Review of the nine games of the day on December 27.
Sacramengo Kings 113 – Dallas Mavericks 107
Dallas without Anthony Davis is like a fir tree without a star or Christmas lights. The Mavs inevitably fell to those who were bottom of the West and cease to be so after this victory. 21 points and 9 assists from Russell Westbrook, 21 points from Keon Ellis and 19 from center Maxime Reynaud whose rookie wall demolished as soon as he began to have a presence in the rotation.
Cooper Flagg, a reference in the Texans’ attack, had 23 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists.
Orlando Magic 127 – Denver Nuggets 126
Once again a tight defeat for the Colorado team – after squandering an income of seventeen goals – to the joy of Orlando as the best way to forget the previous setback against the Charlotte Hornets. Anthony Black had the best game of his career and the second highest score by a member of the franchise in the last decade, with 38 points.
Nikola Jokic, a genius always beyond the result, gave us another spectacular triple-double of 34 points, 21 rebounds and 12 assists.
“I play with such good players that I’m open a lot of the time, so I’m just being ready, stepping into my shots.”
Anthony Black on his performance against the Denver Nuggets 🗣️ pic.twitter.com/TA4leGiyzu
— Orlando Magic (@OrlandoMagic) December 28, 2025
Phoenix Suns 123 – New Orleans Pelicans 114
The Pels do not give up the innovative slate in which Zion Williamson enters the scene at the end of the first quarter to give extra energy to James Borrego’s rotation. But his 22 points with 8 of 11 shooting fell short against a rival that has been playing for weeks as a generous and extremely united team.
45% in triples and 26 assists (ten more than NOLA) with seven Phoenix men scoring more than ten points and Devin Booker, with 20, being the top scorer. Four victories out of the last five possible, to remain a game and a half away from sixth place in the West (T-Wolves).
Oh, and the duel also left us with a David against Goliath! José Alvarado was expelled after being possessed by the spirit of Evander Holyfield; undaunted by Mark Williams’ 30 extra centimeters.
New York Knicks 128 – Atlanta Hawks 125
Karl-Anthony Towns’ on-fire night – offensive record of the season included – with 36 points and 16 rebounds, and a game saved by the Knickerbockers against the Georgia team’s attempted comeback.
The Hawks shot better, with a greater degree of efficiency and squeezing the counterattack, but the Knicks took over the offensive and defensive rebound to correct the extra success of a locker room that has already lost six consecutive losses, allowing the Bucks to have them within reach of DRS.
Indiana Pacers 116 – Miami Heat 142
The longest active losing streak in the NBA is owned by Rick Carlisle’s team, with eight.
Without Bam Adebayo, the Heat went to almost a hundred points with the contribution of only four players: Wiggins and Jáquez Jr. (28), Powell (23) and Nikola Jovic (19) who we are all looking forward to seeing come out of his shell and who last night closed his participation with a +35.
Milwaukee Bucks 112 – Chicago Bulls 103
While in the press we continue our business, the Greek returns to his business.
Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 29 points in his return after an eight-game absence, and the Bucks ended the Bulls’ five-game winning streak.
Another good performance from the MIP candidate, Ryan Rollins, who is a pleasure to see play, dribble and penetrate, with 20 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists.
Cleveland Cavaliers 100 – Houston Rockets 117
The Rockets reappeared in their dominating version (they had a cushion of +31) with a Kevin Durant who fattened his boxscore in express time, going to 30 points in just three quarters.
Houston’s starting quintet ate up the Cavs, who once the toughness returned to the schedule (Knicks and Rockets) have lost momentum after taking a breather against the Hornets and Pelicans.
Brooklyn Nets 123 – Minnesota Timberwolves 107
They never cease to surprise. So much so that at some point they will have to stop being a surprise.
They are capable of beating anyone, even a team on an upward curve like the Timberwolves. And they did it with the return of Cam Thomas who promised to bring back instability and anarchy, but who yesterday settled for 30 points from the bench to overthrow his rival from his own revolution.
7-3 in the last ten games, one away from catching Charlotte in the table.
Utah Jazz 123 – San Antonio Spurs 114
Beating the best team in the world three times, it is clear, is no guarantee of anything. Or it is not, at least to immediately defeat a spirited attacking team like the Jazz.
Surprise at the Frost Bank Center, where Wembanyama’s 32 points, Keldon Johnson’s 27 and Stephon Castle’s 20 were insufficient in the face of Keyonte George’s transversal leadership in his 35 minutes on the hardwood.
The point guard, who is having a sensational season, contributed 28 points, directing the Salt Lake City team’s offense along with 29 from Lauri Markkanen and 17 from rookie Walter Clayton Jr., who did not miss a single field goal.
With this result, the Jazz equal the Blazers in the balance (12-19) and show their head in the play-in, while the Spurs, getting closer every day to fighting for the leadership of the West, interrupt their promotion after five consecutive victories.
(Cover photo by Scott Wachter-Imagn Images)
