NBA roundup: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander-led Thunder top Pistons in OT
Tue Mar 31 3:02am ET
Field Level Media
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 47 points to lift the host Oklahoma City Thunder to a 114-110 overtime win over the short-handed Detroit Pistons on Monday in a matchup of conference leaders.
Gilgeous-Alexander opened overtime with a step-back jumper, found Alex Caruso for a corner 3-pointer with just more than a minute remaining and then hit six free throws in the final minute. Oklahoma City won for the 15th time in 16 games.
Detroit was short-handed, playing without its top five scorers, but the Pistons stayed in the game in large part due to a 16-4 advantage in second-chance points.
The Pistons, who got 21 points and 10 rebounds from Paul Reed, had their two-game winning streak snapped.
Spurs 129, Bulls 114
Victor Wembanyama continued his brilliant play by racking up 41 points and 16 rebounds while helping host San Antonio to a victory over Chicago in a late-season interconference clash.
The Spurs won for a league-leading ninth straight outing and kept pace with Oklahoma City in the hunt for the best record in both the Western Conference and the NBA as a whole. It was Wembanyama's third game with 40 or more points this season. Stephon Castle added 21 points for San Antonio while Keldon Johnson scored 15.
Tre Jones led Chicago with 23 points. Leonard Miller added 21 off the bench, Collin Sexton had 20, Guerschon Yabusele hit for 15 points and Matas Buzelis finished with 12 for the Bulls, who have already been eliminated from the postseason.
Heat 119, 76ers 109
Tyler Herro hit two key 3-pointers, Bam Adebayo recorded a 23-point, 16-rebound double-double in a head-to-head with Joel Embiid, and Miami came on strong down the stretch to turn back visiting Philadelphia.
Herro finished with a game-high 30 points and Pelle Larsson added 20 for the Heat, who moved into a virtual eighth-place tie in the Eastern Conference with Orlando.
Embiid had a team-high 26 points and Tyrese Maxey 23 for the 76ers, who remained in seventh place in the East but saw their lead over the Heat and Magic cut to 1 1/2 games.
Hawks 112, Celtics 102
Jalen Johnson collected 20 points, 12 rebounds and five assists as Atlanta extended its home winning streak to 13 games with a victory over Boston.
Atlanta received 20 points, 10 rebounds and three assists from Onyeka Okongwu, plus 18 points from Dyson Daniels. The Hawks have won 16 of their past 18 games.
Jaylen Brown led Boston with 29 points, 10 rebounds and nine assists, but he shot 9 of 29 from the field and committed six turnovers. Luka Garza added 20 points and nine boards for the Celtics, and Payton Pritchard finished with 16 points.
Suns 131, Grizzlies 105
Devin Booker scored 36 points while playing just three quarters and Jalen Green added 21 points and six boards as visiting Phoenix trounced Memphis.
The Suns won their second straight by closing strong, outscoring the Grizzlies 40-16 in the final quarter. The Suns were dominant in the paint, where they scored 68 points.
Memphis got 17 points off the bench from Tyler Burton but lost for the 14th time in 16 games. Cam Spencer scored 16 on 6-of-9 shooting, including 4-of-5 success from long range.
Lakers 120, Wizards 101
LeBron James posted the 125th triple-double of his career while leading Los Angeles to a comprehensive win over visiting Washington.
James compiled 21 points, 10 rebounds and 12 assists to become, at 41 years, 90 days, the oldest player to notch a triple-double, surpassing his own record of 41 years, 79 days. It was his third triple-double of the season. Austin Reaves, Jaxson Hayes and Luke Kennard contributed 19 points apiece for the Lakers, who have won 15 of their past 17 games.
Will Riley scored 20 points, Justin Champagnie added 18 and Tristan Vukcevic had 14 for Washington, which has lost 19 of its past 20 outings.
Cavaliers 122, Jazz 113
Evan Mobley scored a season-high 34 points, collected a season-high 17 rebounds and blocked three shots to lead Cleveland past Utah in Salt Lake City.
Donovan Mitchell added 34 points to help the Cavaliers win their fifth consecutive road game. James Harden dished out a game-high 14 assists to go along with 13 points, and The Cavaliers outscored the Jazz 82-40 in the paint.
Kyle Filipowski tallied 20 points, 10 rebounds, five assists and three steals to lead Utah. Cody Williams added a team-high 26 points for the Jazz, who have lost six straight games and 10 of their past 11 contests.
Timberwolves 124, Mavericks 94
Ayo Dosunmu recorded his second career triple-double, finishing with 18 points, a career-high 15 rebounds and 12 assists to lead Minnesota to a road rout of Dallas.
With All-NBA guard Anthony Edwards coming off the bench and limited to 22:37 of playing time in his return from a knee injury, Dosunmu stepped up to shoulder some of the offensive load. Rudy Gobert posted 14 points and 10 rebounds, while Julius Randle netted a game-high 24 points.
Daniel Gafford led Dallas with 21 points on 9-of-11 field-goal shooting, while Rookie of the Year hopeful Cooper Flagg was held more than eight points below his season-long scoring average with 12 points on 5-of-19 shooting from the floor.
