24.12.2024
Charlotte Hornets 101 - 114 Houston Rockets
The Houston Rockets secured their third consecutive victory by defeating the Charlotte Hornets 114-101, with standout performances from Jabari Smith Jr., who posted 21 points and 11 rebounds, and Fred VanVleet, contributing 20 points. The Rockets' youthful lineup dominated early, leading Charlotte by 34 points in the second half, propelled by contributions from Amen Thompson and Cam Whitmore. Houston's defense was formidable, limiting the Hornets to just 15 points in the first quarter and a mere 1 for 11 from three-point range. Despite efforts from Miles Bridges and LaMelo Ball, scoring 24 and 23 points respectively, Charlotte struggled, particularly with their long-distance shooting going 2 for 20 in the first half. The Rockets also controlled the boards, outrebounding the Hornets 59-44, highlighting Thompson's impressive coast-to-coast dunk. A noteworthy incident saw Aaron Holliday ejected after a brief three-minute stint. Both teams will continue their road games on Thursday, with the Rockets facing New Orleans and the Hornets playing at Washington.
Cleveland Cavaliers 124 - 113 Utah Jazz
The Cleveland Cavaliers secured their fifth consecutive win by defeating the Utah Jazz 124-113, marking their 17th victory in 18 home games. Darius Garland led the team with 23 points and eight assists, while Evan Mobley and Donovan Mitchell each contributed 22 points. Sam Merrill, starting his second game of the season, scored a season-high 20 points, including six 3-pointers. The game was notably delayed by 35 minutes due to a broken rim. Despite a strong bench performance from Jordan Clarkson who scored 27 points, and Lauri Markkanen's 26 points, the Jazz faltered, particularly with Walker Kessler struggling at the free-throw line. Markkanen and Collin Sexton were part of the trade that brought Mitchell to Cleveland. Cleveland's victory was solidified with key plays from Georges Niang in the final minute. The Jazz will conclude their road trip in Portland, while the Cavaliers are set to face Denver next.
Orlando Magic 108 - 104 Boston Celtics
In a thrilling comeback, the Orlando Magic overcame a 15-point halftime deficit to defeat the Boston Celtics 108-104, aided by Tristan da Silva's crucial 3-pointer with 9.9 seconds remaining. The Celtics, playing without an ill Jayson Tatum after his impressive 43-point triple-double previously against Chicago, relied on Jaylen Brown, who scored 35 points. Despite leading at halftime, Boston faltered in the second half as Orlando tied the game by the end of the third and surged ahead in the fourth. Trevelin Queen contributed 17 points in his NBA starting debut, while Jalen Suggs added 16 for the Magic. Kristaps Porzingis and Derrick White each scored 17 for Boston, and late drama included Goga Bitadze's ejection after stepping into an altercation. A notable play saw Cole Anthony reclaim a lost ball to score a reverse layup around towering defenders Kristaps Porzingis and Luke Kornet, marking Orlando's first lead. Celtics missed their usual 3-point prowess, hitting only 8 of 32 attempts, and will host Philadelphia next, while the Magic prepare to face Miami.
Philadelphia 76ers 111 - 106 San Antonio Spurs
In a thrilling game, Tyrese Maxey led the Philadelphia 76ers with 32 points and made pivotal plays in the final minute to secure a 111-106 victory over the San Antonio Spurs, despite the ejection of Joel Embiid in the second quarter. Embiid was removed after two technical fouls, the second one seemingly occurring without physical contact with referee Jenna Schroeder. The ejection came before any additional game time had elapsed. Maxey's late-game heroics included a crucial steal and a left-handed dunk that turned into a three-point play, followed by a decisive 3-pointer, propelling Philadelphia ahead in the last minute. Victor Wembanyama showcased his skills for the Spurs, with 26 points, nine rebounds, and eight blocks, while Paul George added 19 points for the 76ers. Both teams are gearing up for future games, with the 76ers and Spurs scheduled to play on Christmas Day against the Boston Celtics and New York Knicks, respectively.
Atlanta Hawks 117 - 104 Minnesota Timberwolves
The Atlanta Hawks secured a 117-104 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves, bolstered by Garrison Mathews' career-high seven 3-pointers and season-high 25 points off the bench. Trae Young, overcoming a bruised heel, contributed 29 points and seven assists, while De'Andre Hunter added 19 points to help the Hawks snap a three-game losing streak. Minnesota's Naz Reid delivered 23 points off the bench, but Anthony Edwards struggled in his hometown appearance with 16 points, shooting 7 for 20 and committing five turnovers. Notably, Dyson Daniels, tasked with guarding Edwards, amassed eight steals. Despite a strong start by the Hawks and a brief Timberwolves rally leading to a 55-52 halftime lead, Atlanta surged ahead with an 8-0 run in the third quarter, largely driven by Mathews. The Hawks capitalized on their 18 for 36 shooting from beyond the arc, marking their return to a .500 record. Meanwhile, the Timberwolves, criticized for a flat start, face a challenging season, exacerbated by Edwards' recent $75,000 fine for critiquing officials. As the Timberwolves prepare for their Christmas match against the Dallas Mavericks, the Hawks are set to host the Chicago Bulls.
