NBA

Orlando Magic forward Paolo Banchero (5) is defended by New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Thursday, March 21, 2024, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)

Magic defeat Pelicans 121-106 behind Banchero’s triple-double

ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — Paolo Banchero had 20 points, 10 rebounds and 11 assists for his second career triple-double, overcoming early shooting woes to help the Orlando Magic beat the New Orleans Pelicans 121-106 on Thursday night.

Chicago Bulls forward DeMar DeRozan, center left, and Houston Rockets forward Dillon Brooks, center right, are held back from each other during a scuffle that ensued after DeRozan's flagrant foul against Rockets' Jale Green during the second half of an NBA basketball game Thursday, March 21, 2024, in Houston. Both DeRozan and Brooks were charged with technical fouls and ejected from the game. (AP Photo/Michael Wyke)

DeMar DeRozan, Dillon Brooks ejected from game after on-court scuffle in Houston

Washington Wizards forward Kyle Kuzma, left, drives past Sacramento Kings guard Keon Ellis for a score during the first half of an NBA basketball game Thursday, March 21, 2024, in Washington. (AP Photo/John McDonnell)

Kuzma scores 31, Wizards snap 5-game skid with 109-102 win over Kings

Orlando Magic forward Paolo Banchero (5) celebrates his dunk against the New Orleans Pelicans during the second half of an NBA basketball game Thursday, March 21, 2024, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)

Paolo Banchero has 2nd career triple-double, Magic beat Pelicans 121-106

Philadelphia 76ers' KJ Martin fouls Milwaukee Bucks' Giannis Antetokounmpo during the second half of an NBA basketball game Thursday, March 14, 2024, in Milwaukee. The Bucks won 114-105. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)

Giannis Antetokounmpo returning to action after missing 2 games with hamstring issue

More News

Indiana Pacers forward Aaron Nesmith (23) attempts a layup as Detroit Pistons center James Wiseman (13) defends during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, March 20, 2024, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)

Pacers roll over Pistons 122-103

DETROIT (AP) — Pascal Siakam had 25 points and eight rebounds, Tyrese Haliburton added 20 points and nine assists, and the Indiana Pacers routed the short-handed Detroit Pistons 122-103 on Wednesday night.

Boston Celtics guard Payton Pritchard (11) celebrates after scoring, next to Milwaukee Bucks forward Danilo Gallinari (12) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, March 20, 2024, in Boston. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)

Celtics open big lead, hold on to beat Bucks without Giannis, 122-119

Jayson Tatum scored 31 points to help the Celtics win their seventh game in a row. Boston took advantage of the absence of two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo to beat the Milwaukee Bucks 122-119.

Toronto Raptors forward Bruce Brown (11) can't get past Sacramento Kings forward Domantas Sabonis (10) and forward Keegan Murray (13) during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Toronto on Wednesday, March 20, 2024. (Nathan Denette/The Canadian Press via AP)

Sabonis has 24th triple-double as Kings rout short-handed Raptors 123-89

Domantas Sabonis had 13 points, 17 rebounds and 10 assists for his 24th triple-double of the season, De’Aaron Fox scored 20 points and the Sacramento Kings routed the short-handed Raptors 123-89.

Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier (2) drives against Cleveland Cavaliers forward Marcus Morris Sr. (24) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, March 20, 2024, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane)

Terry Rozier’s go-ahead 3-pointer with 14.5 seconds left helps the Heat beat the Cavaliers 107-104

Terry Rozier scored nine points in the final 1:24, including the go-ahead 3-pointer with 14.5 seconds on the clock, lifting the Miami Heat to a 107-104 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Indiana Pacers forward Aaron Nesmith (23) is defended by Detroit Pistons center Jalen Duren during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, March 20, 2024, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)

Siakam, Haliburton combine for 45 points as Pacers rout short-handed Pistons 122-103

Pascal Siakam had 25 points and eight rebounds, Tyrese Haliburton added 20 points and nine assists and the Indiana Pacers routed the short-handed Detroit Pistons 122-103 on Wednesday night.

