The NBA delivered 15 games on Monday, with Spanish basketball's best news coming from Cleveland. Aday Mara continues to gain prominence with the Thunder, missing Chet Holmgren, and was key to victory over the Cavaliers. The night also saw the end of the Grizzlies' undefeated streak, Stephen Curry's return, and the Kings' first win of the season.
https://youtu.be/pRMMM83QobI?si=5kThI8Auq3Ks0HKo
Mara shines in Thunder victory
Thunder 117-112 Cavaliers. BOX SCORE Oklahoma City won in Cleveland with a dominant second quarter of 33-18 that gave them a lead they never relinquished, though the Cavaliers pressed until the final buzzer. Gilgeous-Alexander scored 43 points (14 of 35 from the field) and dished out 8 assists, while Ajay Mitchell added 20. Mara was once again the Thunder's key bench center: 10 points on 5-of-7 shooting, 9 rebounds (3 offensive) and 1 block in 20 minutes, with a +8 rating. The Thunder, still without Holmgren, Jalen Williams, Caruso, and Wallace, improve to 5-2. For the Cavaliers, Donovan Mitchell recorded a double-double of 17 points and 11 assists.
https://youtu.be/t8NZBC0UkhY?si=oclO7FJ8lAJHF9Kq
Hugo González can't prevent Boston's loss
Celtics 93-109 Rockets. BOX SCORE Without Paul George resting, the Celtics held on through halftime, but the second quarter (21-28) and fourth quarter (20-27) gave Houston the victory. Alperen Şengün dominated with 26 points, 7 rebounds, 10 assists and 12-of-15 shooting. Hugo González played 16 minutes off the bench and added 6 points and 3 rebounds, all offensive. Jayson Tatum finished with 19 points on 5-of-16 shooting. The Rockets improve to 7-1 while the Celtics fall to 5-2.
Grizzlies lose undefeated streak in overtime
Pelicans 135-134 Grizzlies (OT). Memphis nearly preserved their undefeated record thanks to Ty Jerome, who scored the final nine points of regulation to force overtime (124-124) and finished with 40 points. In the extra period, Jerome put the Grizzlies back ahead with a three-pointer from nearly 30 feet, but Jeremiah Fears made two free throws with 7.3 seconds remaining, and Jerome's final shot didn't fall. Zion Williamson (25 points and 11 rebounds) and Karlo Matković (25, with five three-pointers) led the Pelicans. Memphis loses for the first time (6-1).
https://youtu.be/u1inot0nq7g?si=6ycgRS4SU-lUxnZq
Dončić surpasses 40 again
Heat 117-138 Lakers. Dončić recorded his second consecutive 40-point night: 42 points with 7 rebounds and 13 assists. The game was decided in the third quarter (21-32), with Austin Reaves (27 points) and Walker Kessler (15 points and 15 rebounds) also performing well. Giannis Antetokounmpo had 30 points, 12 rebounds and 7 assists, but the Heat never found an answer for the Lakers' defense. The Lakers improve to 6-2.
https://youtu.be/CRSGFoVYpH0?si=MCByYNS1rlHpQbKg
Curry's return
Suns 113-116 Warriors. Stephen Curry returned with 34 points and five three-pointers, and the Warriors rallied from a poor start (31-19 for Phoenix in the first quarter) to secure their fifth consecutive victory. Charles Bassey contributed 19 points and 8 rebounds from inside, and Brandin Podziemski added 20. Devin Booker (26) and Miles Bridges (21) kept the Suns competitive until the final buzzer.
Raptors and Blazers stage comebacks
Raptors 125-118 Clippers. Toronto entered the fourth quarter down 13 points and won it 47-27. Immanuel Quickley (27), RJ Barrett (26) and Scottie Barnes, with 22 points, 15 rebounds and 8 assists, led the comeback without Kawhi Leonard. The Clippers, with 26 points from Kobe Sanders, fall to 1-6.
Trail Blazers 118-110 Nuggets. Denver won the first quarter by 12, but Portland turned it around with strong third and fourth quarters. Deni Avdija scored 28 points, Damian Lillard 20 and Jrue Holiday recorded a double-double of 17 points and 10 assists, while Donovan Clingan grabbed 18 rebounds. Jamal Murray (35) and Nikola Jokić (26, 9 rebounds and 8 assists) couldn't prevent the loss. The Blazers improve to 5-1.
