28.11.2024
Charlotte Hornets 94 - 98 Miami Heat
In a closely contested game, the Miami Heat edged out the Charlotte Hornets 98-94, with Tyler Herro leading the Heat with 27 points and a crucial late-game steal. Duncan Robinson also contributed significantly with 22 points, including six 3-pointers, as the Heat rebounded from their previous night's loss to the Milwaukee Bucks. Bam Adebayo was instrumental on both ends, recording 10 rebounds and 10 assists. Despite a valiant effort from LaMelo Ball, who scored 32 points while battling a wrist injury, the Hornets fell just short, losing their fifth game in six outings. Rookie Tidjane Salaun's career-high 17 points highlighted Charlotte's rally from a 20-point deficit, culminating in a brief lead with 42 seconds remaining. However, Herro's timely 3-pointer and steal, coupled with Cody Martin's missed free throws, dashed the Hornets' hopes. Miami managed to secure victory even as Jimmy Butler exited the game in the third quarter with a back issue. The Heat look to build on this win against the Raptors next, while the Hornets face the Knicks.
Cleveland Cavaliers 124 - 135 Atlanta Hawks
In a thrilling game, Trae Young delivered a career-high 22 assists, the most by any player in the NBA this season, and scored 20 points to lead the Atlanta Hawks to a 135-124 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers. The Cavs, who had been unbeaten at home, fell to 17-2, missing out on a chance to start 18-1 or better. De'Andre Hunter and Jalen Johnson contributed 26 and 22 points, respectively, while rookie Zaccharie Risacher impressed with an explosive start to the second half. Despite Donovan Mitchell's 30 points and Evan Mobley's double-double, Cleveland couldn't maintain an early 19-point lead. Young overcame shooting struggles and a late-game turnover scare by hitting a crucial 39-foot three-pointer, securing the win. Atlanta snapped a three-game losing streak, showcasing resilience and teamwork. The two teams are set to meet again in a “Black Friday” NBA Cup game, with both contenders having implications in their pool play standings.
Indiana Pacers 121 - 114 Portland Trail Blazers
The Indiana Pacers overcame a sluggish start to beat the Portland Trail Blazers 121-114 in Indianapolis, with Pascal Siakam matching his season-high of 29 points and Tyrese Haliburton adding 28 points and 10 assists. Bennedict Mathurin contributed a double-double with 24 points and 10 rebounds, playing a key role in rallying the Pacers to level the score by halftime. Despite Portland's strong start, hitting nine 3-pointers in the first half and leading by 10 in the second quarter, they faltered in the second half as their shooting waned. Anfernee Simons led the Blazers with 30 points, including six 3-pointers, but Portland couldn't maintain their momentum. The Pacers capitalized on their offensive rhythm with clutch performances, particularly from Siakam, Mathurin, and Haliburton, securing their third consecutive victory and improving their impressive home record to 7-2. Both teams now have a 1-2 record in NBA Cup play, with the Trail Blazers hosting Sacramento and the Pacers set to host Detroit on Friday.
Orlando Magic 133 - 119 Chicago Bulls
In a high-scoring affair, Jalen Suggs' career-high 31 points and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope's season-high 24 points, including outstanding 3-point shooting, led the Orlando Magic to a 133-119 victory over the Chicago Bulls, marking the Magic's fourth consecutive win and 10th in their last 11 games. The Magic jumped to an impressive start, leading by as many as 27 points, and showcased a solid defense that forced 18 turnovers, despite some lapses. Franz Wagner contributed with 21 points and six assists, while the Magic remained unbeaten at the Kia Center, posting their best home start since the 1998-99 season. On the Bulls' side, Ayo Dosunmu and Nikola Vucevic played key roles with 21 points and 19 points with 11 rebounds, respectively. The game also saw Lonzo Ball's return after a 15-game absence due to a sprained wrist. The Magic defied their previous 3-point shooting struggles, finishing the game with 15 successful shots from beyond the arc, reflecting a 38.5% success rate. Both teams are set to continue NBA Cup action on Friday.
Philadelphia 76ers 115 - 122 Houston Rockets
In an overtime thriller, Jalen Green's impressive 41-point performance led the Houston Rockets to a 122-115 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers. Green was particularly dominant in the first quarter with 18 points, while Alperen Sengun dominated late, scoring crucial baskets against a depleted 76ers team missing stars Paul George and Joel Embiid. Sengun finished with a solid double-double of 22 points and 14 rebounds as Houston leveraged its rebounding prowess, outrebounding Philadelphia 52-42. Tyrese Maxey was a standout for the 76ers, nearly guiding them to victory with 39 points, 28 coming in the second half, yet he went scoreless in the overtime period. The 76ers, struggling offensively without their key players, relied on contributions from Guerschon Yabusele, though their search for consistent scoring remains a challenge. Houston, now 14-6, continues to dominate the boards as they prepare to host Oklahoma City. Meanwhile, the 76ers hold a 3-14 record as they head to Detroit seeking their second regulation win of the season.
