07.12.2024
Philadelphia 76ers 102 - 94 Orlando Magic
In a closely contested matchup, the Philadelphia 76ers emerged victorious over the Orlando Magic with a 102-94 win. Paul George, in only his second game back after bruising his knee, played a pivotal role with 21 points and nine assists, while KJ Martin contributed 20 points, helping Philadelphia secure their third win in four games, improving their record to 6-15. Despite a strong showing from Franz Wagner, who scored 30 points for the Magic, and Jalen Suggs with 22, Orlando fell to 16-9 and struggled with their shooting, particularly from beyond the arc, going 0 for 13 in the second quarter. The Magic, who entered the game with the NBA's lowest three-point shooting percentage at 31.2%, saw a decent lead turn into a nine-point deficit following a poor shooting performance. The 76ers, on the other hand, managed to stave off a late Magic rally by forcing key turnovers and capitalizing on the offensive end. This game highlighted ongoing concerns for the Magic's offensive consistency and a potential return of Joel Embiid for the 76ers as he recovers from chronic knee swelling. Philadelphia will face Chicago next, while Orlando hosts Phoenix on Sunday.
Atlanta Hawks 134 - 132 Los Angeles Lakers
In a thrilling overtime game, Trae Young's clutch 3-pointer with 7.4 seconds left lifted the Atlanta Hawks to a 134-132 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers, marking Atlanta's sixth consecutive win. Young led the Hawks with 31 points, overcoming impressive performances by the Lakers' stars, LeBron James and Anthony Davis, who scored 39 and 38 points respectively. Despite their efforts, the Lakers suffered their third straight defeat and seventh in nine games. James had a chance to win the game in regulation, but his long 3-pointer missed, and a collision with Davis left him briefly in pain. Dyson Daniels made crucial defensive plays for the Hawks in overtime, leading to Young's decisive basket. Atlanta's bench also played a significant role, outscoring the Lakers' reserves 65-17. This win extends the Hawks' longest winning streak since January 2022. The Lakers will aim to bounce back against the Portland Trail Blazers on Sunday, while the Hawks face the Denver Nuggets.
Boston Celtics 111 - 105 Milwaukee Bucks
In a thrilling game, the Boston Celtics edged out the Milwaukee Bucks 111-105, highlighted by Jayson Tatum's standout performance of 34 points and 10 rebounds. This victory marked Boston's 10th win in their last 11 games. Jaylen Brown contributed 25 points, while the team collectively sank 17 three-pointers. Despite an impressive 31 points from Damian Lillard and a 30-point, 11-rebound showing from Giannis Antetokounmpo, the Bucks fell short in their second consecutive loss after a seven-game winning streak. The game was notable for being Khris Middleton's season debut for Milwaukee, where he tallied 11 points and five assists in his return from ankle surgeries. The match featured intense back-and-forth play, encapsulated by on-court antics between Antetokounmpo and Brown—reminiscent of their encounter in a previous game—resulting in a technical foul on Brown. The Celtics' consistent success against the Bucks this season underscores their solid play, while the Bucks aim to reintegrate Middleton to bolster their Eastern Conference prospects. The game had 11 ties and 14 lead changes, emphasizing its competitive nature.
Chicago Bulls 123 - 132 Indiana Pacers
The Indiana Pacers snapped a four-game losing streak by overcoming the Chicago Bulls 132-123, led by Tyrese Haliburton's impressive 23 points and eight assists. Indiana's offensive effort was highlighted by shooting 56.5% from the field, with six players scoring in double figures and a season-high 62.1% from three-point range, including Haliburton’s five three-pointers. Despite Zach LaVine’s 32-point performance for the Bulls, Indiana maintained their lead, thanks to a pivotal 8-0 run sparked by Haliburton’s three-pointer after Chicago had closed the gap to 112-109. The Pacers orchestrated a 24-9 surge in the second quarter to turn an early deficit into a commanding lead, outscoring the Bulls 56-42 in points in the paint. The game showcased both teams' long-range shooting capabilities, although Indiana’s more efficient performance proved decisive. The Pacers will host the Charlotte Hornets next, while the Bulls will continue their homestand facing the Philadelphia 76ers.
San Antonio Spurs 113 - 140 Sacramento Kings
The Sacramento Kings dominated the San Antonio Spurs with a 140-113 victory, marking their highest-scoring game of the season. DeMar DeRozan led the Kings with 23 points, supported by Domantas Sabonis, who contributed 22 points and 16 rebounds. De’Aaron Fox and Malik Monk each added 22 points. A notable performance came from San Antonio's Julian Champagnie, achieving career-highs with 30 points and six 3-pointers. Despite Stephon Castle’s 15-point effort and Chris Paul’s near triple-double, the Spurs continued to struggle, playing without Victor Wembanyama and Devin Vassell, and are now on a three-game losing streak. The Kings turned the game around in the second quarter with a 50-27 run, transforming a 13-point deficit into a halftime lead. Kevin Huerter, shooting only 27.2% on 3-pointers this season, went 4 for 4 from beyond the arc, netting 16 points. Zach Collins was ejected after confronting an official, having started at center in Wembanyama's absence. Meanwhile, Paul is closing in on surpassing Jason Kidd for second place on the NBA’s all-time assists list, needing just two more to achieve the milestone.
Golden State Warriors 90 - 107 Minnesota Timberwolves
The Timberwolves showcased a dominant fourth quarter as they prepared to face the Golden State Warriors in a pair of back-to-back games in San Francisco, hoping to extend their four-game winning streak against the Warriors. With Stephen Curry and Draymond Green sidelined due to injuries, Jonathan Kuminga stepped up to lead the Warriors to a 99-93 victory over the Houston Rockets, snapping a five-game losing streak, with a career-high 33 points. Meanwhile, the Timberwolves demonstrated defensive prowess, keeping their last three rivals, including the Lakers and Clippers, under 92 points. Minnesota's recent success saw them win three straight games against Los Angeles teams, while they remained unshaken by a recent losing streak, determined to keep their momentum as highlighted by guard Donte DiVincenzo's remarks on team unity and focus.
Portland Trail Blazers 99 - 141 Utah Jazz
In a matchup highlighting both teams' struggles, the Utah Jazz faced the Portland Trail Blazers, with Utah aiming to snap a five-game losing streak. The Jazz have been plagued by turnovers, committing 29 against the Oklahoma City Thunder, which led to 45 Thunder points in their 133-106 defeat. Utah's coach Will Hardy emphasized the need for better ball security and quick decision-making, acknowledging that turnovers detract from their improved defensive foundation. Despite these issues, Collin Sexton and Walker Kessler led with 17 points each, while six Jazz players scored at least 13 points. Meanwhile, the Trail Blazers have dropped six of their last eight games, notably falling 127-105 to the Los Angeles Clippers, with Deandre Ayton leading with 16 points. Portland's defense has struggled, allowing over 120 points in four of the last five games. Both teams rank poorly in scoring defense, with the Jazz at 28th and the Trail Blazers at 21st, highlighting the need for improvements on both ends.