DAZZLING RUN OF FORM: Knicks Star Jalen Brunson Scores 39 Points in Win Over Boston
The New Orleans Pelicans secured a crucial 135-123 road victory over the Sacramento Kings, boosting their chances of claiming a playoff spot in the Western Conference. Zion Williamson and C.J. McCollum both scored 31 points in a wire-to-wire triumph, setting the Pelicans on course for sixth place in the West and avoiding the play-in tournament if they win their remaining two games.
New Orleans dominated from the start, establishing a commanding 34-11 lead after an 18-0 run in the first quarter. McCollum emphasized the team’s aggressive approach, emphasizing the importance of effort and preparation in their performance.
Meanwhile, the Sacramento Kings find themselves in eighth place in the West with a 45-35 record, tied with the Golden State Warriors and the Los Angeles Lakers. The race for the final standings promises to be intense, with Golden State edging past the Portland Trail Blazers 100-92 as Stephen Curry led with 22 points.
In the Eastern Conference, the top-seeded Boston Celtics suffered their second consecutive loss, falling 118-109 to the New York Knicks. Jalen Brunson shone for the Knicks, scoring 39 points and maintaining his impressive form with five consecutive games of 35 points or more. Brunson’s standout performance included six three-pointers, contributing to the Knicks’ third-place position in the East.
Despite the defeat, Celtics’ center Kristaps Porzingis acknowledged the team’s subpar performance and the fans’ disappointment, calling for improvement in the upcoming games. Coach Joe Mazzulla remained unfazed by the recent losses, attributing the drop in intensity to the team securing the top seed for the postseason.
In other games, the Chicago Bulls secured a 127-105 victory over the Detroit Pistons behind DeMar DeRozan’s 39 points, setting up a showdown against the Atlanta Hawks in the play-in tournament. The Utah Jazz also emerged victorious, defeating the Houston Rockets 124-121 in a matchup between eliminated teams.
As the regular season winds down, teams across the league are gearing up for the playoffs, with intense competition and high stakes driving the action on the court.
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