Tonight’s TNT doubleheader begins in Dallas at 7:30 PM ET with the Mavericks aiming to end their three-game losing streak as they face the formidable Heat, who have impressively won seven out of their last eight games. Following this, the Nuggets attempt to make history by being the only team this season to complete a sweep against the Celtics, the current leaders of the league, at 10 PM ET.
Additionally, the NBA App, through its partnership with Nike for NBA ID members, will feature a unique stream titled “Air Time” to celebrate the launch of Devin Booker’s first signature shoe, the Book 1. This special broadcast will coincide with the Suns’ game against the Raptors at 9 PM ET, exclusively on the NBA App.
On This Day in NBA History (March 7, 2017): Dirk Nowitzki, celebrated as the highest-scoring international player in NBA history, joined the exclusive 30,000-point club with his iconic one-legged fadeaway shot, marking him as the sixth player to achieve this milestone.
Wednesday’s NBA Comeback Victories Shake Up Playoff and Play-In Positions
Wednesday’s NBA matchups featured remarkable comebacks from four teams, each overcoming deficits of 15 points or more to secure victories. These triumphs not only showcased the teams’ resilience but also had significant implications for the ongoing playoff and play-in races.
Kings Overcome Lakers with Late Surge
The Sacramento Kings orchestrated a notable rally against the Los Angeles Lakers, initially lagging by 19 notches late in the initial period. An upswing, underscored by a 10-0 spree and a terminus claxon from De’Aaron Fox, trimmed the arrears substantially. The Kings then commandeered the subsequent segment of the half with a 32-9 burst, accentuated by another terminus claxon from Fox, to advance by 15 at intermission. The Kings clinched the match with a 130-120 triumph, driven by Fox’s 44 notches, Malik Monk’s 26 notches from the sideline, and Domantas Sabonis’s 22nd triple coup of the campaign. Despite LeBron James’s 31-notch endeavor, the Lakers declined further in the play-in contest standings.
Clippers’ Comeback Victory Over Rockets
The Los Angeles Clippers succeeded in reversing a 20-point shortfall against the Houston Rockets, assembling late in the contest with a 19-8 surge to clinch a 122-116 victory. The triumvirate of Kawhi Leonard, Paul George, and James Harden amalgamated for 70 tallies, surmounting an outstanding display from Houston’s Alperen Sengun. This conquest sustains the Clippers in a robust stance in the postseason chase.
Magic Extends Winning Streak with Comeback Against Wizards
The Orlando Magic prolonged their triumphant sequence, realizing their fifth successive win by surmounting a 21-point shortfall against the Washington Wizards. The Magic, steered by Franz Wagner and Paolo Banchero, effected a remarkable reversal to prevail 119-109, preserving their stance in the Eastern Conference postseason rankings.
Grizzlies’ Fourth Quarter Rally Beats Sixers
The Memphis Grizzlies showcased their late-game prowess by erasing a 12-point deficit in the fourth quarter against the Philadelphia 76ers. Jaren Jackson Jr.’s standout performance in the final quarter propelled the Grizzlies to a 115-109 win, affecting the play-in standings in the Eastern Conference.
These dramatic comebacks underscore the unpredictability and competitive nature of the NBA, with significant ramifications for the playoff and play-in race positioning as teams continue to jostle for favorable seeding.
Warriors Halt Bucks’ Winning Streak
In a highly anticipated showdown on Wednesday, the Golden State Warriors put a stop to the Milwaukee Bucks’ impressive winning streak post-All-Star break. Led by Stephen Curry’s remarkable performance, which included making six 3-pointers and scoring a total of 29 points, the Warriors secured a decisive 125-90 victory. This win marked the Bucks’ first defeat since the break. Despite the loss, Damian Lillard managed to score 20 points, hitting five 3-pointers and matching Reggie Miller’s record for the fourth-highest number of 3-pointers in NBA history.
Playoff Implications for Both Teams
Following a simultaneous downturn, the Cleveland Cavaliers descended to the runner-up position in the Eastern Conference rankings, whereas the Milwaukee Bucks stayed in the prime spot. Conversely, due to their victory and the Lakers’ setback, the Golden State Warriors ascended a notch in the Western Conference hierarchy, exceeding the Lakers into the ninth rank. Regarding the eighth position, the Warriors currently find themselves merely a half-match short of the Dallas Mavericks.
