Scoreboard
Magic 116, Clippers 111
Nets 122, Hornets 116
Knicks 113, Hawks 89
Raptors 126, Lakers 113
Wizards 115, Bulls 111
Grizzlies 123, Thunder 102
Bucks 126, Kings 113
Timberwolves 121, Pacers 115
Pelicans 104, Pistons 98
Jazz 124, Warriors 123
Celtics 125, Suns 98
What went down
What was advertised as the monumental clash between the top two teams in the league—the Boston Celtics and the Phoenix Suns—ended up in a green-colored beatdown.
The Celtics, the team with the league’s best record, stepped on the gas pedal and never let go. It was pretty much over by halftime, and that’s no disrespect to the Phoenix Suns. The Celtics were just too good in this one.
Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown joined together for 50 points (25 points each), helping Boston build a 39-point lead entering the fourth quarter.
Devin Booker and Mikal Bridges just could not get going for Phoenix and combined for a horrid 8-for-29. Josh Okogie led the Suns in scoring with 28 points, which isn’t a good thing when you got Booker, Deandre Ayton, and Chris Paul on your team.
The Celtics now hold a 21-5 win-loss record while the Suns fall to second in the West behind—checks notes—the New Orleans Pelicans.
Big-time ballers
The New York Knicks got a big W versus the Atlanta Hawks, thanks to a Julius Randle special: 34 points and 17 rebounds. Randle had a field day inside without the pesky presence of John Collins, who’s been out for the Hawks with an injury.
Still without Karl-Anthony Towns, the Minnesota Timberwolves ran away with a victory against the surging Indiana Pacers through their other stars.
D’Angelo Russell and Anthony Edwards combined for 54 points. Gobert joined the fun and contributed 16 points and 21 rebounds.
The Nets, meanwhile, showed their true potential with a 33-point night from Kyrie Irving, complemented by a 29-point game from Kevin Durant.
What he said
Ja Morant put up a wild 26-13-11 statline versus the Thunder. This triple-double made him the Grizzlies’ franchise leader in trip-dubs:
"It's an honor... I feel like my teammates are right up there with me, without those guys it wouldn't have been possible."
— NBA (@NBA) December 8, 2022
Ja Morant on becoming the @memgrizz franchise leader in triple-doubles! pic.twitter.com/CLpNgVhgLh
Did you see that?
It’s not everyday that you see the Golden State Warriors blow a lead in the endgame and lose a close one. When the stars align, you see it done to them via a game-winning dunk by Simone Fontecchio:
LOOK AT THIS pic.twitter.com/8mLVftpxVb
— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) December 8, 2022
