03.01.2025
Miami Heat 115 - 128 Indiana Pacers
The Indiana Pacers convincingly defeated the Miami Heat 128-115, fueled by Tyrese Haliburton's standout performance of 33 points and 15 assists, complemented by Myles Turner's 21 points. With Pascal Siakam contributing with 18 points and 11 rebounds, the Pacers shot an impressive 53% from the field and led by as much as 28 points. Kel’el Ware led the Heat with 25 points, while Bam Adebayo, Tyler Herro, and Terry Rozier added 20, 17, and 16 points respectively. Remarkably, Jimmy Butler only scored nine points and sat out the fourth quarter for the second night in a row. This victory marked the Pacers’ proficiency from beyond the arc, as they improved to 8-2 when making at least 15 three-pointers. The game coincided with the 25th anniversary of Miami's first contest at Kaseya Center. Both teams will continue with home games on Saturday, with the Pacers facing Phoenix and the Heat up against Utah.
Minnesota Timberwolves 115 - 118 Boston Celtics
Jayson Tatum led the Boston Celtics with 33 points, nine assists, and eight rebounds as they narrowly defeated the Minnesota Timberwolves 118-115 in Minneapolis. Derrick White contributed 26 points, and Sam Hauser stepped up for the injured Jaylen Brown, scoring 15 points with five 3-pointers. Despite trailing by eight points with two minutes left, the Timberwolves, led by Julius Randle's 27 points, had a chance to push the game into overtime; however, Anthony Edwards' last-second 3-pointer missed the mark. A critical 16-6 run by the Celtics at the end of the second quarter, aided by Tatum’s shooting, gave them a crucial halftime lead. Boston's efficient play resulted in just four turnovers compared to Minnesota's sixteen. The victory marked a positive start to Boston's four-game road trip, while Minnesota faced another tough defeat after losing to Oklahoma City earlier in the week.
Milwaukee Bucks 110 - 113 Brooklyn Nets
In a thrilling NBA matchup, the Brooklyn Nets narrowly defeated the Milwaukee Bucks 113-110, surviving a massive comeback attempt. Cam Johnson scored 26 points and Cam Thomas added 24 for Brooklyn, which had led by as much as 24 points and held a 111-90 lead with under seven minutes to play. The Bucks surged with a 20-point run, nearly overturning the deficit, but Giannis Antetokounmpo missed a crucial drive, and Brooklyn's Ziaire Williams secured the rebound and two clutch free throws. Damian Lillard missed two potential tying three-pointers in the closing seconds. Antetokounmpo delivered a standout performance with 27 points, 13 rebounds, and seven assists, continuing his record streak of games scoring at least 20 points while shooting 50% or better. Milwaukee's Andre Jackson Jr. was ejected before halftime for a hard foul on Nic Claxton. This victory marked Brooklyn's third win against the Bucks this season, a feat not achieved since 2013-14. Both teams are set to play at home on Saturday.
Oklahoma City Thunder 116 - 98 LA Clippers
In an exciting turnaround, the Oklahoma City Thunder notched their franchise-record 13th consecutive regular-season victory, defeating the Los Angeles Clippers 116-98. Star player Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the charge with 29 points and a game-high eight assists, despite not playing in the final quarter. Trailing by 16 in the first half, the Thunder recovered to narrow the gap to four points by halftime, before a remarkable 42-point third quarter gave them an 18-point lead. Jalen Williams contributed a crucial buzzer-beater at halftime and scored the first six points of the Thunder's 23-5 run that put them ahead for good. Oklahoma City's shooting improved from 31% in the first half to finish at 50%, while they added 11 steals to their league-leading total. The Clippers struggled without James Harden and saw Norman Powell have an off night, scoring just six points on 1-of-11 shooting. The Thunder will next face the Knicks, while the Clippers look forward to Kawhi Leonard's return against Atlanta.
Golden State Warriors 139 - 105 Philadelphia 76ers
In an NBA matchup slated Thursday night, the Philadelphia 76ers, playing under the guidance of coach Nick Nurse, aim to rebound against the Golden State Warriors following their collapse against the Sacramento Kings, where they squandered a nine-point lead to lose 113-107. Joel Embiid, their key player nursing a sore left foot, is expected to return after sitting out the defeat, echoing a similar pattern from last season when the 76ers also faced a challenging back-to-back loss against the Warriors. In contrast, the Warriors, who started the season strong with a 12-3 record but have struggled significantly, winning only four of their last 17 games, hope to find rhythm after a dismal showing against the Cavaliers, where Stephen Curry and Draymond Green had off nights. Warriors coach Steve Kerr emphasized the need for better shots and spacing to overcome the rut, while a bright spot remains Jonathan Kuminga's recent performances. The game will test 76ers' defensive progress, which Nurse believes has been crucial to their recent improvements, against a Warriors team eager to rediscover their shooting form.
Los Angeles Lakers 114 - 106 Portland Trail Blazers
In a game marked by roster changes and missed opportunities, the Los Angeles Lakers showcased a revamped lineup after trading D'Angelo Russell to the Brooklyn Nets. Despite a 122-110 loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers, Austin Reaves embraced his heightened role, nearly achieving a triple-double with 35 points, 10 assists, and 9 rebounds. Anthony Davis contributed 28 points and 13 rebounds, while LeBron James added 23 points shortly after turning 40. New acquisition Dorian Finney-Smith had a quiet debut, impacting the team's cohesion only modestly. Meanwhile, the Portland Trail Blazers suffered a 125-103 home defeat to the Philadelphia 76ers, hindered by poor shooting and a season-high 26 turnovers. Anfernee Simons scored 25 points for Portland, while Deni Avdija struggled with 10 turnovers in the absence of Jerami Grant. This game followed the Lakers' earlier victory over the Blazers in December, highlighting both teams' ongoing adjustments as they strive to find their rhythm.