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Nightly Pulse: NBA News & Highlights from March 14

Stay in the know on tonight's NBA action as we keep you updated with the latest news and happenings around the league.

NBA.com Staff

An action-packed Friday around the Association 🏀🏀

FINAL:

⭐⭐TOP PERFORMERS⭐⭐

  1. Ja Morant: 44 points (17-22 FG), eight rebounds, seven assists, one steal
  2. Paolo Banchero: 43 points (16-32 FG) 10 rebounds, three assists
  3. Austin Reaves: 37 points (13-26 FG), eight rebounds, 13 assists, four steals
  4. LaMelo Ball: 27 points (9-13 FG, 7-11 3PM), three rebounds, 15 assists, one steal

Top Takeaways👉📝

  1. James Harden passes Elvin Hayes to move into 12th place in all-time leading scorers. His grand total now rests at 39,648 points, putting him almost exactly 4,000 points behind 10th place Carmelo Anthony to crack the top echelon.
  2. Paolo Banchero continues flashing his superstar ability. His 43-point game marks Banchero’s fourth game since the All-Star break with more than 35 points — leading the league. Orlando’s offense can wilt against high-quality opponents, but Banchero is a one-man army.
  3. Austin Reaves and Dalton Knecht came just short of a mammoth upset of Denver. Even with LeBron James (groin) still unavailable, Los Angeles was often within a possession at key moments. Nikola Jokić led the Nuggets with both 28 points and seven rebounds while also tacking on five assists, three steals and a block.

JAMAL MURRAY: LAKER KILLER

The resilient Lakers were sunk in the final seconds by Jamal Murray in a deja vu from Murray’s postseason performances again Los Angeles in recent years. Denver 131, Los Angeles Lakers 126.

A staggering 123 of Denver’s 131 points came from their core six-man rotation. The Nuggets logged a 51.8/41.9/78.9% shooting slash overall. Denver 131, Los Angeles Lakers 126

Austin Reaves was the game-high scorer with 37 points (13-26 FG, 4-7 3PM, 7-7 FT). His star power as a true combo guard was on display, posting eight rebounds, 13 assists and four steals. He was clutch down the stretch in what was truly an All-Star level performance.

Dalton Knecht (32 points, 13-27 FG) boomed for the second-highest scoring game of his career and his fourth game of the season with over 20 points. Shake Milton popped for 16 points (7-11 FG, 1-2 3PM) off the bench.

Timberwolves picking up speed

Minnesota outdid Orlando at their own game, winning the rebounding battle, generating more free throws, and shooting better from inside the arc en route to earning a comeback victory at a final margin of 118-111.

Anthony Edwards led all scorers with 28 points (9-19 FG, 7-8 FT). Jaden McDaniels had a critical two-way impact, finishing with an efficient 11 points (4-6 FG, 1-2 FT), eight rebounds, two assists, three steals and two blocks.

Rudy Gobert finished with a double-double (12 points, 12 rebounds). Julius Randle (22 points, seven rebounds, five assists) was the secondary option offensively. Nickeil Alexander-Walker (12 points) and Donte DiVincenzo  (14 points, five assists) chipped in off the bench. Minnesota is starting to click into place.

Paolo Banchero (44 points on 50% shooting, 10 rebounds, three assists, one turnover) was masterful, but Orlando’s offense ultimately sputtered as Franz Wagner (16 points, 4- 16 FG) was his only teammate to exceed eight points.

Hornets shoot the lights out, drop 145 in win💥☠︎︎💣𖦹👊

Charlotte’s 26-of-46 3P shooting fell just short of the NBA record of 29 made threes in a game, but there was no shortage of offense as the Hornets’ blitzed the Spurs in a 145-134 victory.

Friday’s total marks the second-most points in Hornets’ franchise history. Nick Smith Jr. posted a career-high 26 points (9-12 F, 6-7 3PM) while Josh Green’s 20 points (7-11 FG, 6-9 3PM) marked a season-high.

San Antonio mustered just two players exceeding 14 points, although rookie Stephon Castle continues to impress with a 26 point (10-17 FG, 3-7 3PM) effort.

Cleveland survives Ja Morant’s boom ⚔️⚔️

Cleveland emerged victorious in a battle with Memphis, beating the Grizzlies 133-124 despite a monster performance from Ja Morant. Morant (44 points, 17-22 FG, 9-10 FT) logged his most efficient performance of the season on remarkable volume while tacking on eight rebounds and seven assists.

The Cavaliers had seven players post double-digit scoring, although it was a balanced effort with Evan Mobley (22 points, 9-16 FG) and Darius Garland (20 points, 7-17 FG) leading the way.

Cleveland beating Memphis without Donovan Mitchell (groin) is another statement win and the franchise’s 16th consecutive victory.

