Just four games in the NBA on Wednesday, so let’s get right to the action:
Warriors Turn Back Bucks Even Sans Steph Curry
Jimmy Butler picked up the cudgels from sidelined Steph Curry and powered the Golden State Warriors (40-29) to a huge 104-93 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks (38-30) at Chase Center.
Butler finished with 24 points, 8 rebounds, and 10 assists and fired a crucial four-point play down the stretch for the Warriors. Brandin Podziemski added 17 markers, while Buddy Hield chipped in 15 off the bench.
Kyle Kuzma paced the Bucks with 22 points, while Giannis Antetokounmpo had 20 points, 9 rebounds, and 7 assists. Damian Lillard added 16 but was just 6-for18 from the field.
Up next:
Warriors vs. Toronto Raptors on March 21
Bucks vs. Los Angeles Lakers on March 21
Clippers Rally Past Cavs Behind Kawhi Leonard, James Harden
Kawhi Leonard, James Harden, and Ivica Zubac connived to power the Los Angeles Clippers (39-30) to a come-from-behind 132-119 victory over the East-leading Cleveland Cavaliers (56-12) at Intuit Dome.
Leonard fired a game-high 33 points, Zubic put up 28 points and 22 boards, and Harden had 22 points and 9 assists as the Clippers overcame the Cavs’ 45-point explosion in the first quarter. Bogdan Bogdanovic chipped in 20 off the bench.
Max Strus fired 24 points for the Cavs, who have now lost back-to-back games but are still comfortable ahead in the East. Donovan Mitchell added 18 but struggled from the field again, going just 5-for-18.
Up next:
Clippers vs. Memphis Grizzlies on March 22
Cavs vs. Sacramento Kings on March 21
Celtics Bench Stars, Still Beat Nets
Little-used Baylor Scheierman erupted for a career-high 20 points to help the Boston Celtics (50-19) rally past the Brooklyn Nets (23-46) for a 104-96 triumph at TD Garden.
Scheirman went 6-for-7 from downtown as he took advantage of his additional playing time with Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum both sitting out. Kristaps Porzingis paced the Celtics with 25 points and 13 boards as he continued his fine play after a bout with illness.
D’Angelo Russell led the Nets with 18 markers and 7 dimes. Zaire Williams added 15, while Keon Johnson contributed 13.
Up next:
Celtics vs. Utah Jazz on March 22
Nets vs. Indiana Pacers on March 21
Hawks Topple Hornets, Sweep Season Series 4-0
Trae Young fired 31 points and Dyson Daniels turned in a strong all-around performance to power the Atlanta Hawks (33-36) to a 134-102 rout of the Charlotte Hornets (17-51) at Spectrum Center.
Young added 8 assists and 3 steals, while Daniels finished with 22 points, 7 rebounds, 7 assists, and 3 steals to add to his league-leading 194 steals this season. Rookie Zaccharie Risacher chipped in 21 points and 8 assists, while Dominic Barlow and Terance Mann had 12 each off the bench.
Seth Curry and DaQuan Jeffries top-scored with 19 apiece for the Hornets, who played without LaMelo Ball, Miles Bridges, and Brandon Miller.
Up next:
Hawks vs. Warriors on March 23
Hornets vs. New York Knicks on March 21
