Scoreboard
Magic 122, Wizards 112
Hawks 129, Pistons 107
Cavaliers 115, Nets 109
Pelicans 119, Spurs 84
Celtics 132, Kings 109
Thunder 101, Clippers 100
What went down
The Sacramento Kings are on pace to finish the season with the best Offensive Rating in the history of the NBA. They’re more than a point per 100 possessions (119.4) ahead of the second-best team this season.
Today, they faced the Boston Celtics in a battle of two of the best teams in the league. The Celtics are no slouches offensively as well. They’re currently fourth in the NBA, scoring 117.6 points per possession.
Boston proved that they could keep in step with the firepower of Sacramento in this game. The Celtics scored 30 points per quarter in the first half, and were only four points behind the Kings heading into the break. They showcased their full offensive arsenal in the third quarter, dropping 40 points. Jaylen Brown was on attack mode in the third period. The rest of the team backed him up with booming triples to build a monstrous lead in the third period.
Unfortunately for the Kings, the Celtics are also the fourth-best team in the league in terms of Defensive Rating (112.2 points per 100 possessions). Boston flashed their defensive teeth in the second and fourth period. They shut down Sacramento in those two quarters, limiting them to a total of only 46 points during those two separate stretches. The Kings managed to hit only 48.1 percent of their shots and 38.6 percent of their attempts from beyond the arc.
Jason Tatum led the Celtics with 36 points and eight rebounds. Brown backed him up with 27 points. Three other Celtics scored in double figures, with Derrick White netting 20 and Marcus Smart adding 17. This was a total team win by the Celtics, one that they needed after a rough patch in their past few games.
This W was about getting back to who we are 💪🏽?? pic.twitter.com/wyRRgNYMKj
— Boston Celtics (@celtics) March 22, 2023
Big-time baller
Big-time ballers don’t only produce big numbers, they also step up to the moment when their team needs them the most. With their season on the line, the New Orleans Pelicans needed a big win to keep them afloat in the West play-in race.
Brandon Ingram made sure that there would be no upset in today’s game against the lottery-bound San Antonio Spurs. He led the team in scoring and assists, dropping 32 points and dishing out seven dimes.
https://twitter.com/PelicansNBA/status/1638352769752129536
Because of his performance, the Pelicans got a huge win to stay a half a game away from the 10th spot.
What he said
The Oklahoma City Thunder are the league’s youngest team. They’re not supposed to be in the thick of a playoff battle with how their roster is constructed. They’re a bunch of lottery picks and young guys that continue to surprise everyone that they play.
But to their coach, Mark Daigneault this isn’t surprising anymore.
Unwavering belief and confidence from the youngest team in the league 💪 pic.twitter.com/D71BTbOKvZ
— OKC THUNDER (@okcthunder) March 22, 2023
Facing one of the most battle-tested playoff teams in the West, the LA Clippers, the young Thunder gutted out a tough and all-important win. From all the way outside the playoff picture a couple of weeks ago, Oklahoma City has climbed all the way up to 7th in the West with a 36-36 record. The Clippers are not too far ahead at 38-35.
Did you see that?
It was a tough loss for the Clippers today. But it was even tougher for the team to watch one of their main guys Paul George go down with a knee injury. George banged knees with Lu Dort late in the game.
Here’s the play where Paul George suffered what appears to be a leg injury. pic.twitter.com/k0JbXyrXvn
— Tomer Azarly (@TomerAzarly) March 22, 2023
George had to be helped off the floor after he suffered the injury. Prayers up for PG!
