17.12.2023
Cleveland Cavaliers 127 - 119 Atlanta Hawks
Jarrett Allen led the Cleveland Cavaliers to a 127-119 victory over the Atlanta Hawks with 25 points and 14 rebounds, while Donovan Mitchell recorded a career-high 13 assists. The Cavaliers were without key players Evan Mobley and Darius Garland, who are both set to undergo surgery for injuries, but the team rallied together with a next-man up mentality to snap a three-game losing streak. Trae Young had 35 points and 10 assists for the Hawks, who despite a late rally, couldn't overcome the deficit. The Cavaliers play the Houston Rockets next, while the Hawks will host the Detroit Pistons.
Portland Trail Blazers 120 - 131 Dallas Mavericks
Luka Doncic had a remarkable triple-double performance with 40 points, 12 rebounds, and 10 assists as the Dallas Mavericks defeated the Portland Trail Blazers 131-120. Doncic scored 30 points in the first half and reached his triple-double in the third quarter, showcasing his leadership and skill on the court. Tim Hardaway Jr. added 25 points for Dallas, while Anfernee Simons had 31 points for Portland. This victory for the Mavericks puts them in a strong position heading into their next game against Denver, while the Trail Blazers will look to bounce back against Golden State.
Denver Nuggets 117 - 118 Oklahoma City Thunder
In a thrilling game, the Oklahoma City Thunder edged the Denver Nuggets 118-117 with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander hitting a game-winning jumper with just a second left. Chet Holmgren had a standout performance with 17 points, 11 rebounds and a career-high nine blocks for the Thunder. Despite Nikola Jokic's 24 points and 12 assists for the Nuggets, they couldn't hold on to the lead. The Nuggets had a chance to win but the Thunder's defense sealed the victory. The win snapped the Nuggets' three-game winning streak and was only their second home loss in 12 games.
Miami Heat 118 - 116 Chicago Bulls
In a thrilling game that came down to the final seconds, Miami Heat's Jimmy Butler hit a step-back jumper at the buzzer to give his team a 118-116 victory over the Chicago Bulls. Butler finished with 28 points, while Kevin Love added 22 for the Heat. DeMar DeRozan led the Bulls with 27 points. The Heat played without key players Bam Adebayo and Tyler Herro, while the Bulls were missing Alex Caruso. Miami's win was a team effort, with key contributions from multiple players. The Heat now look ahead to facing the Minnesota Timberwolves while the Bulls will take on the Philadelphia 76ers next.
Milwaukee Bucks 146 - 114 Detroit Pistons
The Milwaukee Bucks dominated the Detroit Pistons with a final score of 146-114, handing the Pistons their 23rd consecutive loss. Damian Lillard led the Bucks with 33 points, Bobby Portis added 31, and Giannis Antetokounmpo contributed 22 points in a well-balanced offensive effort. The Pistons struggled to keep up from the start, trailing by as much as 24 points in the first quarter. This loss ties the Pistons with a few other teams for the third-longest losing streak within the same season in NBA history. The Pistons will look to end this streak when they visit the Atlanta Hawks next, while the Bucks will host the Houston Rockets.
LA Clippers 144 - 122 New York Knicks
The Los Angeles Clippers continued their winning streak with a dominant 144-122 victory over the New York Knicks, led by Kawhi Leonard's 36 points and Paul George's 25. The Clippers used a strong second quarter to take a 77-66 lead at halftime, and Leonard and George combined for 30 points in the third quarter to extend the lead. The Knicks, led by Jalen Brunson's 22 points, struggled defensively and narrowly avoided giving up their most points since 1990. Josh Primo made his debut with the Clippers, scoring two points. The Clippers will face the Indiana Pacers next, while the Knicks will take on the Los Angeles Lakers.
Minnesota Timberwolves 127 - 109 Indiana Pacers
The Minnesota Timberwolves dominated the short-handed Indiana Pacers with Karl-Anthony Towns scoring 40 points and Anthony Edwards adding 37, leading to a final score of 127-109. Towns had his highest scoring total of the season and Edwards fell just one point shy of his season-high, combining for 54 of the Wolves' first 75 points. Minnesota shot a season-high 55.8% from the field and tied with Boston for the league's best record at 19-5. Despite a balanced Indiana attack, missing top scorer Tyrese Haliburton, the Pacers lost their third game in a row. Edwards took over in the second quarter, propelling the Timberwolves to victory with a strong offensive performance. Towns commented that their defense played a significant role in the win. Jaden McDaniels left the game with a bruised tailbone, and the Pacers will face the Los Angeles Clippers next while the Timberwolves play Miami.
Golden State Warriors 124 - 120 Brooklyn Nets
The Golden State Warriors defeated the Brooklyn Nets 124-120, ending a three-game losing streak. Stephen Curry scored 37 points, including 12 straight in the fourth quarter, while Klay Thompson added 24 points with crucial 3-pointers. The Warriors played without Draymond Green, who was suspended indefinitely, but still managed to secure the victory. Cam Thomas led the Nets with 41 points, but it wasn't enough to overcome Curry's late-game heroics. Despite their struggles, the Warriors are hopeful for a turnaround and look ahead to their next game against the Portland Trail Blazers.
Sacramento Kings 125 - 104 Utah Jazz
Keegan Murray had a career night, scoring 47 points and making 12 3-pointers as the Sacramento Kings defeated the Utah Jazz 125-104. Murray's 12 3-pointers were just two shy of the NBA record, and he set a franchise record with 26 points in the third quarter. Domantas Sabonis added 20 points, 10 rebounds, and eight assists for the Kings, who shot 22 of 45 from beyond the arc. The Jazz were led by Colin Sexton's 28 points. Sacramento outscored Utah 44-26 in the third quarter to take control of the game. Murray's performance impressed both coaches, with Kings coach Mike Brown praising his work ethic and skill set. The Jazz will host Brooklyn next, while the Kings will host Washington in their next game.
Charlotte Hornets 82 - 135 Philadelphia 76ers
In a historic game, Joel Embiid scored 42 points as the Philadelphia 76ers handed the Charlotte Hornets their worst loss in franchise history with a final score of 135-82. The Hornets were without five key players, including top scorer Terry Rozier who left the game in the third quarter with a nose injury. Embiid dominated the game, scoring 18 points in the first quarter alone, while Tyrese Maxey added 21 points for the 76ers. The 53-point drubbing surpassed the Hornets' previous largest loss and Embiid left the game to chants of "MVP." With a tough schedule ahead, the Hornets are looking to get their players back, while the 76ers have an easier schedule coming up.