06.12.2024
Cleveland Cavaliers 126 - 114 Denver Nuggets
The Cleveland Cavaliers secured their 20th victory of the season by defeating the Denver Nuggets 126-114, improving to an impressive 13-1 home record. Donovan Mitchell and Darius Garland led the charge with 28 and 24 points, respectively, as the Cavs set a season-high with 22 successful 3-pointers and extended their streak of making at least 10 threes to a club record 28 games. Despite a standout performance from Nikola Jokic, who recorded his 139th career triple-double (27 points, 20 rebounds, 11 assists), surpassing Magic Johnson, the Nuggets struggled defensively against Cleveland's deep shooting. Caris LeVert added 21 points off the bench, helping the Cavaliers remain undefeated against Western Conference teams at 5-0. The game was marked by pivotal threes from Mitchell and LeVert that sealed the win in the final minutes and an exciting moment when a fan won $10,000 by making a halfcourt shot. The Cavaliers face Charlotte and Miami in upcoming games, while the Nuggets prepare to visit the Wizards.
Washington Wizards 101 - 137 Dallas Mavericks
The Dallas Mavericks cruised to a commanding 137-101 victory over the Washington Wizards, marking their sixth consecutive win. Luka Doncic notched his 78th career triple-double with 21 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists, tying him with Wilt Chamberlain and James Harden for seventh-most in NBA history. This overwhelming loss was the Wizards' 16th straight defeat, tying their franchise record for consecutive losses, a mark they've now matched for the second season in a row. Despite an early competitive start, Washington could not maintain pace, especially as Dallas hit 11 of their first 16 three-point attempts and finished the game with a remarkable 20 of 38 from beyond the arc. Missing key players Kyle Kuzma and Corey Kispert due to injuries, Washington continues to struggle, with their last win coming before Halloween, and faces a challenging schedule ahead with matchups against teams above .500. The Wizards join a small group of teams with such extended losing streaks in back-to-back seasons, highlighting their current woes. Meanwhile, the Mavericks continue their streak with upcoming games against Toronto, while the Wizards will face the Denver Nuggets.
New York Knicks 125 - 101 Charlotte Hornets
The New York Knicks secured a dominant 125-101 victory over the Charlotte Hornets, driven by a stellar third-quarter performance from OG Anunoby, who scored 15 of his 25 points and blocked consecutive 3-point attempts. Anunoby's efforts turned a tight game into a decisive lead, as fans chanted his name following a 28-6 run that expanded the Knicks' advantage to 93-70. Karl-Anthony Towns added 27 points and 16 rebounds, while Jalen Brunson contributed 24 points, 19 of which came in the first quarter. The Hornets, struggling with key injuries, suffered their seventh consecutive loss, exacerbated by rookie Tidjane Salaun's sprained ankle. The Knicks' strong showing extended their winning streak to four games and showed signs of peaking, bolstered by the return of Precious Achiuwa, who made his season debut. The Knicks will aim to maintain dominance against Detroit, while Charlotte hopes to rebound against Cleveland.
Toronto Raptors 92 - 129 Oklahoma City Thunder
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the Oklahoma City Thunder to a commanding 129-92 victory over the Toronto Raptors, scoring 30 points as the Thunder claimed their sixth win in seven games. Jalen Williams added 20 points, while Isaiah Joe contributed 16 points, and Isaiah Hartenstein grabbed 16 rebounds. Oklahoma City's defense shone with nine blocks and nine steals in the first half alone, concluding the game with 11 blocks and 14 steals. The Raptors, missing center Jakob Poeltl due to illness, struggled offensively, shooting just 24.4% from the three-point range and suffering their largest defeat of the season. RJ Barrett, who had been on a scoring streak, managed only 17 points, while Scottie Barnes contributed 12 points and 12 rebounds. Gradey Dick made a return to the Raptors' lineup, adding 15 points after a five-game absence. The Thunder capitalized on Toronto's poor shooting, quickly building and maintaining a lead that they never relinquished. Both teams are set to play again on Saturday, with Oklahoma City visiting New Orleans and Toronto hosting Dallas.
