02.12.2024
Brooklyn Nets 92 - 100 Orlando Magic
The Orlando Magic secured a 100-92 victory over the Brooklyn Nets, marking their sixth consecutive win and 12th in the last 13 games, despite committing a season-high 22 turnovers. Franz Wagner led the Magic with a near triple-double performance, tallying 20 points, nine rebounds, and eight assists. Goga Bitadze contributed a double-double with 12 points and 13 rebounds, using Orlando's size advantage to dominate the paint and secure a 52-33 rebounding edge. The game featured 14 lead changes and 11 ties in a competitive first half before Orlando took control in the third quarter, though the Nets briefly surged ahead in the fourth. The Magic's league-leading defense clamped down to force six turnovers in the final quarter and limited Brooklyn, the league's second-best three-point shooting team, to just 25.8% shooting from beyond the arc. Camden Johnson's 26 points and Dennis Schroder's 20 points for the Nets weren't enough, as Brooklyn fell to 3-11 against the Eastern Conference this season.
Memphis Grizzlies 136 - 121 Indiana Pacers
In an exciting comeback, the Memphis Grizzlies defeated the Indiana Pacers 136-121 after overcoming a 19-point first-half deficit. Jaren Jackson Jr. led the Grizzlies with 25 points, eight rebounds, and three blocks, while Ja Morant contributed 19 points and eight assists. Despite Indiana's fast start, shooting 60% in the first half and scoring a season-high 68 first-half points, they couldn't maintain their lead. Bennedict Mathurin topped the Pacers’ scoring with 19 points and nine rebounds, but Tyrese Haliburton was held to just eight points. Memphis surged in the third quarter, outscoring the Pacers 40-23, with key contributions also from Marcus Smart and Desmond Bane, each adding 16 points. The victory marked the Grizzlies’ sixth consecutive win. Notably, Andrew Nembhard returned for Indiana after a 14-game absence, scoring 14 first-half points, but did not play the second half as he was on limited minutes due to a knee issue. Both teams face tough opponents next, with Indiana visiting Toronto and Memphis traveling to Dallas on Tuesday.
Cleveland Cavaliers 115 - 111 Boston Celtics
In a thrilling comeback, Donovan Mitchell led the Cleveland Cavaliers to a 115-111 victory over the Boston Celtics, snapping Boston's seven-game winning streak. Mitchell shone in the fourth quarter, scoring 20 of his 35 points and landing all six of his field-goal attempts, which included four three-pointers. Despite a slow start, he powered through with 30 second-half points, helping the Cavs erase a 12-point deficit. Boston, playing without starters Jaylen Brown and Derrick White, saw strong performances from Jayson Tatum with 33 points and Payton Pritchard with 24, but it wasn't enough. The Cavs' victory was sweet revenge for an earlier season loss to Boston after a perfect 15-0 start. Cleveland's Darius Garland contributed 22 points, while Boston's Kristaps Porzingis added 21. The game concluded with a critical mistake from Pritchard, who stepped into the lane early on an intentional missed free throw, giving the Cavs possession and allowing Mitchell to secure the game with two final free throws. Boston now looks to rebound against Miami, while Cleveland prepares to face Washington.
New York Knicks 118 - 85 New Orleans Pelicans
Mikal Bridges led the New York Knicks to a dominating 118-85 victory over the injury-depleted New Orleans Pelicans, scoring 31 points on 12-of-19 shooting, including 7-of-12 from three-point range. The Knicks have now won seven of their last ten games, with contributions from Jalen Brunson, who added 16 points, and Miles McBride scoring 13 off the bench. Karl-Anthony Towns was a force on the boards, grabbing 19 rebounds, 17 of which came in the first half. Despite CJ McCollum's 13 points, the short-handed Pelicans, missing several key players like Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram, struggled offensively, shooting 35-for-94 overall and a dismal 4-of-27 from three-point range. New Orleans saw their losing streak extend to eight games, having won only one of their last 15, and continued their road woes with a 1-10 away record. The Knicks completely shut down the Pelicans' offense, allowing them only 28 first-half points and holding them to a mere 10 points in a first quarter marked by New Orleans missing 15 consecutive shots. New York looks to maintain their momentum against Orlando on Tuesday, while New Orleans wraps up their road trip in Atlanta.
Toronto Raptors 119 - 116 Miami Heat
In an exciting matchup, RJ Barrett delivered a standout performance with 37 points, helping the Toronto Raptors secure a 119-116 victory over the Miami Heat. Toronto's Scottie Barnes contributed significantly, narrowly missing a triple-double with 23 points, 10 rebounds, and nine assists. Jakob Poeltl added a double-double with 17 points and 11 rebounds, while rookie Ja’Kobe Walter scored 12 points. The game marked Toronto's improvement to a 5-4 home record. Miami's Tyler Herro countered with 31 points, including six three-pointers, but missed a crucial 3-point attempt in the final moments. The Heat, now 5-5 on the road, saw Bam Adebayo achieve a season-high 20 rebounds, although Miami failed to secure their third consecutive win. Barrett's consistent scoring was pivotal, especially during a 13-2 run that turned the game in Toronto's favor in the third quarter.
