Oklahoma City Thunder have won at least 60 games in consecutive seasons for the first time in their history [Getty Images]
Defending champions Oklahoma City Thunder clinched top spot in the Western Conference and home court advantage through the NBA play-offs with a 128-110 win against the Los Angeles Clippers.
The comfortable victory ensured the Thunder held off the San Antonio Spurs to secure the NBA's best regular-season record of 64-16 and claim the Western Conference's number one seed for the third consecutive season.
Thunder's Chet Holmgren led the way with 30 points and 14 rebounds while Shai Gilgeous-Alexander contributed 20 points and 11 assists to extend his record for the most consecutive games with 20 or more points to 140.
The Clippers, who had won eight of their past nine matches, face a key trip to Portland Trail Blazers on Friday with the two sides battling for eighth place in the Western Conference.
The team that finishes in eighth will only require one win in the play-in tournament to advance to the play-offs, while the team finishing ninth will have to beat 10th seeds the Golden State Warriors and the loser of the seventh against eighth match to keep their season alive.
Elsewhere, the San Antonio Spurs beat the Trail Blazers 112-101 to extend their record in their past 20 games to 18-2. Spurs guard De'Aaron Fox starred with 25 points, five rebounds, and seven assists.
The Denver Nuggets won their 10th consecutive match to tighten their grip on third place in the Western Conference. Jamal Murray scored a team-high 26 points in the 136-119 win over the Memphis Grizzlies.
The Atlanta Hawks failed to guarantee a play-off spot after losing 122-116 to the Cleveland Cavaliers but can still secure a top-six finish in the Eastern Conference with victory in one of their final two regular-season matches.
Eastern Conference top seeds Detroit Pistons demolished the Milwaukee Bucks 137-111 while the Orlando Magic beat the Minnesota Timberwolves 132-120.
Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker scored 37 points in 37 minutes to lead his side to a 112-107 win over the Dallas Mavericks.
SAN ANTONIO, TX - APRIL 8: De'Aaron Fox #4 of the San Antonio Spurs dribbles the ball during the game against the Portland Trail Blazers on April 8, 2026 at the Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photos by Michael Gonzales/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The night could have easily tilted the other way for the San Antonio Spurs on Wednesday. No Victor Wembanyama, Stephon Castle, and a late-season game with playoff stakes quietly looming in the background. On paper, it felt like a trap.
Instead, the Spurs turned it into a statement.
Behind a composed offensive attack and a defense that tightened when it mattered most, San Antonio pulled away for a 112-101 win over the Portland Trail Blazers; a victory defined less by star power and more by collective resolve. From the opening tip, the Spurs looked like a team intent on controlling the tempo. De’Aaron Fox set the tone early, slicing into the lane and dictating pace on his way to a team-high 25 points.
But this wasn’t a one-man show and it couldn’t be with San Antonio missing two stars.
San Antonio leaned into its depth. Devin Vassell filled the gaps with his two-way presence, while rookie guard Dylan Harper stepped comfortably into a larger role, guiding the offense with poise beyond his experience. Then came the spark from their other rookie. Carter Bryant, a name that doesn’t always headline box scores, caught fire from beyond the arc—knocking down five of six three-point attempts in a breakout shooting performance that stretched Portland’s defense to its limit.
“I thought we had really good contributions from everybody that played,” Spurs Head Coach Mitch Johnson said. “I thought we did a really good job with responses throughout the game to a really competitive team… I thought we did really good job.”
Off the bench, Keldon Johnson brought his usual edge, attacking the rim and providing a physical jolt that helped the Spurs maintain control whenever momentum wavered.
“I thought he [Carter Bryant] did a great job,” Coach Johnson said of the rookie. “He played within himself in terms of things we’ve talked about and training on. He shot with confidence and played with physicality.”
Still, Portland didn’t go quietly. Deni Avdija carved up the defense with 29 points, while Scoot Henderson added 20, helping the Trail Blazers chip away at San Antonio’s lead heading into the second half. For a moment in the third quarter, it felt like the game might slip. Portland surged, testing a Spurs lineup missing its defensive anchor.
That’s when San Antonio responded, not with flash, but with discipline.
The Spurs locked in defensively, cutting off driving lanes and forcing tough looks. On the other end, Fox returned to orchestrate, mixing timely buckets with smart decision-making. A late push, highlighted by key contributions from role players and interior finishes, reestablished control for good.
By the final minutes, the outcome felt inevitable. San Antonio didn’t just survive without its stars, it looked comfortable doing so. The win pushed the Spurs to 61 victories on the season and secured a top-two seed in the Western Conference, a milestone that underscores how far the franchise has come in a short time.
More importantly, it revealed something deeper. This isn’t just a team built around a generational talent. It’s a roster that can adapt, absorb adversity, and still impose its identity.
On a night when the spotlight could have dimmed, the Spurs proved they don’t need it to shine.
Game Notes
Mitch Johnson confirmed Carter Bryant will be part of his playoff rotation following his career night. “He will play in the playoffs,” the Spurs’ head coach told reporters postgame.
Keldon Johnson may have secured his Sixth Man of the Year award with his performance on Wednesday night.
Johnson and Bryant combined for 37 points off the bench for San Antonio, a dangerous sign for other teams if those guys can match those numbers.
PHOENIX, AZ - APRIL 8: Cooper Flagg #32 and Head Coach Jason Kidd of the Dallas Mavericks talk during the game against the Phoenix Suns on April 8, 2026 at PHX Arena in Phoenix, Arizona. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Barry Gossage/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The Dallas Mavericks came up just short Wednesday night, falling 112-107 to the Phoenix Suns in a game that stayed competitive into the final minutes but ultimately slipped away late. Dallas actually shot a respectable 41.1% from the field and 36.1% from three, but couldn’t quite match Phoenix’s overall efficiency and shot-making. Marvin Bagley III led the way with 21 points on 8-of-11 shooting and 8 rebounds, continuing his strong play, while Cooper Flagg struggled from the field at 4-of-19 but still stuffed the stat sheet with 12 rebounds and 6 assists. Max Christie added 18 points on 4-of-9 from three, and Ryan Nembhard chipped in 7 assists, but the Mavericks couldn’t find enough consistent scoring late. Phoenix was more balanced and efficient, shooting 46.2% from the field and 40.0% from three, led by Devin Booker’s 37 points and 9 assists and Dillon Brooks’ 28 points.
