Lived up to the billing.
The most anticipated regular season clash did not disappoint as the Cleveland Cavaliers ended the Oklahoma City Thunder’s historic 15-game winning run in an epic clash.
CAVS TOPPLE THUNDER; PISTONS STAY ON POINT
- Cleveland Cavaliers (32-4) def. OKC Thunder (30-6), 129-122: In a game that saw eight lead changes and 30 ties, the Cavaliers extended their winning run to 11 games while snapping the Thunder’s 15-game winning streak.
[ALSO READ: In a potential NBA Finals preview, Cavs outlast Thunder to snap OKC’s 15-game winning run]
- Indiana Pacers (20-18) def. Chicago Bulls (17-20), 129-113: Pascal Siakam scored 26 points, Tyrese Haliburton added a 16-point, 13-assist double-double for the Pacers’ second win of the season over the Bulls.
- Philadelphia 76ers (15-20) def. Washington Wizards (6-29), 109-103: The Sixers survived a late Wizards uprising to clinch their second victory in the last three games.
- Detroit Pistons (19-18) def. Brooklyn Nets (13-24), 113-98: The Pistons strung five straight wins for the first time since the 2018-19 season after grounding the Nets.
GIANNIS BECOMES BUCKS’ ALL-TIME DOUBLE-DOUBLE LEADER
- Milwaukee Bucks (19-16) def. San Antonio Spurs (18-19), 121-105: Giannis Antetokounmpo overtook Kareem Abdul-Jabbar as the Bucks’ all-time leader in double-doubles in a 16-point romp of the Spurs.
[ALSO READ: Antetokounmpo passes Abdul-Jabbar as Milwaukee double-double leader in Bucks rout of Spurs]
- New York Knicks (25-13) def. Toronto Raptors (8-29), 112-98: OG Anunoby and Karl-Anthony Towns fired 27 markers each to help the Knicks end a three-game skid at the Raptors’ expense.
- Denver Nuggets (21-15) def. LA Clippers (20-17), 126-103: Jamal Murray and Russell Westbrook picked up the slack in the absence of superstar Nikola Jokic in a commanding Nuggets crushing of the Clippers.
- Portland Trail Blazers (13-23) def. New Orleans Pelicans (7-31), 119-100: Deni Avdija led the charge with 26 points in a bounce-back Trail Blazers decision.