Scoreboard
Trail Blazers 124, Pistons 101
Heat 92, Pacers 87
Mavericks 113, Celtics 108
Nets 120, Rockets 108
Jazz 111, Grizzlies 107
Timberwolves 102, Knicks 101
Thunder 113, Raptors 103
Spurs 120, Kings 106
Bucks 112, Lakers 97
Suns 121, Bulls 116
What went down
Luka Doncic went supernova on the Boston Celtics as the Dallas Mavericks barely held on for a 113-108 victory.
Doncic scored 36 points on a scorching 73-percent shooting clip, including 7-for-11 from beyond the arc, while also adding eight rebounds and five assists. His incredible shooting performance eclipsed his game-high eight turnovers.
Jalen Brunson netted 21 points and knocked down two clutch free throws. The Mavericks needed every point they could get in the final stretch after squandering a 23-point third quarter lead.
The Celtics rallied back in the fourth period, slicing the deficit to single digits. They got to within two, 109-107, after a putback by Marcus Smart. But the late-game rally was put to rest after the foul shots from Brunson.
Shifty Magician 🤠pic.twitter.com/BOWOB1UB4r
— Dallas Mavericks (@dallasmavs) April 1, 2021
Over in Los Angeles, Andre Drummond’s first game as a Laker was cut short because of a right big toe contusion. The Milwaukee Bucks took full advantage of the short-handed Lakers as they cruised to a 112-97 win.
Drummond played just 14 minutes and finished with four points, one rebound, two assists, and one block. He also committed three turnovers and four fouls.
There was certainly a lot of excitement around Drummond, the defending champions’ newest acquisition in light of the team’s injury setbacks, but the debut of the rebounding savant was also marred by an ailment. According to ESPN’s Dave McMenamin, x-rays taken at the arena came back negative.
Big-time baller
Devin Booker took the title on Thursday after dropping a season-high 45 points on 17-for-24 shots as the Suns picked up their 33rd win of the season.
His last bucket—a torpedo drive from the top of the key and a left-handed finish against Nikola Vucecic—was also the dagger to ice the game with 34.1 seconds remaining.
It was Booker’s 14th career 40-point game, the second most in Suns history.
45 points.
— NBA (@NBA) April 1, 2021
17-24 shooting.@DevinBook CATCHES 🔥 in @Suns W! pic.twitter.com/LpBUio3SeP
What he said
Anthony Edwards has been a comedic genius with the mic all-season long. In this postgame interview, he had the side comment to dunk on RJ Barrett. However, he's also shown he has a lot of game to back up his talk. And him saying “I got a whole lot of gears in me” and “there’s more to come" speak a lot about his potential.
Did you see that?
Even referees get banged up too.
NBA official Leroy Richardson got caught up in the action between the Bulls and the Suns twice. He accidentally got hit in the groin area earlier in the game and then crashed into the Suns bench in the fourth quarter. Fortunately, he was able to shake it off and finish the game.
NBA ref Leroy Richardson got bumped multiple times but still managed to finish the game pic.twitter.com/keb9hZZqly
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) April 1, 2021
