Scoreboard
Raptors 95, Pistons 91
Hornets 108, Heat 103
Pacers 121, Magic 108
Knicks 128, Pelicans 106
Grizzlies 112, Nuggets 94
Celtics 110, Sixers 107
Jazz 118, Spurs 102
What went down
There was a pair of big matchups today, but only one was actually close.
First, the Memphis Grizzlies made a statement out West, drubbing the top-seeded Denver Nuggets and maintaining their impeccable home record.
Ja Morant.
— GrizzMuse (@GrizzlyMuse) February 26, 2023
The Grizzlies are DOMINATING the #1 seed in the West right now 😤😤😤 pic.twitter.com/wnEvgN7Gh5
Led by Ja Morant, the Grizzlies ran the Nuggets out of the arena. They forced Denver, who has the league’s second best offensive rating, to shoot just 40 percent from the field. In turn, Memphis shot 47 percent and had the rout going early in the first half.
Morant finished with 23 points, seven rebounds and four assists. Nikola Jokic still had a double-double of 15 points and 13 boards, but managed just three assists, showing just how much the other Nuggets struggled from the field.
Out East, the Boston Celtics took a classic road win in Philadelphia. Jayson Tatum won it with a 3-pointer, leaving 1.7 seconds on the clock. That was almost too much time.
WHAT AN ENDING IN PHILLY 😱
— NBA (@NBA) February 26, 2023
TATUM HITS FROM 3. EMBIID'S SHOT FROM 3/4 COURT IS AFTER THE BUZZER
CELTICS WIN pic.twitter.com/TKrrTYHQzI
Joel Embiid, despite his full-court heave not counting, finished with a monster game of 41 points and 12 rebounds. Six Celtics finished in double-digits, led by Jaylen Brown’s 26 and Tatum’s 18.
In what has been a frantic week of basketball since returning from the All-Star break, Mike Breen losing his mind in the final seconds of this game has to be the highlight.
Big-time baller
Today, Charlotte pulled off a big win against the Miami Heat, currently ranked seventh in the East, thanks to a monster game from rookie Mark Williams.
MARK WILLIAMS SEALS IT 🗣?
— NBA (@NBA) February 26, 2023
18 points (career-high)
20 rebounds (career-high)
75% FG
Hornets win their 4th straight! pic.twitter.com/RlncYyVHyO
The 15th pick of the 2022 Draft put up 18 points on 9-for-12 shooting with 20 boards. Of his nine field goals, seven were dunks.
Charlotte was never able to recover from a tumultuous offseason and the stack of injuries. Big nights like this from their young players should be a soothing balm as they skid into the Draft lottery.
What he said
Celtics head coach Joe Mazzula has become a character this season with his… direct approach with the media. Today, he didn’t hide where he got the game-winning play from.
Joe Mazzulla was asked for his inspiration for the final play that got Jayson Tatum the game-winner:
— Jared Weiss (@JaredWeissNBA) February 26, 2023
“I stole it from Brad.”
Did you see that?
After his big screen debut last year with Adam Sandler on Hustle, is Anthony Edwards gunning for more Hollywood roles? Here he is on a promo with Adam Driver for the movie 65.
Anthony Edwards featured in the upcoming 65 Movie pic.twitter.com/7FsEpBQ4qb
— hoops bot (@hoops_bot) February 25, 2023