Dallas came out with solid early energy, getting offense through Marvin Bagley III inside and from three, while Max Christie hit a pair of threes and Cooper Flagg added scoring and playmaking to give the Mavericks early rhythm and even brief control. But that momentum didn’t last, as the Suns flipped the first quarter late behind Royce O’Neale’s shooting and Devin Booker’s shot creation, turning a competitive start into a 33-29 deficit. In the second quarter, Dallas pushed back, with Flagg attacking downhill, Nembhard creating looks, and contributions from Cisse and Middleton helping tie the game around 45-45.
Still, the same issues showed up again, as the Mavericks couldn’t sustain offense or string together stops. Booker took over late in the half, scoring off drives, pull-ups, and free throws while Dallas fell into missed shots and empty possessions. Even when Dallas had chances to grab control, they couldn’t convert, and Phoenix consistently answered with efficient offense. By halftime, the Suns led 61-53, a half where Dallas showed flashes but couldn’t match Phoenix’s consistency.
The second half had stretches where it felt like Dallas might flip the game, but they could never sustain it. In the third quarter, the Mavericks chipped away behind Marvin Bagley’s interior scoring, Poulakidas hitting shots, and Cooper Flagg facilitating, even cutting the deficit down multiple times. But every push was answered, as Devin Booker and Dillon Brooks consistently generated efficient offense, keeping Phoenix in control.
The fourth quarter followed that same script, with Dallas getting within one possession behind Christie’s threes and more Bagley scoring, but missed layups and empty trips prevented them from taking the lead. Booker closed it late with shot-making and free throws, while Dallas’ offense stalled at the worst time. The box score tells the story, as the Mavericks shot 41.1% overall, with Bagley leading with 21 points on 8-of-11 shooting, while Flagg struggled at 4-of-19 despite filling the stat sheet. Phoenix was simply more efficient, shooting 46.2% and hitting 14 threes, led by Booker’s 37 and Brooks’ 28, which ultimately sealed a 112-107 loss.
23: Poulakidas points
John Poulakidas was one of the most impressive players in this game, especially considering the context. In real rotation minutes, he didn’t just hold his own; he legitimately impacted the game with his shooting and confidence. He finished with 23 points on 8-of-12 shooting and 5-of-8 from three (62.5%), and it felt like every make came in rhythm and within the flow of the offense. This wasn’t empty production either. He hit tough shots, spaced the floor, and gave Dallas a scoring punch they desperately needed.
What stood out most was how unafraid he was. There were multiple possessions where he went right at Devin Booker, either answering on the other end or forcing Booker to work defensively. That kind of shot-making and confidence, especially from a player in his role, changes how the game feels. Instead of the offense stalling, Dallas actually had someone who could step into a jumper and make it count.
For a team searching for consistent perimeter shooting, this is exactly the kind of performance that should turn heads. Poulakidas didn’t just have a hot night. He showed real, translatable skill as a shooter who can stretch defenses and compete against high-level players.
10: Missed AJ Johnson shots
This was AJ Johnson’s first real extended run, and it was about as rough as it could look. He finished just 1-of-11 from the field (9.1%) and 0-of-3 from three, and it felt even worse than the numbers suggest. The misses weren’t just tough looks. They were forced shots, rushed decisions, and possessions that stalled the offense completely. When Dallas was trying to make a push, those empty trips added up fast.
It wasn’t just the shooting, either. The overall feel wasn’t there. Timing, decision-making, and control all looked off, and instead of settling things down, his minutes often sped the game up in the wrong way. For a player getting a real opportunity, you want to see composure and flashes of creation, but this was mostly out of sync from start to finish.
It’s one game, and young players are going to have nights like this. But this was a reminder of how far he still has to go. When you’re trying to evaluate pieces for the future, performances like this stand out just as much as the good ones.
Apr 8, 2026; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Phoenix Suns center Khaman Maluach (10) blocks the shot of Dallas Mavericks forward Dwight Powell (7) in the first half at Mortgage Matchup Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images | Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
The Phoenix Suns lost an emotional, hard-fought game against the Houston Rockets and had to bounce back quickly against a pesky Dallas Mavericks team. The Suns got great nights from Devin Booker, who scored 37 points and dished out nine assists, and Dillon Brooks, who scored 28 points on 50% from the field and survived, barely, to win 112-107.
Here’s what the Suns did well: they held Cooper Flagg to 11 points on 4-for-18 shooting, 11 rebounds, and six assists. The Suns shot 40% from the 3-point line and made 14 threes. The Suns outscored the Mavericks 16-6 in points off turnovers. Yet it was another game full of big momentum swings and consistent play.
The Suns led by 18 points in the third quarter, only to go scoreless for five minutes and allow the Mavericks to go on an 18-1 run, cutting the deficit to 1. Then they woke up and went up double digits again, only for that lead to evaporate quickly and the Mavericks to lead by two. Booker and Brooks combined for 65 points, and the Suns only beat the 25-55 Mavericks by five points. Stagnant offense and poor defense allowed the Mavericks to hang around in a game the Suns should have won easily.
Part of the roller coaster ride for the Suns was due to two in-game injuries to Jalen Green (knee) and Jordan Goodwin (lower leg injury), who both left the game in the first half and did not return. Already without Mark Williams and Grayson Allen, the Suns went to their bench and played everyone. Ryan Dunn played 24 minutes and guarded Flagg exceptionally well, while Rasheer Fleming played 14 minutes and had little impact on the game. Jamaree Bouyea played four minutes, and Amir Coffey played six as well.
The big, emphasis on big, story of the night was Khaman Maluach, who started his first NBA game and showed why he was the Suns’ lottery prize this offseason. He scored 4 points, grabbed 14 rebounds (one night after the Suns were obliterated on the boards), and blocked three shots, including a monster block on a Flagg dunk attempt.
