The Beasts of the East clinch, a (nearly) historic streak concludes, and a superstar battles injury as we recap Thursday's NBA action in the latest edition of The Morning Dunk.
Celtics Book Ticket To Postseason, Defeat Suns
Truly it was only a matter of when the Boston Celtics would lock in their spot in the 2024 playoffs, as they've reigned atop the Association since basically opening night.
A 127-112 win over the visiting Phoenix Suns at the TD Garden did just that, with Boston having now qualified for the 10th year in a row.
Jaylen Brown, who was originally listed as questionable with a left hip injury, led all scorers with 37 points on 14-of-23 shooting, while teammate Jayson Tatum added 26 points, five rebounds, and five assists.
The @Celtics (52-14) are officially the first team to clinch a spot in the 2024 NBA Playoffs ☘️ pic.twitter.com/wnuzMEBXYi
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) March 15, 2024
This was the Celtics' second win over the Suns in a little under a week, having entered this matchup as the six-point favorites.
Gafford's Streak Ends In Loss to thunder
In an historic streak which may not have garnered the mainstream coverage it warranted, Dallas Mavericks big man Daniel Gafford was two made shots away from tying the legendary Wilt Chamberlain for the most baskets made consecutively at 35.
It didn't take long during Dallas' 126-119 road loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder on Thursday for it to come to a crashing halt, though, as Gafford missed a shot around the rim off of an offensive rebound in the opening minute.
DANIEL GAFFORD MISSES A SHOT 😭
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) March 15, 2024
His streak of 33 consecutive FGs is the 2nd longest in league history behind Wilt Chamberlain's 35 pic.twitter.com/X1AHO08lRU
Dallas was without superstar Luka Doncic, who sat out with a sore left hamstring.
The Thunder's win moved them into a tie with the reigning champion Denver Nuggets for the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference with identical 46-20 records SU.
Kawhi Misses No Time, Dominates Bulls
It was easy to imagine Kawhi Leonard missing one game, at the very least, following an early exit against the Minnesota Timberwolves on Tuesday because of a back injury.
The Chicago Bulls now wish he did.
Leonard scored 27 points and grabbed five boards across 34 minutes of action as the Los Angeles Clippers went into the United Center and beat the Bulls by 15 points, 126-111.
Paul George and Kawhi Leonard led the charge in the Clippers win against the Bulls!
— NBA (@NBA) March 15, 2024
George: 28 PTS, 7 AST, 6 3PM
Leonard: 27 PTS, 5 REB, 2 3PM pic.twitter.com/hD52c376uk
Los Angeles easily covered the 6.5-point spread without James Harden in the lineup, improving to 2-4 ATS over its last six outings.
