SBNation.com - NBA Wednesday: Celtics blast Blazers, Clippers come back to stun Thunderhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/46737/sbn-fave.png2016-03-03T09:00:06-05:00http://www.sbnation.com/rss/stream/109135252016-03-03T09:00:06-05:002016-03-03T09:00:06-05:00Clippers remind us OKC can't finish off good teams
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<figcaption>Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Oklahoma City's big collapse in L.A., the Wizards' playoff push and everything else from Wednesday in the NBA.</p> <p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.welcometoloudcity.com/">Oklahoma City Thunder</a> might be contenders in the West, but they'll need to prove they can finish in big games first. The Thunder blew a 17-point lead entering the fourth quarter in a 103-98 loss to the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.clipsnation.com/">Los Angeles Clippers</a> on Wednesday night, throwing some uncertainty into OKC's claim as the top challenger to Golden State and San Antonio in the conference.</p>
<p>The Thunder appeared to have the game in control through three quarters. A dominant effort defensively and on the boards powered the team to a 58-38 halftime lead. By the start of the final period, Oklahoma City was still leading, 85-68. At that point, with <span>Kevin Durant</span> and <span>Russell Westbrook</span> leading the way, it was easy to figure the Thunder would go on to victory.</p>
<p>Instead, the next 12 minutes were a firm reminder of why the Thunder aren't considered a prime contender like the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.goldenstateofmind.com/">Warriors</a> or <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.poundingtherock.com/">Spurs</a> this season. While OKC might have the talent to make a playoff run, too often the team fails to step up in pivotal moments. Over the weekend, the Thunder failed to close in an overtime loss to Golden State. This one, after building up a big lead on the road in L.A., was similarly painful.</p>
<p>The Clippers didn't even really start their run until midway through the fourth quarter. With six minutes left in regulation, L.A. was still trailing by 14. But from there, the Thunder would score just one more field goal and five more points as the Clippers locked down defensively. OKC, despite having otherworldly talents like Durant and Westbrook, failed to get good shots in the waning moments of the game.</p>
<p>Those struggles were concluded by Westbrook wasting the team's last chance by chucking up a wild three. After Jamal Crawford missed a shot with 12 seconds left, Westbrook grabbed the rebound, hurried down the court and fired up a three while sandwiched by defenders. There were still six seconds on the clock, but the chaotic play was reflective of OKC's lack of comfort finding good opportunities in this final minutes. It doesn't exactly bode well for the team's chances of winning several seven-game series this spring.</p>
<p>Rather than getting a big statement win from Oklahoma City solidifying the team as the greatest threat to the two superpowers in the West, we come away wondering whether L.A. might actually be the better team. Those final 12 minutes were an absolute beatdown, with Crawford and <span>Chris Paul</span> dictating play like the real stars on the court. A team with expectations like OKC's shouldn't lose games like this.</p>
<h4>
<a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bulletsforever.com/">Wizards</a> back to .500 with 4th straight win</h4>
<p>The crowded Eastern Conference playoff picture has another possibility emerging in the Washington Wizards. A 104-98 win over the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.canishoopus.com/">Minnesota Timberwolves</a> was the Wizards' fourth in a row and seventh in their past nine games. Suddenly, a disappointing season in Washington at least stands the chance of ending with a postseason appearance.</p>
