Beginning 5, March 9: Celtics cool off Lakers, Steph & Jimmy shine for Warriors, plus 3 nationwide video games as we speak

Steal. Slam. Assertion.

---

5 STORIES IN TODAY’S EDITION 🏀
March 9, 2025

Boston Beats L.A.: How JT, JB and the C’s protection cooled off the red-hot Lakers

Championship DNA: In a Playoff-like battle between bitter rivals, Boston’s core got here via

Roundup: Steph hits 25K as Dubs win once more, 4 video games determined by 3 factors or much less and extra

ABC Matinee: SGA & Jokić duel amid historic seasons earlier than Dallas hosts Phoenix

Tonight On ESPN: Can the Cavs make it 14 straight? Plus, postseason implications out West

---

BUT FIRST … ⏰
A star-studded Sunday slate…

Prime Kia MVP Candidates Collide: ABC’s doubleheader begins with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander going through Nikola Jokić because the Thunder host the Nuggets (1 ET). Then, Kevin Durant and the Suns go to the Mavs in a battle (3:30 ET).

Primetime Showdown: Tonight on ESPN, the NBA-best Cavs goal for his or her 14th straight win as they face Giannis and the Bucks (8 ET).

---

1. CELTICS STAND TALL AT TD GARDEN, SNAPPING LAKERS STREAK

Surging into Saturday on an eight-game win streak and an NBA-best 20-4 report since Jan. 15, LeBron James, Luka Dončić and the red-hot Lakers seemed to earn a signature win at TD Backyard.

As a substitute, the C’s despatched a defending championship assertion.

Celtics 111, Lakers 101: Jayson Tatum placed on a clinic with 40 factors, 12 rebounds and eight assists, whereas Jaylen Brown dropped 31 to assist Boston construct a 22-point lead and stave off a late Lakers push for a marquee win in a back-and-forth rivalry bout. | Recap

• Boston’s Greatest: It’s the twenty ninth time Tatum & Brown have every scored 30+ factors in the identical recreation – the Eighth-most all-time and 20 greater than the following closest Celtics duo (Larry Chook & Kevin McHale: 9)
• Luka & LeBron: Dončić led L.A. with 34 factors on 5 3s and eight boards, whereas James added a close to triple-double (22 pts, 14 reb, 9 ast) earlier than leaving the sport with 6:44 left as a consequence of an obvious groin harm

The Lakers entered Saturday permitting the fewest factors of any crew amid their 20-4 run (106.3 ppg), which included a 117-96 win over Boston in late January.

However within the rematch – their first assembly with Dončić donning Purple & Gold – it was the defending champs’ protection that opened issues up and slammed the door shut.

• Shutdown C’s: After taking a 58-54 lead into halftime, the Celtics held the Lakers to only 13 factors within the Third – together with a 4-minute scoring drought – to push their lead previous 20
• L.A. Storms Again: Luka caught fireplace within the 4th, dropping 14 factors to gas a 16-2 run that trimmed the deficit to 4 — mirroring the Cavs’ 22-point comeback from final week at TD Backyard
• The Remaining Stand: However the C’s protection clamped down once more, limiting the Lakers to 6 factors within the closing 4:36, whereas Tatum and Brown carried the load offensively to snap their rival’s longest win streak in 5 years
• “We had been aggressive. We set the tone for the physicality of the sport,” stated Brown postgame. “We’ve a fantastic crew. It’s an honor to be a part of a successful group.”

---

2. CELTICS’ CHAMPIONSHIP CORE RISES TO THE OCCASION

Coming into the ultimate day of February, Tatum and Brown hadn’t every scored 30+ factors in the identical recreation all season. Now, with the Playoffs looming and the C’s title protection heating up, they’ve twice.

The primary got here in final week’s much-anticipated duel in opposition to the NBA-best Cavs, the place they mixed for 83 factors – their most-ever as a duo.

The second got here final night time, with the 2 former champs stepping up as soon as extra in a conflict of contenders and delivering when it mattered most.

• Clutch Combo: With the Lakers roaring again, Tatum and Brown took over offensively, combining for 17 of the Celtics’ 24 4th quarter factors
• Again & 4th: But every little thing gave the impression to be falling for Dončić, as he lower the result in 4 with a banked-in 3, quieting a once-raucous TD Backyard
• However The Jays Didn’t Flinch: Brown shortly responded with a 3 of his personal to present the gang life, earlier than Tatum splashed one other one possession later, sending the Backyard right into a frenzy
• Then, The Daggers: A driving layup from Brown put the C’s up 10 with 1:44 left, earlier than a Tatum steal and two free throws secured the win

All-Round Influence: Tatum (2 stl, 1 blk) and Brown (3 stl) not solely mixed for 71 factors but in addition set the tone defensively, as Boston held L.A. to its second-lowest level whole throughout its 20-4 run — making it 20-5.

