De’Aaron Fox did his best on the night for the Sacramento Kings, but it could not prevent them from succumbing to an against 101-100 defeat against the Boston Celtics. Meanwhile, P.J. Washington took the plaudits with 32 points for the Dallas Mavericks in their 108-106 win over the Golden State Warriors. The Celtics have already secured a playoff place, and the Mavericks are close to doing so.
The Boston Celtics withstood a late comeback from the Sacramento Kings to claim a pulsating 101-100 victory.
Payton Pritchard and Kristaps Porzingis played starring role for the Massachusetts side to secure home-court advantage during the playoffs following 13 wins in their last 15 games.
Pritchard scored 21 points and five 3-pointers, while Porzingis add a further 20 points and 11 rebounds on a thrilling night.
De’Aaron Fox did his best to turn the tide of the match in the Kings’ favour with an impressive 40-point haul which included an astonishing 26-footer with only 27 seconds left on the clock.
However, Fox was left to rue a misfired jumper shot after Xavier Tillman put the hosts back in front, as he squandered one of three chances to win the game for Sacramento.
Kings coach Mike Brown paid tribute to Fox after the game though and for his ability to rise to the big occasion.
“Fox was phenomenal, especially down the stretch with him having 40,” he said in quotes published by NBA.com.
“He stepped up like he should have. Gave us a chance to win.
“We did just didn’t shoot the ball well.”
Meanwhile, the pressure was off for the Celtics after already booking a playoff place and allowed coach Joe Mazzulla to give his reserves some valuable game time in the fourth quarter.
“It’s good for our team chemistry – those kinds of moments,” said Porzingis.
“And seeing Joe all hyped up on the sidelines. It was pretty cool. A good win for us.”
The Kings still have work themselves to secure a playoff spot, but are guaranteed a top-10 place despite his defeat after the Houston Rockets were beaten 119-104 by Miami Heat.
Sacramento have a chance to bounce back away at the Brooklyn Nets on Sunday, while the Celtics host the Portland Trail Blazers on the same day.
Elsewhere, P.J. Washington sealed a tiebreaking layup with only 4.5 seconds left to help the Dallas Mavericks beat the Golden State Warriors 108-106.
Washington’s 32 points was his biggest total since arriving from the Charlotte Hornets before the latest trade deadline on a night when Kyrie Irving added a further 26.
“He was spectacular,” Irving said in quotes published by nba.com.
“You could tell it was going to a special night just based off how he started the game. That’s what we need, especially when we don’t have certain guys in the lineup and we need that offensive firepower.”
The win strengthened the Mavericks’ pursuit of a playoff place in fifth to go two games clear of seventh, and currently occupy one of the top-six playoff berths.
Steph Curry top scored for the Warriors, but they missed out on a chance to secure their postseason spot following this narrow defeat.
Warriors coach Kerr was magnanimous in defeat and praised his side’s battling spirit.
“The level of competition and unity, just the way they fought, short-handed out on a back to back, older group of guys, just amazing effort,” he added.
“I love these guys. They’re incredible. Just didn’t quite have enough tonight.”
Los Angeles Clippers 131-102 Utah Jazz
Phoenix Suns 97-87 Minnesota Timberwolves
Chicago Bulls 108-100 New York Knicks
Houston Rockets 104-119 Miami Heat
Memphis Grizzlies 108-90 Detroit Pistons
Milwaukee Bucks 111-117 Toronto Raptors
New Orleans Pelicans 109-111 San Antonio Spurs
Charlotte Hornets 124-115 Orlando Magic
Indiana Pacers 126-112 Oklahoma City Thunder
Washington Wizards 102-108 Portland Trail Blazers
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