Last night saw a lot of excitement and some interesting seeding movement as 12 teams took to the hardwood. The Milwaukee Bucks dropped a spot, while the Indiana Pacers and Chicago Bulls kept their postseason hopes alive.
Bulls take Philadelphia
Jimmy Butler’s second triple-double of the season led the Chicago Bulls past the Philadelphia 76ers 102-90. He had 19 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists, Nikola Mirotic had 22 points and eight rebounds, and Jerian Grant had 15 points, eight rebounds and five assists.
The 76ers were led by Thimothe Luwawu-Cabarrot with 18 points, Justin Anderson had 17 points and four rebounds, while Nik Stauskas finished with 13 points and four assists.
Magic dazzles Nets
The Orlando Magic defeated the Brooklyn Nets 115-107 on the back of Elfrid Payton’s 22-point, 11-assist double-double, Aaron Gordon had 21 points and six rebounds and Jodie Meeks ended the game with 20 points.
Jeremy Lin led the Nets with 32 points and five rebounds, Caris LeVert had 20 points and four rebounds, and Spencer Dinwiddie had 11 points.
Pacers outrun Bucks
The Indiana Pacers are now on the eighth spot in the East after beating the Milwaukee Bucks 104-89. Paul George had a 23-point, 10-rebound double-double, Jeff Teague had 15 points and seven assists, and Thaddeus Young also had a double-double with 12 points and 11 rebounds.
The Bucks were led by Nigerian-Greek forward Giannis Antetokounmpo with 25 points, seven rebounds and six assists, Mirza Teletovic had 15 points, and Khris Middleton had 10 points and four assists.
Wizards astound New York
A 25-point game by Bradley Beal helped the Washington Wizards defeat the New York Knicks 106-103. John Wall had 24 points and eight assists, and Marcin Gortat had 16 points.
Carmelo Anthony had 23 points, six rebounds and four assists for the Knicks, Justin Holiday had 16 points and five rebounds, and Willy Hernangomez had 13 points and eight rebounds.
Hawks claw Celtics
The Atlanta Hawks beat the Boston Celtics 123-116 on the back of Paul Millsap’s 26-point, 12-rebound double-double, Tim Hardaway Jr had 23 points, five rebounds and five assists, while Taruean Prince finished with 20 points, seven rebounds and four assists.
The Celtics were led by Isaiah Thomas with 35 points, five rebounds and four assists, Jae Crowder had 24 points and four rebounds, and Marcus Smart ended the game with 18 points, four rebounds, seven assists and six steals.
Blazers singe Timberwolves
The Portland Trail Blazers are still holding on to the eighth spot in the West after beating the Minnesota Timberwolves 105-98. Allen Crabbe had 25 points and five rebounds, Damian Lillard had 22 points, nine rebounds and eight assists, CJ McCollum had 18 points and five assists, and Nigerian forward Al-Farouq Aminu finished with 15 points and seven rebounds.
Andrew Wiggins led the Timberwolves with 36 points and eight rebounds, Karl-Anthony Towns had a 24-point, 16-rebound double-double, Ricky Rubio had 19 points, seven rebounds and five assists, while Senegalese center Gorgui Dieng had 11 rebounds and four points.
By Kaunda Chama
