Bucks 130, Timberwolves 105
Cavaliers 103, Hornets 90
76ers 123, Nets 117
Raptors 117, Spurs 112
Magic 115, Bulls 106
Knicks 116, Pelicans 106
Clippers 100, Pistons 98
Warriors 147, Thunder 109
Pacers 132, Rockets 124
Mavericks 114, Grizzlies 113
Nuggets 123, Heat 106
Wizards 123, Kings 111
What went down
By the power of Bruce Brown, the Nets just wouldn't give up.
Playing in Philadelphia in front of a Wrestlemania-level crowd, Brooklyn – without KD and James Harden – was struggling to contain the healthy 76ers and their World Heavyweight Champion Joel Embiid. Down 22 with 8:13 left in the fourth quarter, Steve Nash pulled out Kyrie Irving, waving the proverbial white flag.
But the Nets didn't go away. The odd-ball five-man lineup of former-Sixers, current-badasses Timothé Luwawu-Cabarot and Landry Shamet, Amar'e Stoudamire disciple Nic Claxton, sobering defensive presence Alize Johnson, and aforementioned Brooklyn hero Bruce Brown inched the Nets back into the game.
Brooklyn got within three points of the Sixers, before Philly finally put the game away in the last minute. The Sixers won, but not without driving Doc Rivers' and their rowdy crowds' stress levels to the limit. Every matchup is a rivalry with Embiid's WWE Superstar level of promoting matchups. The Sixers are legit title contenders this year, but this Nets team has been unstoppable when all three of their stars are healthy. One has to wonder what type of message it sends when you mount a comeback behind your second and third stringers.
Out West with two teams facing off for crucial playoff positioning, Luka Magic happened.
The Grizzlies had the Mavericks pinned, leading 111-106 with 1:16 to go in the game. The Mavericks found consecutive stops and buckets to get within two, 113-111. That's when the Grizzlies made two crucial mistakes.
The first error fell on Grayson Allen, who shot 91 percent from the free throw line this season, missing two charities. The next was leaving 1.8 seconds on the clock, just enough time for the Wonder Kid to conjure a bucket.
🚨 MAGICAL LUKA GAME-WINNER! 🚨
— NBA (@NBA) April 15, 2021
Luka Doncic beats the trap, puts up the floater from behind the arc and knocks down the #TissotBuzzerBeater to lift the @dallasmavs! #ThisIsYourTime pic.twitter.com/eOqyEGMg7T
Doncic has broken many hearts this season. This one against the Grizzlies – heaving a shot from deep with two defenders draped on him, while he was stumbling – has to sting the most.
The win gives the Mavs a 30-24 record, 2.5 games ahead of the Grizzlies for the seventh seed.
Big-time baller
They’re far from their 73-9 2016 glory days, but today we got a reminder of just how dominant the Warriors can be when Steph Curry finds his groove.
That perfect third quarter had Steph finish with 42 points with 11 3s, eights assists and six rebounds. He did that all in just 29 minutes, sitting out the entire fourth quarter.
Steph's 3rd quarter:
— NBA (@NBA) April 15, 2021
💦 25 PTS
💦 8-8 FGM
💦 6-6 3PM pic.twitter.com/6MDUjyoMlX
Steph’s forever tag team partner Draymond Green also had himself a throwback performance, tallying a triple-double of 12 points, 16 assist, and 10 rebounds with three steals and two blocks.
They’re still hanging on to a play-in spot, but it's always nice to get a reminder of just how dangerous the Warriors can be.
Did you see that?
No Kawhi. No PG. Luckily, the Clippers had Reggie.
Facing his former team, Reggie Jackson first did a Miller, tying the game with a 3. Then he did a Michael, ending the thriller in style.
REGGIE JACKSON TIES IT.
— NBA (@NBA) April 15, 2021
REGGIE JACKSON WINS IT.#ClipperNation pic.twitter.com/VOf9AHNfga
What he said
We never really know how much a city means to these players. On the outside, we see Reggie Jackson playing against a team he spent six seasons on. For Reggie, he’s coming home every time he goes back to Detroit.
“Never gave up.”@Reggie_Jackson after the win. pic.twitter.com/Z74RfOb2VO
— LA Clippers (@LAClippers) April 15, 2021
