30.12.2023
Houston Rockets 127 - 131 Philadelphia 76ers
Tyrese Maxey's 42-point performance led the short-handed Philadelphia 76ers to a 131-127 victory over the Houston Rockets. Joel Embiid and Nicolas Batum were sidelined with injuries, but Tobias Harris contributed 22 points to help secure the win. Fred VanVleet led the Rockets with 33 points and 10 rebounds, while Jalen Green and Alperen Sengun combined for 59 points. Philadelphia made key shots down the stretch to seal the victory, with De'Anthony Melton and Marcus Morris coming up clutch. The win marked the 76ers' fourth in five games, while Houston suffered its third straight loss.
LA Clippers 117 - 106 Memphis Grizzlies
The Los Angeles Clippers closed out a successful December with a 117-106 win over the Memphis Grizzlies, led by Paul George's 23 points and James Harden's 16 points and 13 assists. The Clippers went 11-2 in December, the best record in the Western Conference for the month, and have now positioned themselves at the top of the Pacific Division with a 19-12 record. Harden, who has been stepping up in the absence of Kawhi Leonard, praised the team's progress and chemistry, emphasizing the fun of winning games. Ivica Zubac added a season-high 20 rebounds for the Clippers, while Jaren Jackson Jr. and Marcus Smart each scored 22 points for the Grizzlies. Memphis made a late rally in the fourth quarter, but the Clippers ultimately secured the victory.
Denver Nuggets 93 - 119 Oklahoma City Thunder
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 40 points, leading the Oklahoma City Thunder to a 119-93 victory over the Denver Nuggets, snapping Denver's six-game winning streak. Gilgeous-Alexander's performance included 17 points in the third quarter, while Chet Holmgren added 24 points and 10 rebounds. Nikola Jokic scored 19 points for the Nuggets, making 9 of 10 shots, but also committing seven turnovers. The Thunder led by as many as 22 points in the game, securing their third straight win. Next, the Thunder will host the Brooklyn Nets, while the Nuggets will host the Charlotte Hornets.
Boston Celtics 120 - 118 Toronto Raptors
In a thrilling game, Jaylen Brown returned from injury to score 31 points and set up Luke Kornet's tiebreaking basket as the Boston Celtics beat the Toronto Raptors 120-118. Brown, who missed the previous game due to a back injury, shot 5 of 6 from beyond the arc and grabbed 10 rebounds. Despite missing key players, the Celtics improved to 16-0 at home and have the league's best record at 25-6. Toronto's Scottie Barnes led his team with 30 points, but it wasn't enough to overcome Boston's dominant performance. The Celtics have now won all three meetings with the Raptors this season.
Cleveland Cavaliers 111 - 119 Milwaukee Bucks
Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 34 points and Damian Lillard added 31 as the Milwaukee Bucks rallied from a 15-point deficit to beat the Cleveland Cavaliers 119-111. Donovan Mitchell had 34 points for the Cavaliers, while Jarrett Allen scored a career-high 30 points. The Bucks relied on their two star players to secure the win, with Lillard scoring 24 of his points in the second half. Both teams struggled from beyond the arc, with Cleveland shooting a season-low 14%. The Bucks improved to 24-8, while the Cavaliers fell to 5-2 since losing key players to injury. The game showcased the offensive firepower of both teams, but it was the Bucks' strong defense in the second half that ultimately secured the victory.
Orlando Magic 117 - 108 New York Knicks
In a thrilling game, Franz Wagner and Paolo Banchero led the Orlando Magic to a 117-108 victory over the New York Knicks. Wagner scored 32 points and Banchero added 29 points, while Julius Randle had an impressive 38 points for the Knicks. Jalen Suggs contributed 21 points and six assists for the Magic in front of a record home crowd. Despite a late comeback attempt by the Knicks, the Magic's strong defense and rebounding ultimately secured the win. Next up, the Knicks will face the Indiana Pacers while the Magic will take on the Phoenix Suns.
Washington Wizards 110 - 104 Brooklyn Nets
The Washington Wizards secured a 110-104 victory over the Brooklyn Nets, led by Kyle Kuzma's 26 points and Deni Avdija's impressive performance with 21 points, 13 rebounds, and six assists. Kuzma scored nine crucial points in the final minutes to seal the win, ending the Wizards' three-game losing streak. Despite a strong effort from Spencer Dinwiddie and Mikal Bridges, the Nets have now lost seven games in a row. The intense game featured 13 lead changes and eight ties, with fans at Capital One Arena energized by the home team's rare victory. The Wizards will look to carry this momentum into their upcoming game against the Atlanta Hawks, while the Nets will face the Oklahoma City Thunder next.
Atlanta Hawks 110 - 117 Sacramento Kings
In a thrilling comeback, De'Aaron Fox scored 26 of his 31 points in the second half to lead the Sacramento Kings to a 117-110 win over the Atlanta Hawks. The Kings trailed by 23 points in the first quarter but rallied behind Fox's hot shooting from beyond the arc. Domantas Sabonis added 25 points and 10 rebounds for the Kings, who snapped a two-game skid. Despite Trae Young's 24 points for the Hawks, they were unable to hold onto their lead as the Kings closed the game on a 24-5 run. The Hawks have now lost four straight and 10 of their last 13 games. The Kings will look to continue their momentum as they visit the Grizzlies on Sunday, while the Hawks will face the Wizards.
Phoenix Suns 133 - 119 Charlotte Hornets
Devin Booker scored 35 points as the Phoenix Suns defeated the Charlotte Hornets 133-119, giving the Hornets their 10th straight loss. Bradley Beal returned to the court and contributed significantly with seven assists, six points, and three rebounds. Kevin Durant added 21 points and 11 assists, while Jusuf Nurkic had 24 points and 16 rebounds for the Suns. Terry Rozier led the Hornets with 42 points, but it wasn't enough to secure a win. The Suns shot 60% from behind the arc and secured back-to-back wins for the first time in a while. Beal's presence on the court had a positive impact on the team, as they look to continue their winning streak.
Portland Trail Blazers 134 - 128 San Antonio Spurs
The Portland Trail Blazers beat the San Antonio Spurs 134-128, with Jerami Grant and Malcolm Brogdon each scoring 27 points. Rookie star Victor Wembanyama rested for the Spurs, allowing Jabari Walker and Scoot Henderson to shine for the Trail Blazers. Henderson impressed with a wrap-around assist and a stat line of 21 points, 11 assists, and seven rebounds. The Spurs cut the lead to five in the final seconds, but Portland's 3-point shooting and physicality secured the win. The Trail Blazers were also missing Anfernee Simons due to illness.