Washington Wizards 96 - 121 LA Clippers
James Harden delivered a stellar performance by scoring a season-high 43 points in just 32 minutes, leading the Los Angeles Clippers to a commanding 121-96 victory over the Washington Wizards. The victory marked the Wizards' 13th consecutive defeat. Harden was particularly impressive in the first quarter, scoring 23 points and surpassing his previous season high of 29 by halftime. This game was Harden's highest scoring since he netted 44 points in March 2021. Clippers' Ivica Zubac also contributed significantly with 18 points and 16 rebounds. Despite a slew of injuries, the Clippers are sporting a solid 12-8 record after 20 games. For Washington, Malcolm Brogdon and Jonas Valanciunas each scored 17 points, though they had to continue without leading scorer Kyle Kuzma due to an early injury. The Clippers further solidified their control in the third quarter when Harden hit consecutive 3-pointers, widening the gap to 81-59. The Clippers are set to play Minnesota next, while the Wizards will face Milwaukee.
Dallas Mavericks 129 - 114 New York Knicks
In an impressive display by Kyrie Irving and the Dallas Mavericks, they cruised to a 129-114 victory over the New York Knicks, advancing to a 4-1 record without their superstar Luka Doncic, who missed his fourth consecutive game due to a sprained right wrist. With Jalen Brunson matching his season-high of 37 points in his return to Dallas, Karl-Anthony Towns contributed 25 points and 14 rebounds for the Knicks, but OG Anunoby was unusually quiet, tallying just eight points. Throughout the game, Naji Marshall, Spencer Dinwiddie, and P.J. Washington each posted significant points for Dallas, who were also missing key players Klay Thompson and Daniel Gafford. Another highlight was NFL legend Tom Brady making a courtside appearance, drawing attention from the audience. This game marked a rare occasion for former teammates Doncic and Brunson to play against each other due to their infrequent encounters since Brunson’s move to the Knicks. The Knicks, meanwhile, set a season low for any quarter with just 15 points after a triumphant high against Denver earlier in the week. The Knicks are set to face Charlotte next, while Dallas takes on Utah.
Memphis Grizzlies 131 - 111 Detroit Pistons
The Memphis Grizzlies secured their fourth consecutive victory with a resounding 131-111 win over the Detroit Pistons in Memphis. Marcus Smart led the Grizzlies, scoring a season-high 25 points, including 7 of 11 three-pointers. Scotty Pippen Jr. and Jake LaRavia each added 19 points, with Pippen also pulling down seven rebounds. Missing key players, the Pistons were without Cade Cunningham and Tobias Harris, impacting their offensive output. Marcus Sasser paced Detroit with 22 points. Memphis, known for their scoring dominance in the paint, notched 60 points there and amassed an impressive 72 points from the bench. A decisive 37-18 second quarter, highlighted by a 31-7 run, helped Memphis surge ahead as they overcame a slow start from beyond the arc, eventually making 14 of 29 threes. The Pistons, who struggled to keep pace, will face the Pacers next, while the Grizzlies are set to meet the New Orleans Pelicans.
Minnesota Timberwolves 104 - 115 Sacramento Kings
The Minnesota Timberwolves and the Sacramento Kings are both determined to break their early-season losing streaks when they face off in Minneapolis. Minnesota, struggling with a three-game skid, recently experienced a 117-111 overtime loss to the Houston Rockets despite Anthony Edwards' strong 29-point performance. Meanwhile, the Kings aim to overcome their four-game losing streak following a 130-109 defeat by the Oklahoma City Thunder. DeMar DeRozan was standout for Sacramento, scoring 30 points, supported by De'Aaron Fox's 28.1 points per game. The Timberwolves are grappling with the absence of veteran point guard Mike Conley due to a toe injury, but rookie Rob Dillingham has impressed with 12 points and seven assists. Both teams are seeking improved efforts, with the game marking the third matchup between them this season, the Timberwolves having won the previous two encounters.