Memphis Grizzlies 115 - 110 Sacramento Kings
The Memphis Grizzlies defeated the Sacramento Kings 115-110, extending their home winning streak to seven games. Marcus Smart scored 18 points, including crucial free throws in the final seconds, and Desmond Bane contributed with 18 points and seven assists. Jaren Jackson Jr. and Santi Aldama each added 15 points, with Aldama recording 10 rebounds. Despite DeMar DeRozan's 26-point effort and solid performances from Malik Monk and De'Aaron Fox, the Kings could not overtake Memphis, experiencing their seventh loss in nine games. The game featured 20 lead changes and 11 ties, with Memphis regaining the lead for good on a drive by Jake LaRavia. Notably, Ja Morant was ejected after receiving two technical fouls in the fourth quarter while struggling with his shooting. The Grizzlies managed to win despite committing 22 turnovers, maintaining their perfect record when making more three-pointers than their opponents.
New Orleans Pelicans 126 - 124 Phoenix Suns
Brandon Ingram's return from a five-game absence proved pivotal as he scored 29 points to help the New Orleans Pelicans end their nine-game skid with a 126-124 victory over the Phoenix Suns. In a game filled with notable performances, Herb Jones, making his first appearance after missing 18 games, delivered a crucial block on Devin Booker's potential game-winning shot in the closing seconds. Despite CJ McCollum's 25-point effort, a missed free throw by him gave Phoenix a last chance, but Jones' defense sealed the win. The Pelicans, playing with most of their primary rotation for the first time since October, showcased improved competitiveness, highlighted by a 21-0 run fueled by seven of nine three-point shooting in the third quarter. While Phoenix played without Kevin Durant and Jusuf Nurkic, Booker and Bradley Beal kept the contest close, scoring 28 and 24 points respectively. The Suns will play against Miami next, while the Pelicans face Oklahoma City on Saturday.
San Antonio Spurs 124 - 139 Chicago Bulls
Nikola Vucevic scored a season-high 39 points, leading the Chicago Bulls to a 139-124 victory over the San Antonio Spurs, who were missing Victor Wembanyama due to a back injury. Ayo Dosunmu achieved his first career triple-double with 27 points, 11 assists, and 10 rebounds, all season highs for him. Chicago set a season-high with 139 points and matched their best first-half performance with 73 points. The game saw significant contributions from multiple players, as six Bulls scored in double figures. For the Spurs, Keldon Johnson notched a season-high 28 points and Jeremy Sochan, in his return after thumb surgery, recorded 16 points and 14 rebounds. Zach LaVine set the game's aggressive tone with a 3-pointer on the opening possession, and the Bulls' 57.8% shooting surpassed their previous season high. Despite efforts from Chris Paul and Devin Vassell, the Spurs suffered their third loss in four games.
Golden State Warriors 99 - 93 Houston Rockets
In preparation for their NBA Cup quarterfinal rematch, the Golden State Warriors and Houston Rockets faced off in San Francisco with both teams having suffered pool play losses earlier. Golden State was without Draymond Green due to injury, and despite a late-game collapse, coach Steve Kerr emphasized the need for his team to make straightforward decisions in crucial moments. Meanwhile, Jonathan Kuminga had a standout performance in the Warriors' previous win over Houston, contributing 23 points, while Golden State continued a prolonged dominance over the Rockets, having won their last 14 matchups. The Rockets, led by Alperen Sengun, who was recently named the conference Player of the Week, have enjoyed a strong form, winning three of their last four games. However, the recent clash was marred by tensions as Sengun and Rockets coach Ime Udoka were ejected for contesting officiating decisions, highlighting the frustrations that often accompany such competitive encounters.