2013 is winding down, and the NBA is doing its best to provide a number of memorable moments before 2014 begins. From the reigning MVP’s birthday to another clash between star point guards, there was no shortage of standout performances.
Here’s everything that you need to know about last night’s games.
1. Fresh off of a one-game absence, LeBron James returned to post 26 points, 10 assists, six rebounds and a block on 5-of-9 shooting from beyond the arc to lead the Miami Heat to a 97-94 win over the Denver Nuggets. Shockingly, it’s LeBron’s first double-double since December 10 and his first game with at least 10 assists since November 9.
King James did it on his birthday.
2. All-Star point guard Jrue Holiday out-dueled rising star Damian Lillard as the New Orleans Pelicans defeated the Portland Trail Blazers 110-108. Holiday went off for a season-high 31 points, 13 assists, seven rebounds, one block and a steal, while Lillard tallied 29 points, five dimes, three boards and a steal.
In another positional battle, LaMarcus Aldridge posted 28 points and eight rebounds. Anthony Davis went toe-to-toe with Aldridge by dropping 27 points, 12 rebounds and five blocks.
Portland has lost consecutive games for the first time this season.
3. John Wall stepped up with 29 points to lead the Washington Wizards to a 106-99 victory over the Detroit Pistons. Washington trailed by nine points entering the fourth quarter, but Wall scored nine points in the final seven minutes to lead the comeback victory.
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope scored a career-high 17 points and Brandon Jennings dished out 14 assists, including 10 in the first half, for Detroit.
4. Shawn Marion scored a season-high 32 points and Monta Ellis dished out 10 assists as the Dallas Mavericks escaped the Minnesota Timberwolves 100-98. Dallas improves to 18-13 on the season, while Minnesota falls to 15-16 despite receiving 36 points and 11 rebounds from Kevin Love, and 13 assists from Ricky Rubio.
Marion was 14-of-19 from the field and 4-of-6 from 3-point range.
5. Jimmy Butler posted a season-high 26 points to lead the Chicago Bulls to a rare road win over the Memphis Grizzlies. Chicago improves to 12-17 and 5-11 on the road, and achieved its first road winning streak of the season.
For Memphis, Mike Conley did as much as he could to sway the result with 29 points, nine assists, six rebounds and six steals to just one turnover.
Bonus Fact: The Phoenix Suns earned a 107-88 victory over the Los Angeles Clippers to earn their 10th win of December. It’s the first time Phoenix has won 10 games in December since 2007-08.
Bonus Fact: Marvin Williams recorded 13 points and 10 rebounds to lead the Utah Jazz to an 83-80 win over the Charlotte Bobcats. It was Williams’ first double-double since March 8, 2013.