22.01.2024
Houston Rockets 107 - 116 Boston Celtics
Kristaps Porzingis shone with 32 points as the NBA-leading Boston Celtics defeated the short-handed Houston Rockets 116-107. The Celtics rebounded from their first home loss of the season, improving to 33-10 with a 20-1 home record. Porzingis was 11 of 20 from the field and added five blocks, while Derrick White had 21 points and 12 rebounds. Jayson Tatum struggled with 4-of-17 shooting, but Jaylen Brown recorded a triple-double with 13 points, 11 rebounds, and 10 assists. Dillon Brooks led the Rockets with 25 points, but Houston played without key players due to injury. The Celtics outrebounded the Rockets 56-49 and had 17 offensive rebounds, leading to a 23-10 advantage in second-chance points. Boston will face Dallas next, while Houston will host Portland.
Washington Wizards 104 - 113 Denver Nuggets
Nikola Jokic dominated with 42 points and 12 rebounds as the Denver Nuggets defeated the Washington Wizards 113-104. Jokic's performance, along with contributions from Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr., led the Nuggets to victory despite a strong effort from the Wizards, who got a solid performance from Daniel Gafford. The win marked Denver's third in a row, while Washington has now lost four straight games. Jokic received MVP chants from fans as he sealed the win with free throws, showcasing his impact on the reigning world champion team. Next, the Nuggets will face the Indiana Pacers, while the Wizards will host the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Los Angeles Lakers 134 - 110 Portland Trail Blazers
In a dominating performance, D’Angelo Russell scored 34 points and LeBron James added 28 as the Los Angeles Lakers routed the Portland Trail Blazers 134-110 to get back to .500. Russell and James combined to score the Lakers' first 19 points of the fourth quarter, with Russell showcasing his skills on a season-high 35 fastbreak points. The Lakers' aggressive play and strong defense led to a comfortable victory, with James sitting out the final six minutes of the game. Malcolm Brogdon led the Trail Blazers with 23 points, but it wasn't enough to overcome the Lakers' firepower. Russell's impressive performance was highlighted by a season-high six 3-pointers. The Lakers will face the Clippers next, while the Trail Blazers will take on Oklahoma City.
Phoenix Suns 117 - 110 Indiana Pacers
Kevin Durant put on a show with 40 points as the Phoenix Suns defeated the Indiana Pacers 117-110 for their fifth straight victory. Bradley Beal added 25 points while Devin Booker had 26, with the Big 3 combining for 91 points for the second consecutive game. The Suns led for most of the night, with Durant making key shots in the fourth quarter to seal the win. Indiana's Buddy Hield led his team with 18 points, but it wasn't enough to overcome the Suns' trio. The Suns will host Chicago next while the Pacers will face Denver.
Orlando Magic 105 - 87 Miami Heat
Paolo Banchero led the Orlando Magic to a 105-87 victory over the Miami Heat, with a season-low point total for the Heat. Banchero scored 20 points while Markelle Fultz, back in the starting lineup after months, added 12 points. Franz Wagner, returning from injury, contributed 19 points and five assists. The Heat struggled with shooting and turnovers, with Bam Adebayo leading with 22 points and Jimmy Butler adding 15. The Magic's defense stepped up, holding the Heat in check as they snapped a three-game losing streak. Orlando looks forward to their next game against Cleveland while Miami aims to bounce back against Memphis.
LA Clippers 125 - 114 Brooklyn Nets
Leonard scored 14 points in the final five minutes to lead the Clippers to a stunning 125-114 comeback win over the Nets, overcoming an 18-point deficit with a game-ending 22-0 run. Westbrook added 23 points off the bench to help pick up his lethargic teammates, while Bridges led the Nets with 26 points. The Clippers outscored the Nets 39-10 in the fourth quarter, holding them to just 15 points in the final frame. Los Angeles will look to keep the momentum going when they face the Lakers next, while the Nets will host New York.