Scoreboard
Wizards 132, Pacers 124
Pelicans 115, Celtics 109
Nets 112, Timberwolves 107
Heat 98, Knicks 88
Pistons118, Raptors 104
Grizzlies 120, Rockets 110
Mavericks 127, Thunder 106
Kings 132, Spurs 115
Jazz 114, Cavaliers 75
Warriors 116, Bulls 102
Clippers 129, Bucks 105
What went down
When the New Orleans Pelicans and the Boston Celtics last met in February, the Pelicans came back from a 24-point deficit to beat the Celtics.
In the rematch, it looked—at least for a minute—like the Celtics would return the favor.
New Orleans were up 110-94 with only four minutes left in the game when Boston made an unexpected run for it. The Pelicans blinked and all of a sudden their lead was cut to three, thanks to a 13-0 scoring blast by the Celtics.Then Brandon Ingram put his foot down, or to be more accurate, put his foot forward and with lightning speed, pulled it all the way back, sending his defender Jayson Tatum in the dreaded “Where am I?” zone. Ingram then sank a long two that effectively put Boston away.
Ingram scored 25, complementing the 28 points dropped by Zion Williamson on any defender Brad Stevens threw at him. Nickeil Alexander-Walker’s 17, Josh Hart’s 15-15, and Eric Bledsoe’s 13 were just too much for Boston.
Tatum led his team with 34 points, but was missing the help from co-All-Star Jaylen Brown, who was out with an injured hip.
Newly acquired guard Evan Fournier made his physical Boston debut, but mentally he might still be with the Orlando Magic. In 33 minutes, he missed all 10 of his field goal attempts, including five from 3. He didn’t score any points and had no assists, which was terrible, but could only set us up for the Evan Fournier breakout game that should come sooner or later.
Big-time baller
What did the Indiana Pacers do to deserve this kind of treatment from Russell Westbrook?
Brodie entered the arena wearing something a bit unconventional (matching printed top and pants adorned with smileys) then left with something totally out of this world: 35 points, 14 rebounds, and 21 assists.
A 35-10-20 game has never been done in the history of the league. With this triple-double, Westbrook became the Washington Wizards all-time leader in triple-doubles, taking him only 38 games to do so.
Russell Westbrook's historic night:
— NBA History (@NBAHistory) March 30, 2021
?? First 35+ point, 20+ assist triple-double in NBA history
?? NBA-record 4th 20+ point, 20+ assist triple-double
?? @WashWizards franchise-record 16th triple-double pic.twitter.com/K0At5vV10v
That he did it in a game without Bradley Beal, Davis Bertans, and Thomas Bryant made it even more impressive. The Wizards have now won two straight games because Russell Westbrook adamantly continues to be Russell Westbrook. Not a very good day for the Westbrook haters.
What he said
Brooklyn Nets head coach Steve Nash, on the general reaction on the acquisition of LaMarcus Aldridge and Blake Griffin:
“I don’t know what we’re supposed to do, stand pat and not try to improve? That’s the idea of this league, is to try to get better.”
Then he added a bonus, meme-able soundbite because apparently the Nets are the NBA villains now:
Steve Nash finished his press conference responding to the Nets being dubbed the "villains" of the NBA 😂
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) March 29, 2021
(via @malika_andrews) pic.twitter.com/UIGXgXDh6m
Did you see that?
Steph Curry, in every single game, finds a way to dazzle and make his defenders reevaluate if they’re playing the same sport as him. Today, it’s this dribbling show:
32 for 30 through 3Q on League Pass. pic.twitter.com/K7Yn0IKwXR
— NBA (@NBA) March 30, 2021
