The Rundown: Luka gets triple-double, Steph comes up clutch

Scoreboard

Nuggets 108, Grizzlies 104

Pistons 111, Hornets 99

Thunder 108, Cavaliers 105

Celtics 119, Heat 111

Knicks 126, Hawks 120

Spurs 126, Rockets 122 (OT)

Bulls 104, Raptors 103 (OT)

Mavericks 125, Nets 120

Jazz 120, Clippers 118

Warriors 122, Kings 114

Magic 102, Trail Blazers 97

What went down

It was a packed day filled with exciting games.

The first overtime game of the day featured two young teams, the Houston Rockets and San Antonio Spurs. Down by two with the game clock winding down, the Spurs went to their top pick Victor Wembenyama. Wemby scored on a driving layup with 20 seconds left to force OT. The Spurs scored the first six points of the extra period to put the game away.

BIG. BODY. https://t.co/0OUyoKNP2v pic.twitter.com/TYmlh7NSqv

— San Antonio Spurs (@spurs) October 28, 2023

The other overtime game of the day was even more exciting. The Chicago Bulls had a chance to win the game outright in regulation but DeMar DeRozan missed a clutch free throw. Thankfully, his teammates were there to save him in the end game. 

The Bulls were down by two with less than 10 seconds on the clock and they needed a stop. Caruso stripped Pascal Siakam and ran the length of the floor all the way to the left corner of their court. He followed up that clutch stop with a dagger of a triple to give his team their first win of the season.

ALEX CARUSO FOR THE LEAD IN OT.@NBCSChicago | @ACFresh21 pic.twitter.com/UFugs7u70C

— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) October 28, 2023

The other games of the day featured the Denver Nuggets holding off the Memphis Grizzlies, the young OKC Thunder making a last-gasp run to beat the Cleveland Cavaliers, and the Utah Jazz shocking the LA Clippers in the final minute of their game.

Whew. 

Big-time baller

The biggest story of the night was Luka Doncic and his utter dominance on display against the Brooklyn Nets.

After opening the season with a  30-point triple-double, he found a way to top that performance in his second game, exploding for 49 points, 10 rebounds, and seven assists, with no turnovers. The numbers alone were eye-boggling. But what Luka Magic does goes beyond numbers. Just watch this dagger:

🪄🪄🪄🪄🪄🪄🪄🪄🪄🪄🪄🪄🪄🪄🪄🪄🪄🪄🪄🪄🪄🪄🪄🪄🪄🪄🪄🪄🪄🪄🪄🪄🪄🪄🪄🪄🪄🪄 pic.twitter.com/KPiYZzBxl2

— Dallas Mavericks (@dallasmavs) October 28, 2023

We’re all Mark Cuban after a ridiculously amazing shot like that.

SCREAMING CRYING THROWING UP pic.twitter.com/1hF0qUXDFO

— Dallas Mavericks (@dallasmavs) October 28, 2023

What he said

Wemby got his first win today and he did it in front of a San Antonio crowd energized by the arrival of their new franchise player.

Signing off for the night 🫶 pic.twitter.com/6IaoHobWjj

— San Antonio Spurs (@spurs) October 28, 2023

Wembenyama notched the first double-double of his career, finishing with 21 points, 12 rebounds, and three blocks. Looks like there’s more of that to come this season.

Did you see that?

Steph Curry’s brilliance should not be lost in all the madness that happened today.

The last time the good people of Sacramento saw Chef Curry, he was torching their team in Game 7 of their playoff series. Curry took over from that game in the first meeting of their two teams, erupting for 41 points on seven three-pointers. He also delivered this ice-cold bucket for good measure.

41 POINTS
7 THREES
1 GAME-CLINCHER https://t.co/AyIKr20I8K pic.twitter.com/G1lEBWmatK

— NBA (@NBA) October 28, 2023

Extra Pass

It’s an exciting battle of Central Division teams featuring the up-and-coming Indiana Pacers facing off against the battle-tested Cleveland Cavaliers.

The Cavaliers are still smarting from a tough loss against a young squad in the OKC Thunder. They’re trying to avoid making the same mistake on the second game of a back-to-back against the Pacers. Indiana on the other hand is coming off a high from winning their opening game of the season. They’re looking to build momentum by winning their second straight game. 

The match-up to watch in this battle will be the two point guards running the show. Both Tyrese Haliburton and Darius Garland are 20-10 double-double threats. The lead guard that’s able to set the table the best in this game will most likely be the one that takes home the win.

You can catch the Cavaliers host the Pacers live at 7:30 AM on NBA TV Philippines.