Maluach still showed many flaws that he will have to work through to become a great center in the NBA, like his ability to grab the ball without bobbling it, finishing strong in the paint, and not getting pushed around. Tonight, though, he was the difference between the Suns winning and losing because of his effort. He challenged players at the rim, even though he got dunked on by Marvin Bagley in the first quarter, he blocked Flagg late in the game when the Suns needed it most. It was not just that he was trying to block shots either; it was his effort to contest shots and then immediately pursue the rebound after, something that Mark Williams has struggled to do since December. He and Booker tied for a team high +11 in plus/minus, and the eye test matched that. He was brilliant in his first start as a Phoenix Sun, and showed that he could be the Suns’ future at center as early as, well, right now.
Game Flow
First Half
The first half was back and forth between the Suns and the Mavericks. Neither team led by more than two possessions until the Suns closed the first half on an impressive 15-6 run to lead 61-53 at halftime. The Suns allowed just one field goal from the Mavericks in the last six minutes of the second quarter. Devin Booker started the game with a quick 8 points early in the first quarter and finished the second quarter attacking Dallas’s little guards at the rim. He had 19 points in the first half.
Outside of Booker, it was Phoenix’s 3-point shooting that was the difference in the first half, with Royce O’Neale scoring 14 points on 5-of-6 shooting from the field and 4-of-5 from long distance. Jordan Goodwin hit three 3-point shots as well, but unfortunately, he left the game with a lower leg injury in the second quarter. The Mavericks were 12-of-12 from the free-throw line and got just enough offense to remain close at the break.
With Mark Williams and Grayson Allen out of the lineup for injury management, and Jalen Green heading to the locker room just four minutes into the game, Jordan Ott was forced to play his young players. Khaman Maluach started the game for Williams and grabbed seven rebounds in the first half, and his defense was a mixed bag. His length at the rim is disruptive, but Marvin Bagley scored a team-high 11 points in the first half, with all of them coming against Maluach, including a thunderous dunk in the light center.
Ryan Dunn got into the rotation and played well, shutting down Cooper Flagg multiple times and finding shooters in the corner in the short roll on offense. Rasheer Fleming played seven minutes and was quiet in his minutes.
Second Half
The Suns started the second half with a quick 10-0 run. Dillon Brooks was getting into his midrange bag, forcing the Mavericks to call a quick timeout just two minutes into the quarter. The Suns led 71-53 and had created the separation needed to take full control of the game, except they didn’t score for the next five minutes of game action. The Suns’ lack of ball movement and Brooks’ isolations were major contributors to the drought. The Mavericks did what they do best: get to the free-throw line and score in the paint. Dallas guard Max Christie knocked in a couple of 3-point jumpers as well, and just as fast as the Suns’ lead ballooned to 18, it dwindled to just one, 72-71. The Mavericks 18-1 run was another extended slog of unremarkable basketball from a Suns team that needs to be playing its best basketball right now.
The Suns woke up and closed the quarter strong. Booker was attacking again in the midrange and converted multiple and-1 pullups to give the Suns a boost, and Gillespie scored 7 quick points to give the Suns an 88-80 lead after three quarters of basketball.
The fourth quarter was another seesaw of runs. Mavericks guard John Poulakidas continued his hot shooting in the fourth quarter, knocking down multiple jumpers to get Dallas back into the game. The Suns’ offense continued to stagnate, and the Mavericks took their first lead of the game, 95-93, after a Christie pull-up 3-point shot in transition. It was Booker to the rescue yet again as he checked in and immediately deposited a long-range triple and got the free throw line. A tough pull-up jumpshot at the right elbow from Brooks put the Suns up 102-95 after a 9-0 run with five minutes to go.
The Suns had control of the game again; they just had to hold on a little longer. Another Brooks jumper gave the Suns an eight-point lead, but the Mavericks continued to fight (even after they took out all of their best players to try to lose the game). The Mavericks cut the deficit to three, but a Booker side step 3-point shot was the nail in the coffin, as the Suns led 110-104 and went on to win 112-107.
Up Next
A Friday night showdown against the Los Angeles Lakers in Los Angeles, with tip-off at 7:30 Arizona time.
PHOENIX, ARIZONA - APRIL 08: Collin Gillespie #12 of the Phoenix Suns drives the ball against the Dallas Mavericks during the second half of the NBA game at Mortgage Matchup Center on April 08, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The never-say-die Dallas Mavericks put up a valiant, short-handed effort against the Phoenix Suns on Wednesday night, losing 112-107. Devin Booker was the high scorer and all-around best player for the Suns, scoring 37 to go along with five rebounds and nine assists. John Poulakidas led Dallas in scoring off the bench, pouring in 23 and making it look easy.
Both the Mavericks and Suns were on fire early from the three-point line. The teams traded leads, with neither squad playing much defense. Both Cooper Flagg and Jalen Green exited the game early with injury issues and it was unclear if either would return. The Mavericks stayed feisty and stuck with the Suns, trailing 33-29 after one quarter.
With Cooper Flagg returning in the second, Dallas tried to keep pace with the Suns and managed for most of the quarter. The hot outside shooting from Dallas cooled but getting to the line allowed Dallas to match scoring with the Suns. But after tying it at 50 with 4:22 remaining, the Mavericks would score only three points the rest of the quarter. The Suns scored slowly and built up a 61-53 to take into the half.
Before the second half started began, it was reported that Jalen Green would not return. The Suns opened the half blowing up their lead to as many as 18 as Dallas looked half asleep. The Mavericks, of course, spent the rest of the period whittling that lead back down to zero only to unravel in the final few minutes. The score entering the fourth was the same difference as when the second half began: the suns lead 88-80.
Dallas would not go away. The Mavericks stormed back once again, taking a 95-93 lead with around eight minutes remaining. Following a Suns timeout, Phoenix retook the lead but not before the Mavericks entered the 45th CLUTCH game of their season, being down five with under five minutes to go. In the first really obvious tanking move I can remember, Kidd pulled all his starters and they STILL managed to keep the game within three points until a Devin Booker three sealed the game with 1:12 remaining. The Mavericks fall, 112-107.
Have yourself a game, John Poulakidas
I make it a point not to get too invested in two-way players. If a two-way player matters, the season is usually lost. But that doesn’t mean I’m against a good story, and the Yale guard has been fun for Dallas these last 40 days or so. He scored his first NBA points three weeks ago and just nine games later, scores a career high 23 points on some great looking shots.
