NBA Scores, Highlights & Takeaways From All March 4th Games

Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks, NBA
NBA Analysis Network

A pair of top Eastern Conference matchups took place during the NBA Friday slate between the Cleveland Cavaliers and Philadelphia 76ers facing off along with the Milwaukee Bucks and Chicago Bulls playing each other. Even in the other matchups, there was plenty of excitement to be had.

Here’s a look at all of the NBA scores and highlights from Friday night’s loaded slate with some key takeaways from each matchup:

Detroit Pistons Out-Edge Indiana Pacers In Clutch (111-106)

Led by Cade Cunningham (20 points, nine rebounds) and Saddiq Bey (25 points), the Detroit Pistons managed to out-execute the Indiana Pacers down the stretch enough to achieve a close win. Malcolm Brogdon (26 points, five rebounds, four assists) provided an admirable effort but the Indiana Pacers shot just 39.0% from the floor, 25.0% from beyond the arc, and 64.3% on free throws as a team.

Philadelphia 76ers “Big 3” Overtake Cleveland Cavaliers (125-119)

After putting up 43 points in the opening quarter, the Cleveland Cavaliers were held to 76 points for the rest of the night by the Philadelphia 76ers. Both teams received no shortage of impressive scoring outings from key players as each team had at least three players reach the 20-point threshold. For the Cavs, Darius Garland (26), Isaac Okoro (22), Jarrett Allen (20), and Cedi Osman (20) each hit 20 points while Tyrese Maxey (33), James Harden (22), and Joel Embiid (22) each did the same for the Sixers.

Atlanta Hawks Get By Washington Wizards With Win (117-114)

Despite Trae Young struggling to convert at a high clip from the floor, the Atlanta Hawks managed to get by the Washington Wizards with a win. Young still finished with 25 points but it was De’Andre Hunter (26) who led the team in scoring, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (28) and Kyle Kuzma (22) each combined for 50 points while Kuzma dished 11 assists in part of an outing that featured 37 assists from the Wizards as a team.

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Antetokounmpo, Holiday Leads Milwaukee Bucks Over Chicago Bulls (118-112)

In the most anticipated matchup of this NBA slate, the Milwaukee Bucks showed the Chicago Bulls why they are the reigning champions. Giannis Antetokounmpo led the way with 34 point and 16 rebounds, but it was Jrue Holiday’s 16 points in the fourth quarter that ultimately was the separator. Holiday finished with 26 on the night while Khris Middleton chipped in 22 points of his own. Zach LaVine (30) and DeMar DeRozan (29) came close to leading the Bulls to victory but it wasn’t enough in the end.

Orlando Magic Grind Out Win Over Toronto Raptors (103-97)

Somehow, Pascal Siakam did his best to lead a short-handed Toronto Raptors to victory with 34 points and 14 rebounds, but it wasn’t enough to get the job done. The Orlando Magic won this game despite shooting an abysmal 37.9% from the floor and 29.7% from deep. What ultimately proved to be the difference-maker was the Magic going a near perfect 20-of-21 (95.2%) on free throws.

New Orleans Pelicans Crush Utah Jazz (124-90)

Despite being arguably the hottest team in the NBA entering this outing, the Utah Jazz were flat out dismantled by the New Orleans Pelicans. Brandon Ingram (29) and CJ McCollum (24) sliced up the defense—combining for 53 points on the night. The Pels managed to shoot a staggering 51.5% from the floor despite only converting at a 30.6% clip from beyond the arc.

Minnesota Timberwolves Dismantle OKC Thunder (138-101)

Without Anthony Edwards in the lineup, Karl-Anthony Towns led the Minnesota Timberwolves with a steady 20 points. However, the Oklahoma City Thunder bench was outscored 74-18 in the game with Naz Reid (20), Taurean Prince (18), and Malik Beasley (15) each reaching double-figures for the Timberwolves. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander finished with 33 points, five rebounds, and seven assists in what has been a strong recent stretch from him.

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Denver Nuggets Coast By Houston Rockets (116-101)

Despite not having Nikola Jokic in the lineup, the Denver Nuggets did not miss a beat. DeMarcus Cousins filled in for Jokic and did so quite admirably as he racked up 31 points, nine rebounds, four assists, and three steals in just 24 minutes of action. For the Houston Rockets, Christian Wood recorded 22 points, 10 rebounds, and five assists while Jalen Green had 18 points, but there just wasn’t nearly enough from the team as a whole.

Cam Johnson Defeats New York Knicks At Buzzer (115-114)

Despite not having either Devin Booker or Chris Paul in the lineup, the Phoenix Suns managed to defeat the New York Knicks, but they were cutting it close. Julius Randle was ejected during the game but still finished with 25 points in 28 minutes. RJ Barrett cooled off a bit from his recent hot streak. The top performer was clearly Cameron Johnson, who hit the game-winner but also had 38 points with nine makes from deep.

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