The first day of November featured 26 NBA teams in action in 13 games, 10 of which were decided by single digits. Three teams won by three points or less, and one game went to overtime.
There were game-winning 3-pointers, stunning upsets and uncharacteristically poor performances by some of the best players in the world. Here’s what you need to know about what transpired on November 1.
1. With a 101-100 loss to the Brooklyn Nets, the Miami Heat have dropped to 1-2. It’s the first time since Jan. 10, 2013 that the Heat have lost consecutive games and the first time since Oct. 26, 2010—the Big Three’s first game together—that Miami is below .500. Did we mention that it’s only been three games?
2. During the Nets’ win over the Heat, LeBron James was 2-of-8 with three turnovers when Paul Pierce was the primary defender and 9-of-11 with two turnovers when he wasn’t.
3. Kevin Durant scored 13 points in 27 minutes during the Oklahoma City Thunder’s 100-81 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves. It was his lowest scoring output in a game in which he played at least 27 minutes since December 19, 2009.
4. Kevin Love (24 points, 12 rebounds), Nikola Pekovic (15 points, 10 rebounds) and Ricky Rubio (14 points, 10 assists) all recorded double-doubles for the Timberwolves. It’s the first time that all three have recorded double-doubles in the same game.
5. Wesley Matthews of the Portland Trail Blazers has two career games with at least 20 points and 10 rebounds. Both of those performances were against the Denver Nuggets, with the second coming last night. The former Marquette star scored 21 points and grabbed 12 boards in a 113-98 win.
6. Sacramento Kings backup point guard Isaiah Thomas scored 29 points on 9-of-13 shooting from the field, 3-of-3 from three-point range and 8-of-10 from the line. Starter Greivis Vasquez had eight points on 2-of-5 shooting.
7. Milwaukee Bucks reserve center Zaza Pachulia scored 20 points for the first time since April 10, 2007. That 2007 game was against the Boston Celtics—the same squad he torched last night.
8. DeMar DeRozan scored 31 points during the Toronto Raptors’ 102-95 loss to the Atlanta Hawks. Dating to 2012-13, DeRozan has topped 30 points in three of his past five games.
9. Xavier Henry of the Los Angeles Lakers required nine stitches to cover up a cut on his forehead.
10. Eric Bledsoe hit his first career game-winner to give the Phoenix Suns an 87-84 win over the Utah Jazz. Bledsoe hit a 3-pointer from the top of the key with 0.7 seconds remaining on the clock.
Bonus Fact: Both the Phoenix Suns and Philadelphia 76ers are now 2-0.
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Maxwell Ogden is a regular contributor to SheridanHoops.com. Follow him on Twitter.