08.04.2024
Dallas Mavericks 147 - 136 Houston Rockets
Kyrie Irving scored a season-high 48 points as the Dallas Mavericks rallied from 22 points down to defeat the Houston Rockets 147-136 in overtime. Dante Exum forced OT with a buzzer-beating 3-pointer, and Luka Doncic contributed 37 points, 12 assists, and nine rebounds. This loss for Houston marked their fifth consecutive defeat following an 11-game winning streak. With this win, the Mavericks have won 14 of their last 16 games, positioning them well for a spot in the Western Conference playoffs.
LA Clippers 120 - 118 Cleveland Cavaliers
Paul George scored 39 points, with 23 coming in the fourth quarter, leading the Los Angeles Clippers to their 50th win with a late comeback against the Cleveland Cavaliers. The Clippers overcame a 26-point deficit, marking the third-largest comeback in franchise history. George hit a crucial jumper with seven seconds left to secure the win, while Cleveland's Darius Garland scored 28 points. Kawhi Leonard missed his fourth straight game due to injury, but the Clippers closed in on a milestone victory without him.
Indiana Pacers 117 - 115 Miami Heat
Myles Turner's double-double performance led the Indiana Pacers to a crucial 117-115 win over the Miami Heat, increasing their lead in the Eastern Conference standings. Turner, who battled through injury, finished with 22 points and 13 rebounds while seven Pacers players scored in double figures. Despite a late push from Miami, the Pacers never trailed after the first quarter. Indiana's win comes at a critical time as they aim to secure a playoff spot and potentially move up in the standings, with Turner emphasizing the team's control of their own destiny in the competitive East.
Boston Celtics 124 - 107 Portland Trail Blazers
Jaylen Brown scored 26 points and reached 10,000 in his NBA career, leading the Boston Celtics to a 124-107 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers, extending their home win streak to 13 games. Kristaps Porzingis had a double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds, helping the Celtics secure the league's best record and home-court advantage in the playoffs. Despite Jayson Tatum sitting out due to injury, Payton Pritchard added 20 points, Derrick White had 15, and Jrue Holiday contributed 12 to the win. Dalano Banton led Portland with 28 points, and Deandre Ayton had 22 points and 14 rebounds. Jaylen Brown received a standing ovation after reaching the milestone during the game. Boston closed out the game with key 3-pointers from Sam Hauser and Xavier Tillman, ending the 12-0 run and sealing the victory. Congratulations were offered to Portland coach Chauncey Billups, who was elected into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame.
Charlotte Hornets 118 - 121 Oklahoma City Thunder
Josh Giddey recorded his 11th career triple-double with 20 points, 13 assists, and 13 rebounds as the Oklahoma City Thunder defeated the Charlotte Hornets 121-118 to end a three-game losing streak. Despite missing key players Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams, the Thunder got contributions from Aaron Wiggins and Chet Holmgren, while former Thunder players Vasa Micic, Tre Mann, and Davis Bertans almost led the Hornets to a win. Isaiah Joe hit crucial 3-pointers late in the game, including one off a pick-and-pop with Holmgren, as the Thunder held on for the victory. Charlotte's Brandon Miller missed a potential tying shot at the buzzer, ending the game, with the Thunder taking the win.
Orlando Magic 113 - 98 Chicago Bulls
The Orlando Magic defeated the Chicago Bulls 113-98, moving into a tie for third place in the Eastern Conference with a week left in the regular season. The Magic are still aiming to finish as high as No. 2 in the East, as they are just one game behind the Milwaukee Bucks. Paolo Banchero scored 24 points and Jalen Suggs added 19 for the Magic, while DeMar DeRozan had 30 points for the Bulls. The Bulls, locked into the play-in bracket, cannot move up but are still playing for home court advantage. The Magic will face the Bucks in their final two games of the regular season.
Toronto Raptors 130 - 122 Washington Wizards
Immanuel Quickley scored a season-high 31 points and 13 assists as the Toronto Raptors defeated the Washington Wizards 130-122, marking the Wizards' franchise-worst 64th loss of the season. This win snapped an eight-game home losing streak for the Raptors and marked their first consecutive wins since February. Deni Avdija and Jordan Poole had strong performances for the Wizards, but the Raptors dominated early on with a 42-17 lead after the first quarter. Washington struggled to keep up, with turnovers surpassing made baskets in the opening period. The Wizards will look to bounce back against the Minnesota Timberwolves next, while the Raptors will host the Indiana Pacers in their final home game of the season.
