Scoreboard
Nets 110, Knicks 107
Clippers 106, Pistons 102
Mavericks 95, Celtics 92
76ers 116, Magic 114
Pelicans 130, Rockets 105
Grizzlies 125, Thunder 118
Suns 140, Lakers 111
What went down
In what was a special night in Boston (more on this later), the Dallas Mavericks stole the show first.
It was a battle of two teams humming at their peak form. The Mavericks just had enough mojo to eke out a win against the Boston Celtics in a game of defensive mastery.
The Celtics had the lead, 92-89, after two Marcus Smart free throws with 2:38 left in the game. Those were the last points they scored as Luka Doncic tied the game with a stepback triple a minute later.
🚨 LUKA TIES IT UP WITH A CLUTCH STEP-BACK! 🚨
— NBA (@NBA) March 13, 2022
LIVE ON ABC pic.twitter.com/9gRrrwE0I1
The Wonder Boy then found Spencer Dinwiddie for the go-ahead 3-pointer several possessions later.
🚨 DINWIDDIE GIVES THE MAVS A 3 PT LEAD 🚨@dallasmavs: 95@celtics: 92
— NBA (@NBA) March 13, 2022
4.9 remaining on ABC pic.twitter.com/L7c53vKeuP
Doncic put up a classic 26-8-8 line while shooting eight-for-16 from the field. Dallas improved to 42-26, just a half a game behind the Utah Jazz in the loss column for fourth place in the West. The Celtics dropped to 41-28, one game behind the Chicago Bulls for fourth in the East.
Big-time baller
Kevin Durant was feeling himself against the New York Knicks. With the Brooklyn Nets without Kyrie Irving due to private sector mandates in New York, Durant dropped 51 points on the Knicks.
Ice in his veins.
— Brooklyn Nets (@BrooklynNets) March 13, 2022
Another look at *that* shot from @KDTrey5 🤩 pic.twitter.com/13swth6JRx
A lot has been said about the mandate that’s going to keep Irving out of Nets games for 10 of their last 14 games. For his part, Durant is willing to carry Brooklyn, no matter what it takes.
Kevin Durant doubles down on his willingness to play as many minutes as necessary for the Nets to win with Kyrie Irving out 11 of the next 14 games: “Let me die out there. I told you already.”
— Kristian Winfield #NFTAllStar (@Krisplashed) March 13, 2022
What he said
The Celtics retired Kevin Garnett’s No. 5 jersey, joining 23 other legends in TD Garden rafters.
Forever a Celtic ??5?? pic.twitter.com/BLAqH1oE45
— Boston Celtics (@celtics) March 13, 2022
KG said a lot of things. What should we expect from a man that made a career from talking the talk, not just walking it?
There were plenty of solid moments in the ceremony, which you can re-watch on NBA League Pass. The best part of the day was arguably not shown on TV – KG walking in the Celtics locker room before the game, just to bring the vibes up.
Bringing the energy to the lockerroom ?? pic.twitter.com/IKC7IaUwn8
— Boston Celtics (@celtics) March 13, 2022
Did you see that?
It was de ja vu for the Oklahoma City Thunder. Last season, they had to delay the start of one of their games because they were wearing similar-colored jerseys with the Atlanta Hawks. Earlier today, their game was again delayed because they and the Memphis Grizzlies walked out on the floor in their white jerseys.
The Grizzlies and Thunder BOTH came out in white uniforms 😅 #Shaqtin pic.twitter.com/80CcTDu6VU
— Shaqtin' a Fool (@shaqtin) March 13, 2022
In Phoenix, LeBron James became the only player with 10,000 points, rebounds, and assists.
LeBron's 10,000th career assist. pic.twitter.com/rNR4q7UGwo
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) March 14, 2022
LeBron’s career milestones have become the balm to the horrid state of the Lakers. His 10,000th career assist, for instance, cut the Suns’ lead down to 24.
In Boston, Jaylen Brown also had the dunk of the year, so far.
JAYLEN BROWN WITH AUTHORITY 😤 pic.twitter.com/Fz9cgIoK2j
— NBA TV (@NBATV) March 13, 2022
