NBA roundup: Jalen Brunson, Knicks hand Pacers 12th straight loss
Sat Mar 14 2:39am ET
Field Level Media
Jalen Brunson scored 29 points and handed out nine assists on Friday to help the New York Knicks post a 101-92 victory over the Indiana Pacers in Indianapolis, handing the hosts their 12th straight loss.
OG Anunoby added 25 points while Mitchell Robinson had 12 points and 22 rebounds for New York, which won its second straight game to finish off a 3-2 road trip. Mikal Bridges chipped in 11 points in the victory.
Jarace Walker's 18 points led Indiana, while Aaron Nesmith put up 12 and Ivica Zubac had 11. T.J. McConnell tallied 10 points for the Pacers.
After taking a two-point lead late in the third quarter and carrying it into the fourth, New York opened the final quarter with five straight points, then later went on another 7-0 run when Indiana again got within two.
Pistons 126, Grizzlies 110
Jalen Duren powered for 30 points and 13 rebounds and host Detroit rolled past injury-riddled Memphis.
Cade Cunningham had 17 points and 15 assists, while Marcus Sasser supplied 16 points and Duncan Robinson added 14. The Pistons shot 54.3% from the field and increased their lead in the Eastern Conference to five games over second-place Boston.
Javon Small's 23 points led Memphis. Ty Jerome had 21, Cam Spencer contributed 19 and Olivier-Maxence Prosper added 17 for the Grizzlies, who have lost seven in a row and are missing six players due to injury.
Cavaliers 138, Mavericks 105
Evan Mobley scored 23 of his season-high-tying 29 points in the first half and Donovan Mitchell posted 24 points and eight assists, lifting Cleveland to a win over host Dallas in the first game of a home-and-home set.
James Harden had 17 points, seven rebounds and seven assists as the Cavaliers remained firmly in fourth place in the Eastern Conference, improving to 24-10 since Dec. 29. The teams play again Sunday in Cleveland.
Rookie of the Year candidate Cooper Flagg scored 25 points and Naji Marshall had 17 points and seven rebounds for the Mavericks, who have lost nine of their last 10 and are 3-19 since Jan. 24. Ryan Nembhard had eight points and nine assists.
Raptors 122, Suns 115
Brandon Ingram scored 36 points and Toronto came back to defeat visiting Phoenix.
RJ Barrett added 22 points for the Raptors, who trailed by 10 early in the fourth quarter and finished the game on a 27-10 run. Immanuel Quickley scored 17 points and Scottie Barnes, a game-time decision because of illness, contributed 14 points and two blocks.
Jalen Green scored 34 points for the Suns, who had a four-game winning streak end. Devin Booker added 31 points, Grayson Allen scored 15 points and Rasheer Fleming had nine points and three blocks.
Rockets 107, Pelicans 105
Kevin Durant scored a team-high 32 points, Amen Thompson flirted with a triple-double and Houston survived a late rally from visiting New Orleans to claim a win.
Behind Dejounte Murray, who tallied a season-high 35 points, and Zion Williamson (21 points), the Pelicans turned a 12-1 run into a 104-100 lead with 31.8 seconds remaining. But Jabari Smith Jr. drilled a corner 3-pointer for the Rockets, and the Pelicans followed with two critical turnovers that opened the door for Houston to steal the win.
Trey Murphy III added 14 points, six rebounds and seven assists for the Pelicans, who turned 12 turnovers into 17 points. Thompson posted 23 points, 12 rebounds and eight assists for the Rockets, who played without All-Star center Alperen Sengun (back).
Timberwolves 127, Warriors 117
Anthony Edwards had 42 points to lead seven players in double figures as Minnesota snapped a three-game losing streak with a win over Golden State in San Francisco.
Rudy Gobert scored 18 points, Jaden McDaniels added 15 and Naz Reid and Ayo Dosunmu added 12 apiece for Minnesota, which led by as many as 25 and won the season series against the Warriors 3-1.
Brandin Podziemski led the Warriors with 25 points and 10 rebounds. Kristaps Porzingis added 20 points and Gui Santos had 17 points and a career-high eight assists for Golden State, which has lost four in a row and six of eight.
Clippers 119, Bulls 108
Kawhi Leonard scored 28 points and matched a franchise scoring record as Los Angeles continued its run of success in March with a victory over Chicago in Inglewood, Calif.
Leonard reached 20 points for the 44th consecutive game to match Bob McAdoo's single-season franchise mark set in 1974-75, when the team played in Buffalo. Bennedict Mathurin scored 26 as the Clippers improved to 7-1 in the month while extending their winning streak to four.
Chicago's Josh Giddey posted 20 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists for his 11th triple double of the season. With his 29th career triple-double, Giddey passed Michael Jordan's career total. Tre Jones scored 21 points and Matas Buzelis added 18 points and 11 boards.
