Atlanta relentless against Orlando 
The Hawks kept the run alive. Atlanta beat Orlando 124-112 on Monday to register their 10th straight victory. Nickeil Alexander-Walker exploded for a career night — 41 points, drilling 9-of-15 from deep. He also grabbed seven rebounds and handed out five assists. This is the hottest streak in the league right now. The loss ends Orlando’s seven-game run. Since the All-Star break the Hawks are 11-1. They’ve climbed level with the Philadelphia 76ers for the eighth seed in the Eastern Conference. Jalen Johnson posted another triple-double with 24 points, 15 boards and 13 assists. For the Magic, Paolo Banchero had 18 points and 10 rebounds, while Desmond Bane and Wendell Carter Jr added 18 and 17 respectively.
Lakers win in Texas 
The Lakers stole a road win. The Lakers beat the Rockets 100-92 in Houston. Luka Doncic finished as the game’s top scorer with 36 points. LeBron James put up 18 points, five rebounds and five assists. The Lakers solidified third place in the Western Conference and moved a game-and-a-half clear of Houston. The hosts still led 88-85 late. Jabari Smith Jr kept Houston in it with 22 points and eight boards, then the offense collapsed. L.A.’s defense zeroed in on Kevin Durant, throwing constant doubles at him. He turned it over seven times and finished with 18 points. Houston managed just 12 points in the fourth quarter.
San Antonio keeps climbing 
The Spurs won in California. San Antonio edged the Clippers 119-115 in Inglewood. Victor Wembanyama had 21 points and 13 rebounds. Stephon Castle ran the show with 23 points and eight assists. Devin Vassell and De’Aaron Fox chipped in 20 and 18 points. Since early February San Antonio has the best record in the NBA at 18-2. The game swung in the second quarter — the Spurs blew it open with a 37-15 quarter. The Clippers were without Kawhi Leonard after he sprained his left ankle Saturday against Sacramento. Darius Garland led L.A. with 25 points and 10 assists. Jordan Miller matched his career-best with 22 points and nine boards.
Portland cruise in Brooklyn 
The Trail Blazers controlled the game from the jump. Portland beat the Nets 114-95 in New York, never letting up. Deni Avdija and Toumani Camara finished with 18 points apiece; Camara was a tidy 7-for-9 from the floor. Scoot Henderson gave a spark off the bench with 16 points. Donovan Clingan notched his 29th double-double of the season with 14 and 11. Kris Murray and Jerami Grant added 14 and 12. Brooklyn were missing top scorer Michael Porter Jr due to an ankle issue. Rookie Chaney Johnson led the Nets with 17 points. Tyson Etienne and Ben Saraf chipped in 15 each.
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