Scoreboard
Magic 119, Pacers 118
Wizards 106, 76ers 103
Celtics 113, Hornets 107
Grizzlies 120, Knicks 108
Rockets 115, Cavaliers 104
Thunder 120, Mavericks 114
Kings 112, Nets 101
Lakers 99, Trail Blazers 94
What went down
We were greeted with several upsets this morning, starting with the slumping Washington Wizards pulling off a tight win over Player of the Month Joel Embiid and the Philadelphia 76ers.
The game was close throughout the second half. With 15 seconds left, Philly forced a turnover then found Embiid for a potential game-tying bucket. Luckily, Kyle Kuzma put on his cape and swatted Embiid’s floater attempt.
Kuzma with the CLUTCH block for the @WashWizards!
— NBA (@NBA) February 3, 2022
1.6 remaining in the 4th WAS leads by 1https://t.co/oz9UCQxdQa pic.twitter.com/ks01676BMJ
Kuzma finished with 24 points, including four 3s, and seven rebounds. The Sixers dropped to 30-21 and stayed in fourth place in the East. The Wizards, who were once leading the conference, arrested their six-game slide and now stand in 11th with a 24-27 record.
The West had a trio of shockers in store, first with the Houston Rockets outlasting the Cleveland Cavaliers, who were without Darius Garland.
Jalen Green and Evan Mobley shone in this meeting with Green dropping 21 points, five boards, and five dimes and Mobley putting up 29 points and 12 rebounds.
Luckily for the Cavs, this was their last road game out West as all their remaining road games are against Eastern Conference foes.
In another shocker, Lu Dort willed the Oklahoma City Thunder past the Dallas Mavericks in overtime.
Dort scored 14 of his 30 points in the extra period, making three of four field goals and all six of his free throw attempts.
overtime, Lu's time pic.twitter.com/kM6Rc8oVEr
— OKC THUNDER (@okcthunder) February 3, 2022
Then the Sacramento Kings had their moment against the Brooklyn Nets. As Kyrie Irving and James combined for 18 points on seven-for-26 shooting, the Kings countered with a balanced attack to pull off a rare win.
Big-time baller
Anthony Davis had his best game since returning from injury, helping the Los Angeles Lakers end a three-game losing streak by dropping 30 points, 15 rebounds, and three blocks on the Portland Trail Blazers.
Davis was especially effective late in the fourth quarter, dominating the boards and keeping Portland from having a clean possession. With LeBron James out indefinitely, the Lakers are going to need Davis to show up consistently.
What he said
Dirk Nowitzki is one of the more candid interviews in the NBA, even in retirement. Yesterday, Nowitzki went on a German podcast and talked about how he's starting to regret playing the last two years of his career due to the injuries he suffered.
“Should the last two years still have been played? Maybe my foot would be a little better now, I could kick with the kids. That just isn’t possible at all anymore,” Nowitzki said.
Did you see that?
Is it Alperen Sengun time? The Rockets have been unleashing the Turkish rookie more lately. Today, he delivered a poster on Evan Mobley.
Sengun was feeling it on this SLAM 💢
— NBA (@NBA) February 3, 2022
Watch Now on NBA League Pass: https://t.co/oz9UCQxdQa pic.twitter.com/u4mUwXyou7
The Memphis Grizzlies were visiting New York so they did their best Harlem Globetrotters impression.
🤯 Ja rocking the rim!
— NBA (@NBA) February 3, 2022
He finishes the 1st half with 15 points on ESPN pic.twitter.com/bCKgifZfof
