All-Star Weekend has passed and the 2013-14 NBA regular season has officially resumed. The second stretch started with a bang, as a superstar put on a season-best performance and a number of other players and teams shined in their own ways.
Here’s everything that you need to know about last night’s action.
1. LeBron James went off for a season-high 42 points, nine rebounds, six assists and two steals as the Miami Heat defeated the Dallas Mavericks 117-106. LeBron shot 16-of-23 from the field, 4-of-8 from 3-point range and 6-of-8 from the free throw line.
This was Miami’s sixth straight win over the Mavericks since losing Game 6 of the 2011 NBA Finals.
2. This was LeBron’s third consecutive game with at least 35 points, marking the first time he’s done that since January of 2010. 42 points is also LeBron’s highest scoring output since March 18, 2011 against the Atlanta Hawks.
Overall, it was LeBron’s 50th career 40-point game. The only player with more 40-point performances since LeBron’s rookie season is Kobe Bryant with 93.
3. The Indiana Pacers picked up where they left off with a 108-98 home victory over