NBA

Cavaliers 110, Pistons 100

It hasn’t been smooth sailing for the Cavaliers since the All-Star break, but the Pistons are a good opponent to get things right against. Cleveland probably won’t reach its ceiling unless Evan Mobley is a bigger part of its attack, and one way for that to happen is to increase the big man’s usage. In this game, Mobley totaled 22 points, 17 rebounds, and seven assists.

With the Knicks, Quentin Grimes showed some promise as a two-way wing, but his play has been porous with the Pistons. Playing just 14 minutes last night, Grimes shot 1-for-6 with zero rebounds.

76ers 121, Hornets 114

Tobias Harris needed this game. The forward had been slumping for several weeks, but atoned for his struggles yesterday with 31 points and 12 rebounds. The 34-25 76ers are surely counting down the days and weeks until Joel Embiid returns, but it’s important that the team treads water enough to avoid the play-in. This win helps.

Celtics 138, Mavericks 110

10 consecutive wins for the 47-12 Celtics, a team that feels as sure a bet to win the championship since the 2019 Warriors. Those Warriors, of course, did not win the title, so perhaps there’s some hope for the rest of the NBA. Injuries were a major downfall of that Golden State team, and it’s possible this Boston team will be inflicted with the same fate, but that hasn’t happened yet. Kristaps Porzingis, who scored 24 points in this game, is always an injury risk.

The Mavericks probably shouldn’t feel good about Luka Doncic tallying 37 points, 12 rebounds, and 11 assists yet still losing by 28.

Warriors 120, Raptors 105

It’s taken too long, but Steve Kerr has finally found some lineups that work for the Warriors, and the result has been eight wins in 10 games. To keep piling up victories, Golden State should find a way to keep Moses Moody on the court. The wing scored 17 points and grabbed five rebounds last night.

Good teams have the luxury to take a struggling offensive-minded player out of the game on off nights. The 22-38 Raptors aren’t a good team, so they don’t have that luxury. As a result, Immanuel Quickley shot 4-for-15 in this game across 36 minutes.

Trail Blazers 122, Grizzlies 92

Memphis is decimated with injuries, but losing by 30 to these Trail Blazers means you’re in a bad place. The Suns were praised for signing Yuta Watanabe this past offseason, but the veteran forward has been less than NBA-caliber for both the Suns and Grizzlies this season. It’s apparent his performance with the Nets in 2023 was a fluke. Watanabe scored zero points in 17 minutes yesterday.

Pelicans 129, Pacers 102

The Pelicans don’t generate much discussion as a team that can do damage in the playoffs, but New Orleans has the profile of a team that’s capable. The Pelicans are deep and can throw unique lineup combinations at the opposition. Trey Murphy, with his length and shooting ability, helps unlock several of these lineups. The 23-year-old wing had 28 points and seven rebounds in this game.

Tyrese Haliburton may be a star, but stars don’t score zero points — Haliburton’s output last night. Indiana needs its franchise point guard to find his groove or it will find itself in the play-in tournament.

Thunder sign C Mike Muscala to one-year contract

Oklahoma City will probably be in trouble if it relies on Muscala, recently bought out by the Pistons, in key moments, but he should provide a stable locker room presence and decent floor spacing when necessary.

Grade: C