The Heat got the kind of burst from Klay Thompson they’ve been waiting for, and it helped turn Friday into a runaway. Thompson buried five threes in the third quarter alone during Miami’s 145-125 win over the depleted Pacers, finishing with 25 points and going 7-for-12 from deep.
That scoring spree came in a game where Miami had plenty going already. Giannis Antetokounmpo powered the night with 31 points, 18 rebounds and 10 assists, while Bam Adebayo added 27 points and nine boards as the Heat won for the second straight time after opening 0-4.
Davion Mitchell also kept the offense pointed in the right direction, piling up 15 points and 11 assists for his fourth double-double in six games. Pelle Larsson chipped in 18 points without missing a shot from the field, giving Miami yet another player who can handle the ball and keep the pace moving.
Orlando got the response it wanted from Anthony Black. After a 30-point loss in Toronto on Wednesday, the Magic came back two nights later and beat the same opponent 121-114, with Black setting the tone by making fast decisions and taking open looks without overthinking them.
Black finished with 17 points, six rebounds and 10 assists against one turnover, and he knocked down three of four shots from beyond the arc. Franz Wagner was right there with him, posting 26 points and 11 assists and looking much more comfortable against Toronto’s length than he had in the previous meeting.
Scottie Barnes still did damage for Toronto, scoring 41 points. But Orlando answered from deep, making 18 threes and winning the long-range battle by 21 points. Desmond Bane hit six triples, including four in the opening quarter.
Boston’s win over Chicago had a different kind of fingerprint, with Jayson Tatum doing more than just filling up the box score. He scored 26 points in the Celtics’ 125-110 victory, while also using his screening to help Boston’s shooters find cleaner looks and keep the Bulls on edge about where the next attack was coming from.
Bulls coach Tiago Splitter knew the challenge Boston would present.
“I think Boston is one of the best teams in the league off the ball,” Splitter said. “You got to really talk on defense.”
Chicago didn’t do enough of that. Payton Pritchard came off the bench for 30 points, and Paul George added 18 points, eight assists and three steals. John Karalis noted that all three of those steals led to Boston points.
Joe Mazzulla still had a complaint of his own. After Neemias Queta gave up back-to-back offensive rebounds in the third quarter, Mazzulla sent him straight back to the bench.
In Other News...
Payton Pritchard Is Giving The Celtics More Than Just Scoring
Early in the season, Joe Mazzulla pushed Payton Pritchard to bring more to the Celtics than shot-making, and the guard has clearly taken the message to heart. In Bostons recent NBA Cup game against the Chicago Bulls, Pritchard paired his usual scoring punch with a noticeably sharper edge on the defensive end, showing the kind of activity that can help him stay on the floor in bigger moments.
Pritchard has said he wants to add more on-ball pressure and rebound better, and Mazzulla was encouraged enough by the showing to point to even more room for growth. For a Celtics team that already leans on Pritchards offense, the appeal is obvious if he can keep turning those defensive habits into something steady rather than occasional. [Read more 🡒]
Paul George Is Driving A Celtics Change That Could Matter In May
Bostons defense has looked noticeably more disruptive early on, with the ball pressure and activity level showing up in ways that go beyond the usual opening-month noise. The Celtics are getting into passing lanes, swiping at dribbles and turning stops into chances to run, a shift that has given the group a different kind of edge while also cutting down on second-chance looks at the other end.
Paul George has been right at the center of that change, bringing the kind of defensive playmaking that can swing possessions before a set offense ever gets started. His rebounding has helped finish possessions, too, and if this level of aggressiveness holds, it could give Boston a useful wrinkle when the games tighten and the margins shrink later in the season. [Read more 🡒]
Bulls Hit Another Low After Celtics Loss As Frustration Boils Over
The opening night of the 2026 NBA Cup had no shortage of eye-catching moments around the league, from Stephen Curry leading the Warriors back from a big first-quarter hole against the Lakers to Kevin Durant throwing down a highlight dunk for the Rockets. But from the Celtics' perspective, one of the cleaner results came in Chicago, where Boston handled the Bulls and kept a team already searching for answers mired in the same defensive trouble that has followed them through the start of the season.
For Chicago, the loss only deepened the sense of unease around a team that has struggled to find any traction early. The Bulls have been giving up points in bunches, and the frustration around that slide is starting to show in public. Caleb Wilson did not hide how he feels after the game, underscoring just how raw the mood has become as the Bulls try to stop the bleeding. [Read more 🡒]