NBA roundup: Thunder edge Clippers for 6th straight win
Mon Mar 24 2:45am ET
Field Level Media
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 26 points and Aaron Wiggins added 19, as the Oklahoma City Thunder extended their winning streak to six games by holding on for a 103-101 victory over the Los Angeles Clippers.
Kawhi Leonard scored 25 points with 10 rebounds and James Harden added 17 points as the Clippers saw their five-game winning streak come to an end.
Trailing 101-100, the Clippers had multiple chances to take the lead in the final 22 seconds, but Norman Powell missed a 3-point attempt and Leonard was off target on a contested 21-footer.
Gilgeous-Alexander extended the lead to three points against his former team on two free throws with three seconds remaining. The Clippers got the ball back, but Leonard was intentionally fouled. After purposefully missing the second free throw, they could not score at the buzzer.
Cavaliers 120, Jazz 91
Jarrett Allen scored 18 points to help Cleveland snap a season-high four-game losing streak in a road win over Utah.
De'Andre Hunter added 15 points and Evan Mobley contributed 11 points, 11 rebounds, and three blocks in the win. Darius Garland and Ty Jerome each scored 12 for the Cavs, who hadn't won for nine days.
Kyle Filipowski led the short-handed Jazz with 18 points and 13 rebounds. Utah shot just 36 percent from the field while losing for the 12th time in 13 outings. That included a 16-for-50 performance from beyond the arc.
Hawks 132, 76ers 119
Trae Young scored 28 points, one of three Atlanta players with 20 or more points, to lead the team to its third straight win, a victory over visiting Philadelphia.
Young made four 3-pointers and added 12 assists for his 42nd double-double. He joined rookie Zaccharie Risacher (22 points) and Georges Niang (20 points) as the Hawks won for the seventh time in nine games and have a two-game lead for the No. 7 spot in the East.
Philadelphia has lost four in a row and 19 of 22. The Sixers are seven games behind Miami for the No. 10 playoff spot with 11 games remaining. Quentin Grimes scored 26 points for the 11th time in 20 games that he's scored at least 25 points.
Heat 122, Hornets 105
Andrew Wiggins scored 15 of his season-high 42 points in the decisive third quarter as host Miami snapped its 10-game losing streak, beating Charlotte.
Snapping their longest skid since 2007-08, the Heat got 29 points from Tyler Herro, who played with a left hip contusion. Bam Adebayo played despite a sprained left knee and scored 11 points.
The Hornets were led by LaMelo Ball, who posted 18 points and a game-high 11 assists.
Pistons 136, Pelicans 130
Rookie Ron Holland tied a career high with 26 points as Detroit defeated visiting New Orleans for the second time in less than a week.
Holland added six assists and five rebounds while Jalen Duren powered for 22 points and 12 rebounds for the Pistons, who romped to a 127-81 win on the Pelicans' home floor on Monday.
CJ McCollum carried New Orleans with 40 points. The Pistons played without All-Star Cade Cunningham due to a calf injury while Pelicans forward Zion Williamson missed the contest due to a lower back contusion.
Spurs 123, Raptors 89
Devin Vassell scored 12 of his 25 points in the third quarter and visiting San Antonio dominated Toronto.
Julian Champagnie added 20 points for the Spurs, who have won three straight. Stephon Castle scored 15 points, Sandro Mamukelashvili added 13 points and Harrison Barnes had 10.
Scottie Barnes scored 22 points for the Raptors, who have lost four in a row. RJ Barrett added 18 points, Jamal Shead scored 17 and Ja'Kobe Walter had 10.
Nuggets 116, Rockets 111
Jamal Murray scored 17 of his game-high 39 points in a turnaround third quarter as Denver claimed a critical victory over host Houston.
Denver shot 50.6 percent from the field (44 of 87) and closed within one game of Houston for second place in the Western Conference. Jordan (11 points, 15 rebounds) posted a double-double subbing for the injured Nikola Jokic (ankle).
Jalen Green scored 30 points to pace the Rockets, who had their nine-game winning streak snapped. Dillon Brooks added 21 points with five 3-pointers.
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- Glen 'Big Baby' Davis released from prison following fraud conviction
- NBA roundup: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander breaks Wilt's mark in Thunder win
- NBA roundup: Kawhi Leonard nets 45 as hot Clippers win, move over .500
- Warriors' Stephen Curry (knee) out at least 10 more days
- NBA roundup: Bam Adebayo's 83-point effort ranks 2nd all time
- 76ers’ Tyrese Maxey (finger tendon) out at least 3 weeks
- Lakers' Luka Doncic fined $50K for gesture toward refs
- NBA roundup: James Harden scores 29,000th point in Cavs' win over 76ers
- NBA cancels Hawks' controversial strip club promotion
- NBA roundup: Suns halt Hornets' 10-game road winning streak
- 76ers All-Star G Tyrese Maxey (finger) to miss at least 2 games
- Bucks star PF Giannis Antetokounmpo (calf) sitting out vs. Magic
- Lakers star LeBron James (elbow, foot) ruled out vs. Knicks
- NBA roundup: Down 23, Nets stun Pistons to halt 10-game skid
- Mavericks F Khris Middleton fined $25K for mouthpiece incident
- Celtics C Nikola Vucevic (finger) sidelined 3-4 weeks
Jazz's F Cody Williams scored 34 points on 12-of-20 shooting in a 111-116 loss to Sacramento on Sunday, Mar. 15. Williams is owned in only 15.8% leagues.
