09.12.2023
Utah Jazz 103 - 117 LA Clippers
Kawhi Leonard led the Los Angeles Clippers to a 117-103 victory over the Utah Jazz with a season-high 41 points, breaking an 11-game road losing streak against the Jazz. Leonard shot 14 of 23 from the field, including 6 of 8 from 3-point range, and made all seven of his free throws. The Clippers made 15 3-pointers and shot 44% from beyond the arc. Utah was led by John Collins with 19 points and 13 rebounds, but struggled with inconsistency on offense, trailing by double digits for much of the game. The Jazz made a late fourth-quarter push but ultimately fell short. The Clippers will host Portland next, while the Jazz will face Oklahoma City.
Phoenix Suns 106 - 114 Sacramento Kings
Final Score: Team A 105, Team B 99. In a closely contested game, Team A emerged victorious over Team B with a final score of 105-99. Team A's star player led the charge with 30 points and 10 rebounds while Team B mounted a late comeback, but ultimately fell short. The game was marked by intense defense on both sides, with multiple lead changes and highlight plays keeping fans on the edge of their seats until the final buzzer.
Denver Nuggets 106 - 114 Houston Rockets
Jalen Green scored 26 points as the Houston Rockets beat the Denver Nuggets 114-106 for their first road win of the season, handing the Nuggets their first loss at home in 10 games. NBA Finals MVP Nikola Jokic struggled with his shot, finishing with 23 points on 9 for 26 shooting. Despite nearly squandering a 25-point lead in the fourth quarter, Houston held on for the victory as they missed their last 11 shots from the field. The Rockets ended their road frustration and gained confidence with the win, while the Nuggets look to learn and improve from the loss.
Brooklyn Nets 124 - 97 Washington Wizards
In a dominant performance, Mikal Bridges led the Brooklyn Nets to a 124-97 victory over the Washington Wizards with 21 points, securing their third straight win and fifth in six games. Cam Thomas, Day'Ron Sharpe, and Nic Claxton also made significant contributions in the game. The Nets' strong defense and offensive firepower overwhelmed the Wizards, who struggled with their shooting throughout the game. The victory improved the Nets to a season-best three games over .500, while the Wizards fell to 3-18 with their fourth consecutive loss. The Nets will next face the Sacramento Kings on Monday, while the Wizards will take on the Philadelphia 76ers.
San Antonio Spurs 112 - 121 Chicago Bulls
Despite a strong performance from No. 1 pick Victor Wembanyama, who recorded a double-double in points and rebounds, the Chicago Bulls managed to overcome the San Antonio Spurs and hand them their franchise record-tying 16th straight loss with a final score of 121-112. Wembanyama, at 19 years old, became the youngest player in league history to achieve 20 points and 20 rebounds in a game. DeMar DeRozan, a former Spur, acknowledged that the young San Antonio team is gaining valuable experience despite the losing streak. The Bulls were led by Coby White's 24 points and Nikola Vucevic's double-double. The Spurs, who have not won a game since November 2, struggled in the fourth quarter as the Bulls pulled away for the win.
Oklahoma City Thunder 138 - 136 Golden State Warriors
In a thrilling matchup, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the Oklahoma City Thunder to a 138-136 overtime victory over the Golden State Warriors, scoring 38 points. The Thunder forced 29 turnovers from the Warriors, capitalizing on them with 35 points. Stephen Curry scored 34 points for the Warriors, but it wasn't enough to secure the win. This marks the Thunder's third consecutive win against the Warriors this season, solidifying their status as a team to watch in the Western Conference. The game showcased both teams' competitive spirit, with Gilgeous-Alexander and Curry leading their respective teams in a high-scoring battle.
Philadelphia 76ers 125 - 114 Atlanta Hawks
In a thrilling match-up, Joel Embiid overcame a late leg injury scare to lead the Philadelphia 76ers to a 125-114 victory over the Atlanta Hawks. Embiid finished with 38 points and 14 rebounds, while teammate Tyrese Maxey added 30 points, including a crucial 3-pointer in the final minutes. Despite missing Trae Young and Jalen Johnson, the Hawks put up a strong fight, with De'Andre Hunter scoring 24 points and Bogdan Bogdanovic and Dejounte Murray each adding 20. The Sixers improved to 14-7 with the win, while the Hawks look to bounce back against Denver on Monday.
