16.01.2024
New York Knicks 94 - 98 Orlando Magic
The Orlando Magic rallied for a 98-94 victory over the New York Knicks to snap a three-game losing streak. Paolo Banchero scored 20 points and Cole Anthony had 10 of his 15 in the final quarter to lead the Magic to victory. Wendell Carter Jr. returned from injury with 17 points off the bench. Deuce McBride scored a career-high 20 points for the Knicks, but Julius Randle struggled shooting just 5 for 18. The Knicks shot under 40% from the field and 68.2% on free throws. The Magic will visit Atlanta next, while the Knicks will host Houston.
Cleveland Cavaliers 109 - 91 Chicago Bulls
Donovan Mitchell scored 34 points to lead the Cavaliers to a 109-91 victory over the Bulls, extending Cleveland's winning streak to five games. The Cavaliers made 20 3-pointers on a franchise-record 57 attempts, with Mitchell, LeVert, and Niang each hitting four from beyond the arc. Jarrett Allen recorded his ninth straight double-double with 10 points and 14 rebounds, averaging 18.8 points, 15.1 rebounds, and 4.7 assists during this streak. The Bulls made a late comeback to briefly take the lead, but Cleveland responded with a 10-0 run and closed out the game with a 29-10 surge. Ayo Dosunmo had 10 points in the third quarter for Chicago before leaving the game with a shoulder injury, while Patrick Williams missed his second consecutive game. Cleveland plays Milwaukee next, while Chicago visits Toronto.
Memphis Grizzlies 116 - 107 Golden State Warriors
The Memphis Grizzlies defeated the Golden State Warriors 116-107, with Vince Williams Jr. scoring 24 points and GG Jackson adding a career-high 23 points. Despite missing key players due to injuries, the Grizzlies managed to outplay a full-strength Warriors team. Draymond Green returned from his league suspension and scored seven points in the loss. The Warriors struggled with turnovers and defense, while the Grizzlies capitalized on free throws and three-point shooting. This win was a testament to the Grizzlies' development and depth, as they snapped a two-game losing streak on Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
Dallas Mavericks 125 - 120 New Orleans Pelicans
Kyrie Irving scored 42 points and Tim Hardaway Jr. had 41 as the Mavericks rallied past the Pelicans 125-120. This marked the second time in Mavericks history that a pair of players each scored over 40 points in a game. Luka Doncic's absence due to an injury opened the door for Hardaway to shine, hitting a go-ahead 3-pointer in the fourth quarter. Zion Williamson scored 30 points for the Pelicans, but struggled at the free-throw line. The Mavericks finished their seven-game homestand with a 5-2 record. Hardaway made 9 three-pointers, just one off his career high, while Irving went 13 of 28 from the field. The Pelicans will face the Charlotte Hornets next, while the Mavericks will take on the Lakers on the road.
Philadelphia 76ers 124 - 115 Houston Rockets
In a highly anticipated return from a knee injury, Joel Embiid scored 41 points and grabbed 10 rebounds to lead the Philadelphia 76ers to a 124-115 victory over the Houston Rockets. This marked his 16th straight 30-10 game, with Tyrese Maxey adding 27 points for the Sixers. Embiid's stellar performance showcased his importance to the team, as the Sixers are 3-7 this season without him. With his health in question, Embiid's eligibility for MVP awards could be impacted, as he needs to play in at least 65 regular-season games to be considered. The Rockets were led by Alperen Sengun with 19 points, but they ultimately fell to the dominant Sixers.
Toronto Raptors 96 - 105 Boston Celtics
Jayson Tatum's impressive performance with 19 points and 14 rebounds, combined with Jrue Holiday and Derrick White's scoring efforts, led the Boston Celtics to a 105-96 victory over the Toronto Raptors for their eighth straight win against their Atlantic Division rivals. The Celtics completed a four-game season sweep, with Holiday scoring eight of his season-high 22 points in the fourth quarter. Despite missing Jaylen Brown due to a hyperextended knee, Boston showcased their depth as White made a key 3-pointer in the final minutes. The Raptors struggled from beyond the arc, shooting 4 for 32, while the Celtics held them to zero 3-pointers in the second half. Boston now sits at 6-0 when holding opponents below 100 points, while Toronto dropped to 0-10 against Atlantic Division opponents.
Atlanta Hawks 109 - 99 San Antonio Spurs
Trae Young had a strong start, scoring 36 points and passing 10,000 career points, as the Atlanta Hawks defeated the San Antonio Spurs 109-99. The Hawks had a big lead of 35 points at halftime, but had to hold off a late comeback attempt led by Victor Wembanyama, who scored 26 points in the second half for the Spurs. Both teams honored Martin Luther King Jr. on his holiday, with players wearing "Honor King" shirts. The Spurs will face Boston next, while the Hawks will host Orlando.
Washington Wizards 117 - 129 Detroit Pistons
Alec Burks came off the bench and scored a career-high tying 34 points to lead the Detroit Pistons to a 129-117 victory over the Washington Wizards. Jalen Duren had 20 points and 19 rebounds, and Jaden Ivey added 24 points for the Pistons, who snapped a seven-game losing streak. Tyus Jones led the Wizards with 22 points. The game came just after a trade between the two teams. Detroit will host Minnesota next, while Washington will visit New York.
Brooklyn Nets 95 - 96 Miami Heat
Jimmy Butler made a triumphant return to the Miami Heat lineup, scoring 31 points, including two crucial free throws in overtime to lift the Heat to a 96-95 victory over the Brooklyn Nets. Tyler Herro added 29 points and 11 rebounds, while Bam Adebayo chipped in with 11 points and 20 rebounds for Miami. The Nets, who lost their third straight game, were led by Mikal Bridges with 26 points and Cam Thomas with 23. Miami outscored Brooklyn 57-43 in the second half and overtime to secure the win. The Heat have now won three straight games, while the Nets continue to struggle, losing eight of their last nine games.
Los Angeles Lakers 112 - 105 Oklahoma City Thunder
LeBron James and Anthony Davis led the Lakers to a 112-105 victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder, snapping their four-game winning streak. Davis had 27 points and 15 rebounds, while James scored 25 in his return from injury. The Thunder, led by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's 24 points, struggled offensively against the Lakers, who dominated in the paint and had a strong defensive performance. The win is crucial for the Lakers as they aim to be playoff contenders, starting a two-week stretch of games in Los Angeles. The Thunder will look to bounce back against the Clippers next.
Utah Jazz 132 - 105 Indiana Pacers
The Utah Jazz defeated the Indiana Pacers 132-105 with Lauri Markkanen scoring 32 points and Collin Sexton adding 30, leading the team to their sixth straight victory. Markkanen, compared to Dirk Nowitzki by Pacers coach Rick Carlisle, was named Finland's 2023 Athlete of the Year and Western Conference Player of the Week. Sexton, averaging nearly 29 points per 36 minutes in the last month, has scored at least 19 points in six straight games. The Pacers, missing key players, couldn't muster a comeback as the Jazz dominated the game wire-to-wire. Utah continues their homestand against Golden State while Indiana heads to Sacramento next.