Cleveland Cavaliers coach J.B. Bickerstaff yells at an official during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Houston Rockets Saturday, March 16, 2024, in Houston. The Rockets won 117-103. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

Cavs coach Bickerstaff says he received threats from gamblers, feels sports betting ‘gone too far’

Cleveland Cavaliers coach J.B. Bickerstaff revealed he received threats from gamblers last season and reported it to the NBA.

Philadelphia 76ers' Tobias Harris tries to stop Milwaukee Bucks' Giannis Antetokounmpo during the second half of an NBA basketball game Thursday, March 14, 2024, in Milwaukee. The Bucks won 114-105. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)

Antetokounmpo to miss second straight game when Bucks face Celtics on Wednesday

Giannis Antetokounmpo will miss his second straight game Wednesday night when the Milwaukee Bucks visit the NBA-leading Boston Celtics.

FILE - Charlotte Hornets guard Isaiah Thomas smiles during warm ups at an NBA basketball game against the Washington Wizards on Sunday, April 10, 2022, in Charlotte, N.C. The Phoenix Suns have signed two-time All-Star guard Isaiah Thomas to a 10-day contract. The Suns, who announced the contract on Wednesday, March 20, 2024, are searching for some scoring punch off the bench as they make their postseason push. (AP Photo/Rusty Jones, File)

Phoenix Suns sign 2-time All-Star Isaiah Thomas to 10-day contract

The Phoenix Suns have signed two-time All-Star guard Isaiah Thomas to a 10-day contract. The 35-year-old hasn’t played in the NBA since 2022 but recently appeared in four games with the Salt Lake City Stars in the NBA G League, averaging 32.5 points per game.

New Orleans puts road win streak on the line against Orlando

New Orleans will try to keep its four-game road win streak alive when the Pelicans face Orlando. The teams match up Thursday for the first time this season.

Houston hosts Chicago after Green’s 42-point game

Houston takes on the Chicago Bulls after Jalen Green scored 42 points in the Houston Rockets’ 137-114 win over the Washington Wizards.

New York puts road win streak on the line against Denver

New York enters a matchup with Denver after winning five games in a row on the road. Thursday’s game is the second meeting of the season between the two teams.

Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic walks across the court during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Minnesota Timberwolves, Tuesday, March 19, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)

Jokic’s 35 points pace Nuggets in 115-112 win over short-handed Timberwolves after tight finish

Nikola Jokic had 35 points and 16 rebounds and Michael Porter Jr. scored 13 of his 26 points in the fourth quarter as the Denver Nuggets fended off the undermanned and undersized Minnesota Timberwolves 115-112.

Brooklyn Nets' Dennis Schroder, left, grabs New Orleans Pelicans' Jonas Valanciunas, who attempts to pass the ball during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Tuesday, March 19, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Bebeto Matthews)

Zion Williamson has high-flying slam, leads Pelicans past Nets 104-91

BROOKLYN, N.Y. (AP) — Zion Williamson scored 28 points and wowed the Barclays Center crowd with a high-flying alley-oop dunk, and New Orleans beat Brooklyn.

Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic, left, and Dallas Mavericks guard Kyrie Irving, right, celebrate their win over the San Antonio Spurs in an NBA basketball game in San Antonio, Tuesday, March 19, 2024. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

Kyrie Irving, Luka Doncic lead Mavericks past Spurs 113-107 to sweep season series

Kyrie Irving scored 28 points, Luka Doncic had 18 points, 16 assists and 10 rebounds, and the Dallas Mavericks held off the San Antonio Spurs 113-107.

New Orleans Pelicans' Zion Williamson, center, drives to the basket between Brooklyn Nets defenders Mikal Bridges, left, and Day'Ron Sharpe during the second half of an NBA basketball game Tuesday, March 19, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Bebeto Matthews)

Zion Williamson has high-flying slam, leads Pelicans past Nets 104-91

Zion Williamson scored 28 points and wowed the Barclays Center crowd with a high-flying alley-oop dunk, and the New Orleans Pelicans beat the Brooklyn Nets 104-91.

