Scoreboard
Celtics 144, Kings 119
76ers 127, Timberwolves 113
Heat 115, Magic 106
Pacers 144, Hornets 113
Cavaliers 124, Jazz 116
Nuggets 113, Raptors 104
Knicks 121, Nets 102
Hawks 134, Rockets 127
Bulls 124, Lakers 108
Clippers 120, Mavericks 111
What went down
After a disappointing loss to the Warriors in overtime last Tuesday, the Boston Celtics were able to bounce back and claim the best record in the league.
Kristaps Porzingis, who missed the match against Golden State, dominated the paint and finished with 24 points, nine boards, and six blocks. Jaylen Brown, Derrick White, and Jrue Holiday also backed it up with 28, 28, and 21 points respectively. The team got hot in the first quarter, where they netted eight 3s, the most in a quarter since the Mavericks-Warriors game in 2019.
Speaking of improved records, the Los Angeles Clippers must be at the center of the discussion.
As they broke down the shorthanded Mavericks, the Clippers have won nine straight games to improve their standing to 17-10. When you have Kawhi playing at his healthiest, you get plays like this:
Kawhi Leonard with a CRAFTY move to get to the rim 🔥
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) December 21, 2023
pic.twitter.com/ArDSTWsSI5
The other games of the day featured Tyler Herro coming up big to lead the Heat to the W in Orlando, the Pacers launching an electric third-quarter push over the Hornets, and another Trae Young scoring masterpiece in the Hawks’ win versus Houston.
Big-time baller
Joel Embiid continues to accomplish feats unseen for more than a half-century. The reigning MVP led the Sixers (19-8) to their seventh victory in eight games and ended the four-game win streak of the Western Conference-leading Timberwolves (20-6). Tonight, he finished with a season-high 51 points and 12 rebounds.
Joel Embiid dropped a SEASON-HIGH 51 PTS in the Sixers' win over the Timberwolves ??
— NBA (@NBA) December 21, 2023
🔥 51 PTS
🔥 12 REB
🔥 68% FG
This marks Joel Embiid's third consecutive game of 40+ PTS & 10+ REB. Only Wilt Chamberlain has had such a streak in 76ers franchise history! pic.twitter.com/HN59F6LxBZ
Embiid became the first NBA player with 12 consecutive games of 30 or more points and 10 or more rebounds since Kareem Abdul-Jabbar in 1972, and the first 76er since Wilt Chamberlain in 1967 with three consecutive games of 40 or more points and 10 or more rebounds.
What he said
“The Clippers appear to be the biggest threat to the Denver Nuggets in the Western Conference.”
The Clippers are the real deal pic.twitter.com/Rx8Lasg8u7
— Stephen A Smith (@stephenasmith) December 20, 2023
James Harden is playing like his Rockets version. Kawhi is looking like his Spurs self. Paul George is playing elite on both ends. Russell Westbrook is bringing so much energy. Looks like we have some potential championship team chemistry going on here, and Stephen A. Smith recognizes it.
Did you see that?
With trade rumors up in the air, Lauri Markkanen continues to show everyone what his real value is to the Jazz franchise with this throwdown:
LAURI MARKKANEN WITH THE POSTER 😱pic.twitter.com/HqyVnLSc5Z
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) December 21, 2023
Extra Pass
Tomorrow, the hot Clippers will be playing the young and hungry Thunder. With a healthy Kawhi Leonard and Paul George, as well as James Harden since November, the Clippers are slowly coming into form in the Western Conference riding an 8-game winning streak. However, the Thunder are also consistent in their progress as one of the youngest teams in the league who is part of the top teams in the West, and they have a record of wins to prove it. It would be exciting how the young guns of OKC will fare against much healthier versions of Kawhi and Harden.
You can catch the Clippers and Thunder live on NBA TV Philippines.