To be honest, I have no idea if he has a spot on a NBA team. He plays real hard and has a key skill in terms of shot making that teams can use. He tries hard on defense, but considering Dallas is so bad at defense I’ve no idea how to rate him. Perhaps he can go to Summer League with the Mavericks?
The Suns have a lot of good players I enjoy watching
Dillon Brooks is an acquired taste at best, but I very much appreciate the games of Collin Gillespie and Khaman Maluach. The former helped control the game for the Suns on the offensive end while the latter was fantastic on the boards for the Suns, grabbing 14 in his first start. I’m not sure how the pieces all fit with this team; Booker is awesome and Jalen Green has a ton of talent.
AJ Johnson might be the worst NBA contract player on the Mavericks in years
Tonight, Johnson shot 1-11 from the floor. He’s now 20-72 from the field in his short time with the Mavericks. Professional basketball players cannot shoot 27% from the floor. His finishing is weak (he loses the ball on drives), his shot from distance looks as if he’s blind, and his defense is that of a grade schooler. Sorry if this is too harsh. Whoever drafted and signed him should not be allowed to make personnel decisions.
While he has been rehabbing, the two-time All-Star has been at Pacers games to help cheer on his team, and away from the court, he’s thrown himself into some different hobbies.
According to The Athletic, Haliburton has been learning to DJ, working on a sneaker line with Puma and livestreaming with his brother.
The news on Wednesday had fans excited to see the NBA star inching closer to a return.
“You’ll back more [strong] than before Hali,” one fan wrote on X.
Tyrese Haliburton reacts after suffering a ruptured Achilles during the Pacers’ Game 7 loss to the Thunder in the NBA Finals on June 22, 2025. Xinhua News Agency via Getty Ima
He did return to the Pacers bench on March 25.
The Pacers are down to their final three games of the season with a trip to Brooklyn on Thursday before playing at home against the 76ers on Friday and the Pistons on Sunday.
SAN ANTONIO, TX - APRIL 8: De'Aaron Fox #4 of the San Antonio Spurs dribbles the ball during the game against the Portland Trail Blazers on April 8, 2026 at the Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photos by Michael Gonzales/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The Spurs turned in a solid performance tonight without Stephon Castle and Victor Wembanyama. It wasn’t a perfect game, as the team survived despite turning the ball over too much and not exactly playing the most efficient offense, allowing the Blazers to cut the lead to a couple of baskets late in the fourth quarter. Where the Silver and Black won the game was on the defensive end of the court, as they limited the Blazers to 101 points despite 29 points from Deni Avdija and 20 points from Scoot Henderson, who is starting to show the promise that made him the second third overall pick a few years back. De’Aaron Fox led the team with 25 points and Devin Vassell had one of his best games of the season on both ends of the court, making defensive plays and scoring 14 points and 8 rebounds. Carter Bryant had a career game, as Portland left him free at the three point line and he hit 5-6 three pointers. Harper excelled in his starting role tonight as he scored 13 and kept the offense organized. You have to also give credit to Keldon Johnson, who was unstoppable coming off of the bench, as it was a team effort where every player that got onto the court made an impact on the victory over a possible playoff opponent for their 61st victory of the season.
Observations
Even though Wembanyama was out tonight, his imprint was all over the game. Nobody thought this was a 60 game winning team when the season started, but his competitive spirit drove the team to an amazing win total. He’s really young, but he’s already a leader.
I was not really impressed with Harrison Ingram at first, but he’s really been working hard on his game in Austin, and he’s improved a lot. He’s going to make a run at joining the regular roster next season, and he has a shot.
The Blazers started out quick but Fox righted things quickly with a personal 10-0 run to make the score 12-8 Spurs.
Avdija looks really good out there, and without Wemby on the court to erase defensive mistakes, he had a lot of space to create tonight. Carter Bryant had a turn at defending him, and picked up a quick foul, but seemed to do a good job keeping up with his speed.
Missed free throws (3) and turnovers (4) hampered the Silver and Black in the first quarter, but somehow led 32-23 after the first quarter on a final three-point shot from Dylan Harper.
Sidy Cissoko was a player I hated to see leave San Antonio. His game was so raw when he was in San Antonio, but you could see they talent and athletic ability. I’m happy for his success in Portland. Blake Wesley is another former Spur who’s on Portland, and he showed his commitment to the game by going to the floor and wrestling Keldon for a loose ball and winning a jump ball.
Jordan McLaughlin always contributes whenever he plays. It doesn’t matter if he doesn’t leave the bench for five games, he’s going to step up whenever he’s called upon.
Spurs led by as many as 15 points in the second quarter, and led 61-51 at the half with Avdija getting some free throws to end the first half scoring. The biggest negative was 5 more turnovers in the quarter, which is something that could have been more harmful than it was, because the Spurs defense stepped to limit the damage.
Deni Avdija on offense and Jrue Holiday on defense got the Blazers on a 17-12 start to start the third and cut the lead in half, forcing a Mitch Johnson timeout. The Spurs finished the rest of the quarter on a 15-5 run and led 88-73 with a quarter to play.
Things got a little dicey early in the fourth as Scoot Henderson turned defense into offense by creating turnovers and putting them into the hoop.
The Spurs took over the fourth with getting to every loose ball, but it was a uneven effort, as they also made mistakes that led to easy Portland points. It looked at times that the Spurs were going to run away with it, leading by as much as 17, but the Blazers stayed in it with their defense while the Spurs offense stagnated. When they cut the lead to single digits with 4:26 left, Mitch had to call a timeout to settle the team.
The lead shrunk to 6 after the Spurs botched a jump ball with Keldon letting it go out of bounds thinking it was off of Portland. Luckily, the Spur found their mojo and closed out the game with timely stops and enough offense to win by double digits, 112-101.
There are only two more games left in the season, and Wemby has to play at least 20 minutes in one of them to qualify for post-season awards. I would guess that he’s going to play Friday against the Mavericks as they will just be funneling the rock to Cooper Flagg as he continues to rake in accolades for his rookie of the year campaign. There have been a lot of great first year players this year, but I don’t see anyone beating Cooper, who has been stellar on a really bad team. Dylan Harper is incredible, but his role on a good team is not going to grab the kind of attention that Flagg gets, and actually deserves.