Washington Wizards forward Anthony Gill, left, fouls Houston Rockets guard Jalen Green during the first half of an NBA basketball game Tuesday, March 19, 2024, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

Jalen Green’s 42 points lift the Rockets to their 6th straight win, 137-114 over the Wizards

Jalen Green tied a career high with 42 points, and the Houston Rockets closed the third quarter on a 25-6 run en route to their sixth straight victory, 137-114 over the Washington Wizards.

Orlando Magic guard Gary Harris (14) is defended by Charlotte Hornets guard Tre Mann (23) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Tuesday, March 19, 2024, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)

Surging Magic clinch at least a play-in spot with 112-92 win over Hornets

Cole Anthony scored 17 of his 21 points in the second quarter and the Orlando Magic routed the Charlotte Hornets 112-92 on Tuesday night to clinch at least a play-in berth in the Eastern Conference playoffs.

Minnesota Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert (27) talks with referee Natalie Sago (9) after being called for a technical foul in the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Cleveland Cavaliers, Friday, March 8, 2024, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)

Timberwolves missing top 3 big men vs. Nuggets with Reid’s head injury

The Minnesota Timberwolves were without their top three big men for a key matchup with the Denver Nuggets.

Los Angeles Lakers forwards LeBron James, left, and Anthony Davis, right, sit on the bench before an NBA basketball game against the Minnesota Timberwolves in Los Angeles, Sunday, March 10, 2024. (AP Photo/Eric Thayer)

Christian Wood has arthroscopic knee surgery in Los Angeles Lakers’ latest injury setback

Lakers big man Christian Wood had arthroscopic surgery on his left knee in the latest injury setback for Los Angeles’ depth players.

Houston Rockets' Jabari Smith Jr., left, knocks the ball away from Cleveland Cavaliers' Donovan Mitchell (45) during the second half of an NBA basketball game Saturday, March 16, 2024, in Houston. The Rockets won 117-103. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

Cavs All-Star G Donovan Mitchell has broken nose fixed, team’s leading scorer could be out for week

Cavaliers All-Star guard Donovan Mitchell could miss at least another week after breaking his nose in Cleveland’s loss at Houston last weekend.

Today in Sports - LeBron James, 20, becomes the youngest player to score 50 points in an NBA game

Today in Sports, March 20 - LeBron James, 20, becomes the youngest player to score 50 points in an NBA game

Atlanta Hawks guard Dejounte Murray (5) goes in for a shot as New Orleans Pelicans forward Herbert Jones (5) defends during the second half of an NBA basketball game Sunday, March 10, 2024, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)

NBA teams on the defensive as scoring goes slightly down after All-Star break

Contrary to popular belief, there has been some defense played in the NBA this season. It’s been on display even more out of the All-Star break and on the heels of that record-setting 211-186 All-Star Game when guarding anyone wasn’t remotely part of the game plan.

Golden State faces Memphis, looks to break home skid

Golden State enters a matchup with Memphis as losers of three straight home games. The teams meet Wednesday for the third time this season.

Utah plays Oklahoma City on 7-game road skid

Utah heads into a matchup with Oklahoma City as losers of seven road games in a row. Wednesday’s game will be the fourth meeting of the season between the two teams.

Indiana takes on Detroit, aims for 4th straight road win

Indiana heads into a matchup with Detroit after winning three games in a row on the road. Wednesday’s game will be the fourth meeting this season between the two teams.

Philadelphia travels to Phoenix for non-conference matchup

Phoenix faces Philadelphia in out-of-conference action. Wednesday’s meeting will be the second of the season between the two teams.

Toronto takes on Sacramento, aims to end 7-game slide

Toronto will try to stop its seven-game slide when the Toronto Raptors take on Sacramento. Wednesday’s meeting will be the second of the season between the two teams.

Timberwolves face the Nuggets on 3-game win streak

Minnesota looks to prolong its three-game win streak with a victory against Denver. Tuesday’s game is the second meeting this season between the two teams.

Cleveland faces conference foe Miami

Miami plays Cleveland for an Eastern Conference matchup Wednesday. Wednesday’s meeting will be the third of the season between the two teams.

Portland faces Los Angeles, aims to halt 3-game slide

Portland aims to stop its three-game skid when the Portland Trail Blazers play Los Angeles. Wednesday’s game will be the third meeting this season between the two teams.