Luka-Magic is just too much for the nuggets! Luka Doncic has led the Dallas Mavericks to a safe blowout against Denver, reaching the next milestone in the process. The Sixers celebrate a statement win against the Bucks, the Magic win via Gamewinner after a crazy roller coaster ride, the Splash Brothers ensure a Warriors victory and even 49 points from Devin Booker are not enough for the Suns.
Washington Wizards (9-7) – Miami Heat (7-9) 107:106 OT (BOXSCORE)
- In the end, the brave Heat couldn’t reward themselves with a win for a great effort. Miami was missing its top three scorers Jimmy Butler (knee), Bam Adebayo (knee) and Tyler Herro (ankle), and only seven players were available in total – Gabe Vincent, despite being injured, sat on the bench in playing attire to meet NBA guidelines. Nevertheless, the Heat fought until the last second of overtime, but were ultimately unlucky.
- Previously, the strong Kyle Lowry carried his team up to a 15-point lead. The 36-year-old played 51 (!) minutes and set up a triple-double (24 points, 15 assists, 10 rebounds and 2 blocks). Rookie Nikola Jocic (18, 6 rebounds) provided support, while Max Strus scored 22 points but only hit 3 of his 14 attempts from distance.
- His last failed attempt may have hurt the most. 2.8 seconds before the end of overtime he got the last chance for the heat, after a staggered screen he even got a pretty good shot – but the three was clearly too short. Instead, the Wizards celebrated, winning the OT by just 3-2.
- Bradley Beal led the home side’s comeback in the second half, being the top Wizards scorer with 27 points and 8 assists (with 7 turnovers). The 21 points from Kyle Kuzma, whose three-pointer saved the home side into overtime 15 seconds before the end of normal time, were also extremely important. Kristaps Porzingis still collected 20 points and 17 rebounds, Corey Kispert got 17 points from the bench.
Cleveland Cavaliers (9-6) – Charlotte Hornets (4-13) 132:122 2OT (BOXSCORE)
- It really shouldn’t have been that exciting from the Cavs point of view. The defense dominated the start (14 Hornets points in the first quarter), Cleveland pulled away to 16 points, was still ahead with +10 in the final minute – and then collapsed completely. Only in the second OT did the Cavs regain their composure and dominated with 12:2.
- The Hornets pounded the home side 4 three-pointers in the final 44 seconds of regulation, including a corner three from Terry Rozier 1.8 seconds from the buzzer after a Cavs loss of possession that sent the game into overtime. The guard then had a chance at a game winner in the first overtime before the Hornets ran out of air in the second OT (1/10 FG, 0/5 three).
- Evan Mobley showed some strong defensive actions in this phase and was also available offensively (21 points, 18 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 blocks). However, most of the offensive burden was borne by the two guards Donovan Mitchell (34, 6 assists) and Darius Garland, who led his team with 41 points (plus 6 assists, 5 steals, but 8 turnovers). In the first OT he had kept his colors afloat.
- Additionally, Jarrett Allen made with a double-double (20, 12 rebounds and 4 blocks) as well this poster dunk aware of oneself. Without the injured LaMelo Ball (ankle), Rozier (28, 5/18 threes), PJ Washington (28, 10 rebounds) and Kelly Oubre Jr. (34, 5/9 threes but 6 fouls) jumped into the breach.
Chicago Bulls (6-10) – Orlando Magic (5-11) 107:108 (BOXSCORE)
- What a roller coaster of emotions at United Center! In the end, the Bulls conceded their fourth loss in a row, despite a 19-point comeback and actually excellent chances of winning in the final seconds. But Nikola Vucevic missed two free throws, the ball landed at Jalen Suggs and the Magic-Guard actually sank it Downtown stepback game winner! A last-ditch attempt by DeMar DeRozan from the center line didn’t help either.
- The evening started extremely badly for the hosts. Despite missing Paolo Banchero at the other end, Chicago found little to respond to the Magic offense, which hit more than 50 percent from the field in the first half to create a double-digit lead. After the change of sides, the lead grew to 19 points, but then things got really wild again.
- Now DeRozan took matters into his own hands. That was also sorely needed, because Zach LaVine absolutely nothing worked (4 points, 1/14 FG) – in the crunch time he even had to go to the bench, which he didn’t like at all. But back to DeRozan, who scored 26 of his 41 points (16/30 FG) in the second half, putting the Bulls back in the game. In the final minute, Franz Wagner got an offensive foul on a drive to the basket – his sixth. Even after a long review, the referees stuck to their decision, Wagner had to go to the bench.
- Then disaster seemed to set in for the Magic. Javonte Green (8) put the Bulls in front, Ayo Dosunmu collected a block, a fast break dunk by Green for +4 caused the home fans to go crazy. But that was not it. Vucevic showed nerves at the line, which punished Suggs as described above.
- The Magic-Guard scored 20 points and distributed 8 assists. Wagner also had 20 points (5/9 FG, 8/9 FT) and 8 assists. Wendell Carter Jr. was the top Magic scorer with 21 points. Vucevic’s double-double (14, 16 rebounds and 7 assists) wasn’t exactly able to iron out his mistake from the line, Dosunmu still had 13 points and 3 blocks.
