29.12.2023
Chicago Bulls 104 - 120 Indiana Pacers
TYRESE HALIBURTON HAS 20 ASSISTS AS PACERS BEAT BULLS 120-104 - Tyrese Haliburton had a career-high 20 assists without a turnover and scored 21 points to lead the Indiana Pacers to a victory over the Chicago Bulls. Haliburton became the fifth player in NBA history to achieve this feat and helped the Pacers shoot over 50% from the field. Myles Turner scored 24 points, Buddy Hield added 19, and the Pacers made 19 of 42 three-pointers in the game. Despite a strong comeback attempt by the Bulls, led by Patrick Williams with 22 points and DeMar DeRozan with 21, they ultimately fell short. The victory marked the Pacers' second straight win as they look ahead to facing New York, while the Bulls will take on Philadelphia next.
Minnesota Timberwolves 118 - 110 Dallas Mavericks
In a high-scoring matchup, Anthony Edwards led the Minnesota Timberwolves to a 118-110 victory over the Dallas Mavericks, who were without Luka Doncic. Edwards scored a season-high 44 points, while Rudy Gobert added 20 points and 11 rebounds for Minnesota. Despite missing their two leading scorers, the Mavericks put up a fight with Tim Hardaway Jr. scoring 32 points off the bench. The Timberwolves improved to 13-1 at home and have yet to lose back-to-back games this season. Both teams showcased their offensive abilities, with turnovers and three-point shooting playing key roles in the game. Doncic missed his third game of the season due to a quadriceps injury, while the Mavericks will look to bounce back against the Golden State Warriors next, and the Timberwolves will face the Los Angeles Lakers.
Los Angeles Lakers 133 - 112 Charlotte Hornets
The Los Angeles Lakers secured a 133-112 victory over the Charlotte Hornets, with LeBron James contributing 17 points and 11 assists just days before his 39th birthday. Anthony Davis added 26 points and eight rebounds, leading the Lakers to their third win in nine games. The Lakers had a stellar 41-point third quarter, with Rui Hachimura and James dominating. The victory came as a rare blowout for the Lakers, who have struggled this season. The Hornets, missing key players due to injury, are now on a nine-game losing streak. Los Angeles will face Minnesota next, while Charlotte will play Phoenix.
New Orleans Pelicans 112 - 105 Utah Jazz
In a thrilling game, the New Orleans Pelicans held off the Utah Jazz 112-105 with Brandon Ingram and Trey Murphy III hitting clutch baskets. Larry Nance Jr. returned from injury with a strong performance, and the Pelicans finally closed out a close game after losing their previous three by two points or less. Collin Sexton led the Jazz with 26 points, but it wasn't enough to overcome the Pelicans' dominance in the paint. The win snapped a two-game skid for New Orleans, who now looks to continue their momentum against the Los Angeles Lakers next.
Denver Nuggets 142 - 105 Memphis Grizzlies
Nikola Jokic was perfect from the field and free throw line, recording his 11th triple-double of the season with 26 points, 14 rebounds, and 10 assists as the Denver Nuggets defeated the Memphis Grizzlies 142-105. Jokic's near-perfect performance led the Nuggets to their highest point total of the season, while the Grizzlies played without Ja Morant who was sidelined due to illness. Denver's Jamal Murray also contributed with 23 points and nine assists, helping the team extend their winning streak to six games. The Nuggets outscored the Grizzlies in a high-scoring third quarter and ultimately secured the decisive victory.
Golden State Warriors 102 - 114 Miami Heat
In a game where the Miami Heat were missing several key players, Tyler Herro stepped up with 26 points and seven rebounds as the Heat defeated the Golden State Warriors 114-102 for their fourth straight win. Despite missing Jimmy Butler, Kyle Lowry, Caleb Martin, and Josh Richardson, Miami managed to outplay the Warriors, with Bam Adebayo and Jaime Jaquez Jr. also contributing 17 points each. Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson scored 13 points each for Golden State, who struggled with shooting throughout the game. The win marked Miami's first victory in San Francisco since November and dropped the Warriors back under .500 overall at 15-16.
Portland Trail Blazers 105 - 118 San Antonio Spurs
Victor Wembanyama led the San Antonio Spurs to a 118-105 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers with 30 points, six rebounds, six assists, and seven blocks, snapping a five-game losing streak. This marked the third time this season that Wembanyama scored 30 or more points, showcasing his talent as the No. 1 draft pick. The Spurs never trailed in the game, building a 28-point lead in the first quarter, while Portland's Malcolm Brogdon and Jerami Grant each scored 29 points in the losing effort. The Spurs shot an impressive 67% in the first quarter, while Portland struggled at 22%. The two teams will face off again on Friday night in Portland.
Boston Celtics 128 - 122 Detroit Pistons
The Boston Celtics defeated the Detroit Pistons 128-122 in overtime, sending the Pistons to a NBA record-tying 28th straight loss. Detroit opened a 21-point lead against Boston and forced overtime, but ultimately couldn't secure the win. Pistons guard Cade Cunningham scored 31 points and expressed the team's commitment to finding sustained success. Kristaps Porzingis led the Celtics with a season-high 35 points, helping Boston win its ninth game in the last 10. Despite the loss, the Pistons showed resilience and hope for future success.