One of the biggest storylines heading into the 2018-19 season was how much longer Jimmy Butler would be a member of the Minnesota Timberwolves. The disgruntled Butler was eventually traded to the Philadelphia 76ers in November in a deal that propelled the Sixers into the upper echelon of the Eastern Conference. Saturday marked the first time that Butler returned to Minnesota as a member of the 76ers.
Philadelphia was without All-Star center Joel Embiid, who sat out in an effort to rest prior to the postseason, but they still managed to come away with a solid road win. Butler was booed heavily all night, but his team wound up on top.
Elsewhere, James Harden continued his dynamite season with his ninth 50-point game of the season. He got a triple-double in the process as well, helping the Rockets get past the Kings. Plus, in a game with big implications in the Eastern Conference playoff race, the Nets picked up a big win over the shorthanded Celtics, who rested Kyrie Irving and Al Horford.
The Celtics got a favor from the Magic, however, who continued their playoff push with a huge comeback victory over the Pacers. With the win, the Magic pulled to within half a game of the Heat for the eighth and final playoff spot in the East. Meanwhile, due to the Pacers' loss, the Celtics maintained control of the No. 4 seed, and with it homecourt advantage in the first round.
NBA schedule for Saturday, March 30
*All times Eastern
Harden gets ninth 50-point game of the season
James Harden was at it again on Saturday night. The All-Star guard recorded his ninth 50-point game of the season, and got a triple-double in the process, finishing with 50 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists in the Rockets' win over the Kings. He also made his 2,000th career 3-pointer in the game, becoming just the ninth NBA player to reach that mark.
Butler booed, but Sixers win
Jimmy Butler received plenty of expected boos on Saturday night in his return to Minnesota, but ultimately the 76ers came out with the win. Butler finished with 12 points and 13 rebounds, but shot just 4-of-17 from the floor.
Wade gets standing ovation in last trip to MSG
Dwyane Wade made his final appearance at Madison Square Garden on Saturday night, and the Knicks fans honored him with a well-deserved standing ovation. Wade finished with 16 points and seven rebounds off the bench in a big win for the Heat, who kept their slim lead over the Magic in the race for the eighth spot in the East.
Russell's big night leads Nets to important win
The Nets got a big win on Saturday night, moving closer to securing a playoff berth by beating the shorthanded Celtics by 14 points. D'Angelo Russell kept up his strong run of form, finishing with 29 points and 10 assists to lead the way. With the win, the Nets are now percentage points behind the Pistons for sixth place in the East, and a game and a half up on the ninth-place Magic.
Magic come back to beat Pacers, keep playoff hopes alive
The Magic have turned things around lately, with seven wins in their last 10 games to make an impressive late-season playoff push. Their effort continued on Saturday with a comeback victory over the Pacers. Aaron Gordon led the way for Orlando, finishing with 23 points, 10 rebounds and seven assists.
CP3 goes behind-the-back to Capela
Chris Paul put his passing skills on display against the Kings with a beautiful behind-the-back feed to Clint Capela. Driving inside, CP3 hit Capela right in stride for an easy finish.
Allen blocks shot into a wedgie
Jarrett Allen took his shot-blocking skills to new heights on Saturday against the Celtics. Rookie big man Robert Williams tried to get to the rim, but Allen had other ideas, blocking his shot into a wedgie.
SGA leads Clippers past Cavs
Clippers rookie Shai Gilgeous-Alexander hasn't gotten the attention some of the other first-year players have gotten this season, but he's having a very solid debut season in his own right. He continued it on Saturday afternoon with a strong game against the Cavaliers. Finishing with 22 points and eight assists, SGA helped the Clips get a big win in their race for playoff seeding in the West.
