Scoreboard
Celtics 123, Suns 108
Bulls 108, Pacers 106
Mavericks 112, Kings 96
Heat 120, Rockets 110
Hawks 121, Cavaliers 118
Raptors 116, Clippers 108
Grizzlies 118, Spurs 105
Thunder 95, Knicks 80
Jazz 120, Timberwolves 108
Lakers 139, Trail Blazers 106
What went down
If there was one highlight you needed to see today – the one you could tell to your family and friends on New Year’s Day – it’s this one.
🚨 BUTTER at the BUZZER 🚨
— NBA (@NBA) December 31, 2021
DeMar DeRozan knocks down the ONE-LEGGED triple as the @chicagobulls win on a #TissotBuzzerBeater! #ThisIsYourTime pic.twitter.com/rKdMtGpoM0
Chicago’s DeMar DeRozan brought the fireworks and drained a one-legged buzzer-beater to beat the Pacers. The way he simply rose up to take the shot off of one leg is nuts. He finished with 28 points, shot 8-for-24 from the field and 11-for-12 from the line.
It was a crazy stretch late in the fourth quarter as the Pacers had the chance to win at home. They used a 9-0 run to take a 99-94 lead with roughly four minutes left. After both teams traded big buckets, it was DeRozan’s heroics that steered the win for Chicago. Trailing by three with 36.4 seconds remaining, he hit a jumper to make it a one-point game, 106-105, still in favor of the Pacers. But DeRozan knocked the inbound pass and secured the steal in the next play, setting up his game-winner.
With DeRozan’s buzzer-beater, the Bulls flung themselves to the top of the Eastern Conference, tied with the Nets with a 23-10 record.
Big-time baller
A day after his 37th birthday, LeBron James gave a reminder that he’s still the King. In just 29 minutes of play, he put up 43 points on 16-for-26 shooting, including five triples, grabbed 14 rebounds, and added four assists, two steals, and two blocks.
James has scored at least 30 points in his last seven games. Are we really sure he’s in Year 19?
What he said
Boston legend Sam Jones passed away on New Year’s Eve, leaving behind a legacy of basketball greatness. He was an integral part of the Celtics dynasty in the 60s. He amassed 10 NBA championships – only Bill Russell, with 11, won more. He was nicknamed “Mr. Clutch” for his ability to come up big when his team needed him the most.
Here’s Bill Russell on his teammate and friend:
When we got the call from Sams family last night my 💔 I can't express my sadness, the loss of a 60+ yr friendship is devastating. This happened fast & was unexpected. He was the last of the good guys. The purist shooter I have seen. The Bank is closed💚24 https://t.co/lrGGb9yo4K
— TheBillRussell (@RealBillRussell) January 1, 2022
Did you see that?
Full Circle 🔄
— WNBA (@WNBA) December 31, 2021
Congrats to #WNBALegend @BeckyHammon, the new Head Coach of the @LVAces 👏 pic.twitter.com/mO1PJ0T2UI
Becky Hammon is returning to the W as the new head coach of the Las Vegas Aces. Her homecoming includes going back to the franchise where she ended her playing career as part of the San Antonio Stars. The Stars moved to Las Vegas for the 2018 season and recently reached the WNBA Finals in 2020.
Hammon has been an assistant for the San Antonio Spurs since 2014. In 2020, she became the first female to serve as a head coach in an NBA game after Gregg Popovich was ejected. Reports say that she signed a deal that will make her the league’s highest-paid coach.
