The NBA held just a few games today, but they didn’t lack any excitement or competitiveness at all. The slim slate featured some of the best teams in the league, which made the marquee attractive for diehards and casuals to boot.
The Boston Celtics were ferocious from the tip. Tatum and the gang’s theme started out with challenging Indiana’s interior by slashing to the rim as much as they could, scoring a cool 29 points in the first quarter.
Meanwhile, they were getting it done on the other end of the court as well. With lengthy and athletic defenders, Boston held the Pacers to just 17 points in the first.
Haliburton and Mathurin wouldn’t go down that easily, though, as they led the Pacers to back-to-back 32-point quarters in the second and third. The Celtics couldn’t break free from the inspired Pacers squad, which kept it close until the fourth quarter.
Tatum took matters into his own hands and carried his team to the win in the fourth quarter. Showcasing his bid for the MVP and being the best player on the best team in the league. The Celtics forward finished the game with a game-high 38 points and grabbed 13 boards as well.
It was a collective effort for Joe Mazzulla’s squad defencively, as they kept the pacers to 41 per cent from the field and 19 per cent from the arc. The visiting Celtics thumped on the Pacers 118-101. This loss snaps the Pacers’ six-game winning streak, halting their convincing run that started late December.
With this win, the boys from Boston now have a 28-7 record, keeping their place as the NBA 2024 odds favourites to win the chip.
Washington Wizards 105 – 121 New York Knicks
Is it time to give credit where credit is due? This SBOTOP writer surely thinks so. There have been a lot of question marks surrounding the out-of-nowhere trade between the Knicks and the Raptors. Most applauded the Raptors for getting their hometown hero RJ Barrett to represent Toronto, not to mention acquiring a budding talent in Immanuel Quickley to boot.
Many were doubting if the Knicks’ acquisition of premier 3-and-D wing OG Anunoby would make the team better or even move the needle at all. Well, the Knicks have been undefeated ever since Anunoby called the Mecca of Basketball his home.
Tom Thibodeau’s outfit has been on a tear since the trade, and their latest victims were the lowly Wizards. With Barrett gone, Randle and Brunson have more breathing room to be the main guys for the Knicks, and they’ve done nothing but deliver.
Randle led the Knicks with 39 points, while running mate Brunson was right there with 33 of his own. The Knicks virtually won the game after the first quarter, where they led 34-19. Although the struggling Wizards ramped up after halftime, scoring 62 points in the second half, it was a little too late for Kuzma and his mates to mount a comeback, as the Knicks, in true Thibodeau style, kept the pressure until the last buzzer sounded.
The addition of a player with Anunoby’s skillset is just what the Knicks needed to bolster their perimeter defence and take care of their problem with guarding the best wing player of the opposing team.
The Knicks are now the hottest team in the East, racking up strong NBA 2024 results recently, boasting a four-game winning streak, and are now the fourth seed in the Eastern Conference.
Philadelphia 76ers 109 – 120 Utah Jazz
The Sixers welcomed the Utah Jazz to the Wells Fargo Center without their leader, Joel Embiid, who was a late addition to the injury report due to some swelling after twisting his knee against the Knicks earlier in the week.
The Utah Jazz took advantage of Embiid’s absence, and they went to the hole ever so often without a looming threat of Embiid contesting their shots. Jazz forward Lauri Markkanen led the game with 33 points and grabbed 13 rebounds as well, while Collin Sexton showed exemplary vision and IQ, dishing out 10 assists and scoring 22 of his own.
Tyrese Maxey, with a herculean effort, scored 25 points and dished out nine assists, playing a total of 42 minutes! He may have fallen short of getting the win for his team, but his efforts and heart were not unnoticed.
The Jazz managed to steal a win in Philadelphia, 109-120. They’ve been ramping it up in recent weeks, winning seven of their last 10 outings.
Meanwhile, the Sixers’ struggles without Embiid on the floor remain their Achilles heel and have been more evident since trading James Harden in the early parts of the season. They have lost two consecutive games, and if Embiid continues to miss time, expect more of the same out of Nick Nurse’s team.
Houston Rockets 112 – 108 Milwaukee Bucks
Another team from the wild west performed an upset against an Eastern Conference favourite, as the Rockets successfully fended off the Bucks at Toyota Center 112-108.
It was a collective effort for the Rockets, with six players scoring in double digits. Their budding big man, Alperen Sengun, led the way for the home team, positing a 21-11 double-double in 31 minutes on the floor. Jabari Smith Jr. had a double-double himself, grabbing 12 boards and scoring 14 points in 40 minutes of play.
The Rockets showed maturity on the defencive end as well as discipline in winning the rebounds all throughout the game. They outrebounded the lengthier, savvier Milwaukee Bucks 46-41, and in close games like this, the win can come down to who controls the boards.
Ime Udoka’s outfit may have won the game, but they weren’t able to stop Giannis from having a dominant game. The Greek Freak had a night, posting 48 points, 17 rebounds, two assists, one block, shooting .640 per cent from the floor.
No need to panic, Bucks fans. The Bucks are still the second-best team in the East with a 25-11 record. Giannis and Dame will conclude their three-game road trip in Utah, where they’ll be hungry for a bounce back win before heading back to Milwaukee.
●●●
CHECK OUT OUR BLOG FOR MORE BASKETBALL STORIES & ODDS
Stay updated with everything sports and betting.
Follow us on social Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.
