22.12.2024
Sacramento Kings 99 - 103 Los Angeles Lakers
LeBron James powered the Los Angeles Lakers to a 103-99 victory over the Sacramento Kings, clinching a two-game sweep on Saturday. Despite missing crucial free throws with 12 seconds left, Anthony Davis' team held on as the Kings failed to capitalize, allowing Austin Reaves to secure the win with two successful free throws. James contributed 32 points, while Reaves had 16 and Davis recorded 10 points and 15 rebounds, also breaking Kobe Bryant's record for the fifth most blocks in franchise history with his 642nd block. De'Aaron Fox led the Kings with 31 points, supported by Domantas Sabonis' 19 points and 19 rebounds. The game was marked by early turnovers, as the Lakers significantly reduced mistakes after an error-prone first quarter, in contrast to the Kings, who struggled with ball control from the start. Both teams shot poorly from beyond the arc, with Sacramento's 27% narrowly outperforming Los Angeles' 25.7%.
Orlando Magic 121 - 114 Miami Heat
In an incredible comeback, the Orlando Magic overcame a 25-point deficit to defeat the Miami Heat 121-114, matching the largest rally in franchise history. Cole Anthony was instrumental, scoring 27 of his 35 points in the second half and adding eight rebounds and nine assists. The Magic managed to turn around a 22-point disadvantage at the start of the fourth quarter, outscoring the Heat 37-8 despite losing Mo Wagner to a knee injury and Wendell Carter Jr. to an ejection. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope contributed 24 points, including a crucial go-ahead jumper with 2:41 remaining, while Goga Bitadze added 18 points and 13 rebounds. For the Heat, Bam Adebayo and Terry Rozier each scored 23 points, with Tyler Herro contributing 22, but the team collapsed in the fourth quarter without the injured Jimmy Butler. The Magic's victory came despite lineup challenges, with only Caldwell-Pope remaining from their opening game starters against the Heat.
Atlanta Hawks 112 - 128 Memphis Grizzlies
The Memphis Grizzlies secured a convincing 128-112 victory over the Atlanta Hawks, despite the absence of their star player Ja Morant, who sat out due to low back soreness. Desmond Bane led Memphis with 23 points, while Scotty Pippen Jr. contributed 22 points and nine assists. The Grizzlies demonstrated offensive prowess with seven players scoring in double digits and converting 43.9% from beyond the arc. The Hawks, missing Trae Young due to a right heel contusion, saw De'Andre Hunter lead with 26 points. Memphis' strong performance showcased their capabilities as they have now won 12 of their last 14 games, outscoring their last two opponents by a combined 67 points, reinforcing their status as the NBA’s top offensive team.
Brooklyn Nets 94 - 105 Utah Jazz
The Utah Jazz secured their first consecutive wins of the season with a 105-94 victory over the Brooklyn Nets, following a previous road win against the Detroit Pistons. Despite holding one of the NBA's worst records at 7-20, this marks a rare road winning streak for the Jazz, their first since early 2023. Lauri Markkanen led the scoring with 21 points, supported by Collin Sexton and Svi Mykhailiuk each contributing 18 points. John Collins added a double-double with 13 points and 11 rebounds, while Jordan Clarkson scored 16 points for Utah, who had recently lost 12 of 15 games. Notably absent was Keyonte George, the team's assist leader, due to a sprained ankle. For Brooklyn, Cam Johnson scored 18 points, while Ben Simmons achieved his first double-double of the season with 15 points and 10 assists, amidst the Nets' struggles, having lost seven of their last nine games. Utah overcame a second-quarter deficit by outscoring Brooklyn 17-6 to take control at halftime, maintaining their lead thereafter.
