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Mikal Bridges had two 30-point games with Suns, nine with Nets

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Mikal Bridges scored 30 or more points just twice with the Phoenix Suns through 365 career appearances, and the fifth-year forward has now logged nine 30-point games since the Brooklyn Nets trade.

In 56 starts with Phoenix this season, the 26-year-old averaged 17.2 points, 4.3 rebounds, 3.6 assists, and 1.2 steals per game. Plus, he was shooting 46.3% from the floor and 38.7% beyond the arc.

After the Suns traded Mikal Bridges, Cameron Johnson, and five first-round picks (2023, 2025, 2027-29) to the Nets, the wing has averaged 26.8 points, 4.6 boards, and 2.6 assists through 20 starts with Brooklyn.

According to a few NBA betting sites, the Nets have 19th-ranked odds to win the championship. Check out which sportsbooks are showing greater odds for the Toronto Raptors, Atlanta Hawks, and Miami Heat.

Since the Nets trade, Mikal Bridges is also shooting 49.6% from the field and 41.2% outside the arc. In Brooklyn’s 116-105 win over the Heat on Feb. 15, the forward scored a career-high 45 points in 37 minutes as a starter.

In addition to amassing eight boards, five assists, two steals, and two blocks, the Villanova product shot 17-of-24 (70.8%) from the floor, drained four 3-pointeres, and finished a perfect 7-of-7 (100%) at the foul line.

Mikal Bridges scored 30 or more points twice with the Phoenix Suns in 365 appearances, has scored 30-plus points in nine games with the Brooklyn Nets

Of course, in the Nets’ 119-106 loss to the Orlando Magic on Sunday, the 6-foot-9 wing scored 44 points. It was his second 40-point game of the season and second of his NBA career. Were the Suns holding him back? The Pennsylvania native is a better player on the east coast.

Mikal Bridges needed two more points against Orlando to pass his career high of 45 points. “I really don’t care [about the career-high],” said the Nets forward, who sat out the final 3:49 of regulation. “And I was trying to win. I didn’t care at that point.”

Orlando outscored the Nets 36-26 in the second quarter. “First quarter, we were able to hang around a little bit. We were OK,” Brooklyn coach Jacque Vaughn said. “But to sustain it over the course of the night, to play the way we wanted to play, to defend the way we wanted to play… we just didn’t have it tonight.”

After the Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant trades, Bridges is now officially Brooklyn’s leading scorer. Moreover, the forward’s exceeding expectations after inking a four-year, $90 million deal with Phoenix in 2021. Mikal Bridges is earning $20.1 million this season, $21.7 million next season, $23.3 million in 2024-25, and $24.9 million in 2025-26.


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LeBron James hopes to be strategic with health and later push in playoffs

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Just like at the end of last year’s regular season, LeBron James needs to consider his playtime to rest and save up energy if he is to lead the Lakers‘ push during the NBA Playoffs. The only difference is, this time he’s not injured, but should emphasise being strategic with his health in case it happens.

The biggest challenge is the fact that the purple and gold have no guarantees that they’ll make it to the postseason just yet, and will also need their superstar’s guidance in order to keep chasing a better seed down the stretch. After beating the Grizzlies 136-124 this Wednesday evening, he revealed his thoughts on the matter.

“I got to be smart with it,” the veteran said after returning from a one-game absence due to a sore left ankle. “If I’m not healthy, or [anywhere] close to being healthy, then it’s not good for our ballclub anyway. It’s not good for me.”

Despite being the oldest player in the league, James is still putting up impressive exhibitions along the way. The 21-year veteran logged his fourth triple-double of the campaign against Memphis, with 23 points, 14 rebounds and 12 assists to his name. With this past win, the Los Angeles club extend their streak to a season-best five games and are sitting in the Western Conference’s ninth spot with nine contest yet to go.

This is why LeBron considers it necessary to avoid risking short-term objectives that could affect his playoff involvement. “I mean, I would’ve probably tried to play yesterday [in Milwaukee] if that was the case,” the 39-year-old said, as he’s only missed 10 games so far this season. During his absence, the squad has gone 6-4.

“Just be very strategic,” the star explained. “Obviously, understanding and seeing how my ankle and my foot is feeling. But just being very smart about it, obviously. We are where we are, but our health has always been the most important for our ballclub. Not just one individual. But for me looking out for myself when it comes to injury and knowing my foot and knowing my ankle and how it reacts, and how it’s been over the last couple of years, it’s just always keeping a hefty eye on it.”

Unfortunately for the L.A. club, they must also decide how to manage Anthony Davis‘ situation, as the team decided to follow the same approach as he sat out on Wednesday due to a hyperextended left knee.

Despite AD’s knee injury, the Lakers prove to have depth as Rui Hachimura excelled in his teammate’s absence

Despite playing without their All-Star big man, who rested his left knee on Wednesday, the purple and gold still clinched a win against the Grizzlies inspired by many surprising leaders. One of them was Davis’ replacement, Rui Hachimura, who hit 32 points and earned 10 rebounds last night.

“When I came here today, this morning, I got all the flashbacks from last year,” shared the Japanese star. “Playoff time. … We have good memories here, had a pretty good games in here. I think I was happy to be able to come back here — it’s been almost a year.”

Just like last campaign, the Los Angeles team hope to play their best when it really counts. One year ago, the Lakers produced one of the strongest pushes down the last regular-season stretch. One Lakers forward believes it’s about being consistent.

“I don’t think any team in the league really wants to see us besides a couple,” said Taurean Prince. “We know our capabilities. I think everybody else does, too. It’s just about us coming being consistent.”





