Monday, March 10 was a relatively slow day in the NBA with just seven games featuring 14 teams. Nevertheless, a superstar continued to solidify his status as one of the game’s elite and a championship contender clinched a playoff berth.
Here’s everything that you need to know about last night’s action.
1. The Miami Heat snapped a season-long three-game losing streak with a 99-90 escape of the Washington Wizards. Chris Bosh, LeBron James and Dwyane Wade combined for 67 points on 60.1 percent shooting from the floor, while Marcin Gortat stepped up with 14 points, a season-high 18 rebounds and four assists for the falling Wizards.
With its win, the Heat have officially clinched a postseason berth.
2. LeBron failed to attempt a single free throw for the second consecutive game. It’s the first time he’s done that since December 6, 2003.
3. Blake Griffin scored 37 points on 14-of-16 shooting from the field and 9-of-10 from the charity stripe to lead the Los Angeles Clippers past the Phoenix Suns 112-105. Most impressively, only one of Griffin’s made field goals was a dunk.
Griffin is the first player to shoot that well on at least 16 field goal attempts since Josh Smith on December 7, 2010.
4. Chris Paul finished with 17 points, 11 assists and two steals for the Clippers. Despite missing 19 games, CP3 leads all guards with 33 double-doubles in 46 games played.
The next-leading guard is Stephen Curry with 21 double-doubles in 61 appearances.
5. The Clippers have won eight consecutive games. That’s L.A.’s longest streak since winning 17 straight between November 28 and December 30 of 2012.
6. Tim Hardaway Jr. scored 28 points and Amar’e Stoudemire dropped a season-high 23 on 9-of-10 shooting as the New York Knicks took down the Philadelphia 76ers 123-110. Michael Carter-Williams posted 23 points, 13 rebounds, 10 assists and two steals for his second career triple-double, but it was’t enough.
Philadelphia has lost an NBA-worst 17 straight games, while New York is up to four consecutive wins.
7. Kyle Korver scored 26 points to help the Atlanta Hawks finally escape their losing ways with a 112-110 road win over the Utah Jazz. Atlanta moved the ball in extraordinary fashion, dishing out 30 assists to end their recent woes.
The win snaps a six-game losing streak for the nose-diving Hawks.
8. Deron Williams and Shaun Livingston both scored 18 points to help the Brooklyn Nets earn a big 101-97 victory over the Toronto Raptors. Kyle Lowry put up 21 points, eight rebounds, seven assists and two steals for the Atlantic Division leading Raptors.
Brooklyn is 22-9 since January 1.
9. Al Jefferson took over with 26 points, 13 rebounds, four assists, three steals and a block to help the Charlotte Bobcats defeat the Denver Nuggets 105-98. Kemba Walker added 24 points to counter 24 from Nuggets point guard Ty Lawson.
Charlotte has won 30 games in 2013-14 after winning a combined 28 in 2011-12 and 2012-13.
10. Brandon Knight scored 24 points and Khris Middleton tallied 21 as the Milwaukee Bucks took down the Orlando Magic 105-98. Nikola Vucevic registered yet another double-double with 12 points and 12 rebounds, but Orlando’s defense wasn’t strong enough to earn the win.
The Bucks and Magic split the season series, with both teams winning their two games at home.
Bonus Fact: Blake Griffin has scored at least 20 points in a franchise-record 23 consecutive games. Only Kevin Durant has a longer active streak.