Scoreboard
Knicks 120, Wizards 99
Bucks 130, Hornets 99
Kings 129, Spurs 120
Celtics 108, Raptors 105
Cavaliers 108, Pistons 100
76ers 126, Hawks 116
Pelicans 115, Nuggets 110
Magic 103, Bulls 97
Lakers 107, Trail Blazers 95
Suns 131, Jazz 128
Clippers 106, Rockets 100
What went down
Eleven In-Season Tournament games were slated on Saturday as teams continued to jockey for position in the standings to make it to Las Vegas. A couple of teams kept their In-Season tourney hopes alive, including the LA Clippers who improved to 1-2 in Group B of the West. More importantly, they snapped their six-game slide and earned their first victory with James Harden.
It was also poetic that it was Harden who delivered the game-winning play. Tied at 100 apiece, he drilled the go-ahead 3-pointer plus nabbed a foul to help the Clippers outlast the Rockets.
JAMES HARDEN 4-POINT PLAY 😱
— NBA (@NBA) November 18, 2023
CASHES THE STEPBACK FOR THE LEAD WITH SECONDS REMAINING.
🏆 NBA In-Season Tournament
🏀 West Group B action on the NBA App
📱 https://t.co/A3xDbl1bUf pic.twitter.com/kFWsM82wFd
Harden finished with a near triple-double, collecting 24 points, nine rebounds, and seven assists. The new-look Clippers have a long way to go but the monkey is off their back as they finally got a victory together.
Big-time baller
De’Aaron Fox was in his bag as he unleashed his full offensive arsenal on the San Antonio Spurs. He finished with a season-high 43 points, attacking in a variety of ways. He went 14-of-24 from the field, including five triples, plus 10-for-13 from the line. To top it all off, he also had eight rebounds and seven assists.
De'Aaron Fox puts on a SHOW and leads the Kings to a tight NBA In-season Tournament win! 🤩
— NBA (@NBA) November 18, 2023
43 PTS (Season-high)
8 REB
7 AST
5 3PM
Sacramento moves to 2-0 in West Group C play 🏆 pic.twitter.com/Hh1zHaTpyx
What he said
Drake joined the Toronto Raptors broadcast, providing some unique color commentary:
Drake joined the @Raptors broadcast crew tonight for their In-Season Tournament battle vs. the Celtics 👀🎙? pic.twitter.com/QKi0xnoTr9
— NBA (@NBA) November 18, 2023
Did you see that?
Was this a pass from Khris Middleton or did the ball just slip from his hands?
This Khris Middleton assist is WILD 🤣🔥 pic.twitter.com/Bl6RoKvcyG
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) November 18, 2023
Extra Pass
The red-hot Miami Heat take their 7-game winning streak to Chicago to face the Bulls.
The Heat didn’t get what they wanted during the offseason but here they are showing that they have all the tools to make another playoff run. Jimmy Butler has been his superstar-self and he’s coming off a 36-point outing against the Brooklyn Nets. He went 12-for-19 from the field and 10-for-11 from the line as he attacked the teeth of the defense. He’s scored at least 30 points in back-to-back games and he’s looking to make it three in a row versus the Bulls.
The Bulls, meanwhile, have lost three straight, including two consecutive defeats against the Orlando Magic. The wins have been hard to come by for the Bulls but they’re looking to get back in the win column. Zach LaVine is coming off a 34-point effort versus the Magic.
The Heat and the Bulls tip off at 9:00 AM on NBA TV Philippines.