The Spurs final game will be against the Nuggets, which should be a ho-hum affair, as both teams should have settled their playoff standings by then and will be resting all their starters and top contributors. It’s going to be Harrison Ingram time, and he’s going to make his case for being on the regular roster next year.
Jan 22, 2026; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Houston Rockets forward Kevin Durant (7) drives against Philadelphia 76ers forward Paul George (8) during the fourth quarter at Xfinity Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images | Bill Streicher-Imagn Images
The Philadelphia 76ers are the only team left in the NBA that can sweep the Houston Rockets.
Houston rides into this game on a 7-game winning streak and just one game behind in the race for home court advantage in the first round of the playoffs.
The Sixers are currently eighth in the Eastern Conference and one back in the loss column from being in fifth place (at the time of writing). They’re also two up in the loss column from 10th place, so there’s quite a range of spots for them to fall into. Obviously, they will be trying hard to win to avoid the play-in.
For Houston, tonight is about continuing to build upon their recent success and execute a decent NBA offense heading into the postseason and offseason. The Rockets have slipped on their “30 assists per game” streak, but a new streak could start tonight.
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 07: Draymond Green #23 of the Golden State Warriors looks on against the Sacramento Kings in the second half of an NBA basketball game at Chase Center on April 07, 2026 in San Francisco, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) | Getty Images
After the Golden State Warriors defeated the Sacramento Kings, 110-105, Draymond Green offered his thoughts on the NBA’s tanking issues and the league’s propensity for fining players, instead of tanking teams. He singled out a baffling intentional foul on Seth Curry late in the game. Wednesday, the league opened an investigation.
The NBA is looking into what multiple sources say was a strategy mistake by Kings coach Doug Christie on an intentional foul of Seth Curry while leading the Warriors with over 3 minutes left in Tuesday's game: pic.twitter.com/t83vvfljAA
Green wasn’t the only observer who took issue with Kings coach Doug Christie’s decision to foul Seth Curry in the backcourt with 3:15 to go in the game. Doug McDermott reached in to force a stoppage and let Christie use his fifth timeout — one which would have otherwise expired, since teams can only use two in the final three minutes.
Only the Kings didn’t have a foul to give, so the move sent Curry to the foul line, where he split two free throws following the timeout. And the internet went crazy.
Could someone wake up Adam Silver and tell him the bottom half of the league is in shambles? pic.twitter.com/5Z8caYjPzN
Was it Green’s comments that prompted the NBA to investigate? It’s very possible. Commissioner Adam Silver’s league office generally operates on the principle that embarrassing the NBA is the worst thing a player or team can go. Green complained that one third of the league is tanking, yet only two have been fined, and he’s right. But the ones who did get hit with fines were being blatant. The Utah Jazz benched their starters in every 4th quarter, and the Indiana Pacers sat multiple starters, albeit on a back-to-back.
Did Silver take offense to the Jazz’s strategy, or was it that Stephen A. Smith complained about it on his podcast? Probably both!
The irony is that Christie and the Kings aren’t even tanking! DeMar DeRozan missed only his third game of the season Tuesday. Sacramento went 7-8 in the 15 games before Tuesday’s loss. Christie is trying to save his job for next season. The Kings may be terrible, but after three of their starters suffered season-ending injuries, they’re an ethically terrible team.
After all, immediately after the controversial foul, Christie drew up a play to get McDermott a three-pointer and re-take the lead. He didn’t bench anyone in the final minutes and Sacramento didn’t call up multiple G Leaguers and play them heavy minutes, like the Jazz and Memphis Grizzlies have done in the last month, or sign a marginal player simply because he’s Angel Reese’s brother, like the Washington Wizards.
Of course, for Christie, the argument that he wasn’t tanking, just incompetent isn’t a flattering one. Given Kings owner Vivek Ranadive’s propensity for firing his head coaches, dismissing eight of them in his 13 years as team governor. Don’t be surprised if he looks at a Warriors assistant coach to replace Christie.
Still, it’s weird that Christie would be the scapegoat during a season where so many teams have tanked more egregiously than Sacramento, who has dropped (risen?) out of the bottom four in the past two weeks. Draymond is right that the NBA should fine tanking teams, but we suspect that might have more to do with all the fine money he has surrendered over his career than a strictly moral position.
In news that’s completely unrelated to the NBA’s lack of competitiveness as the season winds down, the Warriors may have eight players out for Thursday’s game against the Los Angeles Lakers. NBA action is fan-tastic!
Kristaps Porzingis (illness) is out tomorrow vs. the Lakers. His second straight missed game.
Al Horford and Quinten Post also remain out. Steph Curry and Gui Santos are questionable. Will Richard doubtful.
Front end of a back-to-back with GSW @ Sac Friday. 3 games left.
LOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 7: Rui Hachimura #28 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks to pass as he's defended by Draymond Green #23 and Brandin Podziemski #2 of the Golden State Warriors during the second half of an NBA game at Crypto.com Arena on February 7, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kevin Terrell/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Lakers (50-29) will play their final road game of the regular season on Thursday against the Golden State Warriors (37-42).
The tail end of the regular season has been a miserable time for the Lakers. Since the calendar turned to April, it feels as if it’s just been one unfortunate thing after another. With the playoffs around the corner, the overall mood regarding this team has been trending down.
While Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves focus on getting right, the team will have to rely on LeBron James and the rest of the Lakers to try to stack wins while they are out.
The Warriors have less to fight for this late into the season since they’re pretty much locked into the 10th seed. Still, since Steph Curry just returned from injury, there’s a high chance that they’re going to want to play hard in this one to sharpen themselves and build enough reps just in time for the play-in tournament.
Note that the Warriors are coming off a victory against the Sacramento Kings, led by Curry and Brandin Podziemski. These two will likely lead the charge against the Lakers. Expect Golden State to want to put this game to bed early since they’re on the first night of a back-to-back.
