Scoreboard
Wizards 110, Nets 104
Magic 117, Knicks 108
Bucks 119, Cavaliers 111
Celtics 120, Raptors 118
Kings 117, Hawks 110
76ers 131, Rockets 127
Suns 133, Hornets 119
Thunder 119, Nuggets 93
Trail Blazers 134, Spurs 128
Clippers 117, Grizzlies 109
What went down
The Oklahoma City Thunder have been one of the best teams in the league since the start of the new season. They’ve consistently won against anyone that they’ve gone up against. Good teams, bad teams, and everything in between, they’ve beaten them. They don’t need any kind of validation anymore.
However, their win today against the Denver Nuggets was still a statement win for this young team. This wasn’t a fluke. This was a masterclass. The Thunder won by 26 points, limited Denver to just 93 points on 42.4 percent shooting. Offensively, Oklahoma City was on a tear. They dropped 119 points and nearly all players they fielded scored at least a point.
Leading the way for the Thunder was Shai Gilgeous-Alexander who erupted for 40 points on 70 percent shooting. This was an MVP-like performance for Gilgeous-Alexander who outplayed two-time MVP Nikola Jokic.
The Thunder got separation in the third period. They limited the Nuggets to just 20 points while scoring 34 points of their own. The game was pretty much over after that run by Oklahoma City.
Big-time baller
With Joel Embiid out, the Philadelphia 76ers needed a big game out of their other star, Tyrese Maxey. The young guard delivered exactly what his team needed.
Maxey scored 42 points on a clean 50 percent clip. What made this performance more impressive was that he was the sole target defensively of the impressive Houston Rockets.
What he said
This is high praise coming from Jokic.
"He's a problem in this league."
— NBA (@NBA) December 30, 2023
Jokic with nothing but respect for SGA after their battle in Denver 🤝 pic.twitter.com/mfOOP0iLpA
This game probably pushed SGA up a couple of notches higher up the MVP ladder.
Did you see that?
The most interesting streak ongoing in the NBA right now is the Detroit Pistons’ losing run. Buried underneath all the Ls is the Boston Celtics’ home winning streak.
Celtics have won 23-straight home games in the regular season (16-0 this season).
— StatMuse (@statmuse) December 30, 2023
Their last loss at home was on March 5th. pic.twitter.com/GcgybJmZ5G
Which team has the best chance to take down the Celtics in Boston.
Extra Pass
The LA Lakers are looking to keep their winning ways going after their last win over the Charlotte Hornets. The only problem is that standing in their way is the best team in the West, the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Minny is also coming off a bounce-back win and are looking to hold off the Thunder and Nuggets who are below them in the standings.
Can Anthony Davis continue his hot streak against the twin towers of the Timberwolves or will Minny’s D prevail?
You can catch this game live at 9:00 AM on NBA TV Philippines and NBA League Pass.
