NBA: Murray’s career-best 44 points propel Atlanta over Boston

Dejounte Murray led the Atlanta Hawks to a thrilling 123-122 overtime victory over the Boston Celtics with a career-high 44 points, including a game-winning jumper in the final second of overtime. Murray scored all 11 of Atlanta’s points in the extra period, helping the Hawks secure their second win over the Celtics in four days. Bogdan Bogdanovic contributed 24 points, and De’Andre Hunter added 21 points and 13 rebounds as Atlanta extended their winning streak to four games, matching their longest streak of the season. Jayson Tatum led the Celtics with 31 points and 13 rebounds, while Kristaps Porzingis and Jaylen Brown scored 20 and 18 points respectively.

In a close game, the New Orleans Pelicans managed to hold off the Milwaukee Bucks with a 107-100 victory. Zion Williamson led the Pelicans with 28 points, while CJ McCollum added 25 points to help secure the win. Jonas Valanciunas recorded his 32nd double-double of the season with 17 points and 10 rebounds, ending a drought of 11 games without a double-double. Trey Murphy III also contributed with 15 points and 11 rebounds for the Pelicans, who struggled with their three-point shooting, going just 8 of 32 from beyond the arc and shooting 39.6% overall. Giannis Antetokounmpo led the Bucks with 35 points and 14 rebounds, while Damian Lillard and Malik Beasley each scored 20 points for Milwaukee.

The game between the Hawks and Celtics was a back-and-forth battle that went into overtime, with both teams exchanging leads throughout the game. Jaylen Brown hit a go-ahead jumper with 6 seconds left in overtime to give Boston a one-point lead, but Dejounte Murray responded with a clutch jumper over Jrue Holiday to secure the victory for Atlanta. The Hawks showcased their depth with multiple players stepping up to contribute to the win, including Bogdanovic and Hunter, who provided crucial scoring and rebounding.

The Pelicans’ victory over the Bucks was a testament to their resilience and ability to execute in crunch time. Despite struggling with their three-point shooting, New Orleans managed to outlast Milwaukee with strong performances from Williamson and McCollum. Valanciunas’ presence in the paint proved pivotal for the Pelicans, as he controlled the boards and provided scoring inside. The Bucks put up a fight behind Antetokounmpo’s dominant performance, but ultimately fell short against a determined Pelicans team.

Overall, both games showcased the competitiveness and talent in the NBA, with close finishes and standout performances from key players on each team. The Hawks and Pelicans demonstrated their ability to overcome adversity and come out on top against tough opponents like the Celtics and Bucks. With the regular season winding down and the playoffs approaching, these wins will be crucial for both teams as they look to build momentum and secure their positions in the standings.