Blazers 124, Jazz 114
Jrue Holiday recorded 25 points and eight assists and backup Scoot Henderson also scored 25 points as Portland completed a four-game series sweep of visiting Utah.
Donovan Clingan registered 21 points and 15 rebounds and Deni Avdija added 17 points, eight assists and six rebounds. and Sidy Cissoko had 14 points off the bench for Portland. Trailing 38-22 with two minutes left in the first quarter, the Blazers went on a 20-0 run and never trailed again.
Brice Sensabaugh made six 3-pointers for the second straight game while scoring 31 points for the Jazz, who lost for the 10th time in 12 games. Cody Williams added 19 points and seven rebounds, and Isaiah Collier had 17 points and nine assists. Utah played without Keyonte George (right hamstring), who was injured during Wednesday's loss to the New York Knicks.
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Milwaukee Bucks guard Kevin Porter Jr. (knee) is questionable for Saturday's game against the Hawks after recently returning from a four-game absence due to the same issue. If he sits, Ryan Rollins could continue seeing an elevated role after posting 16 points, 10 assists, and five rebounds in 33 minutes off the bench last game, making him a strong fantasy option and a viable hold as the fantasy season winds down. AJ Green and Cam Thomas could also see more time, though both remain risky options due to inconsistent roles.
Sacramento Kings guard Devin Carter (calf) will miss Saturday's game against the Clippers, marking his second straight absence due to the injury. With Russell Westbrook back in the lineup, Killian Hayes is expected to handle backup point guard duties, though his fantasy appeal remains limited to low-end assists and occasional steals in a reserve role. Carter being out could help Malik Monk (ankle) hold steady minutes if he's able to suit up. With most fantasy playoffs underway and the season winding down, Carter is becoming a tougher hold outside of deeper formats.
Sacramento Kings guard Russell Westbrook (quadriceps) is off the injury report and expected to return Saturday against the Clippers after missing one game. The veteran is likely to reclaim starting point guard duties, which should send Killian Hayes back to a reserve role after he filled in during Westbrook's absence. Westbrook remains a strong fantasy option when active, averaging 17.6 points, 8.6 assists, 5.2 rebounds, and 1.4 steals over five March appearances in nearly 30 minutes per game. His return should slightly reduce DeMar DeRozan's secondary ballhandling while lowering Hayes' short-term streaming appeal.
Brooklyn Nets forward Michael Porter Jr. (ankle) is listed as doubtful for Saturday's game against the 76ers and appears likely to miss a second straight contest. His absence should continue to open minutes for Danny Wolf, who started last game and posted eight points, eight rebounds, and two assists in 28 minutes, making him a safer deep-league streamer with Brooklyn thin up front. Josh Minott broke out for 24 points with four triples, three steals, and three blocks in 24 minutes, but his inconsistent role still makes him a risky fantasy play. Noah Clowney could also see a slight usage bump.
Boston Celtics guard Derrick White (knee) is probable for Saturday's game against the Wizards after missing one game with a right knee contusion. The veteran is expected to resume his starting role, likely sending Payton Pritchard back to the bench after filling in the last game. White has been a reliable fantasy contributor when available, averaging 21.4 points, 2.4 three-pointers, 3.8 rebounds, and 5.6 assists over his last five outings in 34 minutes per game. His return should help settle Boston's guard rotation, with Payton Pritchard going back to his usual bench scoring role while Jaylen Brown takes on a bit less playmaking.
Brooklyn Nets center Nicolas Claxton (rest) will sit out Saturday's matchup against the 76ers for routine maintenance, with the expectation he returns Monday against Portland. Danny Wolf is positioned to handle most of the center minutes after starting the previous game, where he posted eight points, eight rebounds, two assists, and one three-pointer in 28 minutes. With Day'Ron Sharpe (thumb) already ruled out for the season, Wolf could remain a deep-league streaming option for rebounds and modest all-around production. Noah Clowney and Josh Minott may also see slight workload increases in Brooklyn's thin frontcourt rotation.
Utah Jazz guard/forward Ace Bailey (concussion) did not return in Friday's loss to the Trail Blazers after experiencing symptoms following an early exit. The rookie logged just seven minutes, finishing with eight points on perfect shooting, plus one rebound, one assist, one steal, and one block. If Bailey misses time, Utah may lean more on EJ Harkless and Andersson Garcia, though both remain risky deep-league streamers after modest production in expanded runs. Cody Williams and Kyle Filipowski could also see slight usage bumps as the Jazz continue prioritizing youth development amid multiple rotation injuries.
Bulls' G Josh Giddey recorded a triple-double, finishing with 20 points, 10 assists and 11 rebounds in a 108-119 loss to the Clippers on Friday, Mar. 13.
Timberwolves' G Anthony Edwards scored 42 points on 13-of-22 shooting in a 127-117 win over Golden State on Friday, Mar. 13.
Utah's F Brice Sensabaugh scored 31 points on 12-of-19 shooting in a 114-124 loss to Portland on Friday, Mar. 13. Sensabaugh is owned in only 24.1% leagues.
