Two late NBA squeakers
Friday’s slate included a 117–112 Celtics win over the Grizzlies and a 93–92 Knicks edge past the Nets — Karl‑Anthony Towns pushed his fifth straight win in the latter (x.com). Those close results tightened late‑season seeding narratives as teams jockey for playoff positioning with weeks to go (x.com).
Jaylen Brown led Boston with 30 points, Luka Garza supplied a season‑high 22 and Payton Pritchard added 19 as key role players stepped up for the Celtics. (nba.com) Boston turned a 103–102 deficit into a closing 10‑point swing over the final 5:33 after entering the fourth quarter shooting roughly 40 percent. (nba.com) Memphis was shorthanded — the Grizzlies listed nine players on their injury report — and Tyler Burton, on a 10‑day contract, led Memphis with a career‑high 23 points. (nba.com) Karl‑Anthony Towns produced a 26‑point, 15‑rebound double‑double for the Knicks while Jalen Brunson (17) and OG Anunoby (16) supplied secondary scoring during New York’s comeback from a 13‑point first‑half hole. (espn.com) Brooklyn had a late chance when reserve guard Ben Saraf launched a 45‑footer at the buzzer that missed, extending the Nets’ struggles as an undermanned rotation tried to close out the rivalry game. (cbsnews.com) The outcomes nudged the Eastern seeding picture: Boston is listed at 47‑23 and New York at 46‑25, leaving the Celtics 1.5 games ahead for the No. 2 spot. (espn.com) On the schedule side, Boston is set to host Minnesota this Sunday, Memphis travels to Charlotte on Saturday, and the Knicks and Celtics meet again April 9 at Madison Square Garden. (nba.com) (amny.com)
