09.11.2023
Brooklyn Nets 100 - 93 LA Clippers
Reserve Lonnie Walker scored 21 points as the Brooklyn Nets defeated the Los Angeles Clippers 100-93, sending the Clippers to their fourth road loss. Cam Thomas scored 14 points before leaving the game with a sprained ankle, while Day'Ron Sharpe added 11 points and 10 rebounds off the bench. Paul George led the Clippers with 24 points, but the quartet of stars including Kawhi Leonard, James Harden, and Russell Westbrook struggled with their chemistry. Brooklyn snapped a two-game losing streak with the win, as Sharpe provided a crucial boost in the fourth quarter to seal the victory. The Clippers will look to bounce back on Friday against the Dallas Mavericks, while the Nets will face the Boston Celtics.
Charlotte Hornets 116 - 132 Washington Wizards
Kuzma's 33-point performance, along with strong bench play leading to a 72-23 advantage in bench points, helped the Washington Wizards snap a four-game losing streak with a 132-116 victory over the Charlotte Hornets. The Wizards made 18 3-pointers and held off a second-half rally from the Hornets, who were led by LaMelo Ball's season-high 34 points. The win gives both teams a 2-5 record as they prepare to face each other again in an NBA In-Season Tournament game on Friday night in Washington.
New York Knicks 126 - 105 San Antonio Spurs
The New York Knicks dominated the San Antonio Spurs with a final score of 126-105, led by Jalen Brunson's 25 points. The No. 1 draft pick, Victor Wembanyama, had a rough debut at Madison Square Garden, managing just one basket in the first three quarters. Despite finishing with 14 points, Wembanyama struggled with his shooting, missing all four 3-point attempts. The Knicks had a strong defensive effort on Wembanyama, with Mitchell Robinson grabbing 12 rebounds. The Spurs, who were without Devin Vassell, dropped their third straight game. Up next, the Spurs will host Minnesota, while the Knicks will host Charlotte.
Minnesota Timberwolves 122 - 101 New Orleans Pelicans
The Minnesota Timberwolves hand the short-handed New Orleans Pelicans a 122-101 loss, with Anthony Edwards scoring 26 points and dishing out a season-high eight assists. Karl-Anthony Towns added 23 points on efficient shooting, and Rudy Gobert contributed a double-double with 17 points and 20 rebounds. The Pelicans were missing Zion Williamson and CJ McCollum, leading to a struggle on offense as they shot only 38.7% from the field. Minnesota's hot shooting from deep, with 14 made 3-pointers in the first half, propelled them to victory as they maintained a strong lead throughout the game. The Timberwolves' determination to not let a big lead slip away again paid off, as they secured their fourth straight win. Edwards' strong two-way play and the team's focus on maintaining their lead were crucial in the dominant performance. Brandon Ingram led the Pelicans with 24 points, but it wasn't enough to overcome the Timberwolves' balanced attack. Minnesota will face San Antonio next, while New Orleans will take on Houston in their next matchup.
Sacramento Kings 121 - 118 Portland Trail Blazers
In a thrilling overtime game, the Sacramento Kings rallied past the Portland Trail Blazers 121-118, led by Domantas Sabonis' near triple-double of 27 points, 11 rebounds, and nine assists. Malik Monk came up clutch, scoring the Kings' final nine points in regulation and sinking two crucial free throws in overtime. Jerami Grant had a season-high 38 points for the Blazers, but it wasn't enough to overcome the Kings' resilient effort. The game also featured a matchup between twin brothers Keegan and Kris Murray, marking the first time they played against each other in the NBA. Sacramento snapped a three-game losing streak with the win and will face the Oklahoma City Thunder next, while the Blazers will continue their trip against the Lakers.
Oklahoma City Thunder 128 - 120 Cleveland Cavaliers
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 43 points to lead the Oklahoma City Thunder to a 128-120 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers. Gilgeous-Alexander, known for his mid-range game, only attempted two 3-pointers but still dominated the game. Donovan Mitchell, the NBA's leading scorer, was limited to 20 points for the Cavaliers. The Thunder capitalized on Cleveland's turnovers, scoring 30 points off of them. Gilgeous-Alexander's all-around performance, which included six assists, propelled Oklahoma City to their fifth win of the season.
Dallas Mavericks 116 - 127 Toronto Raptors
Pascal Siakam led the Toronto Raptors to a 127-116 victory over the Dallas Mavericks, finishing with 31 points and 12 rebounds. Siakam and OG Anunoby combined for all the points in an 11-0 run in the third quarter, breaking a tie and securing the win. Luka Doncic scored 31 points for the Mavericks, who were without rookie Dereck Lively II. The Raptors outrebounded the Mavericks 50-38 and scored 72 points in the paint. The win marked a two-game sweep for Toronto in Texas.
