Sunday’s seven-game NBA slate saw the Detroit Pistons continue their hot streak, James Harden make history in leading the Los Angeles Clippers to a win, and some end-of-game drama between Klay Thompson and Ja Morant in the Memphis Grizzlies’ victory over the Dallas Mavericks. Let’s dive into the day’s daily notables:
Pistons Rout Bucks, Extend Winning Run to 12
The Detroit Pistons (14-2) shot the lights out on their way to a 129-116 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks (8-9) at Fiserv Forum.
Cade Cunningham had 29 points, 8 rebounds, and 10 assists for the Pistons, who shot 63% from the field en route to their 12th straight win. Jalen Duren added 19 points, Tobias Harris chipped in 18, and Duncan Robinson put up 15 on 5-for-6 shooting from the arc. Jaden Ivey, playing in his first game since breaking his fibula in January, fired 10 off the bench. The Pistons own the NBA’s second-best record at 14-2.
Ryan Rollins paced the Bucks with 24 points as he continues to be a budding star in Milwaukee. Bobby Portis had 18, AJ Green finished with 15, and Kyle Kuzma added 13. The Bucks played without Giannis Antetokounmpo, who is nursing an adductor strain.
Clippers Nip Hornets Behind James Harden’s Double-Nickel
James Harden fired 55 points to lead the Los Angeles Clippers (5-11) to a 131-116 triumph over the Charlotte Hornets (4-12) at Spectrum Center.
With the Clippers losing nine of their last ten, James Harden stepped up to the plate and shot 17-for-26 overall in a sensational outing that set the franchise record in points. The Beard is now the only player in NBA history who owns the scoring record of two franchises—the Clippers and the Houston Rockets. Ivica Zubac backed up James Harden with 18 points, 9 rebounds, and 6 assists.
Kon Knueppel paced the Hornets with 26 points on 9-for-12 shooting as he continues to have an impressive rookie season. Brandon Miller, who has been in and out of the Charlotte lineup, delivered 21 points, while LaMelo Ball added 18 points and 7 dimes.
Grizzlies Upend Mavs as Ja Morant, Klay Thompson Exchange Words
The Memphis Grizzlies (6-11) added to the woes of the Dallas Mavericks (5-13) this season with a 102-96 win at American Airlines Center.
Santi Aldama, getting a second consecutive start, delivered 20 points and 8 rebounds for the Grizzlies, who also got 17 markers from Cam Spencer off the bench. Klay Thompson paced the Mavs with 22, while Brandon Williams added 18.
After the game, Thompson had an altercation with the Grizzlies’ Ja Morant, who did not play. The two had to be separated.
