Scoreboard
- Magic 124, Warriors 120
- Nuggets 120, Cavaliers 103
- 76ers 112, Bulls 105
- Celtics 121, Hawks 109
- Grizzlies 109, Pistons 95
- Bucks 98, Thunder 85
- Suns 132, Pelicans 114
- Raptors 86, Timberwolves 81
- Clippers 116, Jazz 114
What went down
The Los Angeles Clippers staved off a huge late rally by the Utah Jazz to come up with a 116-112 victory on Saturday. Both Kawhi Leonard and Paul George were back in the lineup to take down the number one team in the league. The Jazz came into the contest winning nine straight games, including 20 of their last 21. Even more impressive, 18 of those were by a double-figure winning margin. But the Clippers, at full strength, looked formidable as ever. Leonard spearheaded the win with 29 points and bench guys Lou Williams and Marcus Morris Sr. had 17 apiece.
The Jazz, however, fought to the bitter end. The Clippers were up by 13 with roughly two and a half minutes remaining but Donovan Mitchell simply refused to throw in the towel. Mitchell scored 12 points in the final stretch, but the Clippers were able to hold on thanks to clutch free throws.
Big-time ballers
Two players decided to light a match underneath the stat sheet that set the NBA world ablaze. Jamal Murray and Joel Embiid both scored career-high 50 points -- a pair of stunning scoring displays by two of the league’s brightest stars.
Murray was a deadshot against the Cleveland Cavaliers, going 21-for-25 from the field, including 8-for-10 from downtown in the Denver Nuggets’ 120-103 victory. He was efficient all game long and was diabolically surgical as he picked apart the Cavaliers defense with precise shooting.
Blue Arrow is 𝐁𝐀𝐂𝐊.
— Denver Nuggets (@nuggets) February 20, 2021
🎥 | EVERY bucket from Jamal's 50-piece! #MileHighBasketball pic.twitter.com/wpuYOwmMKN
If Murray was a marksman on his way to his 50-point game, Embiid was a rampaging juggernaut en route to his scoring masterpiece. The MVP candidate shot 17-for-26 and bulldozed his way to 15 shots from the foul line to go along with 17 rebounds, five assists, four blocks, and two steals.
Joel Embiid tonight:
— StatMuse (@statmuse) February 20, 2021
50 PTS (career-high)
17 REB
5 AST
2 STL
4 BLK
He is the first Sixer with a 50/15/5 game since Wilt Chamberlain in 1968. pic.twitter.com/mUn4TK52Ix
What he said
Three-time Sixth Man of the Year Lou Williams had some encouraging words for his team during a huddle. The motivation and the drive were exhibited by the Clippers as they defeated the Jazz.
"Don't forget how we got here. Hungry. Stay Greedy."
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) February 20, 2021
Lou Will keeping everyone focused on the bench. pic.twitter.com/mSQw3gf9al
What’s in a number?
Murray’s 50-point performance is even harder to fathom considering the guy shot 84 percent from the field and 80 percent from beyond the arc. Plus, he didn’t even take a free throw! It was the highest point total by a player in NBA history without taking a shot from the line.
Jamal Murray makes NBA history! 🏹🏹🏹 pic.twitter.com/XmHNMtbdVi
— NBA (@NBA) February 20, 2021
Did you see that?
Dunk of the Year candidate courtesy of Anthony Edwards!
SENT THAT MAN TO THE NETHERREALM. pic.twitter.com/gswBcrCUKw
— Minnesota Timberwolves (@Timberwolves) February 20, 2021
