Call it a 30-point Saturday in the Philippines as a whole lot of NBA teams picked up victory today thanks to stunning performances.
Here's a quick rundown.
Scoreboard
Magic 122, Nuggets 120
Suns 113, Heat 97
Mavericks 139, Trail Blazers 103
Bulls 104, Hornets 91
Timberwolves 122, Rockets 95
Clippers 111, Pelicans 95
Nets 124, Thunder 115
Cavaliers 114, Wizards 90
Knicks 128, 76ers 92
Celtics 126, Jazz 97
Pacers 150, Hawks 116
Warriors 113, Pistons 109
Kings 135, Raptors 130
Grizzlies 127, Lakers 113
Banchero, Suggs make magic in Denver
On January 5, Nikola Jokic was as always, frank and straightforward in talking about his 39 of 44 made field goals in his last four games.
His last shot happened to be a crazy 39-foot buzzer-beating, game-winning three-pointer for the Denver Nuggets against the Golden State Warriors.
"Sometimes the ball goes in, sometimes not," he told Inside the NBA after the game.
This time, the ball didn't go in for Jokic's teammate Jamal Murry, which would have been a buzzer-beating floater.
Instead, it was the Orlando Magic which took on Denver's mile-high challenge and prevailed, 122-120.
Paolo Banchero was the main man for this magic trick as he tallied his first career triple-double of 32 points, 10 rebounds, and 11 assists.
Two of those points were clutch charity shots with 9.7 seconds left.
There's at least one star ready to give Banchero the NBA All-Star vote in this 3-for-1 Day--Jayson Tatum.
All-star🤝 https://t.co/rEqXyPgiZw
— Jayson Tatum (@jaytatum0) January 6, 2024
This wasn't a solo show though, as Jalen Suggs racked up a career-high 27 points by making seven out of nine threes.
Talk about a comeback after that double overtime loss against the Sacramento Kings!
Sabonis posts second straight triple-double for Kings
This is not a 30-point performance, but still worth mentioning.
The Sacramento Kings continued their stunning streak with Domantas Sabonis tallying a 24-15-11 stat line to beat the Toronto Raptors, 135-130.
Second straight triple-double! The air definitely hits different in Sacramento.
Domantas Sabonis posts his 2nd-straight triple-double as he leads Sacramento to the W 🙌
— NBA (@NBA) January 6, 2024
24 PTS / 11-16 FGM / 15 REB /11 AST pic.twitter.com/XVh0lgxVtK
Cunningham makes 30 in Pistons heartbreaker to Warriors
You know Cade Cunningham really wants it. He really wants to bring up this Detroit Pistons team.
He made this reverse lay-up to tie the game with the Golden State Warriors two two minutes left to play.
CADE REVERSE TIES THE GAME WITH 2 MINUTES TO PLAY.
— NBA (@NBA) January 6, 2024
Pistons-Warriors | Live on NBA App
📲 https://t.co/8PHAJQBBIr pic.twitter.com/O91Ahxev6T
But his 30-point, five-rebound, three-assist, and one-rebound performance went for naught as six Warriors scored in double-digits to get the win, 113-109.
Also, Stephen Curry happened.
The Warriors were down 103-102.
— NBA (@NBA) January 6, 2024
Then Steph dropped 8-straight points, including back-to-back step-back 3s 😤
Pistons-Warriors | Live on NBA App
📲 https://t.co/8PHAJQBBIr pic.twitter.com/gG1PEm9dYT
Jackson and Grizzlies overpower James, Davis in Los Angeles
You'd think the Los Angeles Lakers would be having a very good night when LeBron James makes 32 points and Anthony Davis drops 31 (with Austin Reaves tallying a double-double of 19 points and 12 assists).
But the Grizzlies got a little wild in LA. No Hollywood ending here as FOUR of the Memphis Grizzlies' starters scored 20+ points in the 127-113 victory.
Jaren Jackson Jr. led the pack with 31 points, while Marcus Smart made 29, Desmond Bane added 24, and Ja Morant pitched in 21.
4 of the Memphis Grizzlies' starters scored 20+ PTS to secure a W in Hollywood 🐻
— NBA Philippines (@NBA_Philippines) January 6, 2024
🔸 Jaren Jackson Jr.: 31 PTS
🔸 Marcus Smart: 29 PTS
🔸 Desmond Bane: 24 PTS
🔸 Ja Morant: 21 PTS #RepublikaNgNBA #BackToTheGrind pic.twitter.com/ueYBgtkAkm
Career night for Grayson Allen in Suns uniform
Bring out all the love for Grayson Allen, who shot a career-high nine three-pointers to help the Phoenix Suns beat the Miami Heat, 113-97.
He scored a total of 31 points, along with four rebounds, and four assists.
Bradley Beal pitched in with 25 points, eight rebounds, and nine assists, while Devin Booker made 20 of his own.
Tatum helps Celtics remain undefeated at home
Jayson Tatum was ready to give Paolo Banchero all the flowers, even after he made 30 points of his own in the 126-97 victory against the visiting Utah Jazz.
The Celtics are 17-0 at the Garden.Jayson Tatum's 30 PTS helps the @celtics tie a franchise-best 17-0 start at home!
— NBA (@NBA) January 6, 2024
Kristpas Porzingis: 19 PTS, 5 REB pic.twitter.com/UQfv89nvSi
Jayson Tatum put on a show in Boston as the Celtics improved to 17-0 at home!
— NBA (@NBA) January 6, 2024
30 PTS / 9 REB / 5 AST / 5 3PM pic.twitter.com/03KUThFOlV
Pour one out for these guys
Cunningham wasn't the only guy rendering 30 in heartbreakers this Saturday.
Here's one for Dejounte Murray, who made 30 points in the Atlanta Hawks' 150-116 loss to the Indiana Pacers.
Joel Embiid made his 15th straight 30/10 game in the Philadelphia 76ers' defeat to the New York Knicks, 128-92.
While the Oklahoma City Thunder couldn't quite close it out against the Brooklyn Nets, 124-115, despite Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's 34 points.🏀 FRIDAY'S FINAL SCORES 🏀
— NBA (@NBA) January 6, 2024
Jalen Brunson continues his impressive play and leads the @nyknicks to a big-time W in Philly!
Quentin Grimes: 19 PTS, 4 3PM, 8 REB
Josh Hart: 10 PTS, 15 REB, 6 AST
Joel Embiid: 30 PTS, 10 REB, 3 BLK (15th-straight 30/10 game) pic.twitter.com/myea7o1DlP
Nic Claxton posts a double-double as the @BrooklynNets get the W over OKC!
— NBA (@NBA) January 6, 2024
Spencer Dinwiddie: 23 PTS, 4 AST
Dennis Smith Jr.: 13 PTS, 12 REB, 7 AST
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander: 34 PTS, 9 REB, 6 AST pic.twitter.com/kbOtCypncI
