27.12.2024
Indiana Pacers 114 - 120 Oklahoma City Thunder
The Oklahoma City Thunder secured their ninth consecutive win by defeating the Indiana Pacers 120-114, with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander matching his career high of 45 points, making 15 of 22 field goals and hitting all 11 free throws. Despite the Pacers leading by 15 points in the first half and maintaining a narrow lead after three quarters, the Thunder overcame them with a decisive 8-0 run late in the game. Jalen Williams added 20 points, and Isaiah Hartenstein contributed 11 points and 13 rebounds for Oklahoma City. The Pacers' five-game winning streak was halted despite strong performances from Andrew Nembhard and Pascal Siakam. Indiana struggled with turnovers and an underwhelming performance from Tyrese Haliburton, who scored just four points, while Obi Toppin left the game early due to a sprained ankle. This victory came despite the absence of Oklahoma City's defensive star Alex Caruso, who was sidelined with a hip injury.
Orlando Magic 88 - 89 Miami Heat
In a nail-biting finish, Tyler Herro's 19-foot jumper with just 0.5 seconds left secured an 89-88 victory for the Miami Heat over the Orlando Magic. Despite the absence of Jimmy Butler and a sluggish start, where they fell 14-0 down, the Heat mounted a comeback from a 17-point deficit. Jalen Suggs led the Magic with 29 points but missed a potential game-winner at the buzzer. Herro contributed 20 points overall and was aided by Alec Burks, who scored 11 of his 17 points in the fourth quarter, and Jaime Jaquez Jr., who added 15 points. The Magic, struggling from beyond the arc by shooting 5 for 29 on threes, faced a critical tip-in by Goga Bitadze that briefly gave them the lead. However, their 23 turnovers, including nine in the final quarter, proved costly. Miami, capitalizing on six 3-pointers in the fourth quarter, avenged a previous loss to the Magic and will next face Atlanta, while Orlando hosts New York.
Washington Wizards 113 - 110 Charlotte Hornets
Jordan Poole's clutch 3-pointer with 8.1 seconds left sealed a thrilling 113-110 victory for the Washington Wizards over the Charlotte Hornets, a contest between two of the NBA’s struggling teams. The Wizards nearly squandered a 21-point second-quarter lead but managed a back-and-forth final minute to clinch the win. Charlotte had a brief lead after Mark Williams' alley-oop dunk from LaMelo Ball with 12.3 seconds to go, but Poole's step-back 3-pointer turned the tide. The Hornets' last-second efforts fell short with Brandon Miller missing a 3-pointer and Ball missing a putback. Poole tallied 25 points in total, while LaMelo Ball managed a game-high 31 points for Charlotte. The game saw Washington capitalize on Charlotte's 20 turnovers, scoring 24 points from them. The Hornets have now lost 14 of their last 15 games, while the Wizards prepare to host back-to-back games against New York.
Atlanta Hawks 141 - 133 Chicago Bulls
In a thrilling game, the Atlanta Hawks staged a remarkable comeback to defeat the Chicago Bulls 141-133, despite being down by 21 points late in the game. Jalen Johnson shone with a career-high 30 points and 15 rebounds, while Trae Young, who surpassed the 11,000 career point mark, added 27 points and 13 assists. Atlanta's impressive rally was marked by a 23-2 run to secure their lead in the fourth quarter, where they scored an astounding 50 points. Zach LaVine contributed 37 points for the Bulls, who suffered their third consecutive loss. Despite the defeat, Chicago set a franchise record with their 31st straight game of hitting at least 10 three-pointers. De'Andre Hunter continued his scoring streak for the Hawks and contributed significantly off the bench, as six Atlanta players finished in double figures. The comeback was cemented by a pivotal tying 3-pointer from Young and a decisive steal and score by Johnson. The Hawks will host the Miami Heat, and the Bulls will host the Milwaukee Bucks on Saturday.
