Risacher Scores 36, Cavaliers Secure 60th Victory, Timberwolves Get Home Win over Pistons After Skirmish

Sunday’s NBA slate saw 16 teams in action, with Zaccharie Risacher’s career-high 36 points leading the Atlanta Hawks to a 145-124 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks, the Cleveland Cavaliers winning game number 60 with a 127-122 home win over the Los Angeles Clippers, and the Minnesota Timberwolves defeating the Detroit Pistons at home 123-104 after a scuffle resulted in multiple ejections. 

Risacher’s career night (12-for-21, 5-for-11 from 3-point range, 6 rebounds) was complemented by Trae Young’s 19 points and 19 assists (4-for-16, 2-for-9) and Dyson Daniels’ output of 22 points (10-for-15), 9 rebounds, 6 assists, and 5 steals. With his five steals, Daniels surpassed Mookie Blaylock’s franchise record of 212 steals. 

With the win, the Hawks (36-38) are a half game up on the Orlando Magic (36-39) for the Eastern Conference’s seventh seed. 

The Bucks, 40-34 (6th) were led in the game by Giannis Antetokounmpo’s 31 points (11-for-18), 9 rebounds, and 5 assists, with Kyle Kuzma adding 25 points and 6 rebounds (8-for-17, 4-for-9 from deep). Kevin Porter Jr. was 8-for-12 off the bench (3-for-5 from deep, 9-for-9 from the line) for 28 points, 5 assists, and 4 rebounds in 23 minutes. 

In Cleveland, the Cavaliers held off a Clipper fourth quarter surge (the Cavs were outscored 34-22 in the final frame) for a 127-122 victory, their 60th of the season. 

The Cavaliers (60-15) held a 37-25 advantage after one, with the Clippers then scoring 39 in the second quarter to cut their halftime deficit to three while the Cavaliers took a 37-24 third quarter advantage. 

Jarrett Allen led the home side with 25 points (11-for-12) and 12 rebounds with Donovan Mitchell going for 24 points (9-for-19), 12 rebounds, and 7 assists. Evan Mobley scored 22 points (8-for-16, 3-for-6 from downtown) with 7 rebounds, 4 assists, and 3 blocks, and Darius Garland was just 5-for-14 but put up 19 points, 7 assists, and 4 rebounds. Isaac Okoro scored 11 points off the bench and De’Andre Hunter put up 10 off the bench. 

Norman Powell’s 34 points (13-for-24, 5-for-11) and 4 assists led the Clippers, who were playing without Kawhi Leonard. James Harden was just 7-for-18 from the field (4-for-12 from downtown) but did post a near triple-double with 24 points, 8 rebounds, and 8 assists. Bogdan Bogdanovic was 6-for-11 in 30 minutes off the bench for 16 points, and three other starters with Harden and Powell all scored in double-figures (Derrick Jones Jr. 15 points, Ivica Zubac 14 points and 13 rebounds, Kris Dunn 13 points and 5 assists). The Clippers, 42-32, are currently eighth in the Western Conference, a half game behind the Minnesota Timberwolves. 

In Minnesota, a second quarter skirmish that spilled into the baseline courtside seats resulted in five ejections (Pistons’ head coach JB Bickerstaff, Isaiah Stewart, Ron Holland II, Marcus Sasser, Timberwolves’ Naz Reid, Donte DiVincenzo, assistant coach Pablo Prigioni), with the Timberwolves able to get a comfortable 123-104 home win.

Rudy Gobert had a monstrous game on the boards (25 rebounds, 19 points), Julius Randle was 9-for-18 for 26 points with 8 rebounds and 5 assists and Anthony Edwards scored 25 points with 6 rebounds and 4 assists (9-for-19, 4-for-10 from three) to lead the Timberwolves. Mike Conley pitched in 17 points on 5-for-9. 

Without Cade Cunningham and Tobias Harris, Malik Beasley guided the Piston charge with 27 points on 8-for-18 while shooting 6-for-13 from downtown. Tim Hardaway Jr. was 5-for-14 for 20 points, with Ausar Thompson scoring 14, Jalen Duren 13 points with 11 rebounds (6-for-10) and Dennis Schroder despite going just 3-for-12 putting up 11 points and 11 assists. 

Both teams have near identical records, the Pistons (42-33) fifth in the Eastern Conference while the ‘Wolves (43-32) are seventh in the Western Conference. 

Around the League

Knicks 110 (47-27) 

Trail Blazers 93 (32-43) 

Anunoby: 28 PTS, 7 REB, 3 STL, 2 BLK (11-for-16 FG) 

Bridges: 28 points, 7 assists (12-for-22 FG) 

Avdija: 33 PTS, 7 REB, 4 AST, 3 STL (14-for-25 FG, 2-for-7 3PT) 

Sharpe: 23 PTS, 7 REB (10-for-18 FG) 

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Pelicans 98 (21-54) 

Hornets 94 (18-56) 

Keion Brooks Jr: 17 PTS, 8 REB, 3 BLK, 2 STL (7-for-12 FG) 

Reeves: 16 PTS (6-for-10 FG, 4-for-5 3PT) 

Bridges: 20 PTS, 6 REB (7-for-16 FG) 

Nurkic: 13 PTS, 12 REB, 5 AST, 3 BLK (4-for-10 FG) 

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Warriors 148 (43-31) 

Spurs 106 (31-43) 

Podziemski: 27 PTS, 6 REB, 5 AST (9-for-14 FG) 

Moody: 20 PTS (7-for-11 FG) 

Hield: 19 PTS, 5 REB, 4 AST, 3 STL (8-for-12 FG, 3-for-6 3PT) 

Johnson: 19 PTS (8-for-13 FG) Mamukelashvili: 14 PTS, 11 REB, 4 AST (6-for-10 FG) 

Malaki Branham: 13 PTS (4-for-8 FG) 

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Raptors 127 (28-47) 

76ers 109 (23-52) 

Barrett: 31 PTS, 5 REB, 5 AST (12-for-22 FG, 4-for-7 3PT) 

Walter: 17 PTS, 8 REB, 4 STL, 3 AST (5-for-11 FG, 3-for-5 3PT) 

Battle: 16 PTS, 7 REB (6-for-11 FG, 4-for-8 3PT) 

Walker IV: 23 PTS, 7 AST (10-for-18 FG, 3-for-7 3PT)

Hood-Schifino: 18 PTS, 5 AST (6-for-8 FG)  

Council IV: 17 PTS, 11 REB (6-for-15 FG) 

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Rockets 148 (49-26) 

Suns 109 (35-40) 

Green: 33 PTS (9-for-17 FG, 4-for-5 3PT, 11-for-13 FT) 

Sengun: 16 PTS, 9 REB (6-for-11 FG) 

Thompson: 12 PTS, 10 REB, 9 AST (6-for-10 FG) 

Booker: 28 PTS (12-for-17 FG) 

Durant: 11 PTS, 7 REB (5-for-11 FG, 23 MIN: INJ ankle) 

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