Scoreboard
- Mavericks 132, Trail Blazers 92
- Pacers 109, Heat 106
- Thunder 114, Rockets 112
- Pelicans 113, Nuggets 108
- Celtics 112, Magic 96
- Nets 113, Wizards 106
- Cavaliers 116, Raptors 105
- Bulls 100, Pistons 86
- 76ers 101, Knicks 100
- Suns 111, Lakers 94
What went down
It was a madhouse inside the Madison Square Garden as the number one team in the East staved off a gritty effort from the home team. The Philadelphia 76ers pulled out a 101-100 overtime victory over the New York Knicks in a hard-fought battle, compounded by a bizarre ending.
The Knicks were hanging on for dear life, clinging to a 100-99 lead in the final minute in the extra session. The Sixers misfired on their multiple attempts to take the lead but found their luck after Julius Randle fouled Tobias Harris with 5.3 seconds left.
Then came the tricky part. After what appeared to be a regular timeout, it seemed that New York head coach Tom Thibodeau expected a result of a coach's challenge or at least a review on the foul issued on Randle. But there was no discussion between the officials. The miscommunication resulted in a play-on and Harris swished his two shots at the foul line to get the win.
The Knicks had one more chance to save themselves from the jaws of defeat but Randle’s shot at the buzzer went in and out. It was a tough break for the Knicks considering luck was on their side during the tail-end of regulation. It was a corner shot from Randle that tied the game off a fortuitous bounce. It was all for naught in the end as the Sixers held on for the win.
Julius Randle somehow creates the look with limited space in the corner to force overtime at MSG! pic.twitter.com/D6bR98PGMF
— NBA (@NBA) March 22, 2021
Big-time baller
There were a lot of noteworthy performances on Monday. Luka Doncic had 37 points and had the magic touch as he went 8-for-9 from downtown. You also had triple-double performances from Nikola Jokic (29-10-10) and Russell Westbrook (29-13-13). Plus Colin Sexton powered his way to 36 points.
But it wouldn’t be right not to crown Chris Paul as the day’s king. CP3 recorded his 10,000th assist in the Phoenix Suns’ 111-94 win over the LA Lakers. Paul finished with 11 points, 13 assists, and three steals. At 35 years of age, he still has the ball on a string.
Chris Paul becomes the 6th player in NBA history with 10,000 CAREER ASSISTS! pic.twitter.com/pavbc9t6OY
— NBA (@NBA) March 22, 2021
Paul is only the sixth player in NBA history to have at least 10K assists, joining Magic Johnson, Mark Jackson, Steve Nash, Jason Kidd, and league-leader John Stockton. And if you’re curious who the recipient of the bulk of CP3’s career dimes is, it’s none other than former LA Clippers teammate Blake Griffin whom he connected with 1,157 times.
What he said
Houston Rockets head coach Stephen Silas, whose team has now lost 20 games in a row, said only a single word here but sometimes things are better left unsaid.
Rockets coach Stephen Silas was asked if the weight of his team's 20-game losing streak was building.
— Sporting News (@sportingnews) March 21, 2021
His face says it all. pic.twitter.com/9HvfOrWfY6
Did you see that?
You couldn’t have written this any better if you’re Blake Griffin. His first basket as a Brooklyn Net just happened to be a dunk -- a thing he hasn’t done since 2019. A surreal moment for a player who has given a ton of unbelievable dunks.
BlAkE gRiFfIn DoEsNt DuNk AnYmOrE pic.twitter.com/dKjuwyoI7z
— Brooklyn Nets (@BrooklynNets) March 22, 2021