Memphis Grizzlies 102 - 108 Miami Heat
Jaime Jaquez Jr.'s late 3-pointer sealed the Miami Heat's 108-102 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies, with Bam Adebayo scoring 30 points in the win. Miami's Kyle Lowry added 17 points, 11 rebounds, and nine assists, while Memphis' Jaren Jackson Jr. led his team with 28 points. The Grizzlies remain winless at home this season, while Miami ended their road woes with their first road victory of the season. Unfortunately, the Heat lost Tyler Herro to a rolled ankle, and he is expected to be out for a couple of weeks.
Milwaukee Bucks 120 - 118 Detroit Pistons
Damian Lillard scored 34 points as the Bucks rallied to beat the Pistons 120-118, with Giannis Antetokounmpo being ejected in the third quarter after picking up his second technical foul. Cade Cunningham led the Pistons with 33 points, while Bobby Portis added 18 for the Bucks. Milwaukee was without Khris Middleton, but managed to secure the victory with a late surge. The game was close throughout, with the lead changing hands multiple times, ultimately resulting in a narrow two-point victory for the Bucks.
Denver Nuggets 108 - 105 Golden State Warriors
Nikola Jokic scored 35 points and grabbed 13 rebounds in a hard-fought victory as the Denver Nuggets held off the Golden State Warriors 108-105. Reggie Jackson added 20 points to help the Nuggets improve to an NBA-best 8-1 overall. Curry, despite scoring 23 points, was hounded all night by Kentavious Caldwell-Pope. The Nuggets were without Jamal Murray for a second straight game, while the Warriors were missing Draymond Green and Gary Payton II. Jokic's aggressiveness and Curry's long-range shooting highlighted the matchup between the former MVPs, with Denver's bench struggling to keep up with Golden State's reserves. The Nuggets will face the Houston Rockets next, while the Warriors will host the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Chicago Bulls 115 - 116 Phoenix Suns
The Phoenix Suns outlasted the Chicago Bulls 116-115 in overtime in Bradley Beal's season debut, with Jusuf Nurkic scoring the game-winning layup with 7.3 seconds left. Grayson Allen had a career-high 26 points with eight 3-pointers, Kevin Durant added 25 points, and Beal contributed 13 points after sitting out the first seven games due to injury. Chicago's Nikola Vucevic had 26 points, Zach LaVine and DeMar DeRozan each scored 22, and Alex Caruso added 19 off the bench. The Suns improve to 4-4 with their second straight win, while the Bulls fought back from an 18-point deficit to make it a contest.
Indiana Pacers 134 - 118 Utah Jazz
Aaron Nesmith led the Indiana Pacers with 24 points as they pulled away from the Utah Jazz with a 134-118 victory. The Pacers used their quick pace and 3-point shooting to draw Utah's defense away from the basket, allowing them to dominate with 74 points in the paint. The win marked the Pacers' third in four games, with six players reaching double figures, including Tyrese Haliburton with 16 points and 13 assists. Utah, without injured center Walker Kessler, fell to 0-5 on the road despite Jordan Clarkson's season-high 33 points. Indiana's dominant performance was fueled by Myles Turner's 22 points and Jalen Smith's double-double.
Philadelphia 76ers 106 - 103 Boston Celtics
In a highly anticipated game between the Philadelphia 76ers and the Boston Celtics, Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey led the 76ers to their sixth straight win with a 106-103 victory. The 76ers, coached by Nick Nurse after a summer of upheaval, are now 6-1 and the only team with one loss in the Eastern Conference. Despite a late comeback effort by the Celtics, Kristaps Porzingis leading with 29 points, the Sixers held on for the win. This game served as an early-season measuring stick for both teams, with the 76ers proving themselves as a serious contender in the East.
Houston Rockets 128 - 94 Los Angeles Lakers
Jalen Green led the Houston Rockets to a dominating 128-94 win over the Los Angeles Lakers with 28 points in just three quarters, marking the team's fourth straight victory after starting the season with three losses. The Rockets never trailed in the game, shooting 54.8% from the field and outrebounding the Lakers 57-34. Rui Hachimura returned from injury to score 24 points off the bench for the Lakers, who were without Anthony Davis. The Rockets' strong performance has coach Ime Udoka confident in the team's progress as they look to continue their winning streak.