Cleveland Cavaliers 126 - 99 Philadelphia 76ers
The Cleveland Cavaliers dominated the Philadelphia 76ers with a 126-99 victory, led by Darius Garland's 26 points and Evan Mobley's impressive performance of 22 points, 13 rebounds, and seven assists. Garland was particularly effective from beyond the arc, hitting 6 of 7 as the Cavaliers equaled their season high with 22 three-pointers, continuing their strong home record of 16-1. Donovan Mitchell contributed 19 points, and Georges Niang added 13 off the bench, helping Cleveland maintain their league-leading 25-4 record. Tyrese Maxey shone for the 76ers with 27 points, 13 of which came in the third quarter, but Philadelphia struggled without key player Joel Embiid, who sat out due to injury. Mobley's explosive play in the paint, including a notable slam dunk over KJ Martin and Andre Drummond, sparked a significant run for the Cavaliers, highlighting a career-high season for the fourth-year pro. The game marked a historical moment for Cleveland as they hit 19 or more three-pointers in three consecutive games for the first time in franchise history.
Chicago Bulls 98 - 123 Boston Celtics
Jayson Tatum delivered an electrifying performance with a season-high 43 points, 16 rebounds, and 10 assists, securing his third career triple-double as the Boston Celtics defeated the Chicago Bulls 123-98. Kristaps Porzingis and Jaylen Brown contributed 22 and 19 points, respectively, helping the Celtics to rebound after a recent loss to the Bulls. Tatum shone in the third quarter, leading a 19-8 run that stretched Boston's lead to 93-77. Despite Nikola Vucevic’s solid effort with 19 points and 10 assists, the Bulls saw their three-game winning streak come to an end, partially due to a lackluster shooting night at 37.9% accuracy. Notably, referee Aaron Smith left the game due to a hip injury, and Bulls guard Josh Giddey remained sidelined with an ankle issue. The Celtics, known for their three-point attempts, switched strategies to outperform the Bulls with 62 points in the paint and dominated the boards with 58 rebounds and 25 second-chance points.
Milwaukee Bucks 112 - 101 Washington Wizards
In the Milwaukee Bucks' 112-101 victory over the Washington Wizards, Bobby Portis remarkably filled in for Giannis Antetokounmpo, who missed the game due to back spasms, by scoring a season-high 34 points along with 10 rebounds and eight assists. Khris Middleton contributed a solid 18 points, six rebounds, and eight assists, and played back-to-back games as he continues to recover from offseason ankle surgeries. In the absence of Damian Lillard, who is expected to return against Chicago, rookie Ryan Rollins started at point guard, adding 14 points. Milwaukee excelled in capitalizing on turnovers, converting 19 turnovers into 24 points. While the Wizards had a strong start shooting 72% in the first quarter, they faded quickly in the second. Jordan Poole led the Wizards with 26 points, and Bilal Coulibaly added a double-double with 20 points and 11 rebounds. The Bucks' decisive 15-2 run in the third quarter set the stage for their victory, with Middleton hitting crucial three-pointers to extend their lead.
Minnesota Timberwolves 103 - 113 Golden State Warriors
In a thrilling game on Saturday night, Stephen Curry powered the Golden State Warriors to a 113-103 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves, scoring an impressive 31 points, including 11 consecutive points in the fourth quarter. Curry's performance was highlighted by his seven 3-pointers and 10 assists, while Trayce Jackson-Davis contributed 15 points and nine rebounds for the Warriors. Despite a strong effort from Anthony Edwards and Donte DiVincenzo, each with 19 points, and Rudy Gobert's double-double, the Timberwolves couldn't capitalize on their third-quarter comeback after falling into an early 21-point hole. The game marked a dramatic turnaround for the Warriors, who just two days earlier suffered a heavy defeat to the Grizzlies, and showcased their resilience as Curry's clutch shots sealed the win. The Timberwolves, who struggled with their shooting early on, made a valiant attempt to reclaim the lead but were unable to overcome the Warriors' late-game surge.
