Bulls 115, Nets 107
Clippers 104, Lakers 86
Celtics 116, Hornets 86
Grizzlies 116, 76ers 100
Hawks 117, Warriors 111
Pelicans 122, Rockets 115
Nuggets 119, Magic 109
What went down
The season is coming down to a sprint to the end and the top seeds in the East both suffered upsets today. First, the Nets – still without Durant and missing James Harden due to hamstring tightness – dropped a close one to the Chicago Bulls. Then the Philadelphia 76ers, who were resting Joel Embiid, got blown at home by the Memphis Grizzlies.
Even with their losses, Philly and Brooklyn still comfortably sit atop the East with matching 34-16 records. The Milwaukee Bucks trail them pretty close at 32-17, but the East's fourth through ninth seeds are held by teams hovering around .500. The race for the last slot of home court advantage and for the four play-in seeds should be tight in the East.
Big-time ballers
His brand used to be Big Baller, but it's only this year that he's truly balled out. Lonzo Ball was on fire for the New Orleans Pelicans, drilling a career-high eight 3s en route to 27 points, nine assists, four rebounds, and three steals.
Lonzo (27 PTS & 8 3PM) went OFF from deep tonight 🎯 pic.twitter.com/XXlLZrchOf
— NBA TV (@NBATV) April 5, 2021
Ball came in with one of the wonkiest shooting forms in NBA history. He has since cleaned that up and worked towards becoming a steady outside threat, shooting 38.5 percent from deep this season.
In Atlanta, the Hawks let bigman Clint Capela feast on the undersized Golden State Warriors. The dark horse Defensive Player of the Year candidate dominated the paint with 24 points and 18 rebounds to go with two blocks and one steal.
BIG-TIME double-double for @CapelaClint in the @ATLHawks win! 💪
— NBA (@NBA) April 5, 2021
24 PTS | 18 REB | 2 BLK pic.twitter.com/a8nwu1Fnr4
Capela has been putting up high-key monstrous numbers all season and has low-key been the reason the Hawks have shot up the standings since the All-Star break.
What he said
This would be anyone’s reaction if they found out they were talking to Vince Carter.
"VC! Where you at?" 😂@gallinari8888 x @mrvincecarter15 pic.twitter.com/MRQP2oD00k
— NBA (@NBA) April 5, 2021
Did you see that?
Steph Curry is one of the league’s best examples of using his outsized platform for social activism. Today, playing in Atlanta, Steph sought to make a statement on the tragic shooting of Asians last month with shoes dedicated to the Bruce Lee foundation.
Steph’s shoes tonight are a statement of solidarity with the Asian community.#StopAsianHate
— Golden State Warriors (@warriors) April 4, 2021
Steph knows that racial issues are humanitarian issues. He also knows how to punish teams that continue to switch their big on him. He did this last week to Nikola Vucevic. He famously faked Marcin Gortat out of the league. Add defensive monster Clint Capela to his reel.
Steph's dribble combinations.. 😮
— NBA (@NBA) April 5, 2021
He's got 19 at the half on NBA TV.. @warriors lead by 2. pic.twitter.com/wA69Kj7tzQ
Meanwhile in New Orleans, Isaiah Thomas signed a 10-day contract. Not only is one of the NBA’s most-beloved veterans back in the league, Thomas is also paying tribute to one of the league’s most-loved legends.
For 24 ?? pic.twitter.com/0IUpGG68Gn
— New Orleans Pelicans (@PelicansNBA) April 4, 2021