Kings' F DeMar DeRozan recorded a double-double, scoring 41 points with 11 assists in a 116-111 win over the Jazz on Sunday, Mar. 15.
Pacers' F Aaron Nesmith scored 32 points on 10-of-14 shooting in a 123-134 loss to Milwaukee on Sunday, Mar. 15. Nesmith is owned in only 14.3% leagues.
New Orleans Pelicans guard Dejounte Murray (illness) is questionable for Monday's game against the Mavericks and could miss time depending on how he responds at shootaround. If he sits, rookie guard Jeremiah Fears could see more minutes after posting nine points with three three-pointers and one rebound in 13 minutes off the bench last game. Fears is a speculative deep-league streamer for managers needing points and threes. Trey Murphy III and Zion Williamson would likely take on more playmaking responsibilities.
Houston Rockets forward/center Alperen Sengun (back) is questionable for Monday's matchup against the Lakers and could miss a second straight game due to low back pain. His absence would open frontcourt minutes, with Dorian Finney-Smith logging 27 minutes as a spot starter last game, finishing with four rebounds, two assists, two steals, and one block, while Clint Capela produced nine points, five rebounds, two assists, one steal, and four blocks in 22 minutes. Capela looks like a solid defensive streamer for managers needing blocks, while Finney-Smith is more of a deep-league option due to his limited offensive role. Kevin Durant could also see a slight usage bump if Sengun sits, with more scoring responsibility likely falling on his shoulders.
Brooklyn Nets forward Michael Porter Jr. (ankle) has been ruled out for Monday's game against the Trail Blazers, marking his third straight absence as he continues to recover from a right ankle sprain. Danny Wolf should continue seeing a larger role after producing 15 points, 10 rebounds, two assists, and one three-pointer in 27 minutes as a starter in the last game. Wolf looks like a solid streaming option. Ziaire Williams and Josh Minott could also see more opportunities after combining for 23 points and five three-pointers, though both remain riskier fantasy plays due to fluctuating roles.
New York Knicks forward/center Jeremy Sochan (illness) is available for Sunday's matchup against the Warriors after sitting out Friday. The 22-year-old has played only limited reserve minutes recently, including a three-minute outing March 11 against Utah when he posted four points, one rebound, and one steal. With Karl-Anthony Towns, OG Anunoby, and Mitchell Robinson healthy, Sochan remains buried in the frontcourt rotation. His limited role caps his fantasy value, making him a low-impact option outside of very deep leagues.
Golden State Warriors center Quinten Post (ankle) is available for Sunday's game against the Knicks and could see a larger role with Draymond Green (back), Al Horford (calf), and Kristaps Porzingis (illness) all sidelined. Post logged seven points, three rebounds, and one three-pointer in 12 minutes last game and may see additional frontcourt opportunities alongside Omer Yurtseven. The opportunity is there, but Post remains a low-end fantasy option best suited for deeper leagues needing rebounds or blocks. Gui Santos should also continue seeing heavy minutes with the shorthanded Warriors.
Sacramento Kings guard Devin Carter (calf) will remain sidelined Sunday against the Jazz, leaving the Kings thin at point guard with Russell Westbrook (foot) and Malik Monk (ankle) also unavailable. That should keep Killian Hayes in line for extended minutes as Sacramento's only healthy traditional point guard. Hayes posted 11 points, four assists, and one three-pointer in 31 minutes two games ago and could see a similar opportunity again. He remains a low-end fantasy streamer, but the available minutes make him worth consideration in deeper formats. DeMar DeRozan could also see more on-ball creation.
Sacramento Kings guard Malik Monk (ankle) will miss Sunday's game against the Jazz, marking his third straight absence as he continues to deal with ankle soreness. With Monk, Russell Westbrook (foot), and Devin Carter (calf) all unavailable, Killian Hayes and Nique Clifford should continue seeing backcourt minutes. Hayes remains a low-end fantasy streamer due to inconsistent production, while Clifford has been contributing across multiple categories despite inefficient shooting, including 11 points, four rebounds, four assists, and two steals in 35 minutes last game.
Sacramento Kings guard Russell Westbrook (foot) will not play Sunday against the Jazz as he sits out the second game of a back-to-back, though he is expected to return Tuesday. His absence should open more minutes for Killian Hayes, who could handle primary point guard duties with Malik Monk (ankle) and Devin Carter (calf) also sidelined. Hayes had 11 points, four assists, and one three-pointer in 31 minutes two games ago and profiles as a low-end fantasy streamer with opportunity on his side. DeMar DeRozan may also take on more ball-handling responsibility.