Memphis Grizzlies 155 - 126 Toronto Raptors
The Memphis Grizzlies set a franchise scoring record by defeating the Toronto Raptors 155-126, marking a remarkable offensive display. Jaren Jackson Jr. and Zach Edey both scored 21 points, with Edey adding 16 rebounds to his tally. Desmond Bane, Jaylen Wells, and Ja Morant, who contributed 15 points and nine assists, also played key roles in the victory, which was Memphis's third win in four games. Toronto, meanwhile, extended their losing streak to nine games and are struggling on the road with a 1-14 record. Despite their current skid, the Raptors had previously been competitive, with only one of their last seven losses exceeding a 10-point margin. Memphis showcased their scoring prowess, leading the NBA with 122.7 points per game, and reached a season-high with 78 points in the first half. A standout moment came when Raptors coach Darko Rajakovic was ejected after multiple technical fouls for arguing calls. The Grizzlies dominated with a season-high 24 offensive rebounds, resulting in 33 second-chance points. Memphis now heads on a five-game road trip starting in New Orleans, while Toronto will host the Atlanta Hawks next.
Milwaukee Bucks 105 - 111 Brooklyn Nets
The Brooklyn Nets, led by Cam Johnson's 29 points and Noah Clowney's 20, secured a 111-105 comeback victory over the Milwaukee Bucks, ending a period of struggle with eight losses in ten games. Playing without stars Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard, the Bucks relied on Khris Middleton's 21 points and Brook Lopez's 20, with the team shooting an impressive 50.7% from the field. The game was tightly contested, with the Nets overcoming a second-half deficit through a late 7-0 run and Clowney's crucial three-pointer. This win marked the Nets' first in Milwaukee since February 2022, snapping a three-game losing streak there. Looking ahead, Brooklyn aims to clinch their first season series over Milwaukee in four years during their final matchup in January.
New Orleans Pelicans 111 - 128 Houston Rockets
Jalen Green led the Houston Rockets to a commanding 128-111 victory over the injury-depleted New Orleans Pelicans by scoring 30 points in under 30 minutes. The Rockets, with their fourth straight win and six victories in the last seven games, have moved up to second place in the competitive Western Conference. Fred VanVleet contributed significantly with 25 points, including seven 3-pointers, while Cam Whitmore added 27 points off the bench. Center Alperen Şengün added a double-double with 10 points and 13 rebounds. The Rockets dominated the game from the start, leading by as much as 30 points and giving their starters rest in the fourth quarter. For the Pelicans, Trey Murphy scored 21 points, but the team continued their struggles, losing their eighth consecutive game and 17 of the last 18. New Orleans missed key players, with Zion Williamson out for 22 straight games and Brandon Ingram absent for his seventh consecutive game, leaving them winless in his absence. Houston's hot shooting from deep, going 38.3% as a team, was a critical factor in their victory.
Portland Trail Blazers 122 - 120 Utah Jazz
In a thrilling game, Scoot clinched a last-second game-winner as the Utah Jazz revisited Portland, a site of their largest victory earlier in the season when they crushed the Trail Blazers 141-99. Despite missing Lauri Markkanen, Johnny Juzang led the Jazz with 22 points in that December blowout, supported by Walker Kessler's powerful performance with 13 points, 17 rebounds, and five blocks, leading to Portland fans booing their team. Recently, the Jazz bounced back from a three-game skid, grabbing back-to-back wins against the Pistons and Nets before a close 124-113 loss to Cleveland. Coach Will Hardy praised the team's competitiveness and improvement, highlighted by Kessler's impact without heavy scoring. Meanwhile, the Trail Blazers struggled, having lost eight of their last nine games, with their defense pivotal in recovery as emphasized by Deandre Ayton after their recent defeats.
Sacramento Kings 113 - 114 Detroit Pistons
The Detroit Pistons are looking to extend their winning streak on the road as they face the struggling Sacramento Kings, who are amid a five-game homestand marred by four consecutive losses. Despite being last season’s worst team, the Pistons have found renewed strength on their Western swing, securing wins against the Phoenix Suns and the Los Angeles Lakers thanks to a balanced attack led by Cade Cunningham. Cunningham has stood out with impressive performances, including double-doubles against the Suns and Lakers, drawing praise from Pistons owner Tom Gores for his leadership. Meanwhile, the Kings, suffering from poor offensive showings and three-point shooting woes by Malik Monk and DeMar DeRozan, are dealing with frustration from their hometown fans, who have booed them following a heavy loss to the Indiana Pacers. Monk emphasized that team play is crucial to overcoming their slump, highlighting the need for a collective effort over individual stats.