As for the Lakers, well, what matters is that they at least try to make this one a competitive affair, just as they did in the first 20 minutes of their last game against the Oklahoma City Thunder. Lakers head coach JJ Redick was quite critical of Deandre Ayton, Rui Hachimura, and Jarred Vanderbilt, whom he called out postgame. Hopefully, this one is a more pleasing watch no matter the result.
Let’s see if the Lakers can find a way to win their final matchup against the Warriors on Thursday.
Notes and Updates
For the Lakers’ injury report, Luka Dončić (left hamstring strain), Austin Reaves (left oblique muscle strain) and Jaxson Hayes (left foot soreness) are out. Marcus Smart (right ankle contusion) is questionable.
As for the Warriors, Jimmy Butler III (right ACL surgery) is out. Steph Curry (right knee injury management) and Charles Bassey (left ankle sprain) are questionable. LJ Cryer (general illness) is probable.
Cade Cunningham, after missing 11 games due to a collapsed left lung, returned for the Pistons in their 137-111 win over the Bucks on Wednesday night in Detroit.
He played 26 minutes and finished with 13 points, 10 assists and five rebounds.
Returning star guard Cade Cunningham drives on Milwaukee’s Gary Trent Jr. during the Piston-Bucks game on April 8, 2026 in Detroit. AP
“Everything felt good,” Cunningham told reporters. “I feel like all the training and stuff I’ve been doing had me in a great place where I was comfortable for all of my minutes, so it was good.”
Given the unique nature of the injury, there was a chance it could have had a major impact on the Knicks — both in their chances to catch the Pistons for the No. 1 seed in the East, and if he was out longer, a potentially weakened Pistons team in the postseason.
But Detroit went 8-3 without him, refusing to open the door to the Knicks in the standings and clinching the No. 1 seed in the process. And Cunningham will have three games to get himself back into rhythm ahead of the postseason. If the Knicks finish as the No. 3 seed, he’d have two playoff rounds, too, before the possibility of an Eastern Conference finals showdown between the two teams.
The Pistons bludgeoned the Knicks in all three regular-season matchups this year and Cunningham was in the middle of it. He averaged 29.8 points, 11.0 assists and 5.3 rebounds across the three games on 51.6 percent shooting from the field and 50 percent shooting from 3-point range.
“It was different than any injury I’ve ever had,” Cunningham said. “As far as how it progressed initially from whenever I got hit, to how I felt immediately and then to how I started to feel as time went on.”
The Knicks need just one win across their final three regular-season games to surpass last year’s tally of 51.
“On my grandson, I didn’t know how many wins the Knicks had last year,” Brown said after practice Wednesday. “I might’ve seen it or whatever, I know they finished in second or third last year, one of the two. But I don’t know how many wins they had, so it didn’t matter to me, I just wanted to try to get the best seeding we could going into the playoffs. But even more important than that, I wanted to feel like we’re playing a certain way going into the playoffs and that we had a really good feel and direction while having true belief in what we’re doing.”
Jaylen Brown (left Achilles tendinitis), Derrick White (right knee contusion), Sam Hauser (lower back spasm) and Neemias Queta (right toe sprain) are all questionable for the Celtics.
It is the first leg of a back-to-back for them.
Just Tyler Kolek (right oblique strain) is listed on the Knicks injury report. He is questionable.
CLEVELAND, OHIO - APRIL 08: Evan Mobley #4 of the Cleveland Cavaliers looks for a pass during the third quarter against the Atlanta Hawks at Rocket Arena on April 08, 2026 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Cavaliers defeated the Hawks 122-116. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) | Getty Images
All grades are based on our usual expectations for each player.
Donovan Mitchell
31 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists, 1 block
This was a team effort, but Mitchell truly stole the show. His isolation scoring is on par with just about anyone in the NBA. I have to imagine it’s a hopeless feeling for the defense whenever Mitchell windmills the ball over their head. He had Corey Kispert begging for mercy — and none of the other Hawks had any better luck.
Grade: A+
James Harden
21 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals
Harden struggled to score early despite generating some clean looks. He also had a grating turnover in closing time, where he handed the ball straight to NAW. Harden finished the game shooting 6-23.
Other than that, Harden provided a huge surge of scoring in the third quarter and was the orchestrator of Cleveland’s late-game offense. He helped them earn multiple trips to the free-throw line, closing the deal with his surgical decision-making.
Grade: B–
Jarrett Allen
16 points, 8 rebounds, 2 steals
Allen looks like he’s in pain. That hasn’t stopped him from burrowing into the paint and leaving defenders with no choice other than to bear hug him. The Cavs are showing they can work around Allen’s tendinitis — but I hope that other options emerge as the playoffs approach.
Ideally, we want February Allen back in the building.
Grade: B
Evan Mobley
22 points, 19 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 blocks
Talk about dominant.
Mobley showed fans what they’ve been dreaming about. He eviscerated any defender the Hawks put in front of him. And, made it a non-contest any time the ball was up for grabs. This monster double-double is the type of stuff that will get Mobley, and his team, to the next level.
Grade: A+
Keon Ellis
5 points, 1 assist, 1 rebound, 1 block
I can see Ellis being a great option to slow down players like CJ McCollum, Nickeil Alexandar-Walker, and Gabe Vincent. He has the physical tools to match any of them.
The goal, however, is actually getting him into those matchups. Ellis wasn’t properly utilized in any lineup that featured him alongside Dennis Schroder, Max Strus, and Sam Merrill. The Cavs simply aren’t big enough to get away with stuff like that.
Hopefully, Kenny Atkinson adjusts the rotation and better uses Ellis for his point-of-attack defense.
Grade: C–
Max Strus
8 points, 2 rebounds, 2 assists
Strus came off the bench as Cleveland opted for Dean Wade in the starting lineup. That worked great for Wade, and not as well for Strus.
I actually thought Strus played a fine game. But similar to Ellis, I’m not sure if the logjam of backcourt players makes for the most ideal second units. Strus is being stretched thin in some of these lineups.
Grade: C+
Sam Merrill
6 points, 3 assists, 1 steal
You can copy and paste most of what I said for Ellis and Strus here. Merrill isn’t benefiting from being in lineups that only feature one player above 6’5”.
