Scoreboard
Nets 123, Pistons 108
Knicks 138, Pacers 129
Hawks 134, Wizards 116
Celtics 97, Raptors 93
Bucks 105, Bulls 92
Pelicans 138, Grizzlies 131
Mavericks 123, Kings 119
Clippers 125, Lakers 118
What went down
Another day, another playoff shuffle.
In what could turn out to be the biggest game of the season for the two LA teams, the Clippers escaped with the win. The final score, 125-118, doesn’t quite show how the Clippers dominated the game all throughout.
What it also doesn’t show was how the Lakers were fatigued from playing in an overtime game just a few hours earlier. They made a last push in the fourth to cut it close, but playing catch-up the entire game took a toll.
In the end, the Clippers won, continuing their 11-game dominance over their LA counterpart. What it meant to the playoff picture was more important. With the loss, the Lakers slipped back down to seventh spot, back in play-in tournament territory.
To avoid that, the Lakers will have to win their last two games (which includes a tough matchup with the Phoenix Suns) and the Warriors will have to lose theirs.
Meanwhile, a win by the Pelicans further complicated the seedings. They’re now tied with the Lakers with a 41-39 win-loss record, just a game above the Minnesota Timberwolves at 40-40.
A win by the Mavericks also boosted their chances to make the play-in—they’re now tied with the Thunder at 38-42 for the last play-in slot.
With the regular season calendar winding up, games will definitely be tougher, and the Western Conference seedings will get trickier by the minute.
Big-time ballers
It was a historic night for teammates scoring in bunches. Before, no trio of teammates have ever scored more than 30 points and five 3s in the same game. After today, two sets of trios have done it.
Immanuel Quickley (39 points), Quentin Grimes (36 points), and Obi Toppin (32 points) all scored more than 30 points in a huge win versus the Pacers.
The three, which also combined for 17 3s, made Knicks history with the feat.
The Pelicans showed they can do the same. Against the Grizzlies, Trey Murphy III (30 points), Herb Jones (35 points), and CJ McCollum (31 points) joined forces to get the important win in overtime.
They, too, became the first Pelicans trio in franchise history to score 30-plus points in the same game.
What he said
With their season on the line, Kyrie Irving stepped up and showed why he’s one of the most prolific scorers to ever play.
He scored 31 points in the win, 19 of which came in the fourth quarter. Excuse his offensive game:
Kyrie:
— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) April 6, 2023
“I'm glad I got some food in me in the second half. Sh*t, I had to get it going. Excuse my language, kids."
(h/t @ohnohedidnt24)
pic.twitter.com/8kvzVw9UHf
Did you see that?
When you think you’ve seen it all, here’s a no-look, behind-the-back steal by the Hawks’ Clint Capela:
CC GOT THE STEAL BEHIND HIS BACK pic.twitter.com/ZsYY2G6ohT
— Atlanta Hawks (@ATLHawks) April 6, 2023
