In a stunning turn of events, the Cleveland Cavaliers, who dominated the Eastern Conference all season, faced unexpected back-to-back losses this week, capping a notably high-performing stretch. This culminated in a defeat against the Los Angeles Clippers, who held the Cavaliers to only 46 points in the second half, ultimately sealing a 104-93 victory on March 18, 2025.
Max Strus led the Cavaliers with 24 points, yet despite their efforts, Cleveland could not conquer the Clippers, marking their second consecutive loss for the first time since January. The Cavaliers had previously enjoyed a sensational 16-game winning streak, recently cut short by a loss to the Orlando Magic.
Meanwhile, as Cleveland stumbled, the Golden State Warriors managed to rebound impressively, defeating Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks 104-93. This victory came after a recent disappointing loss to the Denver Nuggets, with star guard Stephen Curry resting due to fatigue. In his absence, Jimmy Butler stepped up remarkably, contributing 24 points. Brandin Podziemski also played a significant role, adding 17 points as the Warriors fought hard against a determined Bucks side.
Warriors coach Steve Kerr praised the performance of Draymond Green, who notably held Antetokounmpo to just five field goals during the game. "Draymond, that defence tonight on Giannis was incredible," Kerr remarked, acknowledging Green's leadership and energy on the court. Green's defensive skills proved vital, with three of his four blocked shots occurring in the first quarter. The Warriors secured their lead despite committing 19 turnovers, demonstrating resilience even when the Bucks managed to take a lead late in the third quarter.
In the East, the Boston Celtics also showcased their depth, overcoming the absence of star players Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown to secure a 104-96 win against the Brooklyn Nets. Kristaps Porzingis was instrumental in this victory, delivering a game-high 25 points and 13 rebounds. His performance was particularly impressive as it came in just his second game back from an eight-game absence due to a respiratory illness.
Baylor Scheierman shone brightly, scoring a personal best of 20 points, including 12 in a decisive fourth quarter, as the Celtics notched their 50th win of the season. Scheierman, who is rapidly becoming a valuable asset to the team, attributed his performance to the home crowd at Boston's TD Garden, saying, "It's just special... the best sports town in the country, best city in the country." Coach Joe Mazzulla expressed pride in his young player, stating, "He's got a high level of toughness" during the post-game interview.
As the regular season draws closer to its conclusion, Mazzulla emphasized the importance of maintaining focus, insisting that the Celtics should not take their current standings for granted. "I don't think anything's locked up," Mazzulla stated firmly. "We need to win." With the playoffs approaching, every game becomes vital as teams like the Cavaliers, Warriors, and Celtics battle for postseason positioning.
The NBA landscape is indeed shifting as teams enter the final stretch of the regular season, and the recent performances from Cleveland, Golden State, and Boston illustrate that anything can happen as the pressure mounts and the hunt for playoff supremacy intensifies.