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Denver Nuggets forward/center Aaron Gordon (calf) is probable for Wednesday's meeting with the Utah Jazz. After he missed Sunday's win over Golden State due to left calf tightness, Gordon was a full participant in Tuesday's practice. Peyton Watson was part of the starting unit against the Warriors and is likely heading back to the bench on Wednesday night. Still, Watson will maintain an important role and hinted on Tuesday that he might see more playing time against Utah after being recently limited to around 20 minutes per game.
Denver Nuggets forward Cameron Johnson (back) isn't on the injury report ahead of Wednesday's encounter with the Utah Jazz. Back spasms prevented Johnson from finishing Sunday's game against Golden State, but he won't have to miss additional time due to the issue. However, Spencer Jones (hamstring) and Zeke Nnaji (hip), who both also exited early on Sunday, won't be available against Utah. Considering those absences, Johnson could see increased minutes on Wednesday in a highly favorable fantasy matchup.
Sacramento Kings guard Malik Monk (shoulder) is not listed on the injury report for Wednesday's contest against the Toronto Raptors. A shoulder issue kept Monk sidelined on Sunday when the Kings faced Brooklyn. Monk had a pair of 30-point efforts last month, but he has recently acted more as a playmaker. The 28-year-old has averaged 7.4 assists across his last three appearances, adding 13.2 points in 27.0 minutes per game. On Wednesday, Monk will eat into the minutes of Daeqwon Plowden, DaQuan Jeffries, and Killian Hayes.
Sacramento Kings guard/forward DeMar DeRozan (hamstring) will play on Wednesday night against the Toronto Raptors. The veteran sat out Sunday's loss to Brooklyn due to a hamstring injury, but the team has removed him from the injury report ahead of Wednesday's action. It's a special matchup for DeRozan against the team he represented for nine years at the start of his career. Due to injuries, the Kings have very little quality left on the roster, so DeRozan should have free rein on offense. He has averaged 27.5 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 7.0 assists over his last two outings.
Miami Heat guard/forward Norman Powell (illness) will remain out for a third consecutive game on Wednesday against the Boston Celtics. The first-year All-Star is battling an illness, meaning the Heat must manage without their leading scorer. Pelle Larsson has done a good job filling in for Powell in the starting lineup, averaging 17.5 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 3.0 assists over the last two games. Meanwhile, Jaime Jaquez Jr.'s workload has increased off the bench, reaching 32 minutes in Monday's win over Philadelphia.
Miami Heat forward Andrew Wiggins (toe) is questionable for Wednesday's matchup with the Boston Celtics. Miami won't have Norman Powell (illness) available and may be without another key contributor as Wiggins nurses a toe issue. If Wiggins can't play, the Heat could bring Simone Fontecchio or Kel'el Ware to the starting lineup. The two have made minimal impact in recent games, but a starting role would be a big boost for them. Pelle Larsson and Jaime Jaquez Jr. might also absorb some of Wiggins' minutes.
Lakers' G Luka Doncic recorded a double-double, scoring 42 points with 12 assists in a 127-113 win over the Cavaliers on Tuesday, Mar. 31.
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (foot) will play Tuesday against Cleveland after initially being listed as questionable for injury management. Even at 41, he continues to deliver steady fantasy production, averaging 16.4 points, 8.0 rebounds, 8.6 assists and 1.0 steals in 35.6 minutes over his last five games. He is also coming off a 21-point triple-double Monday, another reminder of his all-around impact. James' availability keeps Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves in their usual roles, and he remains an automatic fantasy start whenever he is active.
Boston Celtics forward/center Neemias Queta (thumb) is available for Wednesday's game against Miami after missing one contest. The 26-year-old has been a steady interior presence recently, averaging 10.2 points, 9.0 rebounds, and 2.0 assists in 26.2 minutes over his last five games, giving him some deep-league appeal for rebounds and field goal percentage. His return likely pushes Luka Garza back to a smaller reserve role after Garza produced 20 points as a spot starter. With Boston thin at center, Queta has a real opportunity to maintain a steady role. His scoring can be inconsistent, but his rebounding and interior production give him some reliability in deeper formats.
Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (Achilles) is set to play Wednesday against Miami after sitting out Monday for routine injury management on the second night of a back-to-back. The star forward has averaged 21.2 points, 2.8 three-pointers, 9.8 rebounds, 4.4 assists, and 1.0 steals in 32.9 minutes over his last five games, reinforcing his must-start status in all formats. Tatum's return should push Jordan Walsh back to the bench while allowing Jaylen Brown and Derrick White to resume their usual offensive roles. Tatum remains a clear lineup anchor with Boston expected to lean on him offensively.
Golden State Warriors guard De'Anthony Melton (thumb) will miss Wednesday's game against San Antonio due to a left thumb strain, opening extra backcourt minutes. Gary Payton II (knee), if cleared, could be the main beneficiary after posting 16 points and five rebounds in 21 minutes last game and providing steady two-way production recently. Pat Spencer may also see more playmaking opportunities after recording eight assists in 24 minutes. Will Richard could re-enter the rotation as well. Melton's absence opens some deep-league and DFS streaming options, but there isn't an obvious one-for-one replacement in standard leagues.
