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NBA highlights on March 24: Warriors have a 'Poole Party' at home
Updated 18:43, 25-Mar-2023
Li Xiang
Jordan Poole (C) of the Golden State Warriors penetrates in the game against the Philadelphia 76ers at the Chase Center in San Francisco, California, March 24, 2023. /CFP
Jordan Poole (C) of the Golden State Warriors penetrates in the game against the Philadelphia 76ers at the Chase Center in San Francisco, California, March 24, 2023. /CFP

Jordan Poole (C) of the Golden State Warriors penetrates in the game against the Philadelphia 76ers at the Chase Center in San Francisco, California, March 24, 2023. /CFP

The Golden State Warriors defeated the Philadelphia 76ers 120-112 at the Chase Center in San Francisco, California, on Friday, securing their third straight win.

As the best-performing Warrior, Jordan Poole dropped a team-high 33 points, including 19 in the fourth quarter that enabled his side to launch a 41-24 rally. He and Klay Thompson both drained six triples. Poole also matched Stephen Curry in both free throw attempts and makes (7-for-8). The Warriors wouldn't have come back from an 11-point deficit (90-79) in the fourth period.

Poole's incredible performance made a flagrant contrast with the work of Tyrese Maxey. Though Poole came off the bench and Maxey was in the 76ers' starting lineup, the two had similar duties in Friday's competition, which was to ease off the offensive load of their leader, Curry and Joel Embiid.

Donte DiVincenzo (C) of the Golden State Warriors tries to steal the ball from Tyrese Maxey (#0) of the Philadelphia 76ers in the game at the Chase Center in San Francisco, California, March 24, 2023. /CFP
Donte DiVincenzo (C) of the Golden State Warriors tries to steal the ball from Tyrese Maxey (#0) of the Philadelphia 76ers in the game at the Chase Center in San Francisco, California, March 24, 2023. /CFP

Donte DiVincenzo (C) of the Golden State Warriors tries to steal the ball from Tyrese Maxey (#0) of the Philadelphia 76ers in the game at the Chase Center in San Francisco, California, March 24, 2023. /CFP

Maxey had 21 points, four rebounds and five assists, but his performance in the final quarter was nothing but disappointing as he missed five of his six field goals (FGs) to get only three points. The 76ers counted on him to carry their offense when Embiid was too tired to do much, but Maxey failed to meet the team's expectations.

Despite the loss, Embiid continued to play like an NBA Most Valuable Player (MVP) caliber with 46 points, nine rebounds and eight assists on Friday night. He didn't shoot well from downtown (1-for-5), but went 12-for-18 within the 3-point line and 19-for-22 at the free-throw line.

The Warriors had no one to match Embiid's size. When Kevon Looney was on the court, he worked hard to keep Embiid from receiving the ball in the low block and to slow him down for Daymond Green to join and trap Embiid. However, Embiid still had the solution to the defense of the Warriors. He could pull up and make shots in the middle range or draw fouls even though he faced two defenders.

Joel Embiid (#21) of the Philadelphia 76ers shoots in the game against the Golden State Warriors at the Chase Center in San Francisco, California, March 24, 2023. /CFP
Joel Embiid (#21) of the Philadelphia 76ers shoots in the game against the Golden State Warriors at the Chase Center in San Francisco, California, March 24, 2023. /CFP

Joel Embiid (#21) of the Philadelphia 76ers shoots in the game against the Golden State Warriors at the Chase Center in San Francisco, California, March 24, 2023. /CFP

When Looney rested on the bench, Embiid was set free and dominated the Warriors' paint completely. Green is a better defender than Looney, but he is undersized in front of Embiid and his best role in playing such defense is to provide help defense, not tussling Embiid with futile efforts.

Embiid did surprisingly well in dishing out to open shooters at the 3-point line in response to the Warriors' trapping in Friday's game. He only committed three turnovers while generating eight assists. The only thing that could stop him was exhaustion because he carried his 2.13-meter-tall, 127-kilogram-heavy body all over the floor for nearly 38 minutes. He often had to launch attacks from high positions because no James Harden was feeding him the ball. Defensively, Embiid closed out on many occasions to double-team Curry.