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Is Dejounte Murray (back) playing tonight against Celtics?

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Atlanta Hawks guard Dejounte Murray (lower back soreness) remains questionable for Thursday night’s home game against the Boston Celtics. Murray, 27, has missed just three games overall this season.

The 2022 All-Star was also questionable with back soreness prior to Atlanta’s 120-106 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers on Wednesday night. He amassed 30 points, three rebounds, and seven assists in 35 minutes of action.

According to a few NBA betting sites, the Hawks (33-39) hold 10th-best odds to make the Eastern Conference playoffs. Sportsbooks show better odds for the Philadelphia 76ers (39-34) and Chicago Bulls (35-38).

“[Murray]’s efficiency tonight was just terrific,” Hawks coach Quin Snyder said. “He picked his spots and set people up. He really set the tone for us.”

Through 69 games (all starts) this season, Murray is averaging a career-high 22.4 points, 5.2 rebounds, 6.2 assists, 1.5 steals, and 35.4 minutes per game while shooting a career-best 46.6% from the field and 36.8% from downtown.

“I always try to make the right basketball play, keeping confidence in my guys,” Murray said. “They know I believe in them. I’m always looking to get them the ball and for them to be aggressive taking shots.”

Atlanta Hawks star Dejounte Murray (lower back soreness) is questionable vs. Boston Celtics

Of course, the bigger story ahead of tonight’s matchup with the Celtics is what occurred earlier this week.

The Hawks overcame a 30-point deficit in Monday night’s 120-118 win over Boston, their largest comeback victory in franchise history in the play-by-play era (since at least 1997-98).

Entering the matchup, the largest deficit the Hawks overcame in a win since 1997-98, regardless of opponent, was 27 points vs. Boston on Jan. 25, 2013, according to Elias Sports.

Murray recorded 19 points and a career-high-tying 15 assists against the Celtics. Atlanta also became the first team since 2002-03 to overcome a 30-point deficit against the team with the NBA’s best record.

The last team to come back from 30 or more points down to defeat the team that entered that day with the NBA’s best record was the Los Angeles Lakers (down 30) versus the Dallas Mavericks on Dec. 6, 2002.

Furthermore, the Celtics had won 20 of 22 and were on a nine-game winning streak. Boston is now 11-3 in its last 14 meetings with Atlanta and 16-2 in its past 18 matchups with an Eastern Conference opponent.

NBA sportsbooks show the Hawks as 16.5-point underdogs against the C’s. Per ESPN’s Basketball Power Index, Boston holds a 92% chance of defeating Atlanta at State Farm Arena.





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Rockets Win 10th Straight, Eye 1st Playoff Appearance Since 2020

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The Houston Rockets defeated the Oklahoma City Thunder 132-126 in overtime on Wednesday night for their 10th straight win, as they continue to fight for their first playoff berth since the 2019-20 season.

It’s the second-longest winning streak in the NBA this season, trailing only an 11-game run by the league-leading Boston Celtics. It’s also Houston’s longest win streak since the Rockets won 11 straight in March 2018.

“Oh, it was lit,” Jalen Green said after recording 37 points, 10 rebounds, and seven assists. “Everybody was happy, celebrating, screaming. We fought for that one. We worked hard. That’s how we should react after going 10-0. We’ll still keep going. We got what, 10 more games left?”

The Rockets (37-35) lucked out playing a dominant Thunder team without star guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who was downgraded to out on OKC’s injury report due to a quadriceps contusion.

Houston remains only one game behind the No. 10-seeded Golden State Warriors (38-34) for the West’s final play-in spot. The No. 9-seeded Los Angeles Lakers (41-32) hold a 2.5-game lead on the Warriors as well.

“We’re going to get a play-in game,” Green said. “We’re going to keep going.”

Through 72 games (all starts) this season, Green is averaging 19.8 points, a career-high 5.1 rebounds, 3.4 assists, and 31.6 minutes per game while shooting career bests of 42.7% from the floor and 80.8% at the foul line.

Houston Rockets are 25-19 against Western Conference opponents, still trail Golden State Warriors

However, the Rockets’ No. 2 overall pick in the 2021 draft has averaged 29.8 points over the 10 games, shooting 51% from the floor and 45.9% from 3-point range.

The team has gone 12-1 in March with Green playing lights out. He could become the first non-All-NBA player since Tobias Harris in November 2018 to win Western Conference Player of the Month.

Furthermore, Houston is 26-11 at home, 11-24 away, 9-5 against Southwest Division opponents, and 25-19 in conference play. The team has also won six straight on the road and six in a row versus West teams.

“I think it’s invaluable for our young guys to go through this,” Rockets coach Ime Udoka said. “And obviously making the playoffs or play-in will be another step, but just going through what they are now and coming on the other side of .500 is huge for them.”

Rookie forward Amen Thompson finished with 25 points and 15 rebounds in Wednesday’s win, the first 25-point, 15-rebound game by a Houston player since Yao Ming in December 2022, per ESPN Stats & Information.

Jabari Smith Jr., 20, the No. 3 overall pick in the 2022 draft, switched from power forward to center after breakout star Alperen Sengun suffered a Grade 3 right ankle sprain and a bone bruise in his knee against the Sacramento Kings on March 10.

Additionally, the Rockets have finished dead last in the Western Conference the past three seasons.

During the 2020 NBA Playoffs, Houston defeated the Thunder in seven games in their first-round series. Though, the club went on to lose in five games to the Lakers in the conference semifinals.





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