Scoreboard
Wizards 119, Magic 100?
Lakers 130, Hawks 121
Raptors 113, Suns 104
Bulls 132, Pistons 118
Bucks 123, Timberwolves 114
Pelicans 127, Sixers 116
Nuggets 124, Heat 119
Warriors 118, Trail Blazers 112
Kings 126, Jazz 125
What went down
Life has been tough for the Golden State Warriors this season. They've been up and down and recently lost Steph Curry to an injury. Against the Blazers, though, Curry's absence didn't matter as Jordan Poole continues to rise to the challenge.
The Warriors got a home victory over the Trail Blazers behind Poole's 41 points. He has been the Warriors' leading scorer in nine of the 10 games Curry has missed.
He did get a little help from Klay Thompson, who finished the game with 31 points, including the crucial triple with 1:36 left in the game.
Portland got a combined 56 points from Damian Lillard and Anfernee Simons but the Warriors were able to eke out the win to improve their home record to a league-best 16-2.
Big-time baller
There were a lot of great performances today but let's give this space to LeBron James.
The King paced the Lakers with 47 points (including four 3s), 10 rebounds, and nine assists on his birthday.
He became the fourth player in NBA history with a 45-point game at age 38 or older, joining elite company which includes Michael Jordan, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and Jamal Crawford.
What he said
Twenty years in the league and LeBron still amazes us. Does the man need to score 40 a night to get his team wins?
After @LakersReporter asked LeBron about calling his shot about scoring 40 and whether he was trying to fit it into the team needs, he got this response:
— Kyle Goon (@kylegoon) December 31, 2022
“I’ve been scoring 30 and it hasn’t worked, so … I’m gonna try 40.” pic.twitter.com/QZruxxmd3w
Did you see that?
Allow Jose Alvarado to reintroduce himself. First, a steal. Then, he draws a charge.
GRAND THEFT ALVARADO 🔥 pic.twitter.com/0uEBFE88VI
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) December 31, 2022
Check out this throwdown from Zach Lavine, who also had a 40-point game today.
LaVine got FaceTime with the rim 😮 pic.twitter.com/Mv1SeSEQbt
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) December 31, 2022