• “When your greatest gamers take delight in particular person protection, I feel it units the tone in your crew,” stated Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla on the Jays. “And people guys tackle that problem.”

Core Contributions: Like final 12 months’s title run, it wasn’t simply the Jays who shined, as Boston’s veteran lineup flexed its championship DNA, beginning with its oldest participant, Al Horford (14 pts, 9 reb, 4 ast, 3 stl, 1 blk).

• Coronary heart & Hustle: Horford, 38, checked each James and Dončić, ending with the sport’s greatest DefRtg amongst gamers who logged 25+ minutes (100.0)
• Flooring Basic: Within the Third, Horford didn’t depart the ground as Boston held L.A. to 4-of-23 taking pictures (21.7%), whereas its prime perimeter defenders, Derrick White and Jrue Vacation, helped restrict the Lakers to 1-of-10 from 3
• “Pivotal,” stated Brown on Horford’s influence. “He’s the last word connector for us on each ends … he was battling with LeBron, he was rebounding … we’d like him able to go within the Playoffs.”

---

3. ROUNDUP: STEPH & JIMMY COOK, FANTASTIC FINISHES & MORE

Warriors 115, Pistons 110: In a recreation that featured 22 ties and 22 lead adjustments, Steph Curry (32 pts) and Jimmy Butler III (26 pts, 9 reb, 5 ast) mixed for 58 factors as Golden State outscored Detroit 31-23 within the 4th to notch its eleventh win in 13 video games. | Recap

• 4 In A Row: Curry (21) and Butler (17) dropped 38 factors within the 2nd half, together with 13 from Steph within the 4th to increase the Warriors’ win streak to 4
• 25K Membership: Within the win, Curry turned the twenty sixth participant all-time to hit 25,000 profession factors
• Cade Cunningham completed with 31 factors for the Pistons, who’ve now dropped two straight

Hawks 120, Pacers 118: After squandering a 20-point lead, Trae Younger (36 pts, 8 ast) scored or assisted on Atlanta’s closing 14 factors, together with three clutch free throws within the closing seven seconds to stave off the Pacers for the second time in three days. | Recap

• Ice Trae Cooking: It’s Younger’s eighth 35+ level, 7+ help recreation this season – trailing solely SGA (12) and Jokić (11) for essentially the most within the NBA – and his fourth since February

Hornets 105, Nets 102: Down 14 with 7:09 left, the Hornets closed the sport on a 22-5 run behind Miles Bridges (26 pts, 12 reb, 5 ast), who delivered the game-sealing block to prime D’Angelo Russell (28 pts, 7 ast) and the Nets, snapping Charlotte’s nine-game skid. | Recap

Rockets 146, Pelicans 117: Dillon Brooks tallied 27 factors on seven 3s, Alperen Sengun added 20 factors and a poster, whereas Amen Thompson recorded a double-double (15 pts, 11 ast) because the Rockets poured in a season excessive for his or her second straight win over the Pels. | Recap

Magic 111, Bucks 109: Coming into Saturday on a five-game skid, Paolo Banchero (29 pts) and the Magic jumped out to a 34-20 1st-quarter lead and held on late for a well timed win over the Bucks, regardless of massive nights from Giannis Antetokounmpo (37 pts, 11 reb) and Damian Lillard (26 pts). | Recap

Wizards 118, Raptors 117: With the Raptors down one, Jamal Shead appeared to name recreation on the buzzer, however acquired the shot off a millisecond too late, because the basket was waved off, and the Wizards survived. Jordan Poole led all scorers with 34 factors on seven treys. | Recap

Bulls 114, Warmth 109: Josh Giddey recorded his third triple-double of the season (26 pts, 10 reb, 12 ast), and the Bulls received the 4th quarter 36-20 to earn a comeback dub in Miami, handing the Warmth their third straight loss. | Recap

---

4. ABC MATINEE: SGA & JOKIĆ CLASH, MAVS HOST SUNS

No NBA participant had ever scored 92+ factors on 55% taking pictures whereas going excellent from the road (min. 20+ FTA) over two video games.

Till Shai Gilgeous-Alexander did it Wednesday.

No NBA participant had ever recorded 30+ factors, 20+ rebounds and 20+ assists in a recreation.

