Scoreboard
Hornets 134, Lakers 130
76ers 119, Clippers 114
Nets 118, Bucks 100
Bulls 118, Knicks 117
Mavericks 112, Rockets 106
Nuggets 120, Trail Blazers 107
Wizards 125, Kings 111
Magic 133, Spurs 113
Hawks 130, Pistons 105
Celtics 121, Timberwolves 109
Raptors 118, Cavaliers 107
Pacers 111, Heat 108
Pelicans 128, Thunder 125
Grizzlies 125, Suns 100
What went down
When you have the Suns and Grizzlies playing each other during this merry season, you can’t help but sit for a while and just enjoy the beauty of basketball.
The Phoenix Suns were able to reach the NBA Finals two seasons ago but it seems like they’re ending the year in a sort of rut. They entered the contest having lost six of their previous nine games, and with Memphis dominating tonight, they still weren’t able to break out of that slump.
Jaren Jackson Jr. led the Grizzlies with 24 points and 11 rebounds while Desmond Bane made 17 points in his return. It’s the first time this season that we’ve seen the Grizzlies with their complete starting lineup after Bane missed 18 games because of a sprained toe.
Memphis definitely showed off their offensive firepower tonight, dropping 39 points in the first quarter alone. Brandon Clarke finished with 24 points off the bench while Dillon Brooks and Ja Morant added 16 and 12 points, respectively. Steven Adams controlled the boards with 11 rebounds as the Grizzlies outrebounded the Suns, 46-23.
Meanwhile, Phoenix played without Booker for the third straight game. Deandre Ayton was given more time to shine this time though, tallying 18 points to lead the Suns. Duane Washington Jr. and Landry Shamet scored 14 and 13 points, respectively, while Chris Paul contributed 10 markers.
Big-time ballers
50 PTS
— NBA (@NBA) December 24, 2022
8 REB
10 AST
3 STL
6 3PM
Mavs W
Luka passes Dirk for the second most 40+ point games in Mavs history. pic.twitter.com/SjBuhaXxj2
Luka Doncic explodes for 50 points against the Houston Rockets, leading the Mavericks to their second straight victory. Joel Embiid and James Harden showcased a shooting masterclass tonight in their clash as Embiid finished with 44 points while Harden made history with a triple-double of 20 points, 21 assists, and 11 rebounds.
LeBron James picked up his 6th straight game of over 30 points after dropping 34 points in their loss against the Hornets. LaMelo Ball edged them out with his own 23-point performance. In the East, Kevin Durant extended the Brooklyn Nets’ win streak to eight after recording 24 points in their victory against the Bucks.
What he said
“Congratulations. Merry Christmas, that was a stone-cold shot.”
Pacers coach Rick Carlisle in the locker room had nothing but praise after Tyrese Haliburton went off for a career-high 34 points, including a franchise record of 10 threes and a crazy game-winner.
Did you see that?
DEMAR DEROZAN@DeMar_DeRozan | @NBCSChicago pic.twitter.com/pVAVN4l7IC
— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) December 24, 2022
This day is all about gift-giving. Demar DeRozan looked like Santa Claus for all the Bulls fans after hitting the clutch jumper to win the game for Chicago at Madison Square Garden.
