Scoreboard
- Raptors 137, Wizards 115
- Hawks 117, Mavericks 118
- Pacers 94, Nets 104
- Hornets 114, Grizzlies 130
- Clippers, Timberwolves
- Pelicans 116, Bulls 129
- Cavaliers 95, Nuggets 133
- Bucks 124, Suns 125
- Thunder 113, Lakers 114
What went down
The Los Angeles Lakers (Anthony Davis and Alex Caruso) and Oklahoma City Thunder (Shai Gilgeous-Alexander) missed key players on Thursday due to injuries.
Both teams struggled from beyond the arc, but OKC was able to dictate the pace of the game, leading by as much as 20 points through the first three quarters.
It was only in the fourth quarter with 4:59 remaining when the Lakers claimed their first lead when Kyle Kuzma scored on a layup off a pass from Lebron James. The two teams went back and forth until James knocked down a crucial 3 and secured a rebound after a Luguentz Dort miss as the game went into OT.
The team continued to switch leads until the last minute of the extra session. Wesley Matthews made a huge shot beyond the arc with 41.9 seconds to put the Lakers up three, but Dort made a quick layup on the other end. After a Laker miss, the Thunder had one last chance to steal the game but LeBron made a huge defensive stop to disrupt the play, sealing the win for LA.
Lebron gave the Lakers 25 points after playing 41 minutes in the game. Dennis Schroder and Kyle Kuzma also had excellent games with 19 and 15, respectively.
Kenrich Williams went above and beyond his average of 4.8 points by scoring 24 points, while Al Horford gave the Thunder 25.
Big-time baller
Paul Millsap had a birthday blowout like no other, helping the Denver Nuggets snap their 3-game losing streak against the Cleveland Cavaliers. He scored 22 points, along with 4 rebounds and 3 assists.
What he said
After their huge blowout win over the Cleveland Cavaliers, Zeke Nnaji of the Nuggets talked highly about his teammate, Nikola Jokic.
“He’s like a coach on the court, for me. His IQ is off the chart, one of the best in the league, and even on the court too. He leads by example,” said Nnaji.
Jokic is one of the top candidates for MVP this season, averaging 26.9 points, 11.3 rebounds, and 8.6 assists per game.
What’s in a number?
40 – Lebron James has played over 40 minutes in each of their last three games that all ended in overtime.
27 – Brooklyn Nets superstars Kyrie Irving and James Harden went perfect from the line with a combined 27-of-27.
8 – Zach Lavine and Coby White are the first teammates in NBA history to each hit at least 8 3-pointers in a game.