Phoenix Suns 105 - 113 New Orleans Pelicans
C.J. McCollum scored 31 points and Zion Williamson added 29 as the New Orleans Pelicans defeated the Phoenix Suns 113-105, tying the teams for the sixth playoff spot in the Western Conference with four games remaining. Williamson had a strong performance with 10 rebounds, seven assists, and a career-high five blocked shots. The Pelicans snapped a four-game losing streak, with Jose Alvarado making a return and contributing 15 points. Devin Booker scored 25 points for the Suns, but Bradley Beal led with 33 points, hitting 7 of 8 3-pointers. The Suns had their three-game winning streak snapped and are now 7-3 in their last 10 games.
Milwaukee Bucks 109 - 122 New York Knicks
Jalen Brunson led the New York Knicks to a 122-109 victory over the slumping Milwaukee Bucks, scoring 43 points and helping the Knicks rally in the second half. The Bucks have now lost four consecutive games, facing their longest losing streak of the season. Giannis Antetokounmpo returned to action for the Bucks with 28 points, 15 rebounds, and eight assists, but Khris Middleton got hit in the face and did not return. Middleton had a tooth knocked out and was visiting a dentist after the game. Despite Middleton's injury, the Knicks pulled ahead in the third quarter and never trailed again. Knicks visit the Bulls next, while the Bucks host the Celtics.
San Antonio Spurs 126 - 133 Philadelphia 76ers
Tyrese Maxey scored a career-high 52 points to lead the injury-depleted Philadelphia 76ers to a 133-126 double-overtime victory over Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs. This marked Maxey's third 50-point game of the season, making him only the fourth player in franchise history to achieve this feat, alongside legends like Allen Iverson and Wilt Chamberlain. The 76ers' win pushed them into seventh place in the Eastern Conference, with Maxey's clutch performance helping them secure the victory despite missing star players like Joel Embiid. Wembanyama had an impressive game with 33 points, 18 rebounds, and seven blocks for the Spurs, who were also dealing with injuries.
Brooklyn Nets 77 - 107 Sacramento Kings
Domantas Sabonis continued his impressive streak of double-doubles to 61 games, helping the Sacramento Kings dominate the Brooklyn Nets with a 107-77 victory. Sabonis' competitive nature and strong performance, along with De'Aaron Fox scoring 20 points, led the Kings to snap a two-game losing streak and improve to 45-33 in the Western Conference. Despite a strong effort in the third quarter from the Nets, the Kings pulled away in the fourth quarter with an 18-8 run, highlighted by Fox's spectacular dunk. The Kings finished with 15 3-pointers and got 42 points from their reserves, while the Nets were missing starting center Nic Claxton. Kings fans chanted "Light the beam!" as they celebrated the big win before heading to Oklahoma City for their next game, while the Nets will host Toronto next.
Golden State Warriors 118 - 110 Utah Jazz
Klay Thompson scored 32 points as the Warriors beat the struggling Jazz 118-110, with Stephen Curry resting for the game. Thompson's hot shooting helped Golden State secure a spot in the play-in tournament, while the Jazz suffered their 12th straight loss. Jonathan Kuminga added 21 points and 10 rebounds off the bench, matching a franchise record. The Warriors have won all three meetings with the Jazz this season and will face them one more time before the end of the regular season. Despite missing Curry and Andrew Wiggins, Golden State continues to find ways to win as they gear up for a potential playoff run.
Los Angeles Lakers 117 - 127 Minnesota Timberwolves
The Minnesota Timberwolves defeated the Los Angeles Lakers 127-117 as Naz Reid scored 31 points, hitting six 3-pointers in the absence of LeBron James and Anthony Davis. The Timberwolves took advantage of Davis leaving the game early with an eye injury to secure their seventh win in nine games, tying them with Denver for the top spot in the Western Conference. Rui Hachimura led the Lakers with 30 points, but Los Angeles saw their four-game winning streak end as they fell back to ninth place in the West. Jaxson Hayes had a season-high 19 points and 10 assists in Davis' absence, while D'Angelo Russell struggled for the Lakers. The Timberwolves will next host Washington, while the Lakers will host Golden State.