Scoreboard
Cavaliers 103, Magic 92
Hawks 118, Pistons 113
Knicks 134, Hornets 131
Raptors 119, Sixers 109
Bucks 110, Nets 99
Bulls 124, Pacers 109
Timberwolves 134, Spurs 122
Jazz 109, Rockets 101
Nuggets 110, Lakers 99
Heat 119, Trail Blazers 98
What went down
Coming into the season, people barely talked about the Utah Jazz. After they traded Rudy Gobert and Donovan Mitchell, everyone expected that they would lose games and have a terrible season. But five games into the season, the Jazz have been doing exactly the opposite.
With a win over the Houston Rockets, the Jazz are now 4-1 and are tied with the Portland Trail Blazers—another surprising team—as the best team in the West.
How'd that happen? Well for starters, Lauri Markkanen has been playing at an All-Star level.
Against the Rockets, Markkanen had 24 points to lead Utah and grabbed eight boards. Complementing him was Jordan Clarkson, who finished with 20 points (built on five 3s) and six assists.
But the offense was only half the story as the Jazz banked on their defense to avenge their lone loss of the season. They forced Houston to numerous turnovers and converted on the other end. They went up by 19 points in the third but the Rockets rallied and cut it to two. But a Malik Beasley triple kept the Jazz in front, eventually sealing the win for them.
Next up for the Jazz are the Nuggets, who are coming off a huge win over the lowly Lakers.
Big-time baller
Save for the seven turnovers, Giannis Antetokounmpo put up Greek god-like numbers for the Bucks in their win over Eastern rivals Brooklyn Nets.
Giannis collected 43 points (on 16-of-25 shooting), 14 boards, five assists, one assist, and three blocks. With his impressive play to start the season, the Bucks are now the only remaining undefeated team in the NBA with a 3-0 record.
Another game. Another 40+ point performance. Light work.
— Milwaukee Bucks (@Bucks) October 27, 2022
43 PTS | 14 REB | 5 AST | 3 BLK | 1 STL pic.twitter.com/umrwsfhmyF
What they said
Lakers fall to 0-4 😬
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) October 27, 2022
pic.twitter.com/8rN027yA50
This laker team is not equipped to win
— Flea (@flea333) October 27, 2022
Can't blame Chuck and Flea for saying what they said. The Lakers suffered their fourth straight loss at the hands of the Denver Nuggets today. Nothing is going right in LA. Is it time to hit the panic button?
Did you see that?
Here's a couple of Clarkson highlights to brighten up your day:
JC triple: pic.twitter.com/ftOIvuhdy1
— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) October 27, 2022
