Scoreboard
Lakers 121, Trail Blazers 112
Clippers 112, Mavericks 98
Heat 100, Pelicans 96
Raptors 125, Knicks 116
Thunder 101, Nuggets 99
Suns 112, Grizzlies 110
Nets 120, Warriors 116
What went down
A young team comprised of up-and-coming players defeating the top team in the West should definitely be the highlight of all the NBA games tonight.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander finished with 34 big points, including a decisive 8-foot jumper to seal the win versus the Nuggets.
OKC had the upper hand coming into the last quarter but Denver’s Jamal Murray and Aaron Gordon were running down the court and executing the right plays to trim down the lead to one digit. Zeke Nnaji hit two free throws to tie the game at 99 with 30 seconds left, then after the time out, they were taken by storm as Gilgeous-Alexander hit a mid-range shot to give the Thunder the lead. Murray saw an opening for the win but just couldn’t get the ball in.
Oklahoma City’s win ended the Nuggets’ nine-game win streak and their 16-game home win streak–the franchise’s longest run in 10 years. The Thunder, meanwhile, earned their seventh win in nine games.
The Nuggets were obviously gassed tonight, especially without their star center Nikola Jokic, who has missed his second straight game because of his left hamstring. They were also without Michael Porter Jr. due to personal reasons, leaving the Denver squad without two of its top four scorers.
Big-time ballers
Kyrie Irving dropped 38 points tonight against the Golden State Warriors, marking the third time he’s had a 30-point performance in his last four games. CP3, meanwhile, stepped up for a double-double of 22 points and 11 assists as the Phoenix Suns held off the Memphis Grizzlies, 112-110.
LeBron James and Thomas Bryant dominated the court tonight for the Lakers as they recorded 37 and 31 points, respectively.
What he said
“How can you not be a fan of basketball?”
Coach Vaughn expressed some love for the game after an impressive Brooklyn win against the defending champions Warriors, 120-116.
Did you see that?
A must-see for all the hoops fans–check out this impossible shot by Ziaire Williams from 80 feet!
