There were eight games in the NBA on Monday, including two that featured the East’s and West’ top teams. Let’s take a look at those two games, along with another two in our daily roundup:
Thunder Escape Clippers Even with Season-Low Shooting from SGA
Alex Caruso hit a crucial go-ahead triple to nudge the Oklahoma City Thunder (59-12) to a 103-101 squeaker over the Los Angeles Clippers (40-31) at Intuit Dome.
The Thunder were without Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren but still proved to be a handful for the Clippers as they built a nine-point lead with under six left in the fourth. But the home team roared back to take the lead in the endgame before Caruso hit that dagger three.
Shail Gilgeous-Alexander still led the way for OKC with 26 points on a season-low 7-for-29 clip. Caruso finished with 14, the same output as Isaiah Hartenstein, who also had 10 rebounds and 6 assists. Aaron Wiggins chipped in 19 off the bench. Kawhi Leonard paced the Clippers with 25 points and 10 rebounds, with James Harden adding 17 points and 8 dimes.
Up next:
Thunder vs. Sacramento Kings on March 26
Clippers vs. New York Knicks on March 27
Cavs Beat Jazz to Snap Four-Game Slide
An explosive third quarter was all it took for the Cleveland Cavaliers (57-14) to dispatch the Utah Jazz (16-56) via a 120-91 rout at Delta Center and snap their four-game slide.
Jarret Allen led the way for Cleveland with 18 points, Donovan Mitchell added 16, and De’Andre Hunter chipped in 15 off the bench. Darius Garland put up 12 points and 7 boards, while Evan Mobley contributed 11 points and 11 rebounds for the Cavs, who now trail the Thunder by two games for the NBA’s best record.
Kyle Filipowski had a team-high 18 for the Jazz, while Collin Sexton, Brice Sensabaugh, and Jordan Clarkson had 10 each.
Up next:
Cavs vs Portland Trail Blazers on March 26
Jazz vs. Memphis Grizzlies on March 26
Heat Burn Hornets, Break 10-Game Skid
Andrew Wiggins fired a season-high 42 points to power the Miami Heat (30-41) to a 122-105 victory over the Charlotte Hornets (18-53) at Kaseya Center. It is the Heat’s first win after a 10-game losing streak.
Wiggins went 16-for-21 overall and was a big reason for the Heat’s strong middle quarters, where they outscored the Hornets 76-49. Tyler Herro added 29 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists, and 3 steals. Kel’el Ware chipped in 12 points and 8 boards, while Davion Mitchell contributed 12 points and 7 dimes off the bench.
Nick Smith Jr. topscored for the Hornets with 19 points, followed by LaMelo Ball’s 18 points and 11 assists. Miles Bridges added 17 points and 13 rebounds.
Up next:
Heat vs. Golden State Warriors on March 26
Hornets vs. Orlando Magic on March 26
Hawks Rout Sixers as Hot Streak Continues
Trae Young had 28 points and 12 assists and Zaccharie Risacher added 22 to lead the Atlanta Hawks to a 132-119 rout of the Philadelphia 76ers (23-48) at State Farm Arena.
Young and Risacher combined to shoot 16 for-27 from the field with seven coming from downtown. Georges Niang added 20 off the bench, while Onyeka Okongwui added 14 points and 9 rebounds for the Hawks, who have now won three straight and seven of their last nine.
Quentin Grimes continued his stellar play for the Sixers with 26 points, with Justin Edwards adding 22. Philly played without Joel Embiid, Paul George, Tyrese Maxey, and Jared McCain, who are all out with injuries.
Up next:
Hawks vs. Houston Rockets on March 26
Sixers vs. New Orleans Pelicans on March 25
