Scoreboard
Lakers 140, Rockets 132
Celtics 130, Hornets 118
Bucks 132, Pacers 119
Cavaliers 113, Pelicans 103
Raptors 123, Knicks 121
Warriors 127, Wizards 118
Hawks 121, Heat 113
Jazz 126, Timberwolves 125
Grizzlies 136, Suns 106
What went down
RJ Barrett went coast to coast for the driving dunk with 0.6 seconds left in regulation to tie the game and got everyone watching on their feet.
However, the Raptors remained composed and fought until the end to edge out the Knicks in overtime, 123-121. Fred VanVleet led the squad in the recovery with 33 points, Scottie Barnes had 26, while Pascal Siakam finished with 20 after fouling out while waiting on Jalen Brunson’s missed 3-pointer in the final second before claiming the victory.
The game was mostly a back-and-forth occasion as the Knicks led 101-92 midway through the last quarter but Toronto surged back with their own run to tie the game. Barnes had two free throws for a possible lead at 109-108, however he hit only one, prompting Barrett to run the floor for the dunk that made it 110-all.
OG Anunoby was able to hold out in the final stretch in overtime as he hit two 3-pointers to help the Raptors build a six-point lead, which New York nearly erased again in the last minute.
The Knicks unfortunately had their three-game win streak snapped despite Barrett putting up 32 points and Brunson adding 26 of his own. Julius Randle came up with 21 points, 15 rebounds, and eight assists after having a huge 42-point night in a win the night before in Detroit.
Big-time ballers
We got a few familiar names here featured on our big-time ballers.
LeBron James dropped a season-high in the Lakers’ win versus the Houston Rockets with 48 points, eight rebounds, nine assists, including five shots from downtown.
Stephen Curry, arguably the best shooter in the world, scored 41 points in the Warriors' victory in Washington. Jayson Tatum meanwhile became the 4th player in NBA history to score 50+ points on MLK Day, after a monster showing of 51 points, nine rebounds, and five assists.
What he said
"It's amazing to see."
— NBA (@NBA) January 17, 2023
Darvin Ham on LeBron's historic run after his season-high 48 PTS tonight. pic.twitter.com/OBhnWOYlvX
LeBron still producing big numbers in his 20th year is a feat that remains unbelievable. Listen to his coach, Darwin Ham, express how wonderful it is to see the King at this stage of his career still playing at a competitive level.
Did you see that?
Curry says on his way back to the locker room: “Not bad for the old guy.”
When you see him take on two guys and still hit the bottom of the net with his trey, you certainly know his age increases with his talent.
