Knicks 111, Celtics 89
Jalen Brunson poured in 31 points and Josh Hart added 19 as the New York Knicks handled the Boston Celtics 111-89, snapping Boston’s five-game winning streak and tightening the race near the top of the Eastern Conference.
New York never trailed over the final 42 minutes and seized control with a 20-7 run to close the third quarter. Karl-Anthony Towns chipped in a double-double with 11 points and 10 rebounds, while Mikal Bridges and Jose Alvarado also scored in double figures. Boston struggled mightily from deep, shooting just 7 of 41 from 3-point range. Jaylen Brown led the Celtics with 26 points, but the cold shooting proved too much to overcome.
Heat 132, Wizards 101
Kasparas Jakucionis couldn’t miss, going a perfect 6-for-6 from beyond the arc and scoring 22 points as the Miami Heat routed the Washington Wizards 132-101.
Bam Adebayo matched Jakucionis with 22 points, Norman Powell added 21 and Kel’el Ware posted 19 points and 14 rebounds as Miami snapped a two-game skid. The Heat flipped an early deficit into a 22-point halftime lead and blew the game open by forcing 10 turnovers in the third quarter. Tristan Vukcevic led Washington with 14 points, while injuries to Kyshawn George and Bilal Coulibaly added to a difficult night for the Wizards.
Raptors 122, Pacers 104
Scottie Barnes delivered a complete performance with 25 points and 14 rebounds to lift the Toronto Raptors to a 122-104 win over the Indiana Pacers.
Barnes shot 12 of 20 from the field and filled the stat sheet with six assists, four blocks and two steals as Toronto improved to 32-22. RJ Barrett scored 20 points, and Sandro Mamukelashvili added 17. Trayce Jackson-Davis recorded a double-double in his Raptors debut. Pascal Siakam led Indiana with 18 points, but the injury-depleted Pacers dropped their fourth straight.
Clippers 115, Timberwolves 96
Kawhi Leonard dominated with 41 points and eight rebounds as the Los Angeles Clippers pulled away from the Minnesota Timberwolves for a 115-96 victory.
Leonard scored 24 points in the first half and sparked a decisive 17-3 run late in the third quarter that put the game out of reach. John Collins and Yanic Konan Niederhauser each scored 15 for Los Angeles. Anthony Edwards led Minnesota with 23 points, but the Timberwolves struggled from 3-point range and committed 20 turnovers in another frustrating loss.