New York Knicks guard/forward Josh Hart (knee) is available for Sunday's game against the Warriors after missing the team's previous two contests. His return should push Landry Shamet back into a reserve role while restoring Hart's usual workload on the wing. Hart has remained a steady fantasy contributor when active, averaging 12.0 points, 8.6 rebounds, 3.4 assists, and 1.0 steals across his last five games. His rebounding from the wing and across-the-board production make him a solid hold in category leagues, while Shamet likely loses most of his short-term streaming appeal.
New York Knicks forward/center Karl-Anthony Towns (knee) will rejoin the lineup on Sunday against the Golden State Warriors. He didn't play in Friday's matchup with Indiana due to knee soreness, but the Knicks haven't listed him on the injury report for Sunday's game. Mitchell Robinson made a massive impact as a starter on Friday night, finishing with 12 points, 22 rebounds, two steals, and two blocks. He will return to a reserve role on Sunday, and fantasy managers shouldn't expect him to repeat his effort from Friday's game. In the teams' earlier meeting this season, Towns racked up 17 points and 20 boards, and with the Warriors set to play without Draymond Green (back), Al Horford (calf), and Kristaps Porzingis (illness), he might be in for another dominant outing.
Detroit Pistons guard/forward Ausar Thompson (ankle) has been cleared to return to the lineup on Sunday against the Toronto Raptors. He has missed five games due to a right ankle injury. Detroit has used Marcus Sasser as Thompson's replacement in the starting unit, and he is poised to drop back to the bench. As a reserve, Sasser doesn't have any fantasy value, averaging 4.8 points and 1.8 assists off the bench this season. Thompson is having a career year with the Pistons, posting 10.2 points, 5.9 rebounds, 2.9 assists, and 1.9 steals per game.
Minnesota Timberwolves guard/forward Anthony Edwards (knee) will play on Sunday against the Oklahoma City Thunder. He's dealing with a sore right knee but has shaken off a questionable tag. After his poor performance in Tuesday's loss to the Lakers, Edwards has bounced back in style, scoring 78 points across two games. The Timberwolves star has put up 27.7 points per game against the Thunder this season, adding 8.3 rebounds, 4.3 assists, 1.7 steals, and 1.0 blocks.
Oklahoma City Thunder center Isaiah Hartenstein (calf) will return to action on Sunday against the Minnesota Timberwolves. He has been out for three games due to a left calf contusion. Hartenstein will rejoin the starting lineup, bumping Cason Wallace to the second unit. Wallace will remain an important contributor in the rotation, but his fantasy value takes a hit with Hartenstein's return. In his previous three meetings with the Timberwolves this season, Hartenstein has averaged 9.0 points and 7.3 rebounds in 24.7 minutes.
Golden State Warriors guard De'Anthony Melton (knee) will sit out Sunday's game against the Knicks as part of injury management on the first night of a back-to-back. With Golden State missing multiple rotation pieces, Pat Spencer, Will Richard, and Gary Payton II could all see enough minutes to draw fantasy interest. Payton finished with 12 points, three rebounds, two assists, and two steals in 19 minutes last game, while Spencer added seven points and three assists in 19 minutes. Opportunities should be there, but all three profile as risky fantasy streamers due to uncertain roles.
Golden State Warriors forward/center Kristaps Porzingis (illness) will not play Sunday against the Knicks as the team continues to manage his recent health issues, with a possible return targeted for Monday. His absence, along with injuries to Draymond Green (back) and Al Horford (calf), leaves Golden State thin in the frontcourt. Gui Santos could continue seeing heavy minutes after producing 17 points, three rebounds, eight assists, and one steal in 35 minutes last game, and with how he's trending lately, he looks like a solid fantasy option for the stretch run. Quinten Post (ankle) may also see more run if available, though he remains a risky deep league option given the uncertain rotation.
Milwaukee Bucks guard Kevin Porter Jr. (knee) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Pacers after suiting up Saturday against the Hawks, where he posted 18 points, seven assists, seven rebounds, two steals, and one block in 30 minutes. The Bucks appear to be managing his workload, with his next chance to play coming Tuesday against the Cavaliers. Ryan Rollins should continue handling a larger role after delivering 22 points, eight assists, three rebounds, and four three-pointers in 31 minutes last game. Rollins has been playing well enough to remain a strong fantasy option entering the final stretch of the season.
Cleveland Cavaliers center Jarrett Allen (knee) will miss his fifth straight game Sunday against the Mavericks as he continues to deal with right knee soreness. His absence keeps Thomas Bryant in the backup center role, though he remains more of a fringe fantasy streamer despite posting 11 points, four rebounds, two steals, and two blocks in 22 minutes last game. Evan Mobley should continue handling heavier frontcourt minutes and rebounding duties, boosting his fantasy ceiling, while Donovan Mitchell and James Harden (thumb) may also see slightly more usage with Cleveland leaning more on perimeter scoring.