New Orleans Pelicans 93 - 104 New York Knicks
Jalen Brunson’s impressive performance led the New York Knicks to a 104-93 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans, as he scored 29 of his season-high 39 points in the second half. Despite tight defense from Herb Jones that resulted in the Knicks shooting just 35.6% in the first half, Brunson’s 16-point explosion in the third quarter sparked a crucial 22-6 run, overturning a 65-52 deficit and securing a 74-71 lead for New York. The Knicks' victory also continued New Orleans’ struggles, marking their 15th loss in 16 games. Trey Murphy III led the Pelicans with 26 points, while the Knicks also benefited from Mikal Bridges’ 18 points and OG Anunoby’s 16. Karl-Anthony Towns had limited impact due to early foul trouble, scoring only 5 points in limited minutes. New York's triumph was solidified by a 43-14 run, concluding the game with Brunson excelling at 13 of 19 shooting, including 7 of 10 from beyond the arc. The Knicks will next face Toronto, while the Pelicans host Denver.
Dallas Mavericks 113 - 97 LA Clippers
The Dallas Mavericks secured a 113-97 win over the Los Angeles Clippers, largely due to an impressive performance from their bench, particularly Quentin Grimes, who scored 20 points off the bench with 14 of those in a pivotal fourth quarter. Even in the absence of their leading scorer Luka Doncic, the Mavericks dominated, boasting eight players in double figures, and outscored the Clippers 31-18 in the second period. Klay Thompson, Kyrie Irving, and Spencer Dinwiddie added scores of 16 and 15 each, respectively. Notably, James Harden passed Tim Duncan to become the 16th highest scorer in NBA history. Despite the loss, Norman Powell stood out for the Clippers with 28 points and Ivica Zubac achieved his 19th double-double with 13 points and 15 rebounds. The Mavericks continue to excel without Doncic, now 6-2 in his absence, with a strong contribution from their bench which outscored the Clippers' reserves 46-24. The Clippers will continue their road trip in Memphis, while the Mavericks will face the Portland Trail Blazers next.
San Antonio Spurs 114 - 94 Portland Trail Blazers
Victor Wembanyama delivered a standout performance with 30 points and 10 blocks, leading the San Antonio Spurs to a commanding 114-94 win over the Portland Trail Blazers. Notably, Wembanyama made history as the first NBA player to achieve four 3-pointers and 10 blocks in a single game and became the first player under 21 to have multiple double-figure block games since 1974. He also matched his career high with his 10th block and recorded the 15th fastest journey to 200 career 3-pointers in NBA history. Charles Bassey contributed a double-double with 16 points and 12 rebounds, while Devin Vassell added 11 points. The Spurs, improving to 15-13, secured their largest victory margin this season and continue their strong run, winning four straight against Portland. Despite Shaedon Sharpe's 25 points and Anfernee Simons’ 18, Portland struggled, dropping nine of their last 11 games and hitting only 12 of 43 from beyond the arc.
Phoenix Suns 125 - 133 Detroit Pistons
In an impressive performance, Cade Cunningham led the Detroit Pistons to a 133-125 victory over the Phoenix Suns, recording 28 points and 13 assists. Despite Kevin Durant's season-high 43 points, coupled with Bradley Beal's 26, the Suns were hampered by 19 turnovers. Detroit had seven players score in double figures, including Jalen Duren who notched a double-double with 17 points and 11 rebounds. The Pistons established control early, racing to a 41-26 lead by the end of the first quarter, largely capitalizing on Phoenix's turnovers. Playing without Devin Booker due to a left groin injury, the Suns struggled defensively and couldn't overcome their mistakes. A standout moment came when Malik Beasley hit a crucial 3-pointer to repel a late Suns rally, and Cunningham sealed the win with another three in the final moments. Despite shooting nearly 62% from the field over the initial three quarters, the Suns' sloppy play and exemptions on defense proved costly. The victory marked the Pistons' third win in their last five games, while the Suns have now lost 12 of their last 18 after a strong start to the season.