In an exciting night of NBA matchups, Paolo Banchero and the Orlando Magic faced off against the Washington Wizards, ultimately securing a 120-105 victory. Banchero led the charge with an impressive 30 points, complemented by Wendell Carter Jr.'s solid performance of 16 points and 12 rebounds, while Franz Wagner contributed 21 points. With this win, the Magic alternated their last seven games between wins and losses, a trend that leaves them clinging to the eighth seed in the Eastern Conference, trailing Atlanta by 1 1/2 games and ahead of Chicago by two.
Meanwhile, the struggling Wizards saw Alex Sarr claim 19 points alongside 10 rebounds and Jordan Poole adding 18 points, as they succumbed to their third straight loss, unable to hold a lead after the midpoint of the first quarter.
In Miami, the Houston Rockets continued their strong streak, defeating the Heat 102-98. Fred VanVleet was the standout performer, scoring 37 points, shooting an astonishing 13 of 17 from the field, and hitting 9 of 11 three-pointers. Amen Thompson returned to action after a six-game absence due to an ankle injury, finishing with 18 points and seven steals. The Rockets claimed their ninth consecutive victory, while Miami suffered their 10th straight defeat, their longest losing run since the 2007-08 season.
Across the league, the Minnesota Timberwolves faced the New Orleans Pelicans and recorded a remarkable 134-93 win. Julius Randle was spectacular with 20 points, six rebounds, and five assists while teammates Jaden McDaniels and Anthony Edwards scored 17 points each. Rudy Gobert also made a notable contribution with 13 points and 12 rebounds. The Timberwolves celebrated the largest victory margin of their season at 41 points and managed to get back into close proximity of Golden State for the sixth seed in the West.
In Oklahoma City, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander shone brightly as the Thunder defeated the Charlotte Hornets, 141-106. Gilgeous-Alexander, the NBA’s leading scorer with an average of 33.0 points per game, netted 30 points on 13 of 18 shooting, alongside six rebounds and nine assists. His performance, combined with Chet Holmgren's 14 points and Isaiah Hartenstein's 12 points and 10 rebounds, showcased the Thunder's resilience as they claimed their fifth consecutive victory.
The San Antonio Spurs also found success, overcoming the Philadelphia 76ers, 128-120. Jeremy Sochan led the Spurs with 23 points while Keldon Johnson added 20 points. Stephon Castle stood out with a season-high 14 assists. This win marked consecutive victories for San Antonio for the first time since January 3, as they rallied late to win against a Philadelphia squad dealing with significant injuries.
In a thrilling contest, the Dallas Mavericks edged out the Detroit Pistons, 123-117. Spencer Dinwiddie had a season-high 31 points, while P.J. Washington Jr. scored 27 points, including five three-pointers. The Mavericks snapped a four-game losing streak, managing just their second win in 11 games as they continue to fight for a play-in berth.
With Cade Cunningham scoring a game-high 35 points for Detroit, the Mavericks were victorious despite losing starting guard Tim Hardaway Jr. to an ankle sprain during the game. The Mavericks managed to set a franchise record by using their 39th different starting lineup over the season.
In Boston, the Celtics overcame the Utah Jazz with a score of 121-99. Kristaps Porzingis was key with 27 points complemented by 10 rebounds and six assists. Jayson Tatum also contributed significantly with 26 points. The Celtics have now won four straight games, continuing their excellent form.
Phoenix Suns star Kevin Durant delivered a standout performance against the Cleveland Cavaliers, scoring 42 points in a 123-112 win. This victory was particularly important as it marked the Suns' third consecutive win, putting them in competition for a play-in spot. Devin Booker and Tyus Jones chipped in with 17 and 16 points, respectively, while Cleveland's All-Star Donovan Mitchell struggled with just seven points.
The Portland Trail Blazers rounded out the exciting Friday night games with a 128-109 victory over the Denver Nuggets, where Deni Avdija was the star of the night with 36 points, eight rebounds, and seven assists. The Blazers capitalized on Denver's absence of star center Nikola Jokic as they cruised to their fourth-straight victory.
In a concluding matchup, the Los Angeles Clippers defeated the Memphis Grizzlies 128-108. James Harden scored 30 points while Kawhi Leonard posted 23 points along with 10 rebounds. The Clippers came roaring back in the second half to secure their fifth consecutive victory, demonstrating their prowess despite the Grizzlies' attempts to rally.
