01.01.2025
Boston Celtics 125 - 71 Toronto Raptors
In a commanding display, the Boston Celtics routed the Toronto Raptors 125-71, with Jayson Tatum scoring 18 of his 23 points in a dominant third quarter where Boston outscored Toronto 45-18. The Celtics capitalized on their 3-point shooting, hitting 10 of 12 from beyond the arc during the third period and shooting 74% overall. Tatum’s performance was complemented by Jrue Holiday, who returned from a shoulder injury to score 14 points, Payton Pritchard with 19 points, and Sam Hauser and Derrick White who added 12 and 16 points respectively. Boston's defense forced 21 turnovers while limiting themselves to 13. Toronto struggled offensively, committing 12 turnovers in the first half and only shooting 29.5% from the field, which saw their losing streak extend to 11 games. The Raptors were led by Scottie Barnes with 16 points and 13 rebounds. The Celtics led 90-53 by the end of the third quarter and rested their starters in the fourth. Despite starting slowly, back-to-back 3s by White and Holiday ignited an 8-0 run that secured Boston’s lead early. The Celtics will continue their season on the road at the Minnesota Timberwolves, while the Raptors face the Nets next.
Indiana Pacers 112 - 120 Milwaukee Bucks
In a dramatic comeback, the Milwaukee Bucks overcame a 19-point deficit to defeat the Indiana Pacers 120-112. Giannis Antetokounmpo, who returned after missing three games due to illness, played a pivotal role by scoring 30 points and grabbing 12 rebounds, despite a lackluster first half where he scored only four points. His second-half surge was instrumental in Milwaukee's recovery, as they outscored Indiana 67-48 after halftime. Brook Lopez contributed 16 points, while Bobby Portis Jr. added a double-double with 14 points and 15 rebounds. Bennedict Mathurin led the Pacers with 25 points. The Bucks' victory was solidified by Gary Trent Jr.'s timely three-pointers down the stretch. Meanwhile, Damian Lillard struggled, shooting just 3-for-14 for nine points. This victory ended a potential three-game losing streak for the Bucks and marked another frustrating near win for the Pacers.
San Antonio Spurs 122 - 86 LA Clippers
The San Antonio Spurs surged to a dominant 122-86 victory over the Los Angeles Clippers, led by a stellar performance from Victor Wembanyama, who tallied 27 points, nine rebounds, five assists, and three blocks in just 26 minutes. The game wrapped up a remarkable month for Wembanyama, who became the first player in NBA history to accumulate 300 points, 100 rebounds, 50 blocks, 50 assists, and 40 three-pointers in a single month. He made a strong start with 17 points in the first quarter, matching the Clippers’ team total. Despite scoring only four points in the second quarter, he impressed with a memorable dunk off the backboard from Chris Paul. San Antonio's lead soared to 34 points in the fourth quarter, allowing Wembanyama an early exit. James Harden led the Clippers with 17 points, but their 3-point shooting faltered with just 11 successful attempts out of 41. The game saw the Clippers' Ivica Zubac restricted to five points, while Spurs’ Jeremy Sochan exited due to a back injury. Wembanyama has also extended his streak of having at least one block and one 3-pointer to 24 games.
Oklahoma City Thunder 113 - 105 Minnesota Timberwolves
Oklahoma City Thunder secured their 12th straight win, overcoming the Minnesota Timberwolves 113-105 in a thrilling comeback. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was the standout player, notching 40 points, marking the third time in five games he's reached this milestone. The Thunder, trailing 52-46 at halftime, turned the tables with a remarkable 43-23 third-quarter surge, led by Gilgeous-Alexander's 19 points in that period. Isaiah Hartenstein contributed a double-double with 15 points and 10 rebounds, while Lu Dort and Jalen Williams each added 14 points. Despite Anthony Edwards' 20-point effort, the Timberwolves could not withstand Oklahoma City's intense defensive pressure, committing 24 turnovers, 16 of which were steals. The Timberwolves built a 65-53 lead with help from Mike Conley's three consecutive 3-pointers early in the third quarter, but faltered as the Thunder executed a decisive 36-10 run. The game highlighted Oklahoma City's resilience and defensive prowess, setting the stage for their next home game against the Clippers.
Phoenix Suns 112 - 117 Memphis Grizzlies
In an exciting NBA matchup, Jaren Jackson Jr. powered the Memphis Grizzlies to a 117-112 win against the Phoenix Suns by scoring 38 points and grabbing 10 rebounds. Despite missing key players Ja Morant and Zach Edey, the Grizzlies led throughout the game with significant contributions from Desmond Bane, who scored 31 points, and Luke Kennard, who added 17 points off the bench. John Konchar dominated the boards with 12 rebounds, helping Memphis maintain their second-place standing in the Western Conference with a 23-11 record. On the Suns' side, Kevin Durant led with 29 points and 10 rebounds, while Devin Booker returned from a five-game absence to contribute 16 points and nine assists. The game saw a total of 54 fouls with 58 free throws attempted, but no players fouled out. Bradley Beal left early due to a hip contusion, and Phoenix played without Jusuf Nurkic, who was serving a suspension. Despite the Suns' resilience, highlighted by a brief comeback attempt, the Grizzlies secured the win with critical plays in the final moments.
Los Angeles Lakers 110 - 122 Cleveland Cavaliers
The Cleveland Cavaliers extended their winning streak to eight games with a 122-110 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers, highlighted by standout performances from Jarrett Allen, who scored a season-high 27 points, and Donovan Mitchell, who added 26. This game was notable as it marked LeBron James' first appearance since turning 40, making him the first NBA player to compete in games in both his teens and 40s. Despite James' 23-point effort, the Cavaliers maintained their dominance, aided by Evan Mobley's 20 points and Darius Garland's season-high 14 assists. The Cavaliers, with an impressive 29-4 record, continue to excel against the Western Conference, achieving a 9-0 mark. For the Lakers, Austin Reaves delivered a stellar performance with 35 points, 10 assists, and nine rebounds, and Anthony Davis contributed 28 points and 13 rebounds. The Lakers, seventh in the Western Conference with an 18-14 record, could not overcome the Cavaliers' 10-3 run to close the game. Cleveland's proficiency from beyond the arc was on display once again, with the team hitting 18 3-pointers for the seventh consecutive game.