Golden State Warriors forward/center Kristaps Porzingis (illness) will not play Wednesday against San Antonio, leaving the team thin in the frontcourt. With Al Horford (calf) and Quinten Post (foot) also unavailable, Draymond Green could see more time at center after finishing with 13 points, eight assists, and four rebounds in 30 minutes last game. Omer Yurtseven may also pick up situational minutes, though his role remains uncertain. Porzingis' absence could also open extra run for Malevy Leons. Fantasy managers should expect Golden State to rely more on Green's versatility in small-ball looks.
Indiana Pacers forward/center Pascal Siakam (knee) is listed as probable for Wednesday's game against Chicago and appears on track to remain in the lineup. The veteran has averaged 22.4 points, 6.6 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 1.2 three-pointers, and 1.2 steals in 31.4 minutes over his last five games and should continue handling a heavy offensive workload with Andrew Nembhard (back), Aaron Nesmith (neck), and Jarace Walker (back) sidelined. Siakam remains a must-start while Indiana is shorthanded, and his presence should help keep the rotation steady alongside Obi Toppin (foot) and Jay Huff.
Indiana Pacers guard Andrew Nembhard (back) will sit out Wednesday's game against Chicago for injury management after playing in five straight contests. Nembhard had taken on a bigger playmaking role lately with multiple double-digit assist games, so Indiana will need to adjust with him out of the backcourt rotation. With T.J. McConnell (hamstring) also out, Quenton Jackson and Ethan Thompson could see expanded minutes, with Jackson coming off a 10-point outing in 20 minutes. Kam Jones and Taelon Peter could also factor into the guard rotation if Indiana needs extra depth. In championship week, Nembhard's absence could push fantasy managers to find short-term guard help.
Memphis Grizzlies forward/center Olivier-Maxence Prosper (wrist) is not listed on the injury report for Wednesday's game against the Knicks after missing one contest. The 23-year-old has been productive recently, averaging 15.6 points, 5.2 rebounds, 1.8 threes and 1.6 steals in 24.4 minutes over his last five games, giving him some late-season appeal in deeper formats. With Taylor Hendricks (finger) doubtful, Prosper could handle significant frontcourt minutes again. His return should help steady Memphis' frontcourt rotation alongside G.G. Jackson and Cedric Coward, but his fantasy value will still depend on whether he continues to see consistent minutes.
Memphis Grizzlies guard Ty Jerome (ankle) has been ruled out for Wednesday's game against New York, marking his fifth straight absence due to a left ankle sprain. With Jerome sidelined, Javon Small should continue seeing starting point guard duties, while Cam Spencer and Walter Clayton Jr. remain involved in the rotation. Spencer finished with 16 points, four three-pointers, and five assists in 19 minutes last game, giving him some deep league and DFS appeal. Small also offers assist and steal upside, while Clayton provides secondary playmaking. Jerome can be dropped in most redraft formats.
Detroit Pistons guard Caris LeVert (knee) is available for Tuesday's game against Toronto after being listed as questionable. The veteran wing logged 10 points, four rebounds, two assists, and one block in 26 minutes off the bench Monday and has averaged 7.0 points, 3.4 assists, and 3.2 rebounds in 19.8 minutes over his last five games. LeVert's reserve role caps his fantasy ceiling, making him more of a deep-league option for modest across-the-board production. His availability could cut slightly into Kevin Huerter's and Marcus Sasser's minutes in the second unit.
Detroit Pistons guard Marcus Sasser (hip) is available to play ahead of Tuesday's game against the Toronto Raptors. Sasser will shed the questionable tag and should play his normal role in the rotation on Tuesday. He finished with 12 points, four assists, and knocked down four three-pointers across 18 minutes of action on Monday. The second-year guard doesn't offer a ton of streaming value, but he's a decent source of three-pointers. He figures to continue playing minutes in the teens with the Pistons mostly healthy outside of Cade Cunningham (lung) right now.
Toronto Raptors forward Collin Murray-Boyles (back) is available for Tuesday's game against Detroit after missing time with lower back spasms. The rookie first-round pick has flashed defensive upside in limited run, posting 9.3 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 2.3 blocks across his last three appearances, though his role remains modest behind Jakob Poeltl and Sandro Mamukelashvili. Murray-Boyles could carve out deeper-league value for managers chasing blocks, but inconsistent minutes limit his reliability. His return may trim Mamukelashvili's workload slightly, while Poeltl should continue handling the bulk of the center minutes.
New York Knicks guard Miles McBride (pelvis) is available to play ahead of Tuesday's game against the Houston Rockets. It was uncertain if McBride would be able to play after he made an early exit from Sunday's game. He played 11 minutes on Sunday before leaving due to what is being called a pelvic injury. He has been cleared for Tuesday's game, but the Knicks will likely monitor him closely. McBride is recovering from sports hernia surgery, so they don't want to re-aggravate the issue. The 25-year-old guard won't be an ideal streaming option for Tuesday's slate.
