Not even the defending champion Celtics could not cool off the red-hot Detroit Pistons, who rolled past Boston at home to extend their winning run to eight games.
Meanwhile, Shaedon Sharpe made his case for the best dunk of the season on the same night Jalen Brunson torched the Philadelphia 76ers in the clutch.
PISTONS CONTINUE SIZZLING RUN; JALEN BRUNSON TAKEOVER BURNS SIXERS
- Detroit Pistons (33-26) def. Boston Celtics (42-17), 117-97: For the first time since the 2007-08 season, the Pistons won eight straight games after a statement victory over the Celtics that also halted Boston’s six-game winning run.
[ALSO READ: Red-hot Pistons claim giant scalp of champion Celtics for season-high eighth straight win]
- New York Knicks (38-20) def. Philadelphia 76ers (20-38), 110-105: Jalen Brunson took over late, scoring 12 of the Knicks’ final 14 points to send the free-falling Sixers to a ninth straight loss.
- Brunson 🤝 Bridges = Ball Game: Brunson ended up with 34 points, while Mikal Bridges dropped 19 of his 28 markers in the opening frame on the night New York overcame the absence of big man Karl-Anthony Towns.
- Indiana Pacers (33-24) def. Toronto Raptors (18-41), 111-91: Tyrese Haliburton erupted for a 31-point, 11-assist outing on top of seven threes in commanding Pacers bounce back over the Raptors.
- Miami Heat (27-30) def. Atlanta Hawks (27-32), 131-109: Tyler Herro and Duncan Robinson splashed their way to hit a combined 10 of the Heat’s 23 threes that snapped a two-game skid at the Hawks' expense.
SHAEDON SHARPE DROPS CAREER-HIGH 36; THUNDER BOUNCE BACK
- Portland Trail Blazers (26-33) def. Washington Wizards (10-48), 129-121: It was all Shaedon Sharpe in this third successive Trail Blazers win after a career-high outing that was highlighted by a ‘Dunk of the Year’ candidate.
- Sharpe Slamma Jamma: Sharpe unloaded 36 points, including a massive poster dunk over Justin Champagnie in the second quarter that he considered as the ‘best dunk’ of his young career in the post-game interview.
- OKC Thunder (47-11) def. Brooklyn Nets (21-37), 129-121: The Thunder erased an early 14-point deficit to get back on the winning track thanks to four 20-point scorers led by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s 27.
[ALSO READ: West-leading Thunder shift gears in second half, complete 14-point comeback vs Nets]
- LA Clippers (32-26) def. Chicago Bulls (23-36), 122-117: James Harden hit the dagger three with 14.1 seconds left, capping off a 30-point night that ended the Clippers’ three-game losing skid.
- Sacramento Kings (30-28) def. Utah Jazz (14-44), 118-101: Keegan Murray led a balanced Kings attack with 26 points and five threes en route to 4-0 regular season sweep of the lowly Jazz.
- Houston Rockets (36-22) def. San Antonio Spurs (24-32), 116-108: Amen Thompson and Jalen Green lifted off with a combined 46-point showing, giving the Rockets their fifth win in the last seven games while handing the Spurs’ a fourth straight defeat in the process.
