The Bounce Newsletter | This is The Athletic’s day by day NBA e-newsletter. Sign up here to obtain The Bounce straight in your inbox.Just so we’re clear, “Golden Girls” has the finest theme track ever. “The Jeffersons” is a close second.Bad Losses or Good Wins?Celtics, Suns moist the bedI’ll admit I used to be a little shocked final evening due to the Celtics-Hawks game and the Suns-Spurs matchup. Let’s break down what occurred to the Suns first.The Suns stumble:Phoenix (42-30, eighth in West) went into San Antonio with its large three wholesome and an intact rotation. On high of that, the 16-56 Spurs (final in West) had been with out Victor Wembanyama. Naturally, San Antonio took down Phoenix 104-102 behind a 26-point, 18-rebound efficiency from Jeremy Sochan.Kevin Durant (29 factors on 12-of-17 taking pictures) and Devin Booker (36 factors on 14-of-28 taking pictures) had been good, however no different starters reached double-digit scoring. Bradley Beal had 9 factors on 11 photographs in half-hour. Royce O’Neale (12 off the bench) was the solely different Sun to attain in double figures. Performances like these depart people pondering the Suns gained’t actualize their title aspirations. They shouldn’t be this mediocre in close video games, particularly in opposition to the dangerous groups.A uncommon Celtics meltdown:As for the Celtics (57-15, first in East), that they had a complete meltdown in opposition to a Hawks staff nonetheless lacking Trae Young. You can take a look at the 120-118 rating in favor of the 32-39 Hawks (tenth in East) and suppose the Celtics simply couldn’t put away a scrappy staff. Sure? That type of occurred, besides Boston had a 30-point lead in opposition to Atlanta in the second quarter and was up by 18 in the third period. De’Andre Hunter led all 5 Hawks starters with 24 factors as the Hawks gutted this one out. The loss doesn’t shake your confidence in the Celtics, though it’s a reminder about their points in the clutch.More from final evening: Pacers 133, Clippers 116: This is the Indy squad from the begin of the season. Tyrese Haliburton had 21 factors and 9 assists. Pascal Siakam had a game-high 31 factors. And the Pacers (41-32, sixth in East) hit 60 p.c from deep. The Clippers (44-27, fifth in West) fall closer to Play-In territory.Kings 108, 76ers 96: This marked perhaps the best triple-double of Domantas Sabonis’ profession, as Sacramento (42-29) moved into sixth in the West. Sabonis turned the fifth participant with not less than 25 triple-doubles in a single season (Russell Westbrook, Nikola Jokić, Wilt Chamberlain, Oscar Robertson).Mavs 115, Jazz 105: Luka Dončić had 29 factors, 12 assists and 12 rebounds as Dallas (42-29, seventh in West) dominated the fourth to maintain tempo with Sacramento.Rockets 110, Blazers 92: Horrible taking pictures evening for Houston (39.8 p.c from the area), however it was good enough for the staff’s ninth straight win.Cavs 115, Hornets 92: Nobody scored more than 17 for Cleveland (44-28, third in East). All Charlotte (17-54, thirteenth in East) video games must be free to attend – on the street or at home – the relaxation of the season.Knicks 124, Pistons 99: Donte DiVincenzo scored a career-high 40 factors, Josh Hart had the sixth triple-double of 2024 and his profession, and Detroit misplaced its sixtieth game of the season.Nets 96, Raptors 88: Toronto (23-29, twelfth in East) misplaced its eleventh straight game (fourth-longest streak in franchise historical past) in an effort to maintain that top-six protected decide.Wizards 107, Bulls 105: DeMar DeRozan barely missed a half court docket game-winning try. Jordan Poole (23 factors in the begin) led the ‘Zards (14-58, 14th in East) to their third straight win. Chicago (34-48, ninth in East) is 1.5 games ahead of the last Play-In spot.Nuggets 128, Grizzlies 103: Jokić had 29 points to lead seven Denver players in double figures. The defending champions now have a one-game lead for the No. 1 seed.The Latest From ShamsGreen, Rockets continue to surgeThe Rockets are the NBA’s hottest staff, Q, simply a half game behind the Warriors (36-34) for the ultimate Play-In spot in the West. A giant motive for that run is the latest play of Jalen Green, who’s averaging 27.8 factors per game in March whereas taking pictures higher than 40 p.c from 3.Rewinding a couple months, I’m instructed the Rockets referred to as the Nets to debate the idea of a deal involving Green, Mikal Bridges and picks. That deal didn’t progress, and now Houston, which seems to maintain up its profitable streak tomorrow in Oklahoma City, is the greatest beneficiary.Both Green and the injured Alperen Şengün are extension-eligible this offseason. We’ll see how Houston goes about locking in its core in the coming months.
