Scoreboard
Lakers 120, Pelicans 102
Hornets 120, Spurs 110
Pacers 117, Bulls 113
76ers 118, Cavaliers 112
Knicks 122, Hawks 101
Celtics 127, Pistons 109
Nets 116, Heat 105
Grizzlies 117, Jazz 111
Thunder 133, Rockets 96
Nuggets 118, Mavericks 109
What went down
Reserve Jeff Green helped the Nuggets go into the All-Star break with a big 118-109 win over the Mavericks. He scored a season-high 24 points while Nikola Jokic notched his 21st triple-double of the season with 14 points, 13 rebounds, and 10 assists.
The Nuggets have won an NBA record 25 straight regular season games when Nikola Jokic drops a triple-double.
— NBA History (@NBAHistory) February 16, 2023
The previous record for consecutive wins when a player records a triple-double belonged to Magic Johnson and the Lakers (24 games). pic.twitter.com/9LUE3MP9vp
The two squads both started hot and were alternating shots in the whole first frame. The Nuggets, however, began to gain the upperhand in the match in the second quarter.
Dallas attempted a comeback in the second half with Luka Doncic leading a banged-up team that was missing Kyrie Irving due to lower-back tightness. Luka and Irving have played alongside each other in two matches since Irving was acquired through a deal with Brooklyn on February 6.
Michael Porter Jr. put in a lot of work in the last quarter, hitting much-need shots from the arc that ultimately helped his team build the lead to up to 21. However, the Mavs cut it to 105-95 with 5:50 remaining after Christian Wood’s layup.
After the Mavs tried closing in, Porter blocked a shot on one end, raced back, and hit a 3-pointer to give the Nuggets some breathing room and eventually the win.
Big-time ballers
The NBA got a good game out of the Philadelphia 76ers and the Cleveland Cavaliers. Joel Embiid dropped 29 points and 14 boards to lead the Sixers to the home win. The impressive frontcourt duo of Donovan Mitchell and Darius Garland posted 33 and 27 points, respectively.
In his third game with the Nets, Mikal Bridges poured in a career-high 45 points in their victory over the visiting Miami Heat.
What he said
Six threes from Buddy Hield helped him break the Indiana Pacers’ single-season record for 3-pointers made in their win tonight. The Pacers veteran broke Reggie Miller’s single-season franchise record when he hit his 230th 3-pointer of the year.
Hield leads the NBA in 3-pointers and will participate in the NBA All-Star Game 3-point contest on Saturday in Utah. In the post-game interview, he shared how he developed his stroke from the 3-point area.
Buddy Hield speaks on how he developed his 3pt shot growing up in the Bahamas.
— NBA (@NBA) February 16, 2023
He set the Pacers single-season 3PM record tonight 🎯 pic.twitter.com/54MMGIV1AY
Did you see that?
Lakers fans are gonna love this chemistry if it blossoms more as the season continues. LeBron James dishes a dime to Mo Bamba, who goes all in for the flush.
