Scoreboard
Clippers 138, Suns 111
Thunder 136, Wizards 128
Pacers 133, Celtics 131
Bulls 119, Hornets 112 (OT)
Heat 120, Rockets 113
Jazz 132, Bucks 116
What went down
The Indiana Pacers survived the league-leading Boston Celtics even after losing star guard Tyrese Haliburton to an awkward fall on Tuesday, Philippine time. He felt immense pain and was then carried off the floor, leaving the directing of offense to the other guards.
Tyrese Haliburton had to be carried to the locker room after doing the splits on a fall 😳
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) January 9, 2024
Hope he's okay 🙏 pic.twitter.com/Z2REIkW6eh
Bennedict Mathurin was the hero of today’s game as he finished with 26 points, four boards, three assists, and two steals for the Pacers.
Boston big man Kristaps Porzingis managed to sink a crucial three to give the Celtics a two-point lead with just over a minute left. But T.J. McConnell responded with a finger roll for the 131-deadlock.
With three seconds remaining, Porzingis was whistled for a foul and Mathurin sank two of three free throws, winning the game for Indiana.
Controversy in Indianapolis 🍿
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) January 9, 2024
Kristaps Porzingis was called for a foul on Bennedict Mathurin’s game-winning attempt and the call was upheld after review.
Thoughts? 🤔pic.twitter.com/ZlnatAMXjP https://t.co/8sKuBVFMbG
Jaylen Brown carried most of the offensive load with 40 big points for the Celtics. Jrue Holiday remained a steady force for the guys in green and added 21 of his own. Aaron Nesmith was charged up and scored 17 points against his former team in Boston, helping the Pacers improve to 21-15.
The other games of the day featured an overtime win for the Bulls against the Hornets and a big win by the Jazz over the Bucks in Milwaukee.
Big-time baller
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is drawing up more and more MVP buzz while Chet Holmgren is positioning himself for the Rookie of the Year Award.
SGA and Chet Holmgren distributed immense BUCKETS in D.C. to give OKC the win ??
— NBA (@NBA) January 9, 2024
SGA: 32 PTS, 6 REB, 5 AST
Chet: 31 PTS, 5 AST, 4 3PM pic.twitter.com/v31cNvyqN7
SGA and Holmgren led the way for the Oklahoma City Thunder with 32 and 31 points, respectively, in Tuesday’s win against the Washington Wizards.
What he said
The Miami Heat bench was on fire tonight as their second-stringers combined for 44 points, led by Kevin Love’s 15 points. Coach Erik Spoelstra attributes much of that win to what Love’s experience and skill set does for the team.
"K-Love just continues to give us a really important weapon...[Love] is so crafty."
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) January 9, 2024
Erik Spoelstra on Kevin Love's impact for the Heat in tonight's win over the Rockets.
(via @ZachWeinberger) pic.twitter.com/7ttIrQWIyz
Did you see that?
The Phoenix Suns fell flat to the Los Angeles Clippers but Kevin Durant won the best highlight play of all the games tonight with this flawless euro step.
Kevin Durant brought out the EURO on the way to his 17th point of the night 🤯pic.twitter.com/9fgZs1JS3I
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) January 9, 2024
Extra Pass
The Orlando Magic will attempt to keep their win streak alive as they host the Minnesota Timberwolves on Wednesday, Philippine time. However, they’re going to be up for a lofty challenge since the Timberwolves currently sit atop the Western Conference standings.
The Timberwolves have a lot of options for their offense with consistent firepower from Anthony Edwards and Karl-Anthony Towns.
The Magic, meanwhile, have fewer go-to guys, down six potential rotation players. Don’t call this an easy win for Minnesota though, especially if their savior Paolo Banchero can pull off another superhuman effort and maybe lift them up against the West-leading team.
You can catch the Magic and the Timberwolves 8 a.m. live on NBA TV Philippines.
