Golden State Warriors 100-99 Memphis Grizzlies
The Memphis Grizzlies had just over a minute of playing time to take the lead and then play defense on the best team in the league. However, that never happened as the Golden State Warriors played a stellar defense in the final minute, after Draymond Green tipped in a missed Stephen Curry lay-up.
The win helps the Warriors move to a record 71-9 with two games remaining against the Spurs at San Antonio on Sunday and against the Grizzlies at home on Wednesday.
Chasing the 1995-96 Bulls record of 72 wins, Golden State today tied those Bulls for most road wins in a season with 33. They have a chance to beat that mark when the face the Spurs tomorrow. For the Warriors, Curry had an all-round game 17 points, 9 rebounds and 8 assists while Green had his 32nd double double of the season with 23 points, 11 rebounds and 4 assists.
Golden State entered the half with a slim lead of 3 points but quickly fell behind after the Grizzlies outscored them 28-17 in the third period. For a depleted Memphis team, this was a surprise competitive performance.
Nonetheless, the Warriors kept it close until the final minute and made a successfull comeback to keep their pursuit of 73 wins alive. Matt Barnes had the most effective and efficient night among Memphis players with 24 points, 15 rebounds and 4 assists.
Atlanta Hawks 118-107 Boston Celtics
This wasn’t just a match-up between two playoff teams, it was essentially a contest for the third seed in the Eastern Conference Playoff standings. Paul Millsap with 31 points, 16 rebounds, 5 blocks and 3 assists led an incredible offensive display put up by the Hawks to win the game. T
hey shot 52.3% from the field, 51.5% from beyond the arc and 82% from the free throw line while committing only 10 turnovers and assisting on 31 of thier field 46 made field goals.
The win helps the Hawks establish themselves in the third seed and at the same time hold a convincing lead of one game.
However, with a game yet to be played against the East leading Cavaliers and another against the already eliminated Washington Wizards, the Hawks stand a better chance at staying in the third spot because Celtics’ play their remaining games against fellow playoff competitiors in the Miami Heat and the Charlotte Hornets.
For Boston’s Isaiah Thomas, his streak of 18 straight games with 20+ points came to a halt as he only registered 16 on 6 of 19 shooting. In Friday’s game against the Milwaukee Bucks, his streak of 17 games as the Celtics’ leading scorer was done courtesy of Tyler Zeller’s game high 26 points.
Chicago Bulls 105-102 Cleveland Cavaliers
Against a Chicago Bulls that has disappointed this season, the Cleveland Cavaliers had a chance to officially lock up the first seed in the East but that coronation will have to wait. The Bulls spoilt the Cavaliers’ party defeating them at the United Center, thus sweeping the season series with the Conference leading team.
Chicago were led by 21 points and 6 assists from Jimmy Butler while Pau Gasol (11 points, 12 rebounds) and back-up center Cristiano Felicio (16 points on 7-7 FG’s).
For the Cavaliers, their Big three of LeBron James (33 points, 7 rebounds and 3 assists), Kyrie Irving (11 points, 8 assists) and Kevin Love (20 points, 13 rebounds) answered the call but couldn’t take their team over the line for the W. Turnovers had a lot to with this loss.
Considering the team’s has the ball for most of the game, it hurt the team when they recorded 11 of the team’s 15 turnovers for the game.
This win helps the Bulls mathematically stay alive for the Playoffs but for them to make it to the post-season, they have win all of their remaining game and the eighth seeded Indiana Pacers have to lose all.
If the Pacers win even one of their remaining games, the first of which is on Monday night against the Brooklyn Nets followed by one against the New York Knicks, the Bulls will be eliminated from Playoff contention.
Phoenix Suns 121-100 New Orleans Pelicans
Tim Frazier (NOP): 11 pts, 8 rebs, 7 asts
Mirza Teletovic (PHO): 22 pts, 5 rebs, 4 asts
Minnesota Timberwolves 106-105 Portland Trailblazers
Karl Anthony Towns (MIN): 27 pts, 9 rebs, 2 blks
Damian Lillard (POR): 31 pts, 7 asts
Sacramento Kings 114-112 Oklahoma City Thunder
Kevin Durant (OKC): 31 pts, 8 asts, 6 rebs
Russell Westbrook (OKC): 24 pts, 10 asts, 5 rebs
Darren Collison (SAC): 27 pts, 8 asts, 5 rebs
