19.12.2023
Utah Jazz 125 - 108 Brooklyn Nets
Collin Sexton and Talen Horton-Tucker each scored 27 points to lead the Utah Jazz to a 125-108 victory over the Brooklyn Nets. Sexton had his fifth straight 20-point game and made a season-high 12 free throws, while Horton-Tucker and Sexton also dished out six assists apiece. Lauri Markkanen added 20 points and 10 rebounds for the Jazz. The Nets were led by Cam Thomas with 32 points. The Nets' three-game winning streak against the Jazz was snapped, and they dropped to .500 overall after ending a tough five-game road trip. The Jazz used a 15-2 run in the third quarter to take control of the game and secure the win with a 12-0 run in the fourth quarter. Next, the Nets will host the Knicks, while the Jazz will face the Cavaliers.
Denver Nuggets 130 - 104 Dallas Mavericks
Jamal Murray led the way for the Nuggets with 22 points as they raced past the short-handed Mavericks 130-104. The Denver bench outscored the Mavericks reserves by a 62-34 margin, and the Nuggets held a 32-11 advantage in fast-break points. Luka Doncic put up 38 points and 11 rebounds for the Mavericks despite feeling under the weather. Tim Hardaway Jr. moved past his father on the league's career 3-pointers list. This game marked the first time Nikola Jokic and Markieff Morris faced off since their scuffle in 2021. The Nuggets will start a three-game road trip in Toronto, while the Mavericks will host the Clippers next.
Philadelphia 76ers 104 - 108 Chicago Bulls
Coby White scored 24 points as the Chicago Bulls snapped the Philadelphia 76ers' six-game winning streak with a 108-104 victory. Nikola Vucevic added 23 points and DeMar DeRozan had 15 for the Bulls, who have won six of their last nine. Joel Embiid had 40 points and 13 rebounds for the 76ers, but no other player scored in double figures. The Bulls overcame an early deficit and held on for the win, with DeRozan hitting key free throws in the final seconds. Chicago will face the Los Angeles Lakers next, while the 76ers will take on Minnesota.
Indiana Pacers 127 - 151 LA Clippers
The Los Angeles Clippers dominated the Indiana Pacers with a 151-127 victory, led by James Harden's season-high 35 points in the fourth quarter. Kawhi Leonard and Paul George also contributed with 28 and 27 points, respectively, as the Clippers secured their eighth straight win. The Pacers struggled defensively, allowing the Clippers to score the fourth-highest total in franchise history. Indiana's offense couldn't keep up, with Bennedict Mathurin leading the way with 34 points. Former Pacers star George continued to torment his old team with an average of 36 points in his last five games at Indiana. Pacers coach Rick Carlisle expressed frustration with his team's defensive performance, calling for potential lineup changes. Los Angeles looks to extend their streak against Dallas while Indiana will host Charlotte next.
Miami Heat 108 - 112 Minnesota Timberwolves
The Minnesota Timberwolves rallied from a 17-point deficit to beat the Miami Heat 112-108, improving their record to 20-5, tying them for the best record in the NBA. Anthony Edwards led the way with 32 points, while Karl-Anthony Towns added 18. Minnesota's defense stepped up in the second half, holding Miami to just 42 points after the break. Tyler Herro and Bam Adebayo returned from injury for the Heat, combining for 47 points. This win marked Minnesota's league-leading seventh comeback win after trailing by double digits, while it was Miami's seventh loss after leading by double figures. The Timberwolves will visit Philadelphia next, while the Heat will face Orlando.
Cleveland Cavaliers 135 - 130 Houston Rockets
Donovan Mitchell scored 37 points, leading the Cavaliers to their 11th straight overtime win, beating the Rockets 135-130. Sam Merrill had a career-high 19 points off the bench in the extra period, while Cleveland matched the second-longest OT winning streak in NBA history. Fred VanVleet had season highs of 27 points and 17 assists for the Rockets. Cavaliers are now 2-0 on a four-game homestand, despite missing Evan Mobley and Darius Garland due to injuries. Cavaliers host the Utah Jazz next, while the Rockets host the Atlanta Hawks.
Atlanta Hawks 130 - 124 Detroit Pistons
Trae Young led the Atlanta Hawks to a 130-124 victory over the Detroit Pistons, handing the Pistons their 24th straight loss. Young scored 31 points with 15 assists, extending his streak of 30-point games with at least 10 assists to four. Cade Cunningham had a career-high 43 points for the Pistons, who are two losses away from tying the NBA record for the longest losing streak in one season. The Hawks made 16-of-36 3-pointers and held off multiple comeback attempts by Detroit. The Pistons will face the Utah Jazz next, while the Hawks will play the Houston Rockets.
Los Angeles Lakers 109 - 114 New York Knicks
In a hard-fought battle, the New York Knicks held off LeBron James' 109th career triple-double to defeat the Los Angeles Lakers 114-109. Jalen Brunson was the standout performer for the Knicks with 29 points, while Julius Randle added 27 points and 14 rebounds. Despite James' 25 points, 11 assists, and 11 rebounds, the Lakers couldn't close the gap in the final minutes. The Knicks' resilience and ability to bounce back from adversity proved crucial in securing their second road win over the Lakers in 2023. With the Lakers struggling to capitalize on their opportunities, the Knicks managed to stack wins and continue moving forward.
Oklahoma City Thunder 116 - 97 Memphis Grizzlies
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 30 points in just three quarters as the Oklahoma City Thunder rolled past the Memphis Grizzlies 116-97, handing Memphis their fifth straight loss. The Thunder remained in second place in the Western Conference standings, with rookie Chet Holmgren contributing 17 points, seven blocks, and six rebounds. The Grizzlies will welcome back star point guard Ja Morant from his suspension in their next game against the New Orleans Pelicans. Despite missing key players, Memphis shot just 35.3% from the field and struggled to keep up with the Thunder's dominant performance.
Toronto Raptors 114 - 99 Charlotte Hornets
RAPTORS RALLY PAST HORNETS MISSING FOUR STARTERS, INCLUDING BRIDGES, WITH 114-99 VICTORY. Pascal Siakam led the way with 27 points, while Gary Trent Jr. recorded his first career double-double with 22 points and 10 rebounds. Miles Bridges was denied entry to Canada due to past legal issues, leaving the Hornets without key players in a fifth straight loss. Charlotte's Terry Rozier scored 22 points in the defeat, while Toronto's Scottie Barnes added 22 points and 17 rebounds. The Raptors outscored the Hornets 35-18 in the fourth quarter for the win.
Sacramento Kings 143 - 131 Washington Wizards
Domantas Sabonis recorded his 35th career triple-double with 28 points, 13 rebounds, and 12 assists to lead the Sacramento Kings to a 143-131 victory over the Washington Wizards. De’Aaron Fox added 30 points, including 12 in a 46-point third quarter for the Kings. Jordan Poole scored 28 points and Kyle Kuzma added 27 for the Wizards, but it wasn't enough as Sacramento pulled away in the second half. The Kings have now won four of their last five games and look to make back-to-back playoff appearances.