Merrill shot 2-3 from downtown tonight.
Grade: C+
Dean Wade
8 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal, 1 block
Wade returned to the floor and joined the starters tonight. That dynamic worked to perfection. His size and athleticism made him a versatile defensive weapon to pair with the bigs. He also nailed consecutive three-pointers to start the game and spaced the floor well throughout the night.
Grade: A-
Dennis Schroder
5 points, 3 assists, 1 rebound
Not the best. Schroder is most impacted by some of these small-ball lineups. But, he also isn’t a great fit next to either Mitchell or Harden. He was a staggering minus-22 in 15 minutes. As a reminder, the Cavs won this game by six.
CLEVELAND, OH - APRIL 8: Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Cleveland Cavaliers shoots a three point basket during the game against the Atlanta Hawks on April 8, 2026 at Rocket Arena in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by David Liam Kyle/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Donovan Mitchell scored 31 points, Evan Mobley had 22 points and 19 rebounds, and the Cleveland Cavaliers defeated the Atlanta Hawks 122-116 in a wild contest that saw both teams carry double-digit leads. The Cavs led by as many as 18 points, but nearly collapsed in the fourth quarter before getting some defensive stops in critical moments. If tonight’s game is an indication of how things would look in a playoff series between these two teams, buckle up.
Atlanta has been inarguably the hottest team in the NBA over the last month, and they showed it down the stretch. Their two best players, Jalen Johnson (12 points, 11 rebounds) and Dyson Daniels (12 points, six assists), both fouled out late in the fourth quarter, making things slightly easier for the Cavs. Nickeil Alexander-Walker finished with 25 points, hitting some very tough shots along the way.
It was a back-and-forth affair from Rocket Arena, with both teams exchanging blows throughout. Atlanta outscored Cleveland by 11 in the second quarter, taking a seven-point lead into the half. The Cavs countered with a haymaker, posting 44 points and giving themselves a 17-point lead going into the fourth. Expectedly, the Hawks mounted an extraordinary comeback in the final frame to nearly complete the effort.
Mitchell was excellent all night and started his takeover in the third quarter, scoring 13 of his 31 in that frame. James Harden (21 points, five rebounds) also caught a little fire in that period, drilling back-to-back threes midway through the quarter to force an Atlanta timeout. The backcourt led the way in the third and propelled the Cavs to perhaps their best quarter of the season.
While he has been the recipient of fan ire all season, Mobley played exceptionally tonight. The defending Defensive Player of the Year finished with 22 points, 19 rebounds (tied for a career-high), and three blocks on 8-15 shooting. Cleveland was a +20 in Mobley’s minutes, and that certainly passes the eye test. He had a game-changing effort that the Cavs will need in the postseason if they hope to make some noise.
It was a trying night for Jarrett Allen, even if his stat line looks respectable. Half of his points came from the free-throw line, and he finished with three turnovers — and it could have been more. He lost several entry passes that simply bounced off his hands, or he allowed defenders to dislodge him too easily. It seems Allen isn’t going to be 100% for the playoffs, but they will need a better effort from him than what we saw tonight.
Speaking of poor performances, Dennis Schroder continues to be a very uneven player. The Cavs were a -22 in his 15 minutes, and that also passes the eye test. Craig Porter Jr. was not utilized in this game, perhaps an indication of how things would look in a playoff setting. This game certainly had a postseason vibe to it, and the rotations reflected that. The Cavs rolled out their usual starters and Dean Wade, and that generally worked out. But the bench was exceptionally poor aside from Sam Merrill. Keon Ellis, Max Strus, and Schroder were all negatives in plus/minus.
This was a roller coaster of a game from tip-off to final buzzer. The Cavs looked alright in the first quarter, terrible in the second, tremendous in the third, and then nearly lost it in the fourth. In fact, they only scored 18 points in the final quarter, most of which came off free throws. The last field goal they made, an Allen dunk, came at the 7:05 mark. It is a borderline miracle that they won this game, especially given the team’s history of falling apart at the seams when things start to go wrong.
Tonight, they looked like a team that was able to withstand a little adversity. Now, if only they didn’t put themselves in that position in the first place.
BOSTON, MA - FEBRUARY 8: Mikal Bridges #25 of the New York Knicks is introduced before the game against the Boston Celtics at TD Garden on February 8, 2026 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo By Winslow Townson/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Tomorrow night, the Knicks (51*-28) host the Celtics (54-25) at Madison Square Garden. The Knicks sit third in the Eastern Conference, riding a three-game win streak and going 7-3 in their last 10. New York has been solid on their home court (28-9) and will look to leverage that MSG advantage against a Celtics team that has also been playing well, winning four straight and eight of their last 10. While it’s not impossible for the Knicks to steal the second seed from the Celts, they’d have to win out their final three games (starting tonight), while the Beantown Bums would have to lose to the Knicks, Pelicans, and Magic.
The Knicks lead the season series 2-1. The teams last met on February 8 in Boston, where New York pulled out a 111-89 victory. The Knicks led for most of the game, Jalen Brunson topped the scoresheet with 31 points, and Boston shot an awful 7-of-41 (17%) from the perimeter. Oh, what a glorious day that was.
Beyond shots, what else was Boston missing in that February 8 game? Jayson Tatum. In fact, their star power forward has missed all three games against the Knicks this season, having ruptured his achilles in Game Four of the Eastern Conference Semis against New York and only returning to action on March 6, 2026. Tatum’s shooting (a career-low 50% eFG) and scoring (21 PPG) have yet to return to pre-injury form, but he’s still a force to be reckoned with.
The Celtics have been one of the more consistent teams, with elite offensive (2nd of 30) and defensive (4th of 30) metrics. They score around 114.6 points per game (21st in the NBA) while allowing just 106.9, which is best in the league.
Tatum and Jaylen Brown (28.8 PPG, 7 RPG, 5.2 APG) will lead their starters, with Derrick White (16.7 PPG, 5.4 APG), Sam Hauser (9.1 PPG, 39% 3P%), and Neemias Queta (10.3 PPG, 8.3 RPG) rounding out the first five. We’ll see who actually plays. Their injury report lists four players—Queta (toe), Hauser (back), White (knee), and Brown (Achilles)—all as game-time decisions. For the Knicks, Tyler Kolek is a GTD with an oblique issue.