Oklahoma City Thunder’s Resilient Comeback
Subsequent to a lackluster showing against the Lakers, wherein he was constrained to merely 20 tallies, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander rebounded commendably with a 37-tally and quintuple-assist performance, thrusting the Oklahoma City Thunder to a 128-120 triumph over the Portland Trail Blazers. Aiding Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren made substantial contributions, amassing 52 tallies between them, with Holmgren additionally clinching 14 rebounds and five assists. Notwithstanding this victory, the Thunder persist in the penultimate slot in the Western Conference owing to a tiebreaker, paralleled with the Minnesota Timberwolves for the premier record in the conference.
Luka Doncic’s Quest for the Scoring Crown
As LeBron James shattered the 40,000-point barrier last week, the basketball world buzzed with speculation about who might next reach this milestone. Luka Doncic emerged as a leading candidate, mirroring LeBron’s early entry into the NBA as a teen and his immediate impact as a scoring sensation.
Entering tonight’s showdown between the Mavericks and the Heat, Doncic leads the league with an impressive average of 34.6 points per game, positioning himself as the frontrunner for his inaugural scoring title. This achievement would follow Joel Embiid’s historic wins, making Luka potentially the second consecutive international player to clinch this honor.
Doncic’s scoring prowess is underscored by leading the league in 40-point games and a monumental 73-point performance, the highest in an NBA game since Kobe Bryant’s 81-point spectacle in 2006. Averaging over 34 points this season, Luka is on the brink of joining an elite group previously graced by legends like Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, and James Harden.
Yet, Doncic’s ambitions extend beyond scoring. He’s on track to set a new precedent by averaging over 34 points, 9 rebounds, and 9 assists— a feat unparalleled in NBA history. His blend of scoring, rebounding, and assisting places him in a league of his own, challenging records held by icons like Tiny Archibald and setting the stage to become the youngest scoring champion since Kevin Durant.
Unstoppable Forces: The Nuggets’ Playmaking vs. The Celtics’ Defense
Is there a mystical connection between Nikola Jokic and Aaron Gordon, enabling Jokic to always find Gordon on the court? The precision of Jokic’s passes, leading to Gordon’s high-flying dunks and alley-oops, certainly makes it appear so.
Nuggets’ coach Michael Malone explains this phenomenon simply: with proper spacing, Jokic’s intuitive plays—from no-look passes to deft handoffs—naturally find their mark. Since Gordon’s trade to Denver on March 25, 2021, the duo has played 224 regular season and 35 playoff games together, cultivating a rapport that combines Jokic’s visionary passing with Gordon’s explosive finishing prowess.
Jokic, fourth in the NBA for assists at 9.2 per game, connects with Gordon for 1.7 of those. This season, out of 600 passes to Gordon, 98 have led to assists—a striking 16.3% success rate. Warriors coach Steve Kerr marvels at this synergy, particularly recalling a pass from Jokic to Gordon that seemed to defy visual cues, showcasing their profound connection.
As the Nuggets, featuring the Jokic-Gordon showcase, prepare to face the Celtics—who boast the league’s top offense and a formidable defense—the contrast in styles promises a clash of titans. Boston’s defense, led by the backcourt duo of Derrick White and Jrue Holiday, challenges opponents with their game-changing plays and defensive prowess. Coached by Joe Mazzulla, the Celtics pride themselves on a defensive strategy that emphasizes momentum shifts and overlooked, yet crucial, contributions.
White and Holiday, recognized for their defensive capabilities, are among the few who degrade their opponents’ shooting efficiency significantly. Their defensive acumen is not just in numbers; it’s in their consistent impact on the game, recognized through All-Defensive Team selections and the respect of teammates like Kristaps Porzingis, who admires their under-the-radar excellence and decision-making on the court.
Tonight’s matchup (10 ET, TNT) is more than just a game; it’s a showcase of two teams at the pinnacle of their powers, each led by dynamic duos that redefine the essence of basketball synergy.