<p><span>Bradley Beal</span> came off the bench to deliver a stellar performance Wednesday with 26 points on 10-of-15 shooting in 29 minutes. The sharpshooting guard showed he's overcoming the injuries and could be a difference-maker down the stretch this season. He wasn't the only big performer off the bench, either, as <span>Alan Anderson</span> came in to score 18 points in 21 minutes as a reserve.</p>
<p><span>John Wall</span> was also strong for the Wizards with 14 points and 12 assists to lead the starting unit. Washington is now just a half-game behind the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.detroitbadboys.com/">Pistons</a> for the eighth seed in the East thanks to a favorable schedule of late. Three of the team's past four wins came against the lowly Timberwolves and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.libertyballers.com/">76ers</a>, but there's also an impressive victory over the first-place <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.fearthesword.com/">Cavaliers</a> in there.</p>
<p>The Wizards and Cavs meet again Friday in Cleveland, so we should have a better idea of whether Washington is actually turning the corner with that matchup.</p>
<h4>
<span>James Harden</span> may score Houston to playoffs<br>
</h4>
<p>Houston's superstar shooting guard can score like few others and that may be enough to get the team into the postseason. Harden scored 39 points on 11-of-24 shooting in the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.thedreamshake.com/">Rockets</a>' 100-95 win over the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.thebirdwrites.com/">Pelicans</a> on Wednesday, which keeps the team in position as the No. 8 seed in the Western Conference.</p>
<p>Harden is currently second in the NBA in scoring behind Stephen Curry. The 26-year-old averaged 31.5 points per game in February, even though the Rockets went just 5-6, and just started March with another huge performance. Not only did he fall just one point short of 40 against New Orleans, but he also led the Rockets with 12 rebounds, seven assists and four steals in an impressive effort. The Rockets needed it considering they shot 3 of 34 from three during the game, which <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/lookit/2016/3/2/11150746/the-rockets-shot-so-poorly-even-james-harden-couldnt-keep-a-straight">left Harden incredulous afterwards</a>.</p>
<p>The Rockets also got favors elsewhere in the league. The three closest teams in the standings, Portland, Sacramento and Utah, all lost Wednesday. Houston is still 2.5 games behind the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.blazersedge.com/">Trail Blazers</a> for the seventh seed, but the team is also 1.5 games ahead of the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.slcdunk.com/">Jazz</a> for the final playoff spot. As long as Harden keeps scoring like this, that may be at least enough to get the chance to lose to Golden State in the first round.</p>
<h3>Play of the night</h3>
<p><iframe src="https://vine.co/v/igPjmr5jxMW/embed/simple" frameborder="0" height="600" width="600"></iframe>
<script src="https://platform.vine.co/static/scripts/embed.js"></script>
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<p class="pgh-paragraph" id="paragraph23"><span>Vince Carter</span> is 39 years old. Few players in the NBA even stick around until that age because of the effects of father time. Apparently, these laws of nature impact Carter differently. Or maybe he was just so good at dunking in his prime that even on a normal aging curve, a 39-year-old Carter can still do stuff like this. Either way, Vinsanity is a special one.</p>
<h3>4 fun things</h3>
<p><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/2016/3/2/11150674/even-normal-zach-lavine-dunks-are-ridiculous">It's a real game, not a dunk contest? That won't stop Zach LaVine.</a></p>
<p><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/lookit/2016/3/2/11150032/meet-msus-bryn-forbes-who-hit-11-three-pointers-and-earned-a-draymond">MSU's Bryn Forbes earned a shoutout from Draymond Green.</a></p>
