01.02.2024
Charlotte Hornets 110 - 117 Chicago Bulls
Coby White scored 35 points to lead the Bulls to a 117-110 victory over the Hornets, handing Charlotte their fifth straight loss. White, who was aggressive from the opening tip, also added nine assists and seven rebounds in the win. The Hornets were led by Miles Bridges with 30 points and 15 rebounds, while missing key players due to injuries. The Bulls are in ninth place in the Eastern Conference, while the Hornets continue to struggle without their full lineup.
Miami Heat 115 - 106 Sacramento Kings
The Miami Heat snapped a seven-game losing streak with a 115-106 victory over the Sacramento Kings, led by Jimmy Butler's 31 points. Josh Richardson added a season-high 24 points, while Bam Adebayo had a double-double with 16 points and 11 rebounds. Miami finished with a season-high 38 assists in their 1,500th regular-season victory. Sacramento's Domantas Sabonis had 19 points, 17 rebounds, and 13 assists for his 13th triple-double of the season. The Heat outworked the Kings and held on for the win, with Miami heading to Washington next and Sacramento visiting Indiana.
San Antonio Spurs 98 - 108 Orlando Magic
The Orlando Magic staved off a fourth-quarter rally by the San Antonio Spurs to triumph 108-98, with Paolo Banchero leading with 25 points and Franz Wagner adding 20. Despite a 15-0 run by the Spurs, the Magic held on for their first win in San Antonio since 2019. Jeremy Sochan had an impressive start for the Spurs but struggled in the later quarters, and San Antonio's turnovers proved costly. The Magic's strong defense and scoring efficiency ultimately secured the win, as they now prepare to face the Minnesota Timberwolves next.
Minnesota Timberwolves 121 - 87 Dallas Mavericks
The Minnesota Timberwolves dominated the depleted Dallas Mavericks, winning 121-87 behind Karl-Anthony Towns' 29 points and nine rebounds. The Mavericks were missing Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving, among other key players, leading to a struggling offense that only made 6 of 29 3-point attempts. This victory marked the fewest points allowed by the Wolves this season, with Rudy Gobert adding 17 points and Naz Reid chipping in 12. The Mavericks, who have now lost three games without Doncic and Irving, will look to bounce back against Milwaukee, while the Timberwolves face Orlando next.
Houston Rockets 99 - 110 New Orleans Pelicans
The New Orleans Pelicans defeated the Houston Rockets 110-99, led by Jonas Valanciunas' 25 points and 14 rebounds and Brandon Ingram's 24 points. The Pelicans went on a 15-0 run in the fourth quarter to secure the win after a close game through three quarters. Jalen Green scored 31 points for the Rockets, but it wasn't enough to overcome the Pelicans' strong performance. With Zion Williamson out, Valanciunas stepped up for New Orleans, contributing to their victory. The Pelicans will visit the San Antonio Spurs next, while the Rockets will host the Toronto Raptors.
Cleveland Cavaliers 128 - 121 Detroit Pistons
Donovan Mitchell scored a career-high 45 points, including 20 in the fourth quarter, to lead the Cleveland Cavaliers to a 128-121 victory over the Detroit Pistons. Darius Garland returned from a broken jaw to score 19 points, and Jarrett Allen recorded his franchise-record 16th consecutive double-double. Cleveland has won 11 of their last 12 games and has the best record in the league since Dec. 16 at 16-4. The Pistons, who were seeking consecutive wins for the first time since October, saw seven players score in double figures, with Danilo Gallinari and Cade Cunningham each contributing 20 points. The Cavaliers' win was highlighted by a late 10-0 run to secure the victory, bouncing back from a brief deficit. Mitchell's scoring outburst and Garland's return were key factors in the Cavs' success as they continue to build chemistry with their full lineup healthy.
Washington Wizards 109 - 125 LA Clippers
The Los Angeles Clippers defeated the Washington Wizards 125-109, with Kawhi Leonard scoring 31 points and James Harden adding 25. The Clippers outscored the Wizards 40-19 in the third quarter, with Harden hitting five 3-pointers to help snap the team out of a shooting slump. Kyle Kuzma scored 27 points for Washington, but it wasn't enough to overcome the Clippers' strong performance. The win improves the Clippers to 3-1 on their current road trip, while the Wizards are 2-2 under interim coach Brian Keefe. Los Angeles will face Detroit next, while Washington will host Miami.
Portland Trail Blazers 119 - 116 Milwaukee Bucks
In a highly anticipated matchup, the Portland Trail Blazers spoiled Damian Lillard's return to Portland with a 119-116 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks. Lillard, who was traded to the Bucks in the offseason, scored 25 points in his first game back in Portland. Anfernee Simons led the Blazers with 24 points, including a key floater in the final seconds. Giannis Antetokounmpo added 27 points for the Bucks. Despite the emotional night for Lillard, the Blazers secured the win with strong performances from their young talent and held off a late surge from the Bucks. The victory marked the Blazers' second straight win, while the Bucks suffered their second consecutive loss under new coach Doc Rivers.
Oklahoma City Thunder 105 - 100 Denver Nuggets
In a clash of Western Conference contenders, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the Oklahoma City Thunder to a 105-100 victory over the short-handed Denver Nuggets. Despite missing key players due to injury, Gilgeous-Alexander exploded for 34 points while Chet Holmgren added 18 points, 13 rebounds, and five blocks. The Thunder outrebounded and outscored the Nuggets, ultimately securing the win and avoiding a three-game skid. Aaron Gordon's strong performance wasn't enough for Denver, who missed Nikola Jokic due to a lower back issue. The Thunder now look ahead to hosting the Charlotte Hornets, while the Nuggets will face the Portland Trailblazers next.
Brooklyn Nets 120 - 136 Phoenix Suns
In a highly anticipated return to Brooklyn, Kevin Durant scored 33 points and led the Phoenix Suns to a 136-120 victory over the Nets. Durant, who received a mix of cheers and boos from the crowd, added eight assists in a dominating performance. The Suns, with Durant, Devin Booker, and Bradley Beal, showcased their offensive firepower by shooting 62% from the field and 50% from 3-point range. Jusuf Nurkic contributed 28 points and 11 rebounds for Phoenix, while Cam Thomas led the Nets with 25 points. The win improved the Suns to 3-2 on their road trip, while the Nets, who were missing Ben Simmons, fell to 19-28 and outside playoff position.