Three things to Know: 76ers comeback to beat Grizzlies showed playoff resilience Lakers’ D’Angelo Russell sprains ankle on bad luck play, leaves game not to return Watch Wendell Carter Jr. with game-winner putback, lifts Magic past Pistons Clippers Lawrence Frank on why team brought in Westbrook Kevin Durant reportedly targeting March 1 for Suns debut
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1) 76ers comeback to beat Grizzlies shows resilience in playoffs
Protection. Sustainability.
If the 76ers are going to threaten the Celtics and Bucks in May, they’ll need a lot of what they showed Thursday night in Game 1 after the All-Star break.
Their attack couldn’t buy a bucket for most of the game – Joel Embiid finished shooting 7 out of 25, Tyrese Maxi 6 out of 18 – but they played hard enough defensively to stay within striking distance. De’Anthony Melton led the defense that led the All-Star Game I am Morant up to 3 of 16 shots on the night, and Embiid had 17 defensive rebounds and six blocks – none more than this last one.
JOEL OH MY GODpic.twitter.com/Fs9046Sh7m
— NBC Sports Philadelphia (@NBCSPhilly) February 24, 2023
“I always think a two-way fight is better than a one-way fight,” Embiid said after the game via The Associated Press. “On nights like this, being able to make an impact when you don’t have anything aggressive, I think it’s nice.”
The Grizzlies had the lead for most of the game, appearing to have the answer to any 66ers mini-run, and that lead was a dozen in the fourth round. But in the fourth James Harden started to take over – he finished the night with 31 points – and Tobias Harris hit a couple of big three-pointers. In front of a rowdy crowd, the 76ers played one of their best quarters of the season against a quality opponent, going 22–8 to finish the game 10–1 to take the win.
What a game.
The Sixers are closing in on a 10-1 victory in Philadelphia in the last 1:18.
The NBA is back. pic.twitter.com/9rUbDZ67F8
— NBA (@NBA) February 24, 2023
There are two things that worry me about the Grizzlies making the playoffs. First is their half-court offense that could bog down in fourth in this game (also the Grizzlies were 1 for 8 on three in fourth). Offensive problems late in the game are not new to this team, and it could send them home early in the playoffs if left uncorrected.
Another issue is with their road record – they lost eight right after the FedEx forum and dropped to 11-18 on the road. Winning a series in the postseason means wanting to play on the road.
Memphis is a team on the cusp, but they need to clear these areas. Especially ahead of the playoffs in the West where there are no easy rounds when looking at teams that can make it out of the playoffs.
2) The Celtics defeated the Pacers in the OT
For just the second time this season, the Celtics have unveiled a starting five they hope to use in the playoffs: Marcus Smart, Jaylen Brown, Jason Tatum, Al Horford And Robert Williams. This did not mean that I slipped into an easy victory.
Boston led the second quarter by 16 points, but hot shooting from the All-Star Game Tyrese Halliburton and a stormy night Miles Turner — he finished with 40 — brought the Pacers back and kept them close in the second half.
Miles Turner tonight:
40 points (career high)
10 electronic warfare
8 3PM (career high) pic.twitter.com/pV6J2ekHuQ— NBA (@NBA) February 24, 2023
Boston got a strong night of play from its stars – Jason Tatum lost 31 points along with 12 rebounds and seven assists, while masked Jaylen Brown added 30 points and 11 boards – but it was Malcolm Brogdonback in Indianapolis that seemed to step up whenever the Celtics needed a big bucket.
MALCOLM BROGDON ACHIEVES BIG pic.twitter.com/xdP1KZkCT4
— Celtics on NBC Sports Boston (@NBCSCeltics) February 24, 2023
This called for overtime, but Boston added to their 142–138 overtime win total.
3) Walker Kessler OT forces where the Jazz takes the win
Walker Kessler won’t be rookie of the year Paolo Bankero runs away with this award, but he will get a lot of votes in the top three. And Kessler is a lock for newcomers to the first team.
If you want proof of a rookie’s influence, check out how Kessler works inside to tie the game against Thunder Wednesday with :04 left on the clock.
CLUTCH END WALKER KESSLER.
Jazz-Thunder has 0:04 left!
LOOK: https://t.co/0rrSPxOHD0 pic.twitter.com/KncdefSl7o
— NBA (@NBA) February 24, 2023
Then when it looked Isaiah Joe Would have won it for OKC, Kessler was there with the block.
Walker Kessler sends Jazz-Thunder to OT with this CLUTCH block 🤯
Look: https://t.co/0rrSPxOHD0 pic.twitter.com/xPQAvAFYYS
— NBA (@NBA) February 24, 2023
Utah won after 43 of Lauri Markkanen. Jazz managers may dream of beating Victor Wembanyama, but this roster has enough talent to win a few games down the road and change those odds a bit.
Bonus thing to know: Watch Spurs Rookie Blake Wesley hit the ball from Luka Doncic and get a bucket.
Mavs win comfortably, Doncic’s first winKyrie Irving era, but this play was too good not to be included in this evening’s review.
Learn more about the 76ers
It was just unfortunate.
Midway through the first quarter on Thursday night, the Warriors Donte Di Vincenzo drove down the idle lane and his momentum carried him back to the rack. As he began to return to the court, the Lakers D’Angelo Russell stepped back to pass the ball, and in doing so, Di Vincenzo stepped on his foot and twisted his ankle. Russell left the game and did not return.
D’Angelo Russell twists his ankle and is out for the remainder of the game.
— Central hoop (@TheHoopCentral) February 24, 2023
The x-ray was negative and Russell was optimistic that nothing was serious after the game, although with ankle injuries what matters is how they feel the next day. The Lakers will be out until Sunday when they embark on a 3-game trip in Dallas against a revamped Mavericks.
“Sick. Any other ankle injury is the same. Sick, try to bounce back tomorrow and see how he feels. Give me some medicine, rehab. Be okay.” – D’Angelo Russell on the ankle. Said it was “in the wrong place, at the wrong time.”
— Dan Woike (@DanWoikeSports) February 24, 2023
Dennis Schroeder came out for the Lakers early in the second half, and the Lakers pulled away in the third to end up with a comfortable 124–111 victory over the Warriors without Curry. Malik Beasley was a hot hand and led the Lakers with 25 points in a game in which they needed to defeat a team they would be battling for a playoff/playin spot.
Learn more about the Lakers
ORLANDO, Florida. (AP) — Wendell Carter Jr. prompted Paolo Bankeromissed a layup on the buzzer to give the Orlando Magic a 108-106 victory over the Detroit Pistons on Thursday night.
Franz Wagner Orlando led the way with 21 points and Carter controlled the fourth quarter with 14 points and 14 rebounds.
“Tonight was his night—heavy rebounds, going overboard,” said Magic coach Jamal Mosley.
WENDEL CARTER JR. NAMED GAME#TissotBuzzerBeater | #TimingEmotions pic.twitter.com/YabwRGkub9
— NBA (@NBA) February 24, 2023
“I didn’t want to go into overtime so I had to come up with something,” said Carter, who narrowly avoided reaching for the ring and being called out of basket interference. It took verification to confirm the absence of a call.
Jayden Ivey led Detroit with 25 points. He hit a 3-pointer with nine seconds left, but he missed two free throws with 51 seconds left and Detroit lost by three.
“It all came down to the last possession,” said Ivey, who made 5 of 7 triples. “It could be…
Source: nba.nbcsports.com