<p><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/2016/3/2/11150030/quincy-acy-dunked-on-birdman-and-took-him-for-a-ride-PONY">Quincy Acy took Birdman for a ride on this dunk. Two points for that one.</a></p>
<p><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/2016/3/2/11149802/damian-lillard-midcourt-shot-blazers-steph-curry-4-point-play">Damian Lillard can shoot from very far away, too.</a></p>
<h3>Scores</h3>
<p class="pgh-paragraph" id="paragraph27"><span class="sbn-auto-link"><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.orlandopinstripedpost.com/">Magic</a> 102, <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.blogabull.com/">Bulls</a> 89</span> (<a href="http://www.orlandopinstripedpost.com/2016/3/2/11149720/Chicago-Bulls-vs-Orlando-Magic-final-score-102-89">Orlando Pinstriped Post recap</a> | <a href="http://www.blogabull.com/2016/3/2/11149934/bulls-vs-magic-final-score-another-anemic-effort-as-bulls-lose-again">Blog a Bull recap</a>)</p>
<p class="pgh-paragraph" id="paragraph28"><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.atthehive.com/">Hornets</a> 119, 76ers 99 (<a href="http://www.atthehive.com/2016/3/2/11150560/charlotte-hornets-easily-run-through-sixers-win-119-99">At The Hive recap</a> | <a href="http://www.libertyballers.com/2016/3/2/11150078/sixers-fall-to-hornets-in-another-miserable-snoozer">Liberty Ballers recap</a>)</p>
<p class="pgh-paragraph" id="paragraph29"><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.celticsblog.com/">Celtics</a> 116, Blazers 93 (<a href="http://www.celticsblog.com/2016/3/2/11150258/celtics-dominate-blazers-in-116-93-win">CelticsBlog recap </a>| <a href="http://www.blazersedge.com/2016/3/2/11150654/portland-trail-blazers-vs-boston-celtics-damian-lillard-isaiah-thomas">Blazer's Edge recap</a>)</p>
<p class="pgh-paragraph" id="paragraph30"><span class="sbn-auto-link"><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.raptorshq.com/">Raptors</a> 104, Jazz 94</span> (<a href="http://www.raptorshq.com/2016/3/2/11149696/toronto-raptors-win-utah-jazz-lose-104-94">Raptors HQ recap</a> | <a href="http://www.slcdunk.com/utah-jazz-game-coverage/2016/3/2/11150434/toronto-raptors-104-utah-jazz-94-gordon-hayward-has-big-game-rodney">SLC Dunk recap</a>)</p>
<p class="pgh-paragraph" id="paragraph31">Spurs 97, Pistons 81 (<a href="http://www.poundingtherock.com/2016/3/2/11149810/detroit-pistons-at-san-antonio-spurs-final-score">Pounding The Rock recap</a> | <a href="http://www.detroitbadboys.com/2016/3/2/11150372/pistons-4-game-win-streak-stopped-in-san-antonio-97-81">Detroit Bad Boys recap</a>)</p>
<p class="pgh-paragraph">Rockets 100, Pelicans 95 (<a href="http://www.thedreamshake.com/2016/3/2/11150194/rockets-vs-pelicans-final-score-harden-drags-houston-to-a-sloppy">The Dream Shake recap</a> | <a href="http://www.thebirdwrites.com/2016/3/2/11150196/new-orleans-pelicans-houston-rockets-final-score-recap-davis-harden">The Bird Writes recap</a>)</p>
<p class="pgh-paragraph" id="paragraph30"><span class="sbn-auto-link">Wizards 104, Timberwolves 98</span> (<a href="http://www.bulletsforever.com/2016/3/2/11150474/wizards-vs-timberwolves-final-score-bradley-beal-alan-anderson">Bullets Forever recap </a>| <a href="http://www.canishoopus.com/2016/3/2/11150192/minnesota-timberwolves-washington-wizards-recap">Canis Hoopus recap</a>)</p>
<p class="pgh-paragraph" id="paragraph31"><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.grizzlybearblues.com/">Grizzlies</a> 104, <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.sactownroyalty.com/">Kings</a> 98 (<a href="http://www.grizzlybearblues.com/2016/3/2/11150458/recap-grizzlies-survive-against-kings-104-98">Grizzly Bear Blues recap</a> | <a href="http://www.sactownroyalty.com/2016/3/2/11150606/grizzlies-104-kings-98-sloppiness-sinks-kings">Sactown Royalty recap</a>)</p>
<p class="pgh-paragraph" id="paragraph32"><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.indycornrows.com/">Pacers</a> 104, <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.brewhoop.com/">Bucks</a> 99 (<a href="http://www.indycornrows.com/2016/3/2/11150454/pacers-final-score-indiana-beats-milwaukee-104-99">Indy Cornrows recap</a> | <a href="http://www.brewhoop.com/2016/3/2/11149798/bucks-vs-pacers-final-score-giannis-antetokounmpo-jabari-parker-paul-george">Brew Hoop recap</a>)</p>
