 97 | (39-27) |
| Final | |||
In a matchup of two playoff teams, Portland rolled over Toronto on the road. Each Trail Blazer had double digit points and LaMarcus Aldridge had 24 points and 10 rebounds with Nicholas Batum contributing 10 points and 12 assists. DeMar DeRozan had 22 points and eight rebounds for the Raptors, but Toronto had 15 turnovers and only shot five of 18 from the field. Toronto turns their focus to Indiana and Portland will play Washington next.
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Minnesota Timberwolves | 97 | (14-51) |
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San Antonio Spurs | 123 | (41-24) |
| Final | |||
As the calendar moves deeper into March, San Antonio always picks up the pace and they beat Minnesota last night. Eight Spurs were in double figure points, led by Kawhi Leonard with 15 points, and the Spurs shot 58.3% from the field and made 12 three point field goals. Kevin Martin scored a game high 19 points for the Timberwolves, but Minnesota only shot 44.2% from the field. Minnesota will play Brooklyn next and San Antonio plays New York.
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New York Knicks | 89 | (13-53) |
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Phoenix Suns | 102 | (35-33) |
| Final | |||
Phoenix stayed within three games of the eighth seed in the Eastern Conference, beating New York at home on Sunday. Eric Bledsoe had 21 points, 11 assists, and nine rebounds for the Suns and Brandan Wright added 18 points and 11 rebounds. Both Andrea Bargnanin and Alexi Shved scored 18 points for the Knicks, but the Knicks only shot 43.8% from the field. New York turns their focus to San Antonio while Phoenix will play New Orleans.
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Atlanta Hawks | 91 | (52-14) |
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Los Angeles Lakers | 86 | (17-48) |
| Final | |||
The Atlanta Hawks maintained the top record in the Eastern Conference, beating the Lakers on Sunday night in Los Angeles. Dennis Schroder had 24 points and 10 assists and Al Horford had 21 points, five rebounds, and five steals. Los Angeles only had three players with double digit points, led by Carlos Boozer and Ryan Kelly with 13 points, and they could not overcome 21 turnovers. The Lakers turn their focus to Golden State and the East leading Hawks continue their West Coast swing against Sacramento.