Scoreboard
Magic 95, Celtics 92
Knicks 109, Pacers 106
Nets 124, Pistons 121
Warriors 126, Raptors 110
Nuggets 119, Hornets 115
Lakers 119, Wizards 117
What went down
In one of the most momentous days in sports history, basketball took a bit of a backseat, but that doesn't mean the NBA didn't deliver their own dose of craziness.
For one, the Orlando Magic are legit. They proved that today with their second consecutive win over the Celtics in Boston. This was their sixth straight win overall, drubbing the Toronto Raptors twice, the Atlanta Hawks, and the Los Angeles Clippers within the streak.
They did this behind another splendid performance from super rookie Paolo Banchero, who finished with 31 points, six rebounds, and three assists. In their first win against the Celtics last Saturday, Banchero had 20 points, five rebounds, and five assists.
31 of ‘em 🤧 pic.twitter.com/EMAv2WCxr5
— Orlando Magic (@OrlandoMagic) December 18, 2022
Banchero is but a piece in the mismatch nightmare that the Magic present. Today, they had six-foot-ten Franz Wagner finish the game at shooting guard while seven-footers Mo Wagner and Bol Bol patrolled the paint.
They’ve made it work on offense by allowing all their players the most room to express their skills, even if it ends up looking awkward at times. When everything does slide into place, the Magic look unstoppable.
Orlando is still way behind on the Eastern Conference standings, sitting at 11-20. The Celtics (22-9), who have looked wobbly over the last week, momentarily ceded the top speed in the East to the Milwaukee Bucks (21-8).
Big-time ballers
Jordan Poole got busy in the North, dropping a career-high 43 points on the Toronto Raptors to lead Golden State to the win.
A career night for Jordan Poole in the Golden State win.
— NBA (@NBA) December 19, 2022
43 PTS (career-high)
6 AST
5 3PM pic.twitter.com/GkaSOCNuJO
The Warriors are going to need every bit they can from their newly extended weapon with Steph Curry still set to miss at least two weeks with a shoulder injury.
The Brooklyn Nets’ dynamic duo of Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving also deserve some shine after carrying their team to the win against the Detroit Pistons. KD dropped 43 points while Irving managed 38.
KD and Kyrie vs. Detroit 🔥
— NBA TV (@NBATV) December 19, 2022
Durant: 43 PTS | 6 REB | 3 3PM
Irving: 38 PTS | 6 REB | 5 3PM pic.twitter.com/xEfM46vgaq
They’ve dropped 35+ points for the third time this season, becoming the first duo to do that since Durant and Westbrook in the 2011-2012 season.
Reigning MVP Nikola Jokic also gets a nod for completely dominating the Charlotte Hornets, piling up 40 points, 27 rebounds, and 10 assists.
What he said
Before today’s game, Eddie House appeared on Boston television and had some choice words about the Orlando Magic. Though it can be argued that House mostly just stated facts like the Magic having won only 10 games and likely not making the playoffs, House still learned what it's like to mess around then find out.
Former Celtic Eddie House with some choice words regarding the Orlando Magic despite being on a five game win streak..
— Fawzan Amer (@Fawzan24_) December 17, 2022
Eddie House was a member of the Boston Celtics team that won the NBA championship in 2008
Via (@theozonepod ) IG pic.twitter.com/By5QXVLk2e
Orlando players posted a gif from a Celtics-Magic game from a few years ago.
@EddieHouse_50 pic.twitter.com/tsDKWGCaPx
— Cole Anthony (@The_ColeAnthony) December 18, 2022
Did you see that?
Before their game against the Washington Wizards today, news broke that Los Angeles Lakers star Anthony Davis was going to miss at least a month due to a foot injury.
Lakers are bracing for an indefinite absence for the Lakers star, sources say, after he sustained the right foot injury in Friday’s win over Denver. Davis has played arguably the most dominant ball of his career this season. https://t.co/WCTr2y7eNp
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) December 18, 2022
Prior to the injury, Davis was getting back to his 2019-2020 season form, averaging 27.4 points, 12.1 rebounds, 1.3 steals, and 2.1 blocks, while keeping the Lakers in the hunt for a postseason berth.
Still, the Lakers clutched out a win against the Wizards, thanks to LeBron James and Bryant… Thomas Bryant.
WILD SEQUENCE IN LA 🤯
— NBA (@NBA) December 19, 2022
LAKERS WIN 119-117 pic.twitter.com/bNeFb2JRL0
