18.11.2024
Minnesota Timberwolves 120 - 117 Phoenix Suns
Julius Randle delivered a dramatic finish for the Minnesota Timberwolves, sinking a buzzer-beating 3-pointer to secure a 120-117 victory over the Phoenix Suns, despite his teammate Anthony Edwards being fined for a previous game incident and receiving a technical foul. Randle's last-second heroics capped a standout 35-point performance, marking his best game since joining the Timberwolves via a trade, and highlighted by his clutch 24-foot shot after a timeout with 2.1 seconds left. Phoenix's Devin Booker shone with a formidable 44-point outing in the absence of injured stars Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal, while Grayson Allen contributed 18 points off the bench. Despite leading by 16 points at one stage, the Suns allowed the Timberwolves to rally after halftime. Minnesota's Edwards, who scored 24 points mostly in the second half, played a pivotal role alongside Randle in securing the team's comeback win.
Indiana Pacers 119 - 110 Miami Heat
In a decisive victory over the Miami Heat, the Indiana Pacers never trailed, securing a 119-110 win as Myles Turner delivered a season-high 34 points. Bennedict Mathurin contributed with 21 points and 12 rebounds, and Tyrese Haliburton added 16 points and 13 assists despite shooting struggles early in the game. The Pacers dominated the paint, outscoring Miami 62-28, and bounced back from a previous loss to the Heat. Miami, playing without Jimmy Butler due to a sprained ankle, saw Tyler Herro score 28 points and Bam Adebayo add 24, but dealt with further injury setbacks, including Jaime Jaquez's sprained ankle. This matchup highlighted Indiana's ability to adapt amidst injuries, particularly with Mathurin stepping up in Aaron Nesmith's absence, while Miami continued to struggle with injuries during a challenging start to their season.
Cleveland Cavaliers 128 - 114 Charlotte Hornets
The Cleveland Cavaliers improved to an impressive 15-0 record with a 128-114 victory over the Charlotte Hornets, showcasing their depth as Darius Garland scored 25 points and Ty Jerome matched his career-high with 24 points while filling in for Donovan Mitchell. This winning streak places the Cavs among elite company as only the fourth team to start a season 15-0, joining the ranks of the 2016 Golden State Warriors, 1994 Houston Rockets, and 1949 Washington Capitols. While key player Donovan Mitchell was rested, the Cavs hardly missed a step, with Evan Mobley adding 23 points and 11 rebounds, and Jarrett Allen contributing 21 points and 15 rebounds. Despite LaMelo Ball's strong performance of 31 points and 12 assists for Charlotte, the Hornets couldn't find defensive stops when needed. As first-year coach Kenny Atkinson continues his unbeaten run with the Cavs, the team looks ahead to facing the defending champion Boston Celtics. The win also provided an opportunity for Atkinson to develop his bench, highlighting the team's versatility and depth.
Washington Wizards 104 - 124 Detroit Pistons
The Detroit Pistons decisively defeated the Washington Wizards 124-104, with standout performances from Cade Cunningham, who recorded a triple-double with 21 points, 10 assists, and 10 rebounds, and Jaden Ivey, who scored 28 points, alongside Malik Beasley's 26 points. This victory marked Cunningham's fourth triple-double of the season, placing him just two behind league leader Nikola Jokic. Detroit's dominance was evident early on as they held the Wizards to just 18 points in the first quarter and maintained a solid lead throughout, never allowing Washington to close the gap to single digits. Despite the Wizards shooting well from beyond the arc, their 17 turnovers and ineffective start hampered any comeback attempts. Rookie Alex Sarr struggled for Washington, scoring only four points, while Jordan Poole and Kyle Kuzma each contributed 22 points. This win reflects the Pistons' progress in their rebuild compared to a struggling Washington team that now endures an eight-game losing streak, with tougher matchups ahead against New York and Boston.
Memphis Grizzlies 105 - 90 Denver Nuggets
In a dominant performance, the Memphis Grizzlies defeated the short-handed Denver Nuggets 105-90 in their first matchup of a two-game series in Memphis. With Nuggets star Nikola Jokic absent for personal reasons and Aaron Gordon out with a right calf strain, the Nuggets struggled to match up against the Grizzlies, especially missing Jokic's significant contributions. Jaren Jackson led Memphis with 20 points, supported by Jaylen Wells' 15 points, while Desmond Bane contributed a well-rounded game with 11 points, 11 rebounds, and seven assists. Memphis capitalized on fast-break opportunities, racking up 20 fast-break points and outpacing Denver with a 14-1 run in the second quarter. The Grizzlies built and maintained a strong lead through efficient shooting, making 13 of their 39 attempts from beyond the arc. With this victory, the Grizzlies secured their fourth consecutive home win, while Denver continued its losing streak with two consecutive losses. Julian Strawther was Denver's top scorer with 19 points, but the team overall suffered from poor shooting, particularly missing the offensive firepower typically provided by Jokic. The two teams are set to face off again on Tuesday night in an NBA Cup game.
