Knicks 121, Hawks 105

Karl-Anthony Towns had 30 points and 11 rebounds, and hot-shooting New York took command with 40 points in the second period and beat Atlanta.

OG Anunoby scored 24 points and Mikal Bridges added 20 for the Knicks, who solidified their hold on third place in the Eastern Conference. The Knicks made 15 of 29 3-pointers and overall were good on 53.6% of their shots from the field (45 of 84).

Trae Young scored 16 points for Atlanta while setting the team record for assists in a season. The Hawks are now locked into the play-in tournament, with the Milwaukee Bucks clinching a playoff spot after Atlanta’s third straight loss and fifth in six games.

All-Star point guard Jalen Brunson, who practiced with the Knicks on Friday for the first time since spraining his right ankle on March 6, missed his 15th consecutive game. He participated in pregame warmups.

“He’s very close,” coach Tom Thibodeau said before the game. “When he’s ready, we’ll know.”

The Knicks outscored Atlanta 40-22 in the second quarter to lead 78-53 at halftime. Young had nine assists and passed Doc Rivers’ team record of 823 assists in the 1986-87 season. Young leads the NBA with 11.6 assists per game.

Grizzlies 109, Pistons 103

Desmond Bane scored 38 points, Zach Edey had a career-high 21 rebounds and Memphis held off Detroit.

Ja Morant was a late scratch for the Grizzlies, who had lost seven of nine, because of an illness. Jaren Jackson had 27 points and 11 rebounds.

Cade Cunningham, returning after missing six games with a calf strain, had 25 points and nine rebounds for the Pistons, who have lost three of four. Ausar Thompson added 18 points and 11 rebounds.

Detroit trailed 91-85 when center Isaiah Stewart sat with five fouls.

With Detroit’s usual starter, Jalen Duren, missing the game with an injury, the Pistons were forced to use 6-foot-6 Thompson against the 7-3 3/4 Edey.

The Pistons were as close as 93-91 with four minutes left, but struggled to stop the Grizzlies around the rim. Bane hit a 3-pointer to make it 104-98 with 56 seconds left and Memphis wrapped it up at free-throw line.

Memphis has beaten the Pistons nine straight times. Detroit’s last win came on May 6, 2021.

Team XX, Team XX

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