Scoreboard
Jazz 118, Nuggets 114
Timberwolves 151, Spurs 131
Clippers 136, Trail Blazers 125
What went down
It was a light day of basketball today. But that doesn’t mean that the games didn’t have heavy playoff implications. The Minnesota Timberwolves avoided a massive upset against an eliminated West opponent, helping boost their postseason campaign.
The Timberwolves locked in their play-in spot with a statement win over the San Antonio Spurs. It was an all-out offensive affair as both teams combined for more than 280 points in today’s game.
The Wolves got off to an iffy start as they found themselves tied with the Spurs at 35-all after the first period. Minnesota found their range in the second quarter and built a double-digit lead from multiple makes beyond the arc. They continued to drop buckets on the Spurs in the third quarter, building a lead as large as 28 points allowing them to cruise to an easy win.
you can't stop that pull-up three. pic.twitter.com/WCxIJwbcyb
— Minnesota Timberwolves (@Timberwolves) April 8, 2023
Anthony Edwards led the way with 33 points and four treys. Karl-Anthony Towns had 22 points and eight rebounds while Mike Conley contributed 20 points and five assists.
Big-time baller
By all accounts, it was a rough game for Kawhi Leonard. He scored 27 points but hit only seven of his 17 shots to get to his total. It’s not the total that got him the Big-time Baller status for today. It was the timing of his points that mattered more.
The LA Clippers were down six points heading into halftime against a tanking Portland Trail Blazers team. A loss would have been a huge blow to LA’s playoff chances. That’s why in the third quarter, Leonard took over.
🔥KAWHI🔥 pic.twitter.com/Wz0dXH2LxR
— LA Clippers (@LAClippers) April 8, 2023
The Klaw scored 13 of his points in the third quarter and was instrumental to a 14-2 run early in the second half. That blast allowed the Clippers to take over the game and hold off the pesky Blazers.
What he said
Just a few hours ago, Mike Malone called his team “soft” after an embarrassing 21-point loss to the lottery-bound Houston Rockets. They were looking to bounce back today against a Utah Jazz team playing without several of their key players.
That revenge win didn’t materialize for the West-leading Denver Nuggets. They lost a close contest to the Jazz even with MVP Nikola Jokic playing a huge chunk of the game. Needless to say, Malone was not happy with how his team played today.
Michael Malone: “Maybe I’m just wired a little differently, man. I’m pissed off right now.”
— Mike Singer (@msinger) April 8, 2023
The Nuggets have a chance to end the season on a high note in their season finale against the Sacramento Kings.
Did you see that?
After 20 years, Udonis Haslem has decided to call it quits. Before his final game of the regular season, the Miami Heat decided to give their Team Captain a fitting video tribute. Check out all the players that Haslem has played with throughout his career.
You're gonna need tissues handy for this one 🥹
— Miami HEAT (@MiamiHEAT) April 8, 2023
Ahead of @ThisIsUD's final game his teammates from all eras of his 20 year career have nothing but love for OG pic.twitter.com/YjrE7wvkc5
