NBA: Champions' understudies step up, GSW brush Bucks aside
Reading Time: 2min | Wed. 19.03.25. | 10:55
Elsewhere, Atlanta poured 134 points on the Hornets in a win in Charlotte, while the Cavaliers fell against the Clippers for their second straight defeat after a 16-game winning run
Last night in the NBA league was somewhat uncommon, given that only four matches were on the schedule. Still, they didn't lack excitement and didn't disappoint.
Although without their leading duo, Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, the Celtics beat the Brooklyn Nets in Boston 104-96, led by the convalescent Kristaps Porzingis, who noted a double-double (25 points and 13 rebounds) and the little-known Baylor Scheierman, who poured on 20 points.
In a derby of the night, Golden State brushed Milwaukee at home 104-93, thanks to the latest addition from Miami, Jimmy Butler, who was two rebounds shy of a triple-double (24 points, eight rebounds, and 10 assists). In the Bucks' ranks, their superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo noted 20 points, nine rebounds, and seven assists but played a poor game in general, given that he shot 5/16 (31% FG).
After a 16-game winning run, Eastern Conference leaders, Cleveland Cavaliers, suffered their second straight defeat against the Clippers in LA - 132-119. The Cavs' star Donovan Mitchell was far from the expected despite a double-double (18 points and 11 assists), as his shooting form was below average (5/18 FG). On the other hand, Kawhi Leonard led Tyronn Lue's crew with 33 points, while Ivica Zubac had a "monstrous" 28 points and 20 rebounds.
THE GREAT BARRIER THIEF 🦈
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) March 19, 2025
With 194 steals, Dyson Daniels has the most steals in a season since Chris Paul in 2008-09 (216). pic.twitter.com/HsAbETj7pB
Finally, the Atlanta Hawks smashed the Hornets in Charlotte 134-102, emerging triumphant in each quarter. Trae Young expectedly led the team from Georgia with 31 points, while their addition from New Orleans, Dyson Daniels, reached 194 steals in the ongoing campaign, becoming the best NBA "thief" in the last 16 years.
NBA - LAST NIGHT RESULTS
Charlotte Hornets - Atlanta Hawks 102-134
/Curry Se. 19 - Young 31/
Boston Celtics - Brooklyn Nets 104-96
/Porzingis 25 - Russell 18/
Golden State Warriors - Milwaukee Bucks 104-93
/Butler 24 - Kuzma 22/
Los Angeles Clippers - Cleveland Cavaliers 132-119
/Leonard 33 - Strus 24/
