Scoreboard
Pistons 141, Hornets 134
Pacers 125, Warriors 119
Magic 135, Hawks 124
Kings 124, Raptors 123
Knicks 128, Bulls 120
Heat 110, Thunder 108
Trail Blazers 128, Spurs 112
Cavaliers 105, Mavericks 90
Nuggets 141, Wizards 128
Clippers 99, Timberwolves 88
What went down
A lot of players hit clutch shots tonight and led their teams to big wins.
In Toronto, the Sacramento Kings lit up the beam again after outlasting the Toronto Raptors, thanks to some late-game heroics from De’Aaron Fox.
Our submission video for De'Aaron Fox to be an All-Star 🦊??@swipathefox | #RoarWithUs pic.twitter.com/9UVDKZ7TbJ
— Sacramento Kings (@SacramentoKings) December 15, 2022
Fox made some huge buckets in the final minutes, but he got plenty of help from Domantas Sabonis, who was also instrumental in their huge fourth quarter. Fox finished with 27 points and 10 assists while Sabonis hauled in 21 points, 20 rebounds, and seven assists. The Kings are still right in the middle of the West with a 15-12 record.
The New York Knicks almost collapsed in the fourth quarter, but turned it around in overtime to come away with a huge road win against the Chicago Bulls. Jalen Brunson delivered the daggers, none more deadly than this ankle-breaker that took Alex Caruso’s soul.
BIG BUCKET BRUNSON.
— NBA (@NBA) December 15, 2022
Knicks lead in OT on ESPN! pic.twitter.com/Uc3bKvCNSW
Brunson, who was questionable heading into the game due to an ankle injury, finished with 30 points on 11-for-21 shooting with seven assists. Julius Randle added 31 points with 11 rebounds, and seven assists to lead the Knicks. It hasn’t been pretty, but the Knicks find themselves in the middle of the East with a 15-13 record.
Speaking of ugly basketball, the Miami Heat escaped the OKC Thunder, thanks to some Tyler Herroics.
TYLER HERRO FOR THE WIN pic.twitter.com/OP6Kze7kUc
— NBA (@NBA) December 15, 2022
Behind big games from Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Josh Giddey, the Thunder gave the former Eastern Conference kings a run for their money. Playing without Jimmy Butler, the Heat had to dig deep and Herro swooped in to provide 35 points.
The Heat offense has been a mess all season and their defense hasn't been good enough to save them on most games. They’re in a particularly light part of their schedule so there should be enough room to turn their 14-15 record around.
Big-time baller
Nikola Jokic feasted on a short-handed Washington Wizards frontline and put up a monster line.
WHAT A PASS NIKOLA JOKIC.
— NBA (@NBA) December 15, 2022
He has 22 PTS, 10 REB, 7 AST, and 3 STL on the NBA App.
📲 https://t.co/1pomR04bRi pic.twitter.com/V2X7hFY5Rz
The reigning MVP dropped 43 points on 17-for-20 shooting with 14 rebounds, and eight assists. He is again leading the Nuggets in points, rebounds, assists, and steals. He likely will not win another MVP, but, for the third straight season, he’s almost single-handedly carrying the Nuggets into a homecourt advantage in the playoffs.
What he said
When asked about life after basketball, Derrick Rose told Knicks beat reporter Stefan Bondy some interesting plans.
Derrick Rose has some unique plans after basketball, as he revealed today:
— Stefan Bondy (@SBondyNYDN) December 14, 2022
Start a start chess league.
Vertical farming.
Buy a library.
Did you see that?
We had possibly the two top plays of the year happen in one day. First was this impossible pass from Luka Doncic.
LUKA DIME ON THE NBA APP 🤯
— NBA (@NBA) December 15, 2022
📲 https://t.co/1pomQZMAZK pic.twitter.com/wv7JtMFXkC
Then we got this ridiculous sequence from Gen Z Human Highlight Reel, Bol Bol.
Bol Bol are you SERIOUS?? pic.twitter.com/A5yVTPj0eX
— NBA (@NBA) December 15, 2022
On a dimmer note, Steph Curry left the Golden State Warriors’ loss against the Indiana Pacers today with a nasty shoulder injury. No updates have come about his status, but he could be out for a while.
