18.11.2023
Chicago Bulls 97 - 103 Orlando Magic
The Orlando Magic held the Chicago Bulls to 33 points in the first half once again, blowing a 19-point lead before coming away with a 103-97 victory. Franz Wagner scored 21 points, Jonathan Isaac added 18, and Zach LaVine led the Bulls with 35. DeMar DeRozan returned after missing a game and scored 23. The Magic led by 15 in the fourth quarter before the Bulls went on a 16-0 run to take the lead. Wagner's go-ahead three-point play and Isaac's free throws sealed the win for Orlando, who have now won two close games against the Bulls in a row.
Atlanta Hawks 116 - 126 Philadelphia 76ers
The Philadelphia 76ers defeated the Atlanta Hawks 126-116 in an NBA In-Season Tournament game, led by Joel Embiid's 32 points, seven rebounds, and eight assists. Tobias Harris added 29 points and 10 rebounds for the Sixers, who improved to 2-1 in Group A play. Despite a strong performance from Trae Young with 22 points and 13 assists, the Hawks dropped to 1-1. De'Andre Hunter was ejected in the third quarter, and the Sixers hit 27 of 28 free throws in the game. Joel Embiid played through a hip injury and led his team to victory, setting up an exciting matchup against the Brooklyn Nets next.
Washington Wizards 99 - 120 New York Knicks
The New York Knicks dominated the Washington Wizards with a final score of 120-99 in the NBA In-Season Tournament, knocking the Wizards out of contention as they dropped to 0-3 in the tournament. Jalen Brunson led the Knicks with 32 points, while Immanuel Quickley added 27. Despite Washington's efforts to cut the lead to five in the second half, the Knicks responded each time, ultimately outscoring the Wizards 31-15 in the fourth quarter. Julius Randle contributed 22 points, eight assists, and seven rebounds for New York. The Knicks improved to 1-1 in the tournament as they head to face Charlotte next, while the Wizards will host Milwaukee.
San Antonio Spurs 120 - 129 Sacramento Kings
De’Aaron Fox's season-high 43 points led the Sacramento Kings to a 129-120 victory over the San Antonio Spurs in the in-season tournament, keeping the Kings undefeated in West Group C standings. Victor Wembanyama put up 27 points for the Spurs, but it wasn't enough to overcome the Kings' strong performance. Sacramento's Domantas Sabonis added 27 points and 14 rebounds, while Zach Collins led the Spurs with 28 points. The game was a back-and-forth battle, but the Kings ultimately emerged victorious with Fox's standout performance. Sacramento will now face Dallas next, while the Spurs will host Memphis.
Utah Jazz 128 - 131 Phoenix Suns
In a high-scoring game, the Phoenix Suns defeated the Utah Jazz 131-128 with Kevin Durant scoring 38 points and Devin Booker recording a career-best 15 assists. Durant hit a crucial 3-pointer in the final seconds to secure the win, extending his streak of scoring at least 25 points to 11 games. Booker, now playing as a point guard, led the Suns' offense with his scoring and playmaking. Jordan Clarkson scored a season-high 37 points for the Jazz, but it was not enough to overcome the Suns' dynamic duo. The Suns improved to 6-6 while the Jazz dropped to 4-8 in an In-Season Tournament game.
New Orleans Pelicans 115 - 110 Denver Nuggets
In a thrilling game, the New Orleans Pelicans came out victorious over the Denver Nuggets with a final score of 115-110. Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram led the Pelicans with 26 and 21 points, respectively, helping to secure the win and advance in the NBA In-Season Tournament. Despite Nikola Jokic's impressive performance with 26 points, 18 assists, and 16 rebounds for the Nuggets, the Pelicans held on for the win, maintaining their playoff hopes and potentially winning the tournament prize of $500,000 per player. The Pelicans will now face off against the LA Clippers in their next game, while the Nuggets will visit Cleveland.
LA Clippers 106 - 100 Houston Rockets
In a thrilling game, James Harden's tiebreaking 4-point play helped the Los Angeles Clippers snap a six-game losing streak, beating the Houston Rockets 106-100 in the NBA In-Season Tournament. Harden, who finished with a season-high 24 points, hit a 3-pointer while being fouled with six seconds left to secure the win. Kawhi Leonard added 26 points and Paul George had 23 points for the Clippers, while Alperen Sengun led the Rockets with 23 points. Russell Westbrook came off the bench for the Clippers and had eight points in 17 minutes. The Clippers managed to secure their first victory in three tournament games, while the Rockets dropped to 1-1.
Portland Trail Blazers 95 - 107 Los Angeles Lakers
In an In-Season Tournament matchup, the Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Portland Trail Blazers 107-95 with LeBron James scoring 35 points and dishing out nine assists, while Anthony Davis added 16 points and 14 rebounds. The Lakers are now 3-0 in Group A, the only undefeated team in the Western Conference in the tournament. Portland, on the other hand, fell to 1-2 and were eliminated from a shot at winning their group. Despite injuries and a rebuilding phase, the Blazers are still working on finding their groove. The Lakers will face the Houston Rockets next, while the Trail Blazers will take on the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Toronto Raptors 105 - 108 Boston Celtics
In a close game, Derrick White hit a tiebreaking 3-pointer with less than 30 seconds on the clock to lead the Boston Celtics to a 108-105 victory over the Toronto Raptors in an NBA In-Season Tournament game. Jaylen Brown scored 23 points and Kristaps Porzingis added a double-double with 14 points and 12 rebounds for the Celtics, who have now won six straight games against Toronto. Despite slipping on the court and voicing concerns about player safety, Brown returned to the game after missing Wednesday's matchup due to a non-COVID illness. Precious Achiuwa and Scottie Barnes each scored 23 points for the Raptors, who made their tournament debut in the loss. The Celtics improved to 2-0 in tournament play and will face the Grizzlies next, while the Raptors will host the Detroit Pistons.
Charlotte Hornets 99 - 130 Milwaukee Bucks
Damian Lillard scored 27 points to lead the Milwaukee Bucks to a 130-99 victory over the Charlotte Hornets, who were led by LaMelo Ball's 37-point effort. The Bucks won by hitting 22 3-pointers, with Malik Beasley adding 20 points and six 3s. The victory keeps the Bucks unbeaten in NBA In-Season Tournament play, setting up a showdown with the Miami Heat. Giannis Antetokounmpo had 16 points, nine assists, and eight rebounds for the Bucks, while Miles Bridges returned to action for the Hornets after missing all of last season and a 10-game suspension. Ball played with a bandage covering up a tattoo that violated NBA rules.
Cleveland Cavaliers 108 - 100 Detroit Pistons
The Cleveland Cavaliers defeated the Detroit Pistons 108-100 in tournament play, with Darius Garland leading the way with a season-high 28 points. Evan Mobley and Max Strus contributed 18 points each, while Craig Porter had a career-best 12 points in just 16 minutes. The Pistons, who have lost 10 consecutive games, were led by Cade Cunningham with 20 points. The Cavaliers improved to 1-1 in East Group A, while Detroit fell to 0-3. Cleveland's strong shooting and defensive effort helped secure the win, with Garland hitting a key 3-pointer in the third quarter to put the game out of reach.