Milwaukee Bucks forward/center Giannis Antetokounmpo (calf) is questionable for Saturday's game against the Hawks as the team manages his workload during the first leg of a back-to-back. If the former MVP sits, Bobby Portis could take on a larger scoring role and profiles as a strong streaming option after posting 19 points, five rebounds, one assist, and one steal in 26 minutes last game. Jericho Sims could also see extra minutes, though he is more of a fringe option unless you are in deeper formats.
Sacramento Kings forward Keegan Murray (ankle) will be re-evaluated in two weeks as he continues recovering from an ankle injury that has already cost him multiple games. With Sacramento out of the playoff race, Murray does not appear close to a return. He is becoming a difficult hold with the fantasy season nearing its final stretch. Precious Achiuwa has stepped into a larger role, posting 14 points, eight rebounds, two assists, one steal, and one block in 30 minutes in his last start, while Daeqwon Plowden added 13 points with three 3-pointers off the bench. Achiuwa is the priority target on waivers, while Plowden may also see enough run to warrant deep league attention.
Denver Nuggets forward/center Aaron Gordon (hamstring) is listed as probable for Saturday's game against the Lakers after sitting out one contest for injury management. The veteran forward is still working his way back after a long layoff, so some inconsistency is expected. Gordon showed upside on March 9 with 23 points, 10 rebounds, three assists, and one steal in 29 minutes but followed with a quieter 23-minute outing two days later. He remains a hold in most formats, though expectations may need to be tempered in the short term. His return should push Spencer Jones back to a smaller bench role.
Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray (ankle) is listed as probable for Saturday's game against the Lakers after dealing with a minor left ankle issue earlier this month, though it has not forced him to miss time. The veteran guard remains a must-start fantasy option while healthy, averaging 26.0 points, 2.2 three-pointers, 3.4 rebounds, and 5.4 assists over his last five games. Murray logged 40 minutes with seven assists and a steal in his last outing. His presence keeps the rotation intact, with Nikola Jokic leading the offense and Christian Braun and Aaron Gordon (hamstring) filling secondary roles.
Chicago Bulls guard Collin Sexton (leg) will remain on the sideline ahead of Friday's game against the Los Angeles Clippers. This marks the third game in a row that Sexton has missed with a leg injury. Fantasy managers should consider Sexton questionable ahead of Monday's matchup with the Memphis Grizzlies. The absence of Sexton should mean that Rob Dillingham continues to see increased run in the rotation. He finished with 12 points, seven assists, and five rebounds across 29 minutes of action on Thursday. Outside of that performance, Dillingham has mostly been a dud lately. He'll be a possible deep league option while Sexton is out.
Portland Trail Blazers center Robert Williams III (knee) has been ruled out ahead of Friday's game against the Utah Jazz. This appears to be a maintenance day for Williams, but he should be back for Sunday's contest against the Philadelphia 76ers. In his absence, Yang Hansen and Sidy Cissoko should see an increased look in the rotation. Neither player figures to do enough damage as the backup center to be worthy of streaming for Friday's slate.
Chicago Bulls forward/center Jalen Smith (calf) has been ruled out ahead of Friday's game against the Los Angeles Clippers. The Bulls have decided to take the cautious approach and rest Smith in the second leg of this back-to-back set. Guerschon Yabusele and Nick Richards should see a bump in playing time without Smith available. Between the two, Richards is the better streaming choice ahead of Friday's slate. Richards has been posting consistent numbers and is worthy of a look in at least deep leagues.
Golden State Warriors guard De'Anthony Melton (groin) is available to play ahead of Friday's game against the Minnesota Timberwolves. Melton is back after missing Tuesday's game due to injury. His return to the rotation should shift Will Richard back to the second unit. This season, Melton is averaging 13.0 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 2.3 assists across 22.5 minutes per game. He does enough on the court to warrant a look in deep leagues. He has scored 20 points or more in four of his last six games. Fantasy managers might want to consider streaming Melton while he's hot.
Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green (back) has been downgraded to out ahead of Friday's game against the Minnesota Timberwolves. Green was a late addition to the injury report and will now officially miss Friday's contest. Al Horford is already starting, so Will Richard figures to draw the start in place of Green. Richard was expected to head to the bench with De'Anthony Melton (groin) returning. Instead, Richard likely plays a bigger role with Green unavailable on Friday. Richard should do enough on the court to warrant a look in deep leagues.
Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards (knee) is available to play ahead of Friday's game against the Golden State Warriors. Edwards will shed the questionable tag and officially suit up for Friday's game. Edwards is dealing with right knee soreness, but it's not significant enough to keep him out of action. Over the last six games, Edwards is averaging 28.0 points, 3.7 assists, and 3.3 rebounds across 34.7 minutes per game. Fantasy managers should double-check their lineups and make sure Edwards is in there ahead of tip-off.
