Scoreboard
- Pacers 116, Pistons 111
- Raptors 135, Nuggets 111
- Bucks 121, Celtics 119
- Magic 112, Suns 111
- Cavaliers 103, Bulls 94
- Hornets 122, Rockets 97
- Mavericks 128, Timberwolves 108
- Grizzlies 116, Thunder 107
- Clippers 134, Spurs 101
- Jazz 118, Nets 88
- Kings 110, Hawks 108
What went down
Although the current standings won’t reflect it, any matchup between the Milwaukee Bucks and the Boston Celtics will always have that heavyweight bout feel to it.
It certainly didn’t show in the first half. The Bucks went ahead with a big lead early and the Celtics played catch-up pretty much the entire game. The lead ballooned to as high as 25 points, 90-65, before Boston finally got into the groove of things.
They found themselves within two points in the last two minutes, with Jaylen Brown (24 points) and Kemba Walker (23 points) doing the heavy lifting on offense. In the final possession, Marcus Smart found an open Daniel Theis for a potential game-winning three, which he bricked.
Losing in that manner after climbing back up from a huge deficit will sting, but as Boston coach Brad Stevens said postgame, they shouldn’t have been in that position in the first place. The Bucks were at a disadvantage with two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo struggling on the offensive end.
Khris Middleton led the Bucks with 27 points, but Bobby Portis did more damage with 21 points off the bench. After the game, Portis—who came off an 18-10 game—was seen working overtime, throwing up shots.
That should be handy when they face the Celtics yet again in two days.
Big-time baller
One of the truly most amazing things to happen this year is that you could be getting cancer surgery just three months ago, then hitting a dagger stepback 3 today.
That’s exactly what Indiana Pacer Caris LeVert did with less than five seconds left, Indiana up three against the Detroit Pistons.
LeVert missed 26 games and recently made his debut with the Pacers. This is his biggest game yet, a glimpse of why Indiana agreed to get him: 28 points on 57 percent shooting, six rebounds, and four assists. Plus, a courageous, big-time play in the closing seconds.
Caris LeVert. Ice cold. #AlwaysGame pic.twitter.com/7zvu4ZQhkj
— NBA (@NBA) March 25, 2021
What he said
Kyle Lowry, Toronto’s most beloved, on what he sees will happen at the looming trade deadline:
"I don't know. I wish I could give you a decision."
Did you see that?
Orlando Magic guard Evan Fournier took it to the heart of the Phoenix Suns’ defense and served up the game-winner versus the West’s No. 2 team.
EVAN FOURNIER WINS IT for the @OrlandoMagic! pic.twitter.com/TKyOzHEZPg
— NBA (@NBA) March 25, 2021
