Today’s Update
Ryan Rollins put up 26 points, 10 rebounds, 7 assists and 3 steals and rallied MIL from a 13-point first quarter hole to beat PHX 108–105. MIL took the lead for good at 2:13 in the 4th behind O. Dieng. Rollins had 9 points in the 4th quarter — he ranks 10th in the NBA in clutch scoring this season at 3.1 PPG in 23 clutch games.
26 PTS · 10 REB · 7 AST · 3 STL
J. Green kept PHX in it with 9 4th-quarter points. Devin Booker struggled, going 4-for-17 shooting in the loss.
Reed Sheppard put up 23 points, 14 assists and 4 steals on 89% true shooting and rallied HOU from a 12-point hole to beat MIA 123–122. Sheppard did it from deep, hitting 5 threes for 15 of 23 points. HOU took the lead for good at 0.2 in the 4th behind A. Thompson.
23 PTS · 2 REB · 14 AST · 4 STL
A. Thompson's layup with 0.2 left sealed it for HOU. A. Holiday led the 4th quarter push with 8 points. B. Adebayo kept MIA in it with 9 4th-quarter points.
MIL 108, PHX 105 — R. Rollins led the 4th quarter push with 9 points. J. Green kept PHX in it with 9 4th-quarter points. Devin Booker struggled, going 4-for-17 shooting in the loss.
CLE 111, NOP 106 — CLE seized control with a 10-2 run in the 4th quarter (6:29 to 3:12 remaining). Key stretch: D. Mitchell 4 pts, M. Strus 2 pts. J. Harden led the 4th quarter push with 13 points. CLE dominated the boards 55–40.
LAC 138, DAL 131 — LAC seized control with a 13-4 run starting at 0:23 in the 4th quarter into the overtime (2:48 remaining). Key stretch: D. Jones Jr. 6 pts (2 threes), K. Leonard 4 pts. D. Garland led the 4th quarter push with 12 points. N. Marshall kept DAL in it with 11 4th-quarter points. LAC shot 56.7% from the field vs. 47.1% for DAL. Darius Garland was 8-for-12 from three for LAC.
Down 13 in the second quarter, the Knicks built a 14-point lead but BKN stormed back to make it a 1-point game. Final: 93–92. Karl-Anthony Towns had 26 points.
7-3 last 10 · 46-25 overall
The Oklahoma City Thunder have rattled off 11 straight wins. Sitting at 56-15 on the season.
During the streak they're outscoring opponents by +10.0 per game (season: +11.1). Over this stretch they rank 4th in defensive efficiency league-wide. Their three-point shooting has cooled to 32.9% (season: 36.0%) — they're winning other ways.
The Indiana Pacers have lost 16 straight and are 15-56 on the season.
Denver (43-28) and Minnesota (43-28) are deadlocked atop the #5 seed in the West.
Luka Dončić is scoring 33.4 a night while generating 1.6 steals per game. Dominant on both ends.
33.4 PTS · 7.9 REB · 0.6 BLK · 1.6 STL
Cleveland Cavaliers have been playing at 98.2 possessions per game over the past three weeks, down from their 101.9 season average. Their recent opponents average a 99.7 pace, lending context to the shift. The defense has been the casualty, allowing a 115.7 rating over this stretch compared to 111.5 for the season. They’re 6-3 during this stretch.
Pace: 101.9 → 98.2 · Off: 115.3 → 114.3 · Def: 111.5 → 115.7 · Opp avg pace: 99.7
Bam Adebayo is averaging 7.8 fourth-quarter points over 9 recent games — up 2.6 from the 5.2 season average. A different player when it matters.
Q4 PPG: 5.2 season → 7.8 recent
2-way tie for the 6th seed in the East — Atlanta Hawks (39-32) and Philadelphia 76ers (39-32) are all 12.5 games back. Atlanta Hawks and Philadelphia 76ers climbed into the tie after last night. Tiebreakers currently order them ATL-PHI. This tie straddles the playoff-play-in line — seeding will determine home court vs the play-in tournament. ATL (9-1 last 10): their defense has tightened to 109.7 PPG allowed (season: 116.5). PHI (6-4 last 10): struggling from three at 28.5% (season: 34.6%).
2-way tie for the 8th seed in the West — LA Clippers (35-36) and Portland Trail Blazers (35-36) are all 21.0 games back. LA Clippers climbed into the tie after last night. Tiebreakers currently order them LAC-POR. LAC (5-5 last 10): their defense has softened, allowing 118.7 PPG (season: 113.0). POR (6-4 last 10): their defense has tightened to 111.0 PPG allowed (season: 117.1).
2-way tie for the 5th seed in the West — Denver Nuggets (43-28) and Minnesota Timberwolves (43-28) are all 13.0 games back. Tiebreakers currently order them DEN-MIN. DEN: 6-4 in their last 10. MIN (5-5 last 10): dialed back threes to 32.8 attempts (season: 37.0).
Orlando Magic slipped to the 8th seed (38-32, L4), falling out of a direct playoff spot into the play-in. A week ago they held the 5th seed. 6-4 in their last 10. Three-point attempts are up to 37.9 per game from 34.4. Their defensive activity has dropped — 9.0 steals and 3.0 blocks per game vs 8.6 and 4.9 on the season.
Miami Heat slipped to the 9th seed (38-33, L4), falling out of play-in home court position. A week ago they held the 7th seed. 6-4 in their last 10. They've tightened ball security — 11.3 turnovers per game, down from 13.3.
Charlotte Hornets closed the gap on the Miami Heat for the 9th seed to 1.0 games, down from 2.0 (37-34, W3). 7-3 in their last 10. Their defense has tightened, holding opponents to 106.1 per game — 6.0 fewer than their 112.1 season average. Three-point attempts are up to 46.0 per game from 42.6.
