Only two games were held on Thursday, December 12, but they weren’t without excitement. There were MVP-caliber performances and the reunion of three of the biggest names of our generation.
Here’s everything you need to know about last night’s action.
1. For the first time since their stunning split, Doc Rivers coached against Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce. Surprisingly, it was the Brooklyn Nets that earned a 102-93 home win over the Los Angeles Clippers. Brooklyn led by 21 points with 4:05 remaining, but L.A. went on a 14-2 run to make things interesting. In the end, Brooklyn held on.
KG finished with two points and six rebounds in 15 minutes. Pierce scored 10 in 26 minutes off of the bench.
2. Chris Paul scored 20 points with a career-low two assists in 28 minutes of action for the Clippers. It was the first time this season that the league’s assists leader registered less than seven dimes in one game.
With CP3 failing to facilitate, the Clippers fell apart. If you’re looking for the NBA’s most valuable player, it’s hard to argue against Paul. L.A. is lost without him.
3. Elite big men dueled at the Moda Center as LaMarcus Aldridge led the Portland Trail Blazers to a 111-104 win over Dwight 
Howard and the Houston Rockets. Aldridge finished with 31 points, 25 rebounds, two assists, two blocks and two steals on 12-of-22 shooting. D-12 posted 32 points, 17 rebounds, one assist, three blocks and two steals on 14-of-22 shooting.
If you’re a fan of interior players, then this was your type of game.
4. How big was Aldridge’s game? MVP big. The last player to record at least 30 points, 25 rebounds and two blocks in the same game was Shaquille O’Neal on March 21, 2004. He’s the first player in Portland’s illustrious franchise history with at least 30 points and 25 boards.
Aldridge is averaging 23.5 points and 10.6 rebounds for the 19-4 Portland Trail Blazers.
5. Portland’s 19-4 record is the best start in franchise history.
Bonus Fact: Sixth Man of the Year candidate Jeremy Lin returned from a six-game injury absence against the Trail Blazers. He tallied five points, two assists, two rebounds and a steal in 15 minutes.