Hawks 118, Heat 103
Nets 109, Celtics 104
Hornets 108, Cavaliers 102
Clippers 109, Rockets 104
Wizards 129, Thunder 109
Grizzlies 130, Trail Blazers 128
Warriors 118, Nuggets 97
What went down
On the day Dub Nation was allowed back into Chase Center, Steph Curry and Draymond Green prepared something special for the fans.
Curry only had seven points at the end of the half, but then turned it up—all the way up—in the second half to lead the Golden State Warriors past the Denver Nuggets.
He finished with 32 points, his 12th 30-point game in the last 13 games.
Green, on the other hand, did the thing that only Draymond Green (and Rajon Rondo) can do, which is dominate the game without scoring much. He scored only two points to go along with a monster 19-assist and 12-rebound game.
The Warriors bench also put on a show for the comeback fans in the arena, with Juan Toscano-Anderson, Kelly Oubre Jr., and Jordan Poole chipping in a combined 47 points.
The Nuggets, hanging on to the fourth spot in West, were obviously missing Jamal Murray against a clicking Warriors squad.
The Warriors improved to a 30-30 win-loss record, still right smack in the middle of the play-in tournament mix. If they keep up this hot streak, whoever they face in that play-in matchup should be worried.
Big-time baller
How many times has Russell Westbrook been a big-time baller this season? We’ve lost count.
Just tracking his past 15 games, Westbrook had 13 triple-doubles in those. Look further to 20 games, he had 16. Those games where Westbrook didn’t get a triple-double? Those are the anomalies now.
Against his former team, the Oklahoma City Thunder, Russ dropped a 37-11-11 line to lead his team to a seven-game winning streak.
By the way, Westbrook’s teammate, the league’s second leading scorer Bradley Beal, chipped in 33 points.
What he said
After a 33-point, 13-assist, zero-turnover game, Ja Morant had a little word of advice to himself:
earn your respect 12 ..
— Ja Morant (@JaMorant) April 24, 2021
Did you see that?
When @brucebrown11 wants it, he GETS it.
— Brooklyn Nets (@BrooklynNets) April 24, 2021
🎥 @MaimonidesMC Play of the Game pic.twitter.com/XaBMgv1LrJ
Apologies are in order for Luke Kornet, who was unwittingly dragged into a poster/wallpaper featuring Bruce Brown of the Brooklyn Nets.
Kornet should’ve been informed beforehand of Brown’s bad intentions, which would’ve allowed him to make a better business decision. Sorry, Luke.
