Scoreboard
76ers 104, Hawks 101
Wizards 142, Timberwolves 127
Celtics 140, Hornets 105
Nets 109, Magic 102
Raptors 100, Cavaliers 88
Pelicans 105, Thunder 101
Nuggets 129, Rockets 113
Bulls 114, Jazz 107
Suns 122, Kings 117
Pacers 116, Lakers 115
What went down
The LA Lakers and Indiana Pacers are intertwined this season in so many ways.
There’s the trade scenarios everyone is cooking up between the two teams. Then there’s also fans reading into things Myles Turner said or Rob Pelinka’s flight details. Finally, there’s Pacers rookie, Benedict Mathurin’s soundbite before the draft about LeBron James.
Bennedict Mathurin said this before getting drafted. Tonight he takes on LeBron 👀 pic.twitter.com/qDfACzvGtr
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) November 28, 2022
The first meeting between the two teams this season did not disappoint.
The Lakers built a 17-point fourth quarter lead and looked like they were well on their way to another big win. They fooled around the fourth quarter, allowing the Pacers to get back in the game.
Up by two with less than 10 seconds left on the clock, the Lakers got the stop, but they couldn’t secure the long rebound. Tyrese Haliburton collared the loose ball, dribbled into the elbow and dished a cross court pass to Andrew Nembhard who was wide open on the left wing. Nembhard let it fly and…
Andrew Nembhard hits the #TissotBuzzerBeater to win it for the @Pacers! #TimingEmotions pic.twitter.com/lFv43RTHxG
— NBA (@NBA) November 29, 2022
Bang!
After this win, the buzz surrounding these two teams will only get louder, especially with Westbrook playing well despite the loss (23 points) and Buddy Hield and Turner (15 points each) outplaying all the other Laker role players.
This win also means James hasn’t proven that he’s better than Mathurin.
LeBron vs Mathurin
— StatMuse (@statmuse) November 29, 2022
LeBron Mathurin
21 PTS 23 PTS
7 REB 8 REB
3 3P 3 3P
Benn is undefeated against LeBron. pic.twitter.com/8C4kjWTCOx
Big-time ballers
There were so many big-time ballers in today’s slate of games.
First up is Kristaps Porzingis. The sweet-shooting big man took advantage of the Minnesota Timberwolves’ drop defense on him, torching them from beyond the arc. He opened the game hitting four straight 3s to set the tone for his team.
update: 4 for 4 from deep. https://t.co/DJK2yRI188
— Washington Wizards (@WashWizards) November 29, 2022
Porzingis finished with a career-high 41 points in the blowout win.
Devin Booker showed that a Sun is brighter than a beam today. He erupted for 44 points to lead Phoenix to a big win over the upset-seeking Sacramento Kings. Here’s a clip to show just how unstoppable he was in today’s game.
https://twitter.com/Suns/status/1597451434337144832
That’s him shrugging off the defense of a guy nicknamed “Off Night.”
The day’s top scorer though is no surprise. In fact he’s not even surprised at what he did today.
What he said
“When I wake up.”
Kevin Durant (45 PTS) was asked when does he know he's in rhythm for a big scoring performance...
— NBA (@NBA) November 29, 2022
His answer is PRICELESS 🤣 pic.twitter.com/u9j1Nc5bU7
That’s what Kevin Durant answered when he was asked about his 45-point explosion in today’s win.
When you’re a seven-foot scoring machine like Durant, being that confident is as easy as getting 40. He’s an inspiration to young scorers looking to be as successful as him one day.
respect 🤝
— Orlando Magic (@OrlandoMagic) November 29, 2022
(via paolo5/IG) pic.twitter.com/T58tpbJ8N4
Did you see that?
While getting buckets definitely helps, there’s more than one way to help your team get a win. Here’s Herb Jones with three clutch plays, two of which don’t even show up in the box score.
Herb Jones in 3 seconds.
— New Orleans Pelicans (@PelicansNBA) November 29, 2022
Draw the charge.
Inbound off OKC's back.
Knock down 2 FT's and ice the game.
Generational. pic.twitter.com/SrgU2LFqHy
Jones still filled up the stat sheet though. He had 12 points, three rebounds, three assists, four steals, three blocks, and one 3-pointer.
