Emotions were high during Wednesday's slate of NBA games on a multitude of fronts. Today's edition of The Morning Dunk has everything you need to know to help you get caught up.
Warriors Triumph Despite Draymond's Early Ejection
It took all of four minutes for Draymond Green to receive a pair of technical fouls and subsequent ejection from Wednesday's festivities. Thankfully, for the Golden State Warriors, it ultimately didn't come back to bite them in the end.
Andrew Wiggins scored 13 of his 26 points in the fourth quarter and Stephen Curry buried a couple of key baskets down the stretch to lift Golden State to a 101-93 win on the road against the Orlando Magic.
Green was removed after protesting a foul call on Wiggins.
Full sequence of Draymond Green ejection pic.twitter.com/V724fbCMSk
— Alex 👋 (@Dubs408) March 27, 2024
The Warriors improve to 38-34 SU, maintaining a full one-game lead over the Houston Rockets for the 10th seed and final play-in spot in the Western Conference.
They're on the verge of becoming just the second team to ever finish the regular season with a winning record despite being below .500 at home, which they're currently 18-19.
Controversy Reigns As Clippers Escape Philadelphia
The Los Angeles Clippers were handed a gift from the basketball gods. Or, depending on your perspective, the team of officials who missed a foul call which ultimately helped decide the game.
Trailing by one on the scoreboard with just over five seconds remaining, Kelly Oubre Jr. of the Philadelphia 76ers drove to the basket and appeared to draw contact, but the referees didn't blow the whistle as Los Angeles escaped with a 108-107 win.
Afterwards, crew chief Kevin Scott admitted in a pool report that a foul should have been ruled, according to ESPN's Tim Bontemps.
Sixers coach Nick Nurse and Kelly Oubre Jr. were FURIOUS that no foul was called on the final possession 😠
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) March 28, 2024
Clippers hold on for the win.pic.twitter.com/ZXEsTn9zcp
Los Angeles avoided losing three games in a row for the first time since November and remains the fourth seed in the West with a 45-27 record SU. It failed to cover as the 6.5-point favorite, though, dropping its record to 1-6 over the last seven games.
Suns Own Mile High City In March
For the second time this month, the Phoenix Suns have knocked off the reigning champions on their home court, which isn't easy to do.
Kevin Durant scored 30 points, grabbed 13 rebounds, and blocked five shots to lead Phoenix past the Denver Nuggets at Ball Arena, 104-97. The Suns beat Denver on the road back on March 5 in overtime, as well.
KEVIN DURANT ALL-NBA DEFENDER ‼️ pic.twitter.com/SiJfDAsKjZ
— Phoenix Suns (@Suns) March 28, 2024
With the loss, Denver's lead atop the West now drops to just half a game over both the Oklahoma City Thunder and Minnesota Timberwolves.