Miami Heat 110 - 95 Brooklyn Nets
The Miami Heat ended their three-game losing streak with a 110-95 victory over the Brooklyn Nets, highlighted by Bam Adebayo's strong second-half performance, contributing 17 of his 23 points. Miami showcased their impressive defense once again, maintaining their perfect record (7-0) when holding opponents below 100 points. Nikola Jovic and Tyler Herro also played crucial roles, with Jovic scoring 18 points and Herro adding a double-double with 17 points and 12 rebounds. Despite Jimmy Butler sitting out due to illness, the Heat's effective teamwork enabled them to dominate the second half, outscoring the Nets 52-38. Duncan Robinson's five 3-pointers and Miami's accuracy from the free-throw line, going 21 of 24, were pivotal in extending their lead in the fourth quarter. Brooklyn's struggles continue as they have now lost eight out of their last ten games, with six of those defeats by double digits, reflecting their inconsistent form since a strong November run. Both teams are set for action again on Thursday, with the Nets facing Milwaukee and the Heat playing against Orlando.
New York Knicks 139 - 125 Toronto Raptors
In an exciting game, Karl-Anthony Towns and OG Anunoby both netted 31 points, with the New York Knicks defeating the Toronto Raptors 139-125. Towns also contributed 10 rebounds and seven assists, while Anunoby was impressively efficient, shooting 13 for 15 from the field. The Knicks showcased their depth, with seven players scoring in double figures, as Cam Payne added 19 points off the bench. New York, shooting 59% from the field, capitalized on a strong second quarter, outscoring the Raptors 40-24, thanks to Payne’s energy and crucial 3-pointers. Despite a slow start and Jalen Brunson’s unusual shooting struggles, the Knicks extended their winning streak to four games. The Raptors, now on an eight-game losing streak and holding a poor road record of 1-13, were led by Scottie Barnes with 24 points and RJ Barrett with 23 points. Towns fouled out in the fourth quarter but not before recording his 18th consecutive double-double, showing why he leads the NBA in rebounding.
Chicago Bulls 91 - 112 Milwaukee Bucks
The Milwaukee Bucks secured a commanding 112-91 win over the Chicago Bulls as Khris Middleton and Brook Lopez each scored 21 points, with Bobby Portis contributing a double-double of 19 points and 13 rebounds. Key players Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard were absent, the former due to back spasms and the latter due to illness, yet the Bucks still managed to shine. Middleton, recently returning from ankle surgery, set a new season high for the second consecutive game. The Bucks excelled from beyond the arc, making 18 three-pointers, while Gary Trent Jr. added 14 points, including four three-pointers. The Bulls, struggling with their shots, made just 10 out of 48 3-point attempts. Despite missing key backcourt players Lonzo Ball and Josh Giddey, Chicago briefly closed the gap to eight points in the third quarter, but Milwaukee quickly regained a substantial lead. The Bucks' early success from the three-point line helped seal their victory, reminding fans of their potential after a challenging start to the season.
Memphis Grizzlies 110 - 114 LA Clippers
The Memphis Grizzlies showcased their depth and offensive prowess with a decisive road win over the Atlanta Hawks, despite star guard Ja Morant resting a sore back. Scotty Pippen Jr., filling in for Morant, delivered an impressive performance by scoring 22 points and dishing out nine assists, continuing his valuable contributions throughout the season. Memphis, known as the NBA's highest-scoring team with an average of 123.1 points per game, displayed their shooting excellence by tying their season high with 73 first-half points and making 45 three-pointers over two consecutive games. Their strong form is highlighted by winning 12 of the past 14 games. The Clippers, meanwhile, are adjusting in the absence of Kawhi Leonard due to a knee injury and adapting their lineup after offseason changes. Norman Powell has stepped up as a key playmaker, averaging 23.9 points per game and demonstrating his potential as a first-time All-Star candidate. The Clippers' recent win over Dallas was overshadowed by a loss in the second game of the series, showcasing their inconsistency as they continue to find their rhythm.