New Orleans Pelicans 93 - 119 Toronto Raptors
In a decisive away game victory, the Toronto Raptors defeated the New Orleans Pelicans 119-93, marking their first road win this season. Ochai Agbaji and Jamison Battle both shined with 24 points each, contributing significantly to the Raptors' success. Toronto's RJ Barrett also played a pivotal role, scoring 22 points and facilitating with 11 assists. The Raptors showcased impressive shooting prowess, hitting a season-high 21 three-pointers, a stark improvement given their league-low average of 10.4 per game, with Agbaji and Battle accounting for 12 of those from beyond the arc. Meanwhile, the Pelicans, missing key players like Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram due to injuries, struggled offensively. Djounte Murray, back from a 17-game absence, had a challenging return, making only 5 of his 17 shots. Nevertheless, CJ McCollum's 19 points provided some relief in only his second game back from injury. The Pelicans' recent struggles continued with this defeat marking their sixth consecutive loss and 15th in 17 games, underscoring their need for adjustments.
San Antonio Spurs 101 - 119 Los Angeles Lakers
The Los Angeles Lakers halted the San Antonio Spurs' four-game winning streak with a decisive 119-101 victory, led by standout performances from Anthony Davis, who recorded 19 points and 14 rebounds, and LeBron James, who notched a triple-double with 16 points, 11 assists, and 10 rebounds. Rookie Dalton Knecht contributed significantly with 20 points, shooting 4-for-10 from beyond the arc, helping the Lakers end their own three-game losing streak. San Antonio's Victor Wembanyama posted 20 points and 10 rebounds, but his efforts weren't enough to keep the Spurs in the game after narrowing the deficit to four points in the third quarter. Austin Reaves' buzzer-beating three-pointer in the first half and Knecht's impactful plays in the third quarter helped Los Angeles maintain their momentum. Notably, Devin Vassell returned for the Spurs with 14 points, marking a milestone as the first player in Spurs history to make 450 three-pointers in his first 250 career games.
Phoenix Suns 117 - 127 Brooklyn Nets
In an impressive showing, Tyrese Martin scored a career-high 30 points, leading the injury-depleted Brooklyn Nets to a 127-117 victory over the Phoenix Suns. Martin's standout performance included an efficient 10 of 13 from the field and 8 of 10 from beyond the arc. Prior to this game, Martin had accumulated only 33 points across 21 career games, making this outing a significant leap. Dennis Schroder contributed 29 points, while Ben Simmons showcased a well-rounded performance with 14 points, nine rebounds, and eight assists. Despite missing key players like Cam Thomas, Nic Claxton, and Noah Clowney, the Nets secured their fourth win in five games. The Suns, led by Devin Booker's 31 points and Kevin Durant's 30, struggled with turnovers and have now lost seven of their last nine games. Brooklyn capitalized on a 17-3 third-quarter run to extend their lead, with Martin drawing a crucial foul from Durant just before the fourth quarter. Durant's seven turnovers and Phoenix's overall sloppiness gave the Nets a decisive edge.
Utah Jazz 103 - 122 Denver Nuggets
In a dominant performance, Nikola Jokic led the Denver Nuggets to a 122-103 victory over the Utah Jazz in Salt Lake City, posting an impressive stat line of 30 points, 10 rebounds, and seven assists. Jokic's hot start saw him score 19 points in the first quarter alone, helping the Nuggets recover from an early 12-point deficit. Jamal Murray contributed significantly with 22 points, eight assists, and four steals, while Michael Porter Jr. and Christian Braun added 19 and 18 points, respectively. Despite Collin Sexton's 26 points and Keyonte George's five three-pointers for Utah, the Jazz struggled without injured starters Lauri Markkanen and John Collins. The Nuggets broke the game open with a decisive 21-4 run bridging the second and third quarters, spurred by critical contributions from Murray and Porter, ultimately leading to a double-digit advantage Utah could never overcome. Denver capitalized on Utah's 18 turnovers, scoring 28 points from them, and added 33 fast-break points. The Nuggets' next game is against the Los Angeles Clippers, while the Jazz will face the Dallas Mavericks.
Golden State Warriors 101 - 105 Oklahoma City Thunder
The Oklahoma City Thunder aim to avenge their previous loss to the Golden State Warriors as they clash again, now boosted by the return of Isaiah Hartenstein, a key acquisition filling the team's need for an interior force. Hartenstein's impressive debut with double-doubles in consecutive wins adds hope to a Thunder team missing Chet Holmgren due to injury. The Warriors, on the other hand, will miss Stephen Curry, sidelined with knee pain, potentially affecting their performance. Curry previously scored 36 points against the Thunder, leading the Warriors to a 127-116 victory. De'Anthony Melton, who started for the Warriors in Curry’s absence, contributed a double-double, but he is likely out for the season due to injury. Amidst their struggle with a losing streak and energy lag reflected in recent blown leads, the Warriors seek a resurgence following their upcoming break. Both teams may be missing additional key players as the Thunder's Alex Caruso is out and the Warriors' Jonathan Kuminga is questionable for the upcoming match.