16.12.2023
Toronto Raptors 104 - 125 Atlanta Hawks
Trae Young scored 38 points and the Atlanta Hawks defeated the Toronto Raptors 125-104 to end their five-game losing streak. Clint Capela had a season-high 18 points and 15 rebounds, while Dejounte Murray added 17 points. Atlanta dominated on the boards, outrebounding Toronto 55-32 and finishing with a 24-3 advantage in second-chance points. Bogdan Bogdanovic scored 20 points and extended his streak of games with at least two 3-pointers to a franchise-record 19. The Raptors were led by Scottie Barnes with 23 points. The Hawks now look to continue their winning ways against Cleveland, while the Raptors will host Charlotte next.
Charlotte Hornets 107 - 112 New Orleans Pelicans
The New Orleans Pelicans held on to beat the short-handed Charlotte Hornets 112-107, with Jonas Valanciunas scoring a season-high 29 points and grabbing 13 rebounds. Zion Williamson added 21 points in his return, while Terry Rozier led the Hornets with 30 points. C.J. McCollum scored 13 of his 19 points in the fourth quarter to help seal the win for the Pelicans. The Hornets were without key players due to injuries, and struggled to contain Valanciunas inside. Despite a late surge from the Hornets, the Pelicans managed to hold on for their third straight win.
Philadelphia 76ers 124 - 92 Detroit Pistons
The Philadelphia 76ers defeated the Detroit Pistons 124-92, handing them a franchise-record 22nd straight loss. Joel Embiid scored 35 points and recorded his ninth straight double-double, breaking Wilt Chamberlain's franchise record. The Pistons turned the ball over 21 times, and tension between the teams stemming from a previous game led to technical fouls. The victory marks the Sixers' fifth straight win as they continue to dominate in the NBA.
San Antonio Spurs 129 - 115 Los Angeles Lakers
The San Antonio Spurs ended an 18-game losing streak by defeating the Los Angeles Lakers 129-115, with Devin Vassell scoring a career-high 36 points and Victor Wembanyama contributing 13 points and 15 rebounds. LeBron James returned for the Lakers after missing a game with a bruised calf, but Anthony Davis sat out with a hip injury. Keldon Johnson and Zach Collins also had strong performances for the Spurs in this much-needed victory. Despite the Lakers' efforts to rally, the Spurs' strong defense and improved offense helped secure the win. It was San Antonio's first victory since early November and a special moment for the team as they celebrated breaking their losing streak.
Washington Wizards 137 - 123 Indiana Pacers
The Washington Wizards snapped a six-game losing streak with a commanding 137-123 victory over the Indiana Pacers. Kyle Kuzma scored 31 points, Jordan Poole added 30, and Tyus Jones had his second career triple-double with 13 points, 11 assists, and 10 rebounds. The Wizards dominated the Pacers in the second quarter, outscoring them 39-18, and finished the game shooting 57% from the field. Rookie Bilal Coulibaly impressed with 17 points, and the Pacers struggled offensively, shooting just 45% from the field. Tyrese Haliburton left the game with a knee contusion, and Indiana will face Minnesota next, while Washington will play Phoenix.
Memphis Grizzlies 96 - 103 Houston Rockets
In a thrilling game that saw Dillon Brooks score 24 of his 26 points in the second half, the Houston Rockets rallied from an early double-digit deficit to defeat the Memphis Grizzlies 103-96. Brooks, who was playing his first game back in Memphis after being traded in the offseason, hit a key 3-pointer late in the game and sealed the victory with a steal. Fred VanVleet added 16 points and eight assists for Houston, while Desmond Bane led Memphis with 28 points and a career-high 13 rebounds. The Rockets have now won five straight games, while the Grizzlies dropped to 1-10 at home. Both teams will look to bounce back in their next games, with the Rockets playing in Milwaukee on Sunday and the Grizzlies traveling to Oklahoma City on Monday.
Phoenix Suns 122 - 139 New York Knicks
In a career night, Jalen Brunson scored a career-high 50 points while hitting all nine of his 3-point attempts to lead the New York Knicks to a 139-122 victory over the Phoenix Suns. The Suns lost star guard Bradley Beal to an ankle injury in the first quarter, and despite a strong performance from Kevin Durant, they couldn't stop Brunson's hot shooting. Julius Randle added 23 points for the Knicks, who pulled away in the final minutes to secure the win. Shawn Marion was also honored with a place in the Suns' Ring of Honor after the game. The Knicks will face the Los Angeles Clippers next, while the Suns will host the Washington Wizards.
Boston Celtics 128 - 111 Orlando Magic
The Boston Celtics beat the Orlando Magic 128-111 in a game where they were missing their top three big men. Jayson Tatum led with 30 points, while Payton Pritchard added 21 off the bench. The Celtics remained unbeaten at home this season, winning their 13th straight game in Boston. Despite missing key players, they outscored the Magic's bench 47-28 and showed resilience by adapting their game to their circumstances. The victory showcased the depth of the Celtics' roster and their ability to maintain a winning streak at home. Jalen Suggs scored 19 points for the Magic, who will face the Celtics again on Sunday in Boston.