Houston Rockets 119 - 116 Oklahoma City Thunder
Fred VanVleet scored a season-high 38 points, spearheading the Houston Rockets' narrow 119-116 victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder. Dillon Brooks hit a critical go-ahead jumper with just 33.1 seconds left to secure the win, following a clutch defensive play and a timely rebound. VanVleet then sealed the deal with four late free throws despite a late 3-pointer by Jalen Williams that brought Oklahoma City within one point. This triumph marked the Rockets' third consecutive win and fifth in the last six games. Notably, this victory snapped the Thunder's four-game winning streak, despite Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's impressive 32-point performance—his fourth straight 30-point game. Additionally, Isaiah Hartenstein's strong return for the Thunder was highlighted by his double-double performance, contributing 19 points and 13 rebounds. In a game characterized by frequent trips to the charity stripe, both teams combined for 64 free throws, and the Rockets managed to edge out Oklahoma City with better accuracy.
Utah Jazz 104 - 105 Los Angeles Lakers
The Los Angeles Lakers narrowly defeated the Utah Jazz 105-104 in Salt Lake City, led by Anthony Davis with 33 points and 11 rebounds, and LeBron James, who contributed 27 points and 14 assists. Despite missing a crucial three-pointer in the final seconds, the Lakers capitalized on a turnover by Utah’s Collin Sexton, who mishandled an inbound pass, preventing a potential game-winning shot. The Lakers, missing several key players due to injuries and illness, saw Davis dominate the third quarter and James take charge in the fourth, where he scored on four consecutive possessions to extend their lead. The Jazz, struggling with turnovers, lost for the eighth time in nine games, with Lauri Markkanen and John Collins leading their scoring. Notably, LeBron James reached a career milestone by surpassing 15,000 made field goals, joining Kareem Abdul-Jabbar as the only players in NBA history to achieve this feat.
Portland Trail Blazers 131 - 137 Dallas Mavericks
In an exciting matchup, Luka Doncic made a triumphant return from a wrist injury, scoring 36 points and delivering 13 assists to lead the Dallas Mavericks to a 137-131 win over the Portland Trail Blazers. Despite missing key players like Kyrie Irving, Klay Thompson, and others, the Mavericks secured their fourth consecutive victory. Anfernee Simons was a standout for Portland, scoring 27 points with an impressive 24 in the third quarter, just shy of a team record. The game saw Dallas overcome a 10-point deficit early on, with pivotal plays like Spencer Dinwiddie's fourth-quarter three-pointer and P.J. Washington's decisive shot from the baseline. Quentin Grimes' dunk helped Dallas to a comfortable lead in the third, while Doncic's late first-half surge with crucial baskets gave the Mavericks a narrow halftime advantage. Both teams will face off against formidable opponents in their upcoming games on Tuesday.
Sacramento Kings 125 - 127 San Antonio Spurs
In a thrilling game in Sacramento, Victor Wembanyama recorded his first triple-double of the season with 34 points, 13 rebounds, and 11 assists, as the San Antonio Spurs edged out the Sacramento Kings 127-125. Devin Vassell contributed 21 points off the bench, including a pivotal 3-pointer in the final minutes. Despite the Kings' early dominance with a 17-point lead and a scorching 70% shooting performance in the first quarter, San Antonio mounted a remarkable comeback, setting a franchise record with 23 three-pointers. Chris Paul played a crucial role for the Spurs, making decisive plays in the final seconds to secure the win. DeRozan led the Kings with 28 points, and while Domantas Sabonis hit a buzzer-beating 3-pointer, it wasn't enough to change the outcome. The Kings have now lost six of their last seven games, marking a season low, while the Spurs have won five of their last six.
LA Clippers 126 - 122 Denver Nuggets
In a tense showdown, the Los Angeles Clippers narrowly lost 93-92 to the Minnesota Timberwolves during NBA Cup action, ending a 2-2 road stretch. James Harden shone with a stellar 20-point, 11-assist performance, including a crucial four-point play that handed the Clippers a late lead. Despite the loss, coach Tyronn Lue praised the Clippers' robust defense which held their opponents to under 100 points for the sixth time in seven games. However, Denver Nuggets are facing defensive inconsistencies despite Nikola Jokic's standout form, which sees him edging closer to potentially winning his fourth MVP, as emphasized by Denver coach Michael Malone's critical remarks on the team's defense. Clippers' Norman Powell remains questionable due to a hamstring strain, while Kevin Porter Jr. will sit out the next game against the Denver Nuggets.