28.12.2023
Houston Rockets 113 - 129 Phoenix Suns
Kevin Durant recorded his 18th career triple-double with 27 points, 10 rebounds, and a career-high 16 assists as the Phoenix Suns defeated the Houston Rockets 129-113 to end a three-game losing streak. Eric Gordon also scored 27 points in his return to Houston, leading the Suns to a 73-55 halftime lead. Alperen Sengun led the Rockets with 24 points, but it wasn't enough to overcome the strong performance from Durant and the Suns. Phoenix shot 76% in the second quarter to maintain a comfortable lead, and Durant was involved in 10 of their 16 baskets during that stretch. Kevin Durant's impressive performance and the Suns' dominant shooting propelled them to a much-needed win on the road.
Orlando Magic 92 - 112 Philadelphia 76ers
MAXEY, HARRIS, and MELTON led the 76ers to a 112-92 victory over the Magic without Joel Embiid, with Maxey scoring 23 points and Harris and Melton adding 22 each. Paul Reed stepped up with 15 points and 10 rebounds while starting at center for Embiid. Despite Franz Wagner's 24 points for Orlando, the Magic struggled from behind the arc, shooting only 9 for 33. The 76ers took control in the second half, holding off a few Magic runs to secure the win. The victory marked Philadelphia's ninth win in their past 11 games, showing their ability to adapt without their star player.
Oklahoma City Thunder 129 - 120 New York Knicks
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams led the Thunder to a 129-120 victory over the Knicks, with Williams hitting clutch 3-pointers in the fourth quarter. Williams scored 17 points in the final quarter, while Gilgeous-Alexander added 36 points. Julius Randle led the Knicks with 25 points, but New York was plagued by turnovers and struggled to keep up with Oklahoma City's balanced offense. The Thunder shot well from the field and committed only four turnovers in the game. New York will face Orlando next, while the Thunder will take on Denver.
Dallas Mavericks 110 - 113 Cleveland Cavaliers
Caris LeVert scored 29 points, including a go-ahead 3-pointer late in the fourth quarter, as the Cleveland Cavaliers rallied from 20 points down to beat the Dallas Mavericks 113-110. Jarrett Allen had a double-double with 24 points and 23 rebounds, and Isaac Okoro added 22 points for the shorthanded Cavs, who are missing key players due to injuries. Luka Doncic led the Mavericks with 39 points, but he and Seth Curry struggled in the fourth quarter as Cleveland went on a 15-0 run to take the lead. The win improved the Cavaliers to 5-1 in the last six games despite missing their top players, including Donovan Mitchell, Darius Garland, and Evan Mobley.
Washington Wizards 102 - 132 Toronto Raptors
OG Anonuby and Pascal Siakam led the Toronto Raptors to a dominant 132-102 victory over the Washington Wizards, with Anonuby scoring 26 points and Siakam recording a double-double with 22 points and 11 assists. The Raptors shot over 57% from the floor and had 43 assists, falling just one shy of their franchise record. The Wizards, who fell to 5-25, struggled with rebounding and allowed more than 130 points for the 14th time this season. The win snapped a road slide for the Raptors and marked the beginning of a successful road trip for the team, while the Wizards look to bounce back against Atlanta on Friday.
Brooklyn Nets 122 - 144 Milwaukee Bucks
Giannis Antetokounmpo and Khris Middleton led the Milwaukee Bucks to a 144-122 victory over a short-handed Brooklyn Nets team, who treated the game like a preseason match. Antetokounmpo had 32 points, 10 rebounds, and eight assists, while Middleton added 27 points and 10 assists. The Nets rested three starters and barely played two others, relying on rookies and players on two-way contracts. Despite a competitive effort, the Bucks pulled away in the fourth quarter, outscoring the Nets 44-30. The victory improved the Bucks' December record to 10-2, bouncing back from a loss on Christmas Day. Rookie Jalen Wilson impressed for the Nets with 21 points and 10 rebounds. Next, the Bucks visit Cleveland, while the Nets travel to Washington.