Luka Dončić scored over 50 points again, and the Lakers needed every bit of it to edge the Blazers who led at halftime. In a nine-game night, the Eastern Conference sent clear signals with the Celtics' dominance and the 76ers' stumble in Cleveland. All three Spanish players in action recorded wins.
https://youtu.be/4cXUpUfkQEQ?si=fMb2Zjdb3WOI5lgE
Dončić carries the Lakers (BOX SCORE)
Blazers 118-124 Lakers. Portland led at halftime (60-53) and Dončić took over the Lakers in a dominant third quarter, 34-15, giving them the lead (75-87). The Blazers clawed back in the fourth quarter, winning it 43-37, but the Slovenian finished with 53 points and 5 three-pointers, his second 50-point performance of the season. Austin Reaves added 25 and Walker Kessler posted a double-double (16 and 12). Deni Avdija fell one rebound short of a triple-double (22, 9 and 11), and Damian Lillard scored 22. Portland's 24 turnovers compared to 11 for the Lakers decided the game. The Lakers improve to 8-2.
Ajay Mitchell leads Thunder's rout (BOX SCORE)
Thunder 128-97 Grizzlies. The Thunder led by as much as 37 and extended their winning streak over the Grizzlies to 16 straight. Ajay Mitchell set a career-high with 35 points, and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander added 28. The Grizzlies, the league's best three-point shooting team, went just 10 of 45 from deep, and 18 turnovers cost them 30 points. Aday Mara contributed 9 points and 7 rebounds in 18 minutes, shooting 4 of 6 from the field. The Thunder improve to 7-2 while the Grizzlies, who started 6-0, suffer their third loss.
Celtics reach 46-point margin (BOX SCORE)
Celtics 119-80 Hornets. The Celtics decided the game in the first quarter, winning it 40-20 with 18 points from Jayson Tatum. He finished with 34 points, 8 rebounds and 9 assists. Boston made 24 of 44 three-pointers, led by as much as 46 and improves to 7-2, with two wins in two NBA Cup games. Hugo González contributed 8 points in 15 minutes. The Hornets, who lost Brandon Miller in the second quarter to groin soreness, have now lost six straight.
https://youtu.be/aQ0F2DsoW1U?si=OMAHxbsxiY_e6q5K
LeBron struggles in Cleveland return (BOX SCORE)
76ers 95-119 Cavaliers. In his return to Cleveland with the 76ers, LeBron James finished with just 8 points on 3 of 12 shooting. Joel Embiid scored his 6 points all from the free throw line, missing all nine of his field goal attempts. The Cavaliers controlled most of the game, won the rebounding battle 56-42 despite the absence of Jarrett Allen and led by as much as 25. Donovan Mitchell (23 points and 8 assists) and Evan Mobley (22) led the home team, while Mario Hezonja posted a double-double (15 and 10). Jaylen Brown led the 76ers with 20 points as Philadelphia falls to 8-2.
https://youtu.be/d-1z-DeOQyc?si=ITPjCYheJ3HtirvV
Wembanyama dominates in Sacramento (BOX SCORE)
Spurs 124-109 Kings. The Spurs led by 19 at halftime (75-56) and never let the Kings get close. Victor Wembanyama finished with 30 points, 14 rebounds and 2 blocks, while Devin Vassell, Dylan Harper and Stephon Castle each added 19. Darius Acuff Jr. (22 points and 8 assists) and Domantas Sabonis (17 and 12) couldn't prevent the Kings' eighth loss, leaving them at 1-8. The Spurs improve to 7-2.
https://youtu.be/v7biftHla2w?si=G5HyNIXBWUVSMjEL
Aldama contributes as Flagg decides against Jazz (BOX SCORE)
Jazz 100-112 Mavericks. The game was tied at halftime (57-57), and a 22-10 third-quarter run, with 21 of those points from Cooper Flagg and Kyrie Irving, changed everything. Flagg finished with 21 points, 10 rebounds and 7 assists, P.J. Washington scored 26 and Morez Johnson Jr. posted his first double-double with 13 points and 17 rebounds. Santi Aldama added 8 points and 9 rebounds, while Sergio de Larrea did not play. Lauri Markkanen (24, with 8 three-pointers) couldn't prevent the Jazz's seventh straight loss.
Alijah Martin's unexpected night in Milwaukee
Raptors 121-107 Bucks. Toronto, without Kawhi Leonard, Scottie Barnes or Immanuel Quickley, trailed by 15 and stormed back with a 70-47 second half. Alijah Martin, who had scored just 23 points in seven games, went off for 27 with 6 of 7 from three-point range. RJ Barrett added another 27 and Jamal Shead dished out 16 assists, a career-high. Tyler Herro (23 and 10) and Brayden Burries (21 and 11) couldn't prevent the Bucks from falling to 1-8, their worst start since 1993-94.
Timberwolves rally in New Orleans
Timberwolves 115-109 Pelicans. A Dejounte Murray three-pointer gave the Pelicans the lead (87-89) with eight minutes left, but LaMelo Ball scored five straight points to spark a 10-2 run that decided the game. Ayo Dosunmu (26), Jaden McDaniels (23) and Ball (22 and 8 assists) led the Wolves, who improve to 7-3. Jeremiah Fears scored 24 for the Pelicans, who snap a four-game winning streak, and Zion Williamson finished with just 13 points, his worst output of the season.
Hawks win shootout with Wizards
Wizards 132-139 Hawks. Atlanta scored 139 points, a season-high, and won their third straight in an offensive showcase. Nickeil Alexander-Walker scored 28, Lu Dort added 25 with 5 three-pointers and Onyeka Okongwu posted a double-double (22 and 10). For the Wizards, Kyshawn George scored 33 and Trae Young, in his return to Atlanta, added 23 points and 10 assists but also had 8 turnovers. The Hawks improve to 6-4.
Spanish Players
Aday Mara (Thunder): 9 pts, 7 reb, 1 blk in 18 min
Santi Aldama (Mavericks): 8 pts, 9 reb
Hugo González (Celtics): 8 pts in 15 min
Sergio de Larrea (Mavericks): did not play
Notable Records: Lakers 8-2, 76ers 8-2, Thunder 7-2, Celtics 7-2, Spurs 7-2, Timberwolves 7-3, Bucks 1-8, Kings 1-8, Jazz 1-8