NBA SCOREBOARD…
Dallas 131 – DETROIT 113… The Mavericks pulled away in the second half to blow out the Pistons and reach 50 victories for the first time in seven years. Luka Doncic had game-highs with 26 points and 14 assists. Jalen Brunson added 24 points.
Brooklyn 110 – NEW YORK 98… The Nets erased a 21-point deficit in downing the Knicks and keeping their post-season hopes alive. Kevin Durant racked up 32 points, 11 assists and 10 rebounds. Kyrie Irving added 24 points. The victory moved Brooklyn within a game of Cleveland for seventh place in the Eastern Conference.
ATLANTA 118 – Washington 103… Trae Young went on a scoring spree in the third quarter and the Hawks pulled away from the Wizards. Young scored 16 of Atlanta’s 30 points during the period and finished with 30 points and 11 assists. Dino Gallinari added 26 points and 10 boards.
Boston 117 – CHICAGO 94… The Celtics rolled past the Bulls to win their third in a row and reach 50 victories on the season. Jaylen Brown led the way with 25 points. Boston can wrap up the second spot in the Eastern Conference playoffs with a win tomorrow night in Milwaukee.
UTAH 137 – Oklahoma City 101… The Jazz jumped out to an early double-digit lead and never looked back in their romp over the Thunder. Bojan Bogdanovic pumped in 27 points. Rudy Gobert added 20 points and 10 rebounds. Jordan Clarkson scored 18 points and dished off 10 assists. Hassan Whiteside put up 15 points and 11 boards.
L.A. CLIPPERS 113 – Phoenix 109… The Clippers led by as may as 39 points and held on at the end to edge a Suns team that was resting its starters after locking up the top seed in the Western Conference. Norman Powell came off the bench to score 24 points in his return after missing two months. Six other players scored in double figures for L.A.