Roughly two weeks remain in the 2013-14 NBA regular season and only seven teams have secured playoff berths. Thus, the action on Monday, March 31 was of the utmost importance to the postseason picture.
There was a shuffling of the powers in the Eastern Conference, the progression of a stellar streak and the continuation of a late-season push. Individually, multiple players set or matched career-highs and a legend continued his ascent up the all-time scoring list.
Here’s everything that you need to know about last night’s action.
1. Tony Parker scored 22 points as the San Antonio Spurs dismantled the Indiana Pacers for a 103-77 win over the San Antonio Spurs. Kawhi Leonard posted 13 points and 11 rebounds to match his career-high with six double-doubles, while Indiana shot just 37.7 percent from the floor.
The Spurs have won a franchise record 18 consecutive games.
2. Tim Duncan passed Patrick Ewing to move into 19th on the NBA’s all-time scoring list.
3. LeBron James posted 32 points, eight assists, seven rebounds and one steal to lead the Miami Heat to a 93-83 win over the Toronto Raptors. Chris Bosh added 18 points for the Heat, which secured its third consecutive win.
Most importantly, the Heat earned sole possession of the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference with its win and Indiana’s loss.
4. The Los Angeles Clippers overcame Blake Griffin’s absence to go on the road and pull out a 114-104 road victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves. Darren Collison scored a season-high 28 points and Chris Paul dished out 22 points, nine assists, seven rebounds and three steals, while Kevin Love led the T-Wolves with 20 points and 13 rebounds.
Down low, center DeAndre Jordan stepped up with 11 points, four blocks and a career-high 24 rebounds.
5. Zach Randolph posted 20 points and 11 rebounds led the Memphis Grizzlies to a 94-92 win over the Denver Nuggets. Marc Gasol was just 6-of-19 from the field and Memphis shot 56.5 percent from the free throw line, but it used stellar defense to pick up the win.
Timofey Mozgov matched a career-high with 23 points and added 10 rebounds, but it wasn’t enough for Denver to emerge victorious.
6. Carmelo Anthony went off for 34 points, eight rebounds, three assists, three steals and a block to help the New York Knicks take down the Utah Jazz 92-83. The Knicks trailed after two quarters, but took over on both ends to pick up a critical win in the push for the postseason.
With its comeback win, the Knicks improved to 2-32 when trailing at halftime.
7. Carlos Boozer, Mike Dunleavy, Taj Gibson and Joakim Noah combined for 89 points on 56.9 percent shooting in a four-man display of dominance as the Chicago Bulls took down the Boston Celtics 94-80. With its loss, the Celtics have been mathematically eliminated from the playoffs.
It’s the first time Boston has missed the playoffs since 2006-07.
8. Ray McCallum took over with 22 points and 10 assists to lead the Sacramento Kings to a 102-97 road victory over the New Orleans Pelicans. DeMarcus Cousins dropped 35 points and 14 rebounds to anchor the Kings’ attack, while Anthony Davis had 22 points, eight rebounds, four assists, four blocks and two steals.
Both of those marks are career-highs for McCallum.
9. Andre Drummond, Brandon Jennings and Greg Monroe all recorded double-doubles to lead the Detroit Pistons past the Milwaukee Bucks 116-111. Monroe tallied 28 points and 14 rebounds, Jennings finished with 20 points and 13 assists, and Drummond had 10 points and 16 boards.
The Bucks have lost 60 games for the first time since 1993-94.
10. A new losing streak began as the Atlanta Hawks used a monster performance from Paul Millsap to defeat the Philadelphia 76ers 103-95. Millsap finished with 28 points, 17 rebounds, four assists and three steals, and Louis Williams added 22 points, five boards, five dimes and one swipe in 25 minutes.
The win snaps Atlanta’s six-game losing streak.
Bonus Fact: Al Jefferson and Kemba Walker both put up double-doubles as the Charlotte Bobcats defeated the Washington Wizards 100-94.