Scoreboard
Celtics 126, Nets 120
Bucks 132, Suns 122
Wizards 133, Pacers 123
Rockets 123, Grizzlies 112
Jazz 116, Thunder 103
Cavaliers 104, Raptors 96
Nuggets 138, Pelicans 130 (OT)
Knicks 116, Clippers 93
What went down
The last time the Suns were in Milwaukee, Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 50 points to clinch the title. In a Finals rematch back inside the Fiserv Forum, Khris Middleton and Jrue Holiday stepped up in a huge way.
Middleton notched a season-high 44 points while Holiday delivered 24 as Antetokounmpo was plagued with foul trouble. It was the Bucks’ 1-2 punch that led the way, especially in the fourth quarter against the team with the best record.
Holiday scored 17 points in the final frame and Middleton had 16. The two stars combined for nine 3-pointers while also filling the stat sheet with Middleton adding eight rebounds and five assists and Holiday dishing out nine dimes and nabbing four steals.
Antetokounmpo managed to put up 19 points, 13 rebounds, and six assists in just 31 foul-hampered minutes.
The Suns were shorthanded in this one with its star backcourt of Devin Booker and Chris Paul still sidelined. CP3 is still nursing his right thumb while Booker remains out due to the league’s health protocols. Phoenix was also without versatile forward Cam Johnson (quad), who just had a career outing of 38 points, including a buzzer-beating triple, in the Suns’ previous game.
Deandre Ayton led five Suns in double-figures with his 30-point outing but the Bucks just had more in the tank in the fourth period.
Big-time ballers
Jayson Tatum was on another level today. The Celtics All-Star had 54 points on 16-of-30 shots, drilled eight triples, and made all but three of his 17 free throw attempts. He also had five rebounds and three assists.
Tatum had 34 in the second half, enough to withstand the Nets’ Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving.
54 POINTS for @jaytatum0 lifts @celtics! pic.twitter.com/u6TH4OdZri
— NBA (@NBA) March 6, 2022
Not to be outdone, the reigning MVP poured in a 46-point triple-double. Nikola Jokic had 46 points on an efficient 72.7 shooting clip, on top of 12 boards and 11 dimes. He also had a huge hand defensively, getting three steals and four blocks.
And by the way, Jokic had 30 points in the fourth quarter and overtime as he willed his team past the Pelicans.
Nikola Jokic finished with 46 points, 12 rebounds, 11 assists, 3 steals and 4 blocks. He's the only player to reach those thresholds since blocks and steals began being tracked in 1973-74. pic.twitter.com/pLBrki0q4S
— NBA (@NBA) March 7, 2022
What he said
Tatum had a 50-piece as a birthday gift for Marcus Smart.
Happy birthday champ🤞🏽 https://t.co/g51yhDRfmS
— Jayson Tatum (@jaytatum0) March 6, 2022
Did you see that?
The Rockets were on a 12-game slide when they faced Ja Morant and the Grizzlies. For Houston, it wasn’t a problem.
After the dust settled, it was Kevin Porter Jr.’s big game, Christian Wood’s solid double-double, and this nasty move from Jalen Green that steered the Rockets to a win.
JALEN GREEN CAPS OFF THE ROCKETS WIN WITH THIS MOVE 😤 pic.twitter.com/mADOPiAd4k
— NBA (@NBA) March 7, 2022