Prediction
ESPN.com gives the home team a 56% chance tomorrow. That makes sense. Coach Joe Mazzulla, coach-of-the-year candidate and general weirdo, could rest his ailing Celtics, since they can wrap up the second-seed in one of the next two outings. But who knows what Joe will hear when he stares into the abyss over his morning cornflakes? The Knicks will be ready for whatever, however. In their last game, they rocked Atlanta, taking everything the red hot team threw at them and giving it straight back. Just in time, the Knickerbockers look ready for the playoffs. More of the same tomorrow, we bet. Knicks by 4.
Game Details
Who: New York Knicks (51*-28) vs Boston Celtics (54-25) Date: Thursday, April 9, 2026 Time: 7:30 PM ET Place: Madison Square Garden, New York, NY TV: Prime Video / MSG Follow: @ptknicksblog and bsky
* Should be one more, but the NBA Cup wins live in a Fortress of Solitude.
Apr 8, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell (45) celebrates in the third quarter against the Atlanta Hawks at Rocket Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-Imagn Images | David Richard-Imagn Images
The Cleveland Cavaliers took down the Atlanta Hawks in a potential playoff preview. Let’s go over today’s winners and losers.
WINNER – Cross-Matching
The Cavs started this game by throwing a wicked curveball at the Hawks. Rather than matching up by position, Cleveland elected to stick James Harden on Atlanta’s center, Onyeka Okongwu.
What does this do?
Well, it allows Jarrett Allen to bump down and defend Dyson Daniels, a non-shooting threat who the Cavs are willing to ignore on the perimeter. That makes it possible for Allen to patrol the paint, while Harden just has to use his bulky, 6’5” frame to avoid being dog food.
Okongwu scored 18 points, but wasn’t able to take advantage of Harden defending him. Harden more than held his own in those individual minutes, and Okongwu isn’t a skilled enough scorer to justify the offense catering to him any more than it did tonight.
We’ve seen other teams implement this same strategy. The New York Knicks love to use Josh Hart in this role. Similarly, the Oklahoma City Thunder do the same with Lu Dort or Alex Caruso. Now… it goes without saying that James Harden is nowhere near as good a defender as any of those guys. But the game plan is implemented all the same.
Playing 5-on-4 defensively is a huge advantage. Allen was able to ignore Daniels and contain nearly all drives to the basket. That led to a ton of short-mid-range shots from Atlanta. That’s the type of stuff Cleveland will be glad to concede in the playoffs. It helped make the difference in closing time when the Hawks settled for tough middies.
All that’s left is to make sure you don’t get burned on the perimeter. Outside of a brutal second quarter, I thought the Cavs did a good job of running Atlanta off the line and funneling them to the bigs.
WINNER – Donovan Mitchell
You can trust Donovan Mitchell to show up on the big stage. This wasn’t a playoff game, but it’s clear that Mitchell understood the possible implications.
Mitchell was on fire from the start. He made quick work of the Hawks’ defense, especially when drawing a favorable matchup, like when CJ McCollum or Corey Kispert had the unfortunate fate of defending him. Mitchell’s on-ball brilliance was on full display, with some ridiculously difficult shots appearing routine for him.
We’ve seen heroic performances from Mitchell before. But it’s worth noting that he scored in bunches tonight without ever makign it feel like it was him versus the world. Cleveland still took a balanced approach to their offense, with Mitchell expertly filling in when the time called for it.
By the end of the night, Mitchell had 31 points on 12-19 shooting. That’s elite.
LOSER – One Big Lineups
The Hawks are rolling. And should they draw the Cavs in round one, they’d be a formidable opponent capable of doing serious damage.
Tonight, their biggest advantage came in the second unit.
Atlanta’s bench outscored Cleveland 37-28. Most of that happened in the first half, with the Hawks’ bench shooting 11-13 from the floor while the Cavs shot just 3-10.
Jonathan Kuminga was largely responsible for this disparity. He scored 24 points all on his own, putting the Hawks in front with his huge second quarter. The results were diminishing, as Cleveland’s defensive game plan of leaving non-shooters open and packing the paint eventually won out.
Kuminga is a good barometer for this matchup. The Cavs have tipped their hand and shown that they’ll live with him trying to win games in the mid-range. If he can keep scoring in bunches like he did tonight, then he’ll pose a real problem to Cleveland.
I wouldn’t be overly concerned.
What I would worry about is Cleveland’s defensive integrity when only one big man is on the floor, specifically, when Mobley or Allen are anchoring any lineup that doesn’t also feature Dean Wade. The Cavs’ lack of size was truly exposed in those minutes.
This is where their second unit is most vulnerable. Especially when the Cavs are frequently running lineups of four guards and just one big. I don’t foresee them fixing this issue; rather, it’s a weakness that they simply have to overcome.
WINNER – Double Big Lineups (Plus Dean Wade)
The Cavs bench might be undersized. But let me tell you, the frontcourt featuring Wade, Mobley, and Allen dominated this game.
Atlanta has plenty of length on the wing. Much more than Cleveland. However, wings and one undersized center in Okongwu are all the Hawks have in their frontcourt. That should be BBQ chicken for Mobley and Allen. On Wednesday night, it was exactly that.
Mobley was immediately impactful. He bruised the Hawks in the paint all night, finishing with 22 points and 19 rebounds while no one from Atlanta had enough size to bother him. If Mobley plays with this much aggression — you can expect a quick series for the Hawks.
Allen wasn’t as overbearing. He’s still working through some knee discomfort that will likely linger into the postseason. Yet, Allen posed enough of a threat to earn 11 free throw attempts. Atlanta was forced to foul him multiple times after Allen used his size for deep-seals in the paint. The healthier Allen gets, the more of an issue this will be for the Hawks.
To tie this into our previous section, the only concern is what happens when Allen and Mobley are not on the court together. Cleveland only outscored the Hawks 52-50 in the paint. They also barely edged them out 47-43 in the rebounding category. The bulk of that happened when only one big was on the floor. Again, it’s an uphill battle they’ll just have to fight.