Oklahoma City Thunder 123 - 105 Washington Wizards
The Oklahoma City Thunder extended their winning streak to eight games with a 123-105 victory over the struggling Washington Wizards, who suffered their 21st defeat in 23 games and their 12th consecutive road loss. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the Thunder with an impressive 41-point performance, alongside nine rebounds, three assists, three steals, and three blocks. Despite a slow start, Gilgeous-Alexander excelled by hitting 14 of 25 shots, including three 3-pointers and a perfect 10-of-10 from the free-throw line. Oklahoma City managed a 19-3 run at the start of the fourth quarter to seal the game, with contributions from Jalen Williams and Isaiah Hartenstein, who added 17 and 16 points respectively. The Wizards, missing key scorers Kyle Kuzma, Bilal Coulibaly, and No. 2 draft pick Alex Sarr, saw Jordan Poole score 31 points in a losing effort. Despite early success from beyond the arc, Washington missed 11 consecutive threes, while Oklahoma City's shooting struggles were offset by pivotal 3-pointers early in the final period. The game also marked the season debut of Thunder forward Jaylin Williams, who received a warm ovation and hit a significant 3-pointer to conclude a crucial 13-0 run.
Dallas Mavericks 132 - 108 Portland Trail Blazers
Luka Doncic made a strong return from a two-game absence by scoring 27 points, leading the Dallas Mavericks to a dominant 132-108 win over the Portland Trail Blazers. Despite missing previous games due to a left heel contusion, Doncic also contributed seven rebounds and seven assists. The Mavericks, who have won 14 of their last 17 games, showcased their shooting prowess by having five players in double figures by halftime. Daniel Gafford impressed with 23 points off the bench, while Kyrie Irving added 20 points. The Trail Blazers struggled, losing eight of their last nine games, with Deni Avdija and Deandre Ayton being the only bright spots, scoring 19 and 16 points respectively. Dallas executed a strong middle period performance, outscoring Portland 74-45, and led by as many as 32 in the fourth quarter. As the Mavericks prepare to host the Minnesota Timberwolves next, the Trail Blazers are set to begin a three-game homestand against Utah.
Denver Nuggets 117 - 90 Phoenix Suns
In a Western Conference showdown between the Phoenix Suns and Denver Nuggets, the Nuggets emerged victorious, led by Nikola Jokic's impressive performance. Jokic powered the team with a triple-double, scoring 27 points, grabbing 13 rebounds, and dishing out 10 assists, crucial in their tight 132-129 overtime win against the New Orleans Pelicans. Despite fatigue from playing back-to-back games and a late-night flight, Denver maintained their undefeated streak in such scenarios this season. The Suns, struggling without key player Devin Booker due to injury, placed more pressure on Kevin Durant, who acknowledged difficulties in handling double teams. Durant's recent high scoring wasn't enough to prevent losses to teams with losing records. Phoenix was also hindered by Grayson Allen's potential absence and limited appearances from Bol Bol due to a knee injury. While the Nuggets capitalized on their momentum, the Suns relied on Durant's leadership and contributions from players like Bradley Beal and Jusuf Nurkic, hoping to remain competitive in the tight Western Conference race.
Golden State Warriors 105 - 111 Indiana Pacers
The Indiana Pacers are riding a five-game win streak as they prepare to face the Golden State Warriors in San Francisco, aiming to complete an undefeated western trip. After starting poorly at 10-15, the Pacers found success against Phoenix and Sacramento, thanks to improved health and depth, with seven players scoring in double figures in a decisive 122-95 victory over the Kings. A win against Golden State would even their season at .500, an achievement coach Rick Carlisle attributes to better practice time enhancing their defensive edge. This matchup features former Pacers player Buddy Hield, now with the Warriors and averaging 14 points off the bench, and Trayce Jackson-Davis, an Indiana native struggling to match his impressive rookie form but showing potential with recent strong performances. The Warriors have faced difficulties, losing nine of their last 12 games. Indiana will look to extend their recent dominance in San Francisco, having secured five consecutive victories at the Warriors' home court in recent times, and the series will conclude in Indianapolis on January 10.
Los Angeles Lakers 114 - 117 Detroit Pistons
The Los Angeles Lakers, rejuvenated by a three-game winning streak including back-to-back victories over the Sacramento Kings, are set to face the Detroit Pistons with renewed confidence, as they enter a favorable run of home games. LeBron James, nearing his 40th birthday, demonstrated his revitalized form with a standout performance of 32 points, seven rebounds, and six assists, indicating recovery from a recent foot injury. Despite Anthony Davis's struggles with free-throw shooting, the Lakers' defense secured a crucial stop to claim victory. Meanwhile, the Pistons approach the encounter on a high after a season-best 133-125 win against the Phoenix Suns, led by Cade Cunningham's 28 points and Jaden Ivey's impactful return from a knee injury. Detroit showcased a balanced offense, with seven players hitting double figures, and capitalized on forcing 19 turnovers into 34 points, offering a glimpse of their potential for a second consecutive win, a feat last achieved in mid-November.