NBA Round-Up: Shorthanded Sixers stunned, Rockets win and Tatum stays hot in Celtics’ win

With the 2019-20 regular-season heading towards its culmination, the stakes have never been higher for the teams aiming for the playoff spots, while also aiming to create the momentum to take into the post-season. Here is the round-up of important NBA matches played on February 27 (IST).

Cleveland Cavaliers 108-94 Philadelphia 76ers

Cleveland Cavaliers stunned the Eastern Conference giants Philadelphia 76ers 108-94 at Quicken Loans Arena. But Joel Embiid’s injury hogged more limelight at the end of the game than the Cavs’ win, who were almost infallible and impenetrable with their defence.

The Sixers’ All-Star lasted only 8 minutes on the court after suffering a shoulder injury which, as per reports, will require an MRI. He scored three points and made one block during his stay on the court.

For the Cavs, Collin Sexton was a notable performer. The 21-year-old Guard had a game-high 28 points on 9-for-16 shooting, including 2 3-pointers and two steals. Tristan Thompson (14 pts, 13 rebs) and Larry Nance jr. (13 pts, 15 rebs) also had a good game.

For the Sixers, who were also without Ben Simmons, Shake Milton erupted for 20 points, Josh Richardons continued to struggle post-injury and could manage just nine points. They will host New York Knicks at Wells Fargo Center in the next game.

Rockets 140-112 Memphis Grizzlies: Another day in the office for Mike D’Antoni’s team

Superstar duo, James Harden and Russell Westbrook, combined for a mammoth 63 points as Houston Rockets romped past Memphis Grizzlies 140-112 at Toyota Center. With that win, the Rockets improved to 38-20 on the season and extended the winning run to five games, second-best such streak in the NBA at the moment.

Harden went berserk from 3-point range, shooting at almost 60% rate, as the 2018 NBA MVP converted 7 of his 12 shots from beyond the arc. In the end, Mr. Bears ended with 30 points in just 28 minutes, to go with seven rebounds and 3 assists.

Westbrook had a more balanced performance and made more influence on the game. The former Oklahoma City Thunder star not only dropped a game-high 33 points, but he had 15-24 from the field, grabbed nine boards and 8 assists, and made 4 steals.

Rockets are now only two games behind second-place Denver Nuggets. Finishing second behind the Lakers should be the aim for Harden and Co, for they can avoid the big guns in the first round in the playoffs. Their current run will have a stern tester as they go to Boston to play the Celtics in their next game.

Utah Jazz 103-114 Boston Celtics

Jayson Tatum remained at the peak of his power just when his team needs him the most as the Boston Celtics capped off four-game Western Conference away swing with a 103-114 win over Utah Jazz at Vivint Smart Home Arena.

Tatum scored 33 points and grabbed 11 rebounds to end the game with yet another double-double. It was his third straight 30-plus game and shot 60% or better in all those games. He is now the leading scorer for the Greens this season with an average of 23.3 points per game.

Jaylen Brown also had a solid game, and produced goods for the team with 20 points, six rebounds, and two assists, while Marcus Smart (17 pts, 9 assists), Gordon Hayward (12 pts), and Daniel Theis (16 pts) also made significant contributions.

For the Jazz, it was their fourth straight defeat and they have hauled down to sixth in the Western Conference with a 36-22 record on the season. But Donovan Mitchell had another monster game as he erupted for a game-high 37 points.

Celtics will play hosts to the Houston Rockets in their next game, while the Jazz will hope to end the skid when they entertain Washington Wizards on Saturday morning (IST).