Scoreboard
Mavericks 147, Jazz 97
Bulls 111, Hornets 100
Rockets 110, Thunder 101
Heat 112, Raptors 103
Nets 114, Hawks 113
Timberwolves 102, Spurs 94
Cavaliers 121, Magic 111
Grizzlies 116, Pistons 102
76ers 131, Wizards 126
Warriors 110, Trail Blazers 106
Clippers 111, Nuggets 102
What went down
The regular season schedule resumes after giving way to the quarterfinals of the In-Season Tournament. Now that the teams are set to fly to Las Vegas for the semis, the other teams out of NBA Cup contention aren’t exactly playing for scraps.
The Brooklyn Nets and Atlanta Hawks game brought the action up to the closing seconds, with Trae Young and Mikal Bridges exchanging clutch baskets.
CRAZY ENDING IN ATL ??
— NBA (@NBA) December 7, 2023
TRAE YOUNG 3.
MIKAL BRIDGES BUCKET.
BROOKLYN SURVIVES TO SECURE THE W! pic.twitter.com/WYA4MtcjyX
Out West, the Golden State Warriors completed a comeback after trailing for almost the entire game against the Portland Trail Blazers. The biggest shot came from - who else? - Steph Curry, who drained a step-back 3 to give the Warriors a four-point lead in the dying seconds.
Steph Curry scored 31 PTS, including 22 in the 2H and the game-clinching triple as the Warriors erase a late deficit to get the W! pic.twitter.com/Ob4vZIReI0
— NBA (@NBA) December 7, 2023
The Blazers, who are now enjoying the services of Anfernee Simons after missing him for 18 games, couldn’t convert. The loss sends the Blazers further down in the standings with a 6-14 win-loss record while the Warriors improve to 10-11.
Big-time ballers
A 50-point beatdown by the Mavs on the Jazz is eye-popping, but not more than Luka Doncic’s statline: 40 points, 10 rebounds, and 11 assists. Oh, and he did all that in just three quarters.
Luka Doncic FILLED THE BOX SCORE in only 3 quarters 🔥
— NBA (@NBA) December 7, 2023
40 PTS / 11 AST / 10 REB
Luka Doncic recorded his 7th career game with 40+ points, 10+ rebounds, and 10+ assists, tying Wilt Chamberlain for 4th most in NBA history pic.twitter.com/ng9uvdzhBX
As we get closer and closer to the return of Ja Morant, Desmond Bane is getting his numbers. In a win versus the Pistons, Bane dropped 49 points, adding six rebounds and eight assists.
Desmond Bane COOKED all night and put up a new career high ??
— NBA (@NBA) December 7, 2023
49 PTS / 19-31 FGM / 4-8 3PM / 8 AST pic.twitter.com/zqM0hcPRIQ
The Magic’s hot streak has fizzled out, but that doesn’t mean that Paolo Banchero’s fire has died down as well. It came at a loss, but last year’s Rookie of the Year poured in 42 points against the Cavs.
What he said
Four teams are set to play in the semifinals round of the In-Season Tournament, which requires a trip to Las Vegas over the weekend. If AD’s sentiments are any indication, the players are excited:
"It is crazy... but I mean who doesn't love Vegas?"
— NBA (@NBA) December 7, 2023
- AD on playing in Vegas in December 🗣?
🏆 Pelicans-Lakers | Thursday | 9pm/et on TNT pic.twitter.com/xkhIPzbkkK
Did you see that?
Scoring 50 points is nothing new to Joel Embiid, but it is still a sight to behold. Embiid is now tied with the legendary Wilt Chamberlain for most games with 50 points, 10 rebounds, and five assists in the team’s franchise history.
Joel Embiid dropped a SEASON-HIGH to lead the Sixers to a W in D.C. 💪
— NBA (@NBA) December 7, 2023
50 PTS / 13 REB / 7 AST
With his fourth career game of 50+ points, 10+ rebounds, and 5+ assists, Joel Embiid has now tied Wilt Chamberlain for most such games in Philadelphia franchise history pic.twitter.com/0X1GQvG4ir
Extra pass
The Indiana Pacers and the Milwaukee Bucks will battle for the finals spot of the In-Season Tournament at 6:00AM tomorrow. Over on the other side of the bracket, the Los Angeles Lakers will face the New Orleans Pelicans at 10:00AM.
The winners will play each other in the finals on December 9.