Portland Trail Blazers 114 - 106 Atlanta Hawks
In a thrilling matchup, Shaedon Sharpe propelled the Portland Trail Blazers to a 114-110 victory over the Atlanta Hawks, scoring 32 points, including a crucial 3-pointer that put Portland ahead in the final moments. Portland rallied from a 16-point deficit in the first half, largely thanks to Dalano Banton's 23 points, and outlasted a late surge by the Hawks. Trae Young's performance included a crucial 3-pointer to tie the game at 99, and he finished with 29 points. Despite missing key players like DeAndre Ayton and Anfernee Simons, the Blazers extended their winning streak to three games. Additionally, Sharpe electrified the crowd with three consecutive dunks in the third quarter, underscoring his impact on the game. Meanwhile, Atlanta's Dyson Daniels continued his impressive streak with a steal in 12 consecutive games. The Blazers will face the Oklahoma City Thunder next, while the Hawks are set to visit the Sacramento Kings.
New York Knicks 114 - 104 Brooklyn Nets
Karl-Anthony Towns returned from a brief absence to lead the New York Knicks to a 114-104 victory over the Brooklyn Nets, completing a weekend sweep. Towns contributed an impressive 26 points, 15 rebounds, and six assists. OG Anunoby added 24 points and eight rebounds, while Mikal Bridges and Josh Hart also had stellar performances, contributing 21 and 20 points respectively. Despite Jalen Brunson's off night with only 12 points on 3-of-14 shooting, his 10 assists helped the Knicks secure their eighth consecutive win against their city rivals. The Nets, struggling with injuries and using Dorian Finney-Smith as an unconventional center, couldn't find an answer for the Knicks’ size and defense. Cam Thomas, a bright spot for the Nets in previous games, was held to 16 points on 4-of-11 shooting after a standout performance on Friday. The Knicks will face Washington next, while the Nets prepare to host Charlotte.
Chicago Bulls 107 - 143 Houston Rockets
The Houston Rockets captured their fifth consecutive victory with a decisive 143-107 win over the Chicago Bulls, marking their highest-scoring game of the season. Fred VanVleet led the charge with a season-high 28 points, while Alperen Sengun recorded his second triple-double of the season with 20 points, 11 rebounds, and 11 assists. Jalen Green contributed 18 points as all five Rockets starters hit double digits in scoring. Amen Thompson played through quad soreness to add 16 points and 11 rebounds off the bench. The Rockets dominated the paint, securing 66 rebounds compared to Chicago's 47, while keeping the Bulls to a 33.6% shooting accuracy from the floor. Notably, the Rockets scored their most points ever against Chicago in a single game and set a season-high for points in a quarter with 41 in the second. The victory showcased Houston's prowess on both offense and defense, further cementing their dominant rebounding strength in the league. Following this game, Houston faces Milwaukee, while Chicago goes up against the Detroit Pistons.
Oklahoma City Thunder 119 - 121 Dallas Mavericks
In a thrilling matchup, the Dallas Mavericks narrowly defeated the Oklahoma City Thunder 121-119, despite missing their star guard Luka Doncic due to a bruised knee. P.J. Washington stepped up in Doncic's absence, delivering a standout performance with 27 points and a career-high 17 rebounds. Kyrie Irving supported the offensive effort with 23 points, helping Dallas maintain a 48% shooting accuracy from the field. The Thunder put up a strong fight, led by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's 36 points and Jalen Williams' 27. After trailing by 14 points late in the game, Oklahoma City staged a comeback, which included Gilgeous-Alexander winning a critical jump ball and hitting a clutch three-pointer. However, the Thunder fell short, with missed opportunities at the free-throw line and a last-second contested three by Lu Dort, ultimately sealing their fate. The win was anchored by Dallas's dominance on the boards, outrebounding the Thunder 53-29, while maintaining fewer turnovers than their opponent.
LA Clippers 116 - 105 Utah Jazz
In a significant game for the Los Angeles Clippers, James Harden moved into second place on the NBA's all-time 3-point list, surpassing Ray Allen with his 2,874th career 3-pointer early in the first quarter. This milestone came during a 116-105 victory over the Utah Jazz, breaking the Clippers' three-game losing streak. Despite Harden's modest 2-of-8 shooting from beyond the arc, he contributed 20 points and 11 assists. Ivica Zubac added 22 points and 11 rebounds, while Norman Powell scored 18 points. The Clippers dominated early, leading 66-45 at halftime and withstanding a late Jazz rally that cut their lead to seven. New addition Mo Bamba debuted with nine points and eight rebounds, while Utah's Jordan Clarkson and Lauri Markkanen posted 21 and 18 points, respectively, in the loss. The Clippers now boast a four-game winning streak at the new Intuit Dome after initially losing their first four there.