Stephen Curry (#30) of the Golden State Warriors drives toward the rim in the game against the Philadelphia 76ers at the Chase Center in San Francisco, California, March 24, 2023. /CFP
Stephen Curry (#30) of the Golden State Warriors drives toward the rim in the game against the Philadelphia 76ers at the Chase Center in San Francisco, California, March 24, 2023. /CFP

Stephen Curry (#30) of the Golden State Warriors drives toward the rim in the game against the Philadelphia 76ers at the Chase Center in San Francisco, California, March 24, 2023. /CFP

Curry didn't share the 3-point shooting touch of Poole or Thompson on Friday, but he made eight of his 11 attempts within the 3-point line, including going 6-for-7 in the paint. His presence on the court was why other Warriors didn't have to face heavy defensive pressure in the game.

Other games on Friday (away teams come first):

Luke Kennard (#10) and Desmond Bane of the Memphis Grizzlies slap hands with each other in the game against the Houston Rockets at the FedExForum in Memphis, Tennessee, March 24, 2023. /CFP
Luke Kennard (#10) and Desmond Bane of the Memphis Grizzlies slap hands with each other in the game against the Houston Rockets at the FedExForum in Memphis, Tennessee, March 24, 2023. /CFP

Luke Kennard (#10) and Desmond Bane of the Memphis Grizzlies slap hands with each other in the game against the Houston Rockets at the FedExForum in Memphis, Tennessee, March 24, 2023. /CFP

Houston Rockets 114-151 Memphis grizzlies

The Grizzlies turned Friday's competition into a long-gone conclusion early by leading 83-52 in the first half at the FedEx Forum in Memphis, Tennessee. Luke Kennard scored court-high 30 points off the bench for the home team after shooting 10-for-11 behind the arc, setting a new franchise record from triple makes and becoming the second player in NBA history to drain at least 10 triples without making any 2-point shot.

Having extended their winning streak to five games, the Grizzlies solidified their position as the second in the Western Conference. They are currently two games above the following Sacramento Kings when the regular season is nine games from ending. In that way, they will enjoy home court advantage in the playoffs until they meet the leading Denver Nuggets.

Giannis Antetokounmpo (#34) of the Milwaukee Bucks drives toward the rim in the game against the Utah Jazz at Vivint Arena in Salt Lake City, Utah, March 24, 2023. /CFP
Giannis Antetokounmpo (#34) of the Milwaukee Bucks drives toward the rim in the game against the Utah Jazz at Vivint Arena in Salt Lake City, Utah, March 24, 2023. /CFP

Giannis Antetokounmpo (#34) of the Milwaukee Bucks drives toward the rim in the game against the Utah Jazz at Vivint Arena in Salt Lake City, Utah, March 24, 2023. /CFP

Milwaukee Bucks 144-116 Utah Jazz

The Bucks dominated Vivint Arena in Salt Lake City, Utah, on Friday night as they shattered the Jazz's defense with 22 triples. Grayson Allen, Pat Connaughton and Jrue Holiday combined to go 15-for-24 from deep for the Bucks. Giannis Antetokounmpo dominated the opponents' paint by making eight of his 10 attempts under the hoop to contribute a double-double of 24 points and 11 assists.

Having lost two consecutive games, the Jazz are currently 12th in the West and half a game behind the play-in tournament zone. The team doesn't seem as motivated as their competitors for the play-in tournament qualification. They have been giving young players that many haven't heard much about chances to play in the past months. So far, only Walker Kessler seems a reliable piece for the future.

Anthony Davis (C) of the Los Angeles Lakers dunks in the game against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, California, March 24, 2023. /CFP
Anthony Davis (C) of the Los Angeles Lakers dunks in the game against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, California, March 24, 2023. /CFP

Anthony Davis (C) of the Los Angeles Lakers dunks in the game against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, California, March 24, 2023. /CFP

Oklahoma City Thunder 111-116 Los Angeles Lakers

The Lakers have reached the winning percentage of .500 for the first time this season after beating the Thunder at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, California, on Friday. Anthony Davis had a dominant double-double of 37 points and 15 rebounds for the purple and gold. Dennis Schroder took over the load from him the fourth quarter in which he shot 5-for-7 from the field to get 13 points.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Josh Giddey combined to drop 54 points, 22 rebounds and 15 assists for the Thunder, but their efforts failed to drag the team back from the 16-point deficit (41-25) they suffered in the first quarter. The team is currently 10th in the West and have less and less room for mistakes in the rest of the regular season, if they still want to appear in the postseason.

Indiana Pacers 95-120 Boston Celtics

San Antonio Spurs 124-136 Washington Wizards

Detroit Pistons 97-118 Toronto Raptors

Charlotte Hornets 117-109 Dallas Mavericks

Chicago Bulls 124-96 Portland Trail Blazers

Phoenix Suns 127-135 Sacramento Kings

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