Kings finally win
Kings 115-100 Mavericks. Sacramento got their first win in their seventh game, with a strong fourth quarter of 34-26 in Dallas. Rookie Darius Acuff Jr. (25), Malik Monk (24) and Zach LaVine (23) led a team that had lost its first six games. For the Mavericks, without Kyrie Irving and Spaniards Sergio de Larrea and Santi Aldama, Cooper Flagg finished 3-of-19 from the field.
76ers unstoppable in the East
Bulls 107-126 76ers. Philadelphia added their fourth consecutive victory with balanced scoring: Tyrese Maxey recorded a double-double of 26 points and 11 assists, Jaylen Brown another of 25 and 11 rebounds, and VJ Edgecombe added 21. Joel Embiid, who was questionable, played 25 minutes (15 points and 8 rebounds). Rookie Caleb Wilson scored 24 for the Bulls. The 76ers improve to 7-1.
Alexander-Walker from deep
Hawks 108-104 Pacers. Nickeil Alexander-Walker scored 34 points with 9 three-pointers to carry the Hawks without Jalen Johnson, who relied on a strong first quarter of 37-29. The Pacers, with a crowded injury report (Haliburton, Siakam, Nembhard, Nesmith, Oubre and Zubac out), competed until the end with Jay Huff (22) and Quenton Jackson (20), but fall to 2-6.
Rest of the night
Nets 90-103 Knicks. Brooklyn led by four after a dominant third quarter of 35-24, but the Knicks settled it with a fourth quarter of 28-11. Landry Shamet (22 points and four three-pointers) and Jalen Brunson (19) led the comeback, while Julius Randle (21 points and 11 rebounds) and Nolan Traore (17, 5-of-6 from three) weren't enough for the Nets.
Wizards 103-94 Magic. The Wizards won in Orlando thanks to a third quarter in which they held the Magic to just 9 points. Anthony Davis scored 27 points on 12-of-17 shooting, Kyshawn George 22 and rookie AJ Dybantsa 21. Franz Wagner (24) and Desmond Bane (20) couldn't sustain the Magic without Banchero, Suggs and Anthony Black.
Pistons 124-91 Hornets. Detroit dominated in Charlotte with 33 points from Cade Cunningham in just 27 minutes and 24 from Duncan Robinson, with six three-pointers. The game was decided before halftime (65-54) and the Hornets, without Kon Knueppel, finished with just 91 points.
Bucks 100-112 Timberwolves. LaMelo Ball scored 34 points with six three-pointers and Ayo Dosunmu nearly had a triple-double (19 points, 12 rebounds and 8 assists) in Minnesota's victory, who continue without Anthony Edwards. The Bucks, with 21 from Tyler Herro, suffer their third consecutive loss and fall to 1-6.
Jazz 97-119 Spurs. San Antonio broke the game open in the third quarter (35-20) and won with balanced scoring led by Dylan Harper (17 points, 7 rebounds and 8 assists), Stephon Castle (16) and Keldon Johnson (15). Lauri Markkanen scored 22 for the Jazz, who have now lost five straight.
Spanish players:
Aday Mara (Thunder): 20 min, 10 pts (5/7 FG), 9 reb, 1 block, +8
Hugo González (Celtics): 16 min, 6 pts (3/6 FG), 3 reb, 1 steal
Sergio de Larrea and Santi Aldama (Mavericks): did not play
Top performances:
Gilgeous-Alexander (OKC): 43 pts, 3 reb, 8 ast
Dončić (LAL): 42 pts, 7 reb, 13 ast
Ty Jerome (MEM): 40 pts (14/22 FG)
Murray (DEN): 35 pts
Curry (GSW): 34 pts (5 three-pointers)
Ball (MIN): 34 pts (6 three-pointers)
Alexander-Walker (ATL): 34 pts (9/15 3PT)
Cunningham (DET): 33 pts in 27 min
Antetokounmpo (MIA): 30 pts, 12 reb, 7 ast
Şengün (HOU): 26 pts, 7 reb, 10 ast
Barnes (TOR): 22 pts, 15 reb, 8 ast