Siakam dominates, Harden in All-Star form

After trailing for the majority of the first half, Indiana seized the lead early in the third quarter and never looked back. The Pacers mounted a 16-point lead in the fourth quarter and ultimately emerged from Philadelphia with a 112 -100 victory.

Siakam has now posted at least 23 points in four of his last five contests. The 30-year-old posted a game-high 27 points (12-20 FG, 2-3 FT).

Moving across the country to the West Coast, James Harden continues climbing NBA history books. The 35-year-old passed Elvin Hayes in all-time scoring. He trails Moses Malone and Carmelo Anthony to crack the top-10 in the history of the Association. Harden has now posted at least 25 points in 17 of his 64 appearances this season.

The Clippers earn a 121-98 victory over Atlanta, with Kawhi Leonard (25 points, 11-21 FG) matching Harden’s scoring output while tacking on six rebounds, two assists and five steals in 36 minutes of action. Good to see Kawhi healthy and hooping and logging a full workload.

Raptors win shooting over Utah💥🔫🤠

Toronto earns a 126-118 victory over Utah, taking the lead at the end of the third quarter and never looking back. The Raptors amounted as much as a 15-point lead in the fourth quarter while never relinquishing the advantage. Scottie Barnes (20 points, 8-16 FG) and Immanuel Quickley (6-13 FG) co-led as scorers.

No player outside of that duo reached the 20-point threshold in Friday’s contest. Jordan Clarkson (19 points, 5-9 FG, 7-9 FT) led Utah in scoring.

Rockets roll⚡️🤘🏽🎸⚡️🤘🏽🎸

Houston dispatches Dallas 133-96 to continuous asserting their dominance in the in-state rivalry.

Houston dominated on the glass with a 67-34 advantage in the rebounding battle — marking one of two key difference in Friday’s contest. The Rockets connecting on 48.4% of 31 3PA vs. Dallas hitting just 36.0% of 22 attempts marked another sizable edge.

Tari Eason led the way with a career-high 30 points (11-15 FG) along with eight rebounds, two assists, one steal and two blocks. Alperen Sengun helped anchor Houston on both ends with a double-double (16 points, 15 rebounds).

Dallas’ role players impressed amid a laundry list of injuries. Brandon Williams boomed for a team-high 25 points (11-14 FG) in 26 minutes, doing so in efficient fashion to mark his fifth-consecutive appearance with 13-plus points. Naji Marshall (21 points, 8-15 FG) and Spencer Dinwiddie (20 points, 9-15 FG) were sharp as well

HIVE IS BUZZING🎯🎯

The Hornets are five 3PM away from setting a new NBA record with 30 made threes in a game — and they still have nine minutes remaining in the fourth quarter to do so 🤯🤯🤯

Josh Green (20 points, 7-11 FG, 6-9 3PM) got the scoring going, hitting his first four threes of the night in the first quarter. LaMelo Ball (27 points, 9-13 FG, 7-11 3PM) has co-led the bombing while tacking on 15 assists.

Charlotte has already set a new franchise record with 25 made threes.

Rudy Gobert finding rhythm🧘🧘

In his third game since returning from a 10-game absence due to a back injury, Gobert’s re-introduction adds another dimension to Minnesota’s rotation. He’s looking fresh.

Minnesota can move into a tie with Golden State for the No.6 seed in the Western Conference with a win Friday.

Naji Marshall staying hot♨️♨️

Marshall enters Friday’s contest averaging 23.5 points, 8.3 rebounds, 4.3 assists and 1.7 steals across his last six games. He’s back at it with an early steal and slam versus Houston.

The 27-year-old is blossoming into a starting caliber player after being an important role player in New Orleans to begin his career.

Homecoming for Bogdanović

Making his first return to Atlanta since being traded from the Hawks at the deadline, Clippers’ acquisition Bogdan Bogdanović gets a warm welcome from the Hawks’ faithful.

The 32-year-old Serbian continues settling in with Los Angeles, dropping a 30-point, 10-rebound performance in Wednesday’s win over Miami. He’s averaging 14.7 points, 5.3 rebound and 3.0 assists while canning 43.2 percent of 5.3 threes per game across his last seven contests.

1v1 King?

Is Payton Pritchard one of the best 1v1 players in the league? The prolific shoot and Sixth Man of the Year candidate has gotten some buzz as a darkhorse candidate with one of the deepest 1v1 bags in the league.

He hits elite defender Davion Mitchell with the dribble drive into a shot fake and step-through for the early bucket Friday. Boston holds an early 35-29 lead over Miami at the onset of the second quarter.

NBA Crunchtime Friday🍽️🍽️🍽️

NBA action on the NBA app. Catch all the big moments in one place starting at 8:30 ET!

 

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