Scoreboard
Thunder 133, Sixers 114
Celtics 109, Nets 98
Heat 108, Bucks 102
Raptors 124, Hornets 114
Mavericks 119, Lakers 115
Cavaliers 119, Trail Blazers 113
What went down
It was another epic matchup between two generational talents. Luka Doncic and LeBron James battled in a double overtime game that had all the pieces of an instant classic. It got physical and it didn’t want to end.
The Dallas Mavericks got the upper hand early, but the Los Angeles Lakers caught up with them to make things interesting in the fourth quarter. The two teams traded big play after big play–with both James and Doncic showcasing their playmaking abilities at the highest level.
When it came to the most clutch moments, however, Doncic proved why he’s next in line to take over. Twice, the Lakers found themselves with a three-point lead in the closing seconds and needed just one stop to win the game. Twice, this happened:
I know you get deja vu...
— NBA (@NBA) January 13, 2023
Luka steps back to force overtime, and again to force double OT! pic.twitter.com/3dQp0zRrmd
Doncic was simply automatic in the endgame, looking as fresh as ever, despite playing more than 50 minutes of basketball. Doncic (35 points, 14 rebounds, 13 assists) and the Mavs were just too much in the end for the Lakers. It, again, came down to help.
Doncic got his from Spencer Dinwiddie (17 points), who scored or assisted in eight of the Mavs’ last 11 points. Christian Wood (24 points, 5 blocks) and Tim Hardaway Jr. (22 points) were also huge in the clutch for Dallas.
The King got his help from Russell Westbrook, who continued his stellar play off the bench. He poured in 28 points while adding seven rebounds and five assists. But the Lakers just needed more–more defensive intensity and maturity in the clutch, more help inside aside from Wenyen Gabriel, more outside shooting.
The win further sends LA down the standings with a 19-23 record while Dallas is comfortably holding on to the fourth spot in the West.
Big-time ballers
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander liked his matchup against the Philadelphia 76ers. SGA baited for fouls ala James Harden-like numbers and shot a perfect 16-of-16 from the free throw line for 37 points.
?? 37 PTS for @shaiglalex
— NBA (@NBA) January 13, 2023
?? 10-16 FGM
?? 16-16 FTM
?? @okcthunder road W in Philly
30+ points for the 25th time this year. pic.twitter.com/YCTW6AVB8z
Gabe Vincent got hot in a big game versus the Milwaukee Bucks, dropping a career-high 28 points on five 3s.
Meanwhile in Toronto, the Raptors won their third straight game thanks to a huge game from Pascal Siakam, who scored 35 points on 13 shots. Siakam missed only two of his field goal attempts.
What he said
After his monster game in Philly, SGA dropped bars on Instagram:
Did you see that?
Look who dropped by in LA to watch that intense (and long) Lakers-Mavericks game:
👋🏻 SUGA! @bts_bighit • #NBACelebRow pic.twitter.com/B6id5bG88D
— NBA (@NBA) January 13, 2023
In Portland, Damian Lillard scored 50 points yet again, but again in a losing effort. This is one trend that Dame doesn’t want to continue:
Dame. 50 piece.
— NBA (@NBA) January 13, 2023
Final minute on the NBA Apphttps://t.co/1pomQZMAZK pic.twitter.com/lyaFoWx0Qi
