On a day that was highlighted by the NFL playoffs, the NBA provided five games featuring 10 competitive teams. A superstar followed up a career-best performance in style, a powerhouse re-claimed the top spot in the Western Conference, and a Most Improved Player of the Year frontrunner stayed hot.
Here’s everything that you need to know about last night’s action.
1. One game removed from his epic 54-point outing, Kevin Durant lit up the scoreboard for 30 points, nine assists, six rebounds, four steals and two blocks to lead the Oklahoma City Thunder to a 108-93 win over the Sacramento Kings. Durant was 10-of-15 from the field, 3-of-5 from distance and 7-of-9 from the charity stripe.
For Sacramento, Isaiah Thomas scored a career-high 38 points and DeMarcus Cousins ripped off his 14th straight double-double with 16 points and 14 rebounds. That’s the longest streak of any Kings player since the franchise moved to Sacramento.
Take notice, All-Star voters.
2. Channing Frye scored a season-high 30 points to lead the Phoenix Suns past the Denver Nuggets, 117-103. Frye was 12-of-16 from the field and 5-of-7 from 3-point range and set a season-high with three blocks for Phoenix.
After missing the entire 2012-13 season due to an enlarged heart, Frye is back with a vengeance.
3. Nick Young scored 29 points and Pau Gasol added 22 as the Los Angeles Lakers came back to defeat the Toronto Raptors 112-106. L.A. trailed by 19 points in the first half and 17 during the third quarter, but outscored Toronto 56-33 during the final 19 minutes and one second.
Ryan Kelly scored 17 points in his first start for the Lakers, signaling the dawn of an era that head coach Mike D’Antoni has been waiting for: L.A.’s commitment to a stretch-4.
4. Arron Afflalo posted 20 points and a career-high 13 rebounds as the Orlando Magic snapped its 10-game losing streak by defeating the Boston Celtics 93-91. Kris Humphries was a revelation with a season-high 18 points and 12 rebounds, and Boston won the turnover battle 17-10, but it wasn’t enough for the win.
Rajon Rondo had six points, six rebounds, four assists and a steal in 21 minutes during his second game back from surgery on his torn ACL.
5. Patty Mills posted season-high marks of 20 points and seven assists as the San Antonio Spurs defeated the Milwaukee Bucks 110-82. Seven separate Spurs players scored in double-digits, including Jeff Ayres, who had a season-high 13 points in 15 minutes.
Brandon Knight eclipsed 20 points for the third straight game, tallying 21 on 8-of-16 shooting. It’s the first time Knight’s reached 20 in three consecutive outings since March 1, 2013.
Bonus Fact: After failing to register a single double-double in 2012-13, Kendall Marshall has recorded one in five straight games.
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