Till Nikola Jokić did it Friday.

At present (1 ET, ABC), two of the highest Kia MVP candidates – every hooping at a historic degree – go head-to-head because the top-seeded Thunder host the Third-place Nuggets in a West duel.

• Shai’s Surge: In his eight outings for the reason that All-Star break, SGA is averaging 34.8 factors on a 54.8/51.2/90.0 taking pictures cut up – numbers solely matched by Steph Curry (2x) and George Gervin in an eight-game stretch
• Joker’s Tear: In the meantime, Jokić has three triple-doubles in his final 5 outings and 16 for the reason that New 12 months. No different participant has greater than 4 in that span

Much more wonderful? Their dominant play has truly left extra numbers on the desk. Regardless of sitting out a mixed 25 4th quarters amid wins, SGA (14) and Jokić (11) are nonetheless in a league of their very own statistically.

At present, each gamers are on the precipice of uncommon single-season milestones.

• Chasing 30: With yet another triple-double, Jokić will grow to be simply the fourth-ever participant to notch 30 in a season, which might additionally set a brand new private career-high for triple-doubles in a season
• The First Three? Russell Westbrook (3x), Oscar Robertson and Wilt Chamberlain
• Shai’s Streak: SGA is after his 58th straight 20+ level recreation, a single-season streak achieved by solely three gamers within the final 50 years – Kevin Durant, Kobe Bryant and Michael Jordan

Will we see extra historical past – and which Kia MVP candidate will come out on prime?

Jokić’s historic 30/20/20 outing on Friday got here by the hands of Phoenix, which clawed again from 21 factors down and compelled OT with a Kevin Durant buzzer-beater, solely to fall quick within the additional body.

After a hard-fought loss, KD and the Suns have one other huge West duel in opposition to the Mavs within the second leg of Sunday’s ABC doubleheader (3:30 ET).

• Outdoors Trying In: Durant is coming off 29 and 34-point outings, however Phoenix is 3-6 for the reason that All-Star break, leaving it 2.5 video games again of the West’s No. 10 seed

Each preventing for postseason place, which squad will bounce again?

---

5. STREAKING CAVS FACE BUCKS ON ESPN + LEAGUE PASS SPOTLIGHT

Solely two groups in NBA historical past have notched three 12+ recreation win streaks in a single season – the 2006-07 Mavs and this 12 months’s Cavs.

For Cleveland, these three streaks embrace:

• A 15-0 begin to the season
• A 12-0 stretch between December and January
• A present 13-0 run getting into tonight’s recreation in opposition to Milwaukee (8 ET)

For perspective, in addition to Cleveland, solely 5 different groups have 40+ wins this season (OKC, BOS, LAL, DEN, NYK). The Cavs have 40 of their three win streaks alone – they usually’ve proven no indicators of slowing down.

• Crimson-Scorching: Throughout its present heater, 5 Cavs are scoring in double figures, boosting Cleveland’s NBA-best scoring common to 126.1 ppg
• Championship Firm: The one different groups to submit 125+ ppg over a 13-game win streak? The 1959-60 Celtics and ‘71-72 Lakers – who every received the NBA Finals
• Inside Enhance: Whereas Cleveland leads the league in 3P% (39.2), Evan Mobley has been a drive inside, as he’s the one participant averaging 20+ pts, 10+ rebs and 1.5+ blk within the final 12 video games (20.0 ppg, 10.6 rpb, 1.9 bpg)

With a win tonight, the Cavs can grow to be simply the seventh crew in NBA historical past to notch two 14+ win streaks and the third since 2000.

• Standing In Their Method? Giannis Antetokounmpo, Damian Lillard and the Bucks, who maintain 4th place within the East
• Deer Duo: Dame (38.5) and Giannis (33.5) have thrived in opposition to Cleveland this 12 months, combining for 72.0 ppg, however the Cavs lead the season collection 3-0
• One other Nail-Biter? Two of these matchups have been determined by a mixed 3 factors, together with a last-second Donovan Mitchell game-winner in November to maintain the Cavs’ opening win streak alive

4 months later, Cleveland will look to increase its streak once more.

5 video games get underway tonight on League Cross, together with a matchup between the Spurs and Wolves, with Anthony Edwards and Minnesota searching for their fifth straight win to maneuver inside proportion factors of Golden State for the West’s No. 6 seed.

Proper behind the Wolves lurk the Clippers (1 GB) and Kings (1.5 GB), who meet tonight in LA (9:30 ET).

---

Wish to share Beginning 5 with a pal? Ship them this hyperlink.

---