Home SPORTS NBA Recap: Clippers Hold Sixth Place with Win Over Nets, Warriors Lurking

NBA Recap: Clippers Hold Sixth Place with Win Over Nets, Warriors Lurking

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The Clippers and Denver Nuggets secured crucial wins to solidify their positions in the Western Conference playoff picture, with the Minnesota Timberwolves closing in on the eighth spot.



The Detroit Pistons secured their first winning NBA season since 2016 with a 133-122 victory over the Eastern Conference-leading Cleveland Cavaliers on Friday. Tim Hardaway Jr. led the charge with a season-high 32 points.


Hardaway's impressive performance included connecting on seven of his 11 three-point attempts. He was one of seven Pistons players to score in double figures, showcasing the team's depth and versatility. Ausar Thompson contributed 18 points and 10 rebounds, while Dennis Schroder added 17 points and 10 assists.


The Pistons' victory was all the more impressive given the absence of key players. Cade Cunningham missed his third consecutive game due to a bruised calf, and Tobias Harris was a late scratch with Achilles tendon trouble. Despite these setbacks, the Pistons improved to 42-32, a remarkable turnaround from last season's 14-51 record.


The Detroit Pistons held off a late surge from the Cleveland Cavaliers, led by Donovan Mitchell's 38-point performance. Mitchell's efforts helped the Cavs overcome a 21-point deficit, narrowing the gap to just two points with 3:31 remaining in the game.


The Pistons responded decisively, launching a 12-1 run to seal the victory. This crucial win extended Detroit's lead over the Milwaukee Bucks to one and a half games for fifth place in the Eastern Conference. The Bucks suffered their third consecutive defeat, falling 116-107 to the New York Knicks.


OG Anunoby played a pivotal role in the Knicks' win, scoring 20 of his 31 points in the fourth quarter. Despite a strong performance from Giannis Antetokounmpo, who returned from a foot sprain to record 30 points, nine rebounds, and seven assists, the Bucks were unable to overcome the Knicks.


Curry Returns in Warriors' Win

Golden State Warriors superstar Stephen Curry made a successful return from a two-game absence due to a pelvic conturan, scoring 23 points in a 111-95 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans. The Warriors faced a struggling Pelicans team missing key players Zion Williamson and CJ McCollan.




Despite a sluggish start, Curry sparked the Warriors by scoring 13 points in the second quarter. This helped keep the game close, despite the team's poor three-point shooting. Warriors coach Steve Kerr was pleased with Curry's performance, stating, “I thought he looked great.”


Kerr also noted improvements in the team's overall performance as the game progressed. “I didn't love the passing in the first half, but we took care of the ball better in the second half,” Kerr said. “All in all, positive outcome, positive effort on a night where we're clearly trying to get our rhythm back as a group.”


The Warriors' strong second-half performance on both ends of the floor secured the win. Jimmy Butler contributed 18 points and 10 rebounds for Golden State, who remain seventh in the Western Conference and are battling to avoid the play-in tournament.


The Los Angeles Clippers maintained their grip on sixth place in the Western Conference standings, securing a direct playoff spot, after a convincing 132-100 win over the Brooklyn Nets. The Clippers and Golden State Warriors share an identical 42-31 record, but the Clippers hold the tiebreaker due to their head-to-head record.




The Minnesota Timberwolves are hot on the Clippers' heels, just half a game behind in eighth place, following a 124-109 victory over the Phoenix Suns. Kawhi Leonard led the Clippers to their 10th win in 12 games, scoring 31 points with impressive shooting numbers - 5-of-6 from three-point range and 10-of-14 overall.


Leonard's all-around performance also included six rebounds, four steals, and two blocks. Ivica Zubac complemented Leonard's effort with 21 points, shooting a perfect 9-for-9 from the field. The Clippers' dominant win solidified their position in the playoff race.


In another Western Conference matchup, the Denver Nuggets, led by Nikola Jokic's 27 points and 14 rebounds, cruised to a 129-93 victory over the Utah Jazz. The Nuggets led from start to finish, allowing Jokic and the rest of the starters to sit out the fourth quarter of the blowout win.



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