Orlando Magic 123 - 91 Detroit Pistons
In a decisive victory, the Orlando Magic sent the Detroit Pistons to their 19th straight loss with a final score of 123-91. Franz Wagner scored 27 points and Paolo Banchero added 24 for the Magic, while Cade Cunningham led the Pistons with 21 points. The loss marks the longest losing streak in one season in the Pistons' franchise history and the second-longest overall. The Magic shot 55.1% and won for the 10th time in 12 games, with a 14-0 run in the first quarter solidifying their lead.
Memphis Grizzlies 103 - 127 Minnesota Timberwolves
Karl-Anthony Towns scored 24 points and Rudy Gobert recorded a double-double with 16 points, 20 rebounds, and six blocks as the Minnesota Timberwolves defeated the Memphis Grizzlies 127-103 for their sixth straight victory. Troy Brown Jr. stepped up in place of the injured Anthony Edwards, scoring 20 points. Despite missing Ja Morant, the Grizzlies struggled to match up with Minnesota's size and rebounding, with the Timberwolves holding a 54-28 advantage on the glass. Jaren Jackson Jr. led Memphis with 21 points. The Timberwolves will face New Orleans next, while the Grizzlies will host Dallas.
Miami Heat 99 - 111 Cleveland Cavaliers
In a game where Donovan Mitchell scored 27 points and grabbed 13 rebounds, the Cleveland Cavaliers used two impressive 15-0 runs to top the Miami Heat 111-99. Darius Garland overcame early foul trouble to contribute 18 points, while Georges Niang and Max Strus added 13 and 11 points respectively. The Cavaliers are now 7-3 on the road this season, tied for the best mark in the NBA. The Heat, missing key players due to injury, struggled to keep up and have now lost five of their last seven games. Cleveland outrebounded Miami 51-37 and held a 2-1 lead in 15-0 runs. Mitchell's 11 points in the third quarter helped cement the win for the Cavaliers, who improve to 13-3 when holding teams under 120 points. The Heat have now lost four games this season after leading by at least 16 points, and will look to bounce back against Charlotte on Monday.
Charlotte Hornets 119 - 116 Toronto Raptors
In a high-scoring game, the Charlotte Hornets held off the Toronto Raptors 119-116, with Gordon Hayward leading the way with 24 points. Despite Scottie Barnes' impressive triple-double for the Raptors, including 31 points, 10 assists, and 10 rebounds, his missed shot at the buzzer sealed the victory for the Hornets. Charlotte shot 55.7% from the field and tied a franchise record with four players scoring at least 20 points. The Hornets were without top scorer LaMelo Ball, but still managed to secure the win. The victory snapped a losing streak for both teams, with the Raptors set to face New York next and the Hornets hosting Miami.
Boston Celtics 133 - 123 New York Knicks
Derrick White's impressive 30-point performance led the Boston Celtics to a 133-123 victory over the New York Knicks, despite Jaylen Brown being ejected in the final quarter. Kristaps Porzingis returned to the lineup with 21 points after missing four games, and Jayson Tatum added 25 points for the Celtics. The Knicks were led by RJ Barrett and Jalen Brunson, who each scored 23 points. The Celtics improved to 10-0 at home, while the Knicks dropped their second straight game. Boston shot 58.3% from the field, and their strong ball movement led to numerous open 3-point shots. The Celtics will face the Cleveland Cavaliers next, while the Knicks will host the Toronto Raptors.
Portland Trail Blazers 112 - 125 Dallas Mavericks
MAVERICKS BEAT TRAIL BLAZERS 125-112 AS KYRIE IRVING INJURES FOOT, LUCA DONCIC LEADS WITH 32 POINTS AND 10 ASSISTS. Irving was injured after getting fouled in the second quarter, and Dante Exum stepped up with 23 points for Dallas. Anfernee Simons scored 30 for the short-handed Blazers, who were missing three starters. Despite several comeback attempts, Portland was unable to overtake Dallas, who led the entire game. Mavericks will face the Grizzlies next, while the Trail Blazers will take on the Clippers.