<p class="pgh-paragraph">Clippers 103, Thunder 98 (<a href="http://www.clipsnation.com/2016/3/2/11150976/los-angeles-clippers-oklahoma-city-thunder-chris-paul-deandre-jordan-kevin-durant" target="_blank">Clips Nation recap</a> | <a href="http://www.welcometoloudcity.com/2016/3/3/11150624/oklahoma-city-thunder-los-angeles-clippers-final-score" target="_blank">Welcome To Loud City recap</a>)</p>
<p class="pgh-paragraph"><a href="https://www.denverstiffs.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Nuggets</a> 117, <a href="https://www.silverscreenandroll.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Lakers</a> 107 (<a target="_blank" href="http://www.silverscreenandroll.com/2016/3/2/11150612/la-lakers-score-denver-nuggets-final-recap">Silver Screen and Roll recap</a> | <a target="_blank" href="http://www.denverstiffs.com/2016/3/2/11150022/kobe-bryant-plays-only-one-quarter-as-nuggets-beat-lakers-117-107">Denver Stiffs recap</a>)</p>
<p style="text-align: center; letter-spacing: 0.25em">* * *</p>
<p><b>A Special Souvenir</b>: <i>Kobe autographs shoes and gives them away</i></p>
<div data-analytics-viewport="video" data-analytics-action="volume:view:article:middle" data-analytics-label="Kobe Bryant autographs shoes and gives them away | 7157" data-volume-uuid="da6dd1564" data-volume-id="7157" data-analytics-placement="article:middle" data-volume-placement="article" id="volume-placement-8237" class="volume-video"></div>
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<div class="description"><p><p>The Bucks' young talent wasn't enough against a tough Indiana team on Wednesday. Jordan Hill had a big night with 19 points to lead the way for the Pacers.</p></p></div>
https://www.sbnation.com/2016/3/3/11150892/pacers-keep-pace-with-104-99-win-over-bucksSatchel Price2016-03-03T00:24:30-05:002016-03-03T00:24:30-05:00Grizzlies too much for Kings in 104-98 win<h3 class="link-title"><a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.grizzlybearblues.com/2016/3/2/11150458/recap-grizzlies-survive-against-kings-104-98">Grizzlies too much for Kings in 104-98&nbsp;win</a></h3>
<div class="description"><p><p>Mike Conley put up 24 points and five assists as the Grizzlies keep pace in the West. The Kings got 18 points and 16 rebounds from DeMarcus Cousins, plus 17 assists from Rajon Rondo, but it wasn't enough against a balanced Memphis team.</p></p></div>
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<div class="description"><p><p>Bradley Beal scored 23 points as a reserve to lead the Wizards to their fourth straight win. Washington is now close to the No. 8 in the East after knocking off the struggling Timberwolves on Wednesday night.</p></p></div>
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<div class="description"><p><p>James Harden will single-handedly keep the Rockets in the playoff race. His latest big scoring effort powered Houston to a much-needed win over New Orleans.</p></p></div>
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<div class="description"><p><p>Kawhi Leonard scored 27 points and San Antonio displayed its usual suffocating defense in a 16-point win over Detroit. Marcus Morris led the Pistons with 16 points in the loss.</p></p></div>
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<div class="description"><p><p>Toronto's star backcourt was just too much for the Jazz to handle. Kyle Lowry led the way with 32 points and five assists as the Raptors battle for the No. 3 seed in the East.</p></p></div>
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<div class="description"><p><p>Two hot teams entered Wednesday and only one could come out alive. Boston was that team with an impressive 23-point over a surging young Trail Blazers team. Isaiah Thomas led all scorers with 30 points.</p></p></div>
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