On Day 5 of the 2013-14 NBA regular season, 16 teams were in action in eight total games. One was decided by three points, many were blowouts and a number of different teams received breakout performances from their stars.
Here’s everything you need to know about last night’s NBA games.
1. Nicolas Batum recorded the first triple-double of the 2013-14 NBA regular season. He had 11 points, 12 rebounds and 11 assists during the Portland Trail Blazers’ 115-105 win over the San Antonio Spurs, and apologized for sinking a meaningless 3-pointer at the buzzer than gave him the TD.
2. Anthony Davis of the New Orleans Pelicans became the first player since Hakeem Olajuwon in 1987 to put up at least 25 points, six blocks and swipe six steals in the same game. He’s the youngest player to ever rip off that stat line.
3. The Philadelphia 76ers moved to 3-0 by defeating the Chicago Bulls 107-104. Philly has wins over the Washington Wizards, Miami Heat and Bulls. It’s the first time since 2006 that the Sixers are 3-0.
4. Bulls point guard Derrick Rose had 13 points, six assists and eight turnovers on 4-of-14 shooting. Through three games, he’s now 15-of-52 with more turnovers, 17, than assists, 13.
5. Sixers wing Evan Turner scored 20 points on 7-of-16 shooting during Philly’s 107-104. He now has at least 20 points in three consecutive games to open up the 2013 regular seasons. Rookie point guard Michael Carter-Williams has recorded at least 20 points and 10 assists in two of his first three games. Perhaps the NBA community acted too soon when labeling the Sixers as a team that’s tanking.
6. The Houston Rockets moved to 3-0 with a 104-93 win over the Utah Jazz. Chandler Parsons (24), James Harden (23) and Jeremy Lin (20) all topped 20 points.
LOOKING FOR CLIPPERS TICKETS? LOOK NO FURTHER.
7. After a one-game absence, Tim Duncan returned to score 24 points on 12-of-23 shooting in 31 minutes against Portland. It’s safe to say that the 37-year-old has something left in the tank after watching him go toe-to-toe with LaMarcus Aldridge.
8. Lance Stephenson matched a career-high with 22 points during the Indiana Pacers’ 89-74 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers. He’s scored at least 16 points in every game this season. This is the first time in his career that he’s scored at least 16 in three consecutive games.
9. Rudy Gay led the Toronto Raptors to a 97-90 win over the Milwaukee Bucks by scoring 18 points and grabbing a career-high 15 rebounds.
10. Sacramento Kings rookie Ben McLemore scored in double-figures for the first time in his career during a 98-87 loss to the Golden State Warriors. He finished with a team-high 19 points on 8-of-17 shooting from the field and 3-of-9 from three-point range in 30 minutes.
Bonus Fact: No. 1 overall draft choice Anthony Bennett was held scoreless for the second straight game. He now has two total points on 0-for-12 shooting from the field in 41 minutes of play. Bennett’s only two points came on free throws during his career debut.
Max Ogden is a frequesnt contributor to SheridanHoops.com. Follow him on Twitter.