Saturday, December 28 was a high-octane day in the NBA with 24 teams playing in 12 games. There were further examples of individual’s statistical brilliance, another exhibition of greatness from a top championship contender, and a number of familiar results from disappointing teams.
Here’s everything that you need to know about last night’s games.
1. Lance Stephenson continued his Most Improved Player of the Year campaign with 23 points, nine rebounds and seven assists as the Indiana Pacers defeated the Brooklyn Nets 105-91. Paul George scored 24 and George Hill tallied 21 for the Pacers, which received 89 points from their starting lineup.
The Pacers improve to 24-5 overall and 14-1 at home, which both stand as the best marks in the NBA.
2. Despite playing without LeBron James, the Miami Heat went on the road and earned a 108-107 win over the Portland Trail Blazers. Chris Bosh tallied a season-high 37 points and 10 rebounds on 15-of-26 shooting from the field and 3-of-3 from 3-point range, including a game-winning shot from distance with 0.5 seconds remaining.
This marks Portland’s third home loss of the season and its first since December 7.
3. Blake Griffin scored a season-high 40 points with 10 rebounds, three assists, one block and a steal to lead the Los Angeles Clippers to a 98-90 win over the Utah Jazz. It’s the first time since January 17, 2011 that he’s put up at least 40.
Chris Paul quietly flirted with a triple-double with 21 points, 10 rebounds, nine assists and four steals. He leads all guards with 25 double-doubles.
The next-best guard is Stephen Curry with 14.
4. Dwight Howard continued his torrid month with 24 points, 18 rebounds, three assists, one block and a steal on 10-of-12 shooting from the field. Anthony Davis responded with 18 points and 16 rebounds, but Terrence Jones’ 17 points, eight rebounds and three blocks at power forward was enough to trump his college teammate.
The Houston Rockets emerged victorious at 107-98 over the New Orleans Pelicans.
5. Miles Plumlee registered 22 points, 13 rebounds and three blocks on 10-of-14 shooting as the Phoenix Suns continued their hot start with a 115-101 win over the Philadelphia 76ers. This is Plumlee’s eighth double-double of the season after he failed to post a single one in 2012-13.
Phoenix improves to 18-11, which is the franchise’s best start since opening with that same record in 2009-10. Phoenix finished that campaign at 54-28 and reached the Western Conference Finals.
6. In the losing effort, Sixers forward Thaddeus Young posted 30 points, 10 rebounds and four steals. Young becomes the fourth 76ers player in the last 25 seasons to post at least 30 points, 10 rebounds and four steals in the same game.
The other three? Charles Barkley, Allen Iverson and Chris Webber.
7. In one of the best position battles we’ll see all year, Paul Millsap led the Atlanta Hawks past Al Jefferson and the Charlotte Bobcats 118-116 in overtime. Millsap finished with 33 points, 13 rebounds, two assists, two blocks and a steal on 10-of-18 shooting, and Jefferson tallied 24 points, 23 rebounds, one assist and a steal on a mark of 10-of-18.
Atlanta improves to 12-4 at home.
8. The Toronto Raptors defeated the New York Knicks 115-100 behind 32 points, 11 assists, eight rebounds and a steal from Kyle Lowry. Terrence Ross added 23 points and a career-high seven 3-point field goals made, marking the second time in three games that he’s tallied that scoring total.
Amar’e Stoudemire gave the Knicks a season-high 23 points, nine rebounds, two blocks and a steal on 9-of-12 shootings, but it wasn’t enough.
9. The Boston Celtics defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers 103-100. Boston led by 19 points entering the fourth quarter, but collapsed late and held on by the luck of an Avery Bradley free throw to survive for the win.
Cleveland dropped to 2-13 on the road.
10. The Denver Nuggets recorded 25 total rebounds to 46 by the Memphis Grizzlies. The result was what you’d expect: a 120-99 drubbing in Memphis’ favor to bring the Grizzlies’ record to 13-16 on the year and 7-10 at home.
Denver drops to 14-15 overall and 7-9 on the road.
Bonus Fact: John Wall finished with 20 points and 11 assists as the Washington Wizards defeated the Detroit Pistons 106-82. Washington is 13-14, which is the Wizards’ best start since 2007-08 when they finished at 43-39.