09.01.2025
Cleveland Cavaliers 129 - 122 Oklahoma City Thunder
The Cleveland Cavaliers ended the Oklahoma City Thunder's impressive 15-game winning streak with a thrilling 129-122 victory, extending their own winning streak to 11 games. Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley led the Cavs with 25 and 21 points, respectively, while Donovan Mitchell had an off night, scoring just 11 points. The game featured a Finals-like atmosphere with 30 lead changes and neither team leading by more than nine points. This was only the third NBA matchup in history between teams on double-digit winning streaks, highlighting the significance of the contest. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 31 points for the Thunder, who suffered their first loss since December 1. Cleveland improved to a league-best 32-4 record, with only four teams historically posting better records through 36 games. Notably, a crucial call was reversed in the final moments, helping seal the Cavs' victory. The Thunder will continue their road trip in New York, while the Cavaliers will host Toronto next.
Indiana Pacers 129 - 113 Chicago Bulls
The Indiana Pacers secured a dominating 129-113 victory over the Chicago Bulls in Indianapolis, with Pascal Siakam leading the way with 26 points and Thomas Bryant contributing a season-high 22 points and eight rebounds. Despite the absence of center Myles Turner due to illness, the Pacers extended their winning streak to four, marking their 10th win in 13 games, solidifying their position in the Eastern Conference standings. Two-time All-Star Tyrese Haliburton showcased his playmaking skills with 16 points and 13 assists, continuing his impressive run with 51 assists to just five turnovers over the last six games. The Pacers built an early lead, taking advantage of 14 first-half turnovers by the Bulls, which allowed them to maintain a comfortable margin throughout the game. Zach LaVine's 31 points led Chicago, but they struggled to keep pace with Indiana’s tempo, trailing by as much as 34 points in the third quarter and never closing the gap to single digits. The Bulls, who were hoping to continue their resurgence in the playoff race, now trail 0-2 in the season series against the Pacers and will look to bounce back during their upcoming five-game homestand.
New York Knicks 112 - 98 Toronto Raptors
In a game that saw the New York Knicks snap a three-game losing streak with a 112-98 victory over the Toronto Raptors, Karl-Anthony Towns led the charge, posting 27 points and 13 rebounds. OG Anunoby also contributed 27 points, while Josh Hart added a solid 21 points and 11 rebounds. Towns, returning from an injury, was highly efficient, shooting 9-for-14 from the field and perfect from beyond the arc in his 34-minute stint. The Knicks, who had won nine straight before their recent skid, got a balanced contribution from all starters, with each scoring in double digits. Despite a strong start and a halftime lead of 55-51, the Raptors faltered as they endured a 15-0 Knicks run in the fourth quarter, missing eight shots and giving away two turnovers. This victory marked New York's seventh consecutive win against Toronto, with their last loss to the Raptors occurring at Madison Square Garden in January 2023.
Philadelphia 76ers 109 - 103 Washington Wizards
In a game marked by the absence of key players, Tyrese Maxey led the Philadelphia 76ers to a 109-103 victory over the Washington Wizards by scoring a crucial basket with 23.7 seconds remaining, capping off his 29-point performance. Despite the absence of stars like Joel Embiid and Paul George for the Sixers, and Jordan Poole and Malcolm Brogdon for the Wizards, the game had significant fourth-quarter drama. Guerschon Yabusele contributed 21 points and made a pivotal block to secure the win for Philadelphia. The Wizards mounted a comeback, erasing a 16-point deficit to briefly lead, driven by Bilal Coulibaly. However, Maxey's clutch free throws and go-ahead basket reclaimed the lead for Philadelphia. The Wizards, who have the worst NBA record at 6-29, saw Jared Butler score 26 points, while Corey Kispert added 23. In an audience that included "Party of Five" actor Scott Wolf, the Sixers secured their win amidst low ticket prices, with secondary market tickets below $10 just before the tipoff.
Brooklyn Nets 98 - 113 Detroit Pistons
The Detroit Pistons continued their strong run by securing a 113-98 victory over the Brooklyn Nets, marking their fifth consecutive win and pushing them above .500 with a 19-18 record. Malik Beasley led the game with 23 points, while Cade Cunningham, despite having an off night, still contributed alongside reserves Simone Fontecchio and Marcus Sasser, who combined for 32 points. The Pistons' bench outshone Brooklyn's, outscoring them 50-20, and their quick transition game helped them dominate the fast break points 38-13. Detroit's impressive field goal percentage of 52.3% and domination in the paint by 54-36 highlighted their efficiency. Meanwhile, Brooklyn struggled, missing key players and shooting only 38.4% from the field. Noah Clowney's 29 points were not enough to prevent the Nets from extending their losing streak at Barclays Center to seven games. This marks the first time since the 2017-18 season that the Pistons have been above .500 after 37 games.
New Orleans Pelicans 100 - 119 Portland Trail Blazers
The Portland Trail Blazers secured a decisive 119-100 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans, maintaining their lead throughout the game. Deni Avdija led Portland with 26 points, supported by Shaedon Sharpe's 21 points, as the Blazers shot an impressive 54.5% from the field. The Pelicans struggled without Zion Williamson, absent as a precaution due to a recent hamstring strain, and Brandon Ingram, missing his 14th consecutive game. Portland's strong first half, marked by a season-high 75 points, set the tone for the match, while New Orleans battled lethargy and disjointed play, leaving fans disheartened. CJ McCollum and Dejounte Murray contributed 23 and 20 points for the Pelicans, respectively, who have now lost 22 of their last 25 games. The Blazers have shown recent improvement, winning four of their last seven games.
Denver Nuggets 126 - 103 LA Clippers
In a dominant performance, the Denver Nuggets defeated the Los Angeles Clippers 126-103 despite both teams missing key players. Jamal Murray led Denver with 21 points and nine assists, while Russell Westbrook contributed 19 points and eight assists. The Clippers were without Kawhi Leonard, who returned to Los Angeles to address family concerns related to wildfires, and the Nuggets missed Nikola Jokic for a second game due to illness. Norman Powell was a standout for the Clippers with 30 points, although he struggled from the free-throw line, missing half of his six attempts in the third quarter. Denver secured an early lead with a 20-3 run in the first quarter and maintained control with another surge midway through the third. DeAndre Jordan excelled in Jokic's absence, achieving a season-high 12 points and tying his season-high nine rebounds, significantly boosting the Nuggets' lead. This win marked Denver's impressive 8-0 record on the second leg of back-to-back games, underscoring their resilience despite setbacks.
Milwaukee Bucks 121 - 105 San Antonio Spurs
The Milwaukee Bucks secured a 121-105 victory over the San Antonio Spurs, driven by strong performances from Damian Lillard and Giannis Antetokounmpo, who recorded 26 points with eight assists and 25 points with 16 rebounds and eight assists, respectively. Brook Lopez contributed significantly with 22 points, notably scoring 17 in the first half. The Bucks' decisive 32-13 run late in the second quarter, spurred by the effective 3-point shooting of AJ Green, Lopez, and Lillard, established them as the dominant force despite San Antonio's brief comeback attempt in the third quarter. Keldon Johnson led the Spurs with 24 points, while Victor Wembanyama added a notable double-double with 10 points, 10 rebounds, and three blocks. The Bucks excelled in their 3-point game, hitting 19 of 42 attempts, with Antetokounmpo showcasing his defensive skills by blocking Devin Vassell’s dunk attempt just before halftime. The Spurs lacked double figures from any player in the first half, and they missed starting forward Jeremy Sochan due to a back issue. This victory marks Milwaukee's second straight win after a rough patch, while the Spurs prepare to face the Lakers next.