Green was on GO tonight 🚦 pic.twitter.com/2ps727PJ0R
— Houston Rockets (@HoustonRockets) March 26, 2024
That’s a entire lotta inexperienced 🤩 pic.twitter.com/ub252ll1wR
— Houston Rockets (@HoustonRockets) March 26, 2024
Jock took care of business 👏
📊 17 PTS | 9 REB | 6-6 FG@creditkarma | #PlayeroftheGame pic.twitter.com/JmfDTsxeMe
— Houston Rockets (@HoustonRockets) March 26, 2024Warriors Q&AMarcus Thompson on WarriorsThe Warriors are clinging onto the No. 10 spot in the West in opposition to the charging Houston Rockets like Sly Stallone held onto the edge of an icy mountain in “Cliffhanger.” It appeared solely proper to ask Marcus Thompson to reply three urgent questions on the Dubs. Also, learn Marcus on the Warriors’ search for a second scorer.Question: Should Draymond and the Warriors be nervous about the Rockets or themselves more?Thompson: Other than the trash Dillon Brooks will speak if Houston bounces the Warriors, the Rockets are irrelevant to Golden State. Draymond is true. The Warriors are a mess and need to fret about their own points. Even in the event that they one way or the other managed to get the No. 10 seed, they’re getting bounced anyway in the event that they don’t get it collectively.The Rockets’ schedule toughens. But the Warriors play eight of their ultimate 12 on the street. Seven of their ultimate video games are in opposition to profitable groups, together with a showdown with Houston. They’ve bought to search out a technique to win some video games. Or it will likely be a lot more than Dillon Brooks speaking.Question: Do the Warriors know what to do if Steph isn’t having a good evening?Thompson: Not actually. The easy reply is to make threes. When Curry’s teammates do, they’re positive. The downside is that they don’t have constant shooters. The Warriors don’t have one other formidable shot creator, so it hurts when Curry isn’t rolling. They’ve bought gamers who can thrive in sure matchups. But no one who can get 20 to 25 subsequent to Curry persistently. That’s why they’re 18-20 when he scores fewer than 30 factors. Of the high 10 groups in the West, Curry is the solely star who has a shedding report when he scored beneath 30.Question: What did Chris Paul imply by calling referee Tony Brothers a TikToker?Thompson: Brothers mentioned in an interview with the Florida Vipers Academy that he “don’t really care too much for basketball,” and it was posted on the Academy’s TikTok. Paul clearly didn’t like Brothers’ confession that he “isn’t a fan” of the game and he ended up a referee as a result of he needed to develop into a decide. “Now I’m the judge, jury, prosecuting attorney and defense attorney,” Brothers defined in the clip. Paul posted the clip of Brothers on his IG story. Elite-level trolling by CP3.Goodbye, HornetsBidding adieu to a different misplaced seasonThe Hornets had been knocked out of Play-In rivalry after they misplaced to the Hawks this previous weekend. So, what’s subsequent for them? They have new possession, a new entrance workplace and one other wasted season round LaMelo Ball, who wasn’t wholesome. Let’s say goodbye to the Hornets.Charlotte’s vivid spot from this season? Oh, boy. Well, Brandon Miller had a few questions getting into his NBA profession and should have answered close to all of them immediately. He’s been incredible for them, and his future is blindingly vivid. Mark Williams additionally was actually good till his back harm price him the relaxation of this season. And … uh … Tre Mann has appeared stable since the commerce?Key free brokers for Charlotte: Davis Bertāns (early termination option), Miles Bridges, JT Thor (staff option)Biggest place to deal with: Everywhere that isn’t level guard. They have LaMelo Ball as the star and Brandon Miller as a potential second star on the wing. There are a couple of promising gamers on the roster, however the Hornets need as a lot expertise as attainable in every single place.What’s the draft decide state of affairs? Their draft decide is owed to San Antonio. It’s top-14 protected, although, in order that they’ll simply maintain it.Will they’ve cap space? If they will persuade Bertāns to provide up on his wage for subsequent 12 months and terminate his deal, then they might have roughly $16 million in space – perhaps a little much less. But it’s most probably they gained’t have something important, as Ball’s max extension kicks in subsequent season.2023-24 yearbook quote: “Do I make you Hornet, baby?”Bounce PassesDoes the NBA have its next betting scandal?John Hollinger shared ideas on why the G League Ignite team failed.The Sixers are eagerly awaiting Joel Embiid’s return.Screen Game (All instances Eastern)Main Screen: Mavs-Kings (10 p.m. TNT). Both groups try to achieve the high six in the West.
Second Screen: Warriors-Heat (7:30 p.m.). No LeBron James for the Lakers, so this game will get the honor over Lakers-Bucks.
League Pass Game of the Night: Thunder–Pelicans (8 p.m.). We’ll be so fortunate if we get this as a playoff collection. Full schedule here.
(Top photograph: Ezra Shaw / Getty Images )