Scoreboard
Cavaliers 111, Nets 102
Bucks 135, Celtics 102
Thunder 139, Trail Blazers 77
Mavericks 128, Knicks 124
Suns 127, Lakers 109
What went down
It was the battle of the top two teams in the Eastern Conference. The Boston Celtics, fresh off setting a franchise record of 18-0 wins at home, took on the Milwaukee Bucks at the Fiserv Forum.
But on Friday, Philippine time, it felt like there was no such thing as luck for the Celtics.
They made one out of 16 three-pointers in the first half, while the Bucks were firing on all cylinders. By halftime, the score was 75-38, the Celtics' biggest halftime deficit since 1967.
Bobby Portis led the scoring for the Bucks with a game-high 28 points off the bench. He made 11 of his 18 field goal attempts, including a season-high five shots made from the rainbow area.
NBA All-Star Voting leader Giannis Antetokounmpo chipped in 24 points, 12 boards, and six assists.
It was also a fantastic return of Damian Lillard, who did not suit up for Milwaukee in the loss to Utah due to “personal reasons”. He pitched in 21 points, four rebounds, and four assists.
Damian Lillard : 21 points (6-12 shooting, 3-8 from 3 & 6-6 from the FT line), 4 rebounds & 4 assists in 27 minutes off the bench pic.twitter.com/in1OTzNfgY
— Lee Harvey (@MusikFan4Life) January 12, 2024
It was a bittersweet return though for Jrue Holiday, who was a part of the Bucks’ 2021 title run and a figure in the trades which led Lillard from the Portland Trail Blazers to the Bucks. He had six points as a starter for Boston.
And it was just Jaylen Brown who was able to score double digits for the first five. Coach Joe Mazulla sat them all in the second half.
The Bucks are on a 24-0 run in Milwaukee! 🦌
— NBA (@NBA) January 12, 2024
📺 Celtics-Bucks on TNT pic.twitter.com/pCkv0EpIz5
The Bucks defended home court, 135-102, and improved their record to 26-12. Meanwhile, the Celtics absorbed their eighth loss of the season.
Big-time baller
Spida Mitchell will always have Paris!
He scored a season-high 45 points, 21 coming in the final quarter, to lead the Cleveland Cavaliers to victory against the Brooklyn Nets, 111-102, in Paris.
Mitchell added 12 rebounds, six assists, and four steals for the Cavaliers’ fourth straight game.
Can we hear a oui, oui?
Donovan Mitchell dropped a new SEASON-HIGH at #NBAParis to secure the win over the Nets! 🕷?🇫🇷
— NBA (@NBA) January 11, 2024
🔥 45 PTS (21 in 4Q)
🔥 12 REB
🔥 6 AST
🔥 4 STL pic.twitter.com/FTKsgPLhZD
What he said
The award for today goes to the Bucks’ social media team.
NBA on TNT’s Charles Barkley has been backing the Celtics all season long and claimed there was “nobody in the NBA on the level with the Celtics right now."
The Bucks quickly turned to social media after their blowout win against the Celtics.
https://t.co/o8p2lBF4vR pic.twitter.com/kkXMIUqclE
— Milwaukee Bucks (@Bucks) January 12, 2024
Did you see that?
Guess who also scored a season-high today?
Kyrie Irving went off against the Knicks with a season-high 44 points, along with 10 assists.
Today was his best scoring performance as a Maverick.
Kyrie Irving is so fun to watch play basketball pic.twitter.com/evysCnA9xm
— Jo (@MavsStan41) January 12, 2024
Extra Pass
On Saturday, the West’s fifth ranked Sacramento Kings will clash with the East’s third ranked Philadelphia 76ers.
The Sacramento Kings have been reliable, banking on De’Aaron Fox, who is averaging 27.9 points per game. They also have Domantas Sabonis, who is also enjoying one of his best stretches of the season with an average of 20.2 points and 12.7 rebounds. Keegan Murray also sparks offense for Sacramento with an average of 16.2 points.
However, the Kings will face a tough one on the road as reigning MVP Joel Embiid is set to return in this match. He’s having another MVP-worthy season, shooting 34.6 points from the field every night. His partner Tyrese Maxey continues to shine as well, collecting at least 25 points in three of his last four games. Kelly Oubre has been contributing more to the 76ers by logging in more minutes on the hardcourt.
This game is expected to be a battle for the boards for Embiid and Sabonis. We’ll get to see how their teammates can convert those rebounds into productive possessions.
You can catch the Kings and 76ers on Saturday, January 13, at 8:30 a.m. live Philippine time via League Pass and 11:30 a.m. delayed telecast on NBA TV Philippines.
