Scoreboard
Knicks 121, Hornets 106
Pistons 122, Hawks 101
Kings 110, Pacers 109
Celtics 125, Jazz 97
Warriors 118, Heat 104
Grizzlies 132, Nets 120
Suns 125, Timberwolves 116
Thunder 118, Magic 102
Mavericks 110, Rockets 91
76ers 126, Lakers 121
Spurs 133, Trail Blazers 96
What went down
The Grizzlies stood their ground against a scoring barrage from two Nets stars to take a 132-120 victory. Desmond Bane and De’Anthony Melton led the way with 23 points each as the Grizzlies withstood 78 points from Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant.
Dillon Brooks also netted 21 points as seven players from Memphis reached double digits who were without their leader Ja Morant because of right knee soreness. The Grizzlies saw their huge lead evaporate in the second half because of KD and Irving, but a 29-16 scoring edge in the final frame sealed the win.
With the win, Memphis (50-23) continued to hunker down on the second seed in the West.
The Warriors, who are right behind the Grizzlies with a 48-25 record, got a spirited and much-needed win over the East-leading Heat, 118-104. Without Steph Curry, Jordan Poole showed up big time with 30 points, including seven triples. The trio of Damion Lee, Andrew Wiggins, and rookie Jonathan Kumiga each contributed 22 points as the Heat were left in disarray.
Big-time baller
Deandre Ayton notched a career-high 35 points to lead the Suns past the up-and-coming Timberwolves. As much as the Timberwolves have been playing great basketball, the Suns remain the league’s bellwether. Ayton finished with 35 points on 15-for-24 shooting, 14 rebounds, and three assists.
What he said
Sometimes, a team’s success and chemistry speak louder than words.
The Grizzlies crashed Desmon Bane’s postgame chat with ESPN’s Malika Andrews after they defeated the Nets. After he was finally let go by his teammates, Bane ended his interview in two words to describe his squad: “We’re here.”
"I guess that says it all."
— NBA (@NBA) March 24, 2022
The @memgrizz are here! pic.twitter.com/hjuAEkcI0S
Did you see that?
Things got spicy at the Miami Heat bench between Jimmy Butler and head coach Erik Spoelstra. Veteran Udonis Haslem also got into it as tensions flared.
Jimmy Butler was HEATED in the Miami huddle after the Warriors went on a big run to start the second half pic.twitter.com/6waBmHlL1r
— Warriors on NBCS (@NBCSWarriors) March 24, 2022
The Heat eventually lost to the Warriors and after the game, Coach Spo addressed what happened:
"We have a very competitive, gnarly group and we were getting our asses kicked..."
— Bally Sports Sun: HEAT (@BallyHEAT) March 24, 2022
Coach Spoelstra on animated sideline interaction with Jimmy Butler earlier in the night@MiamiHEAT | #HEATCulture pic.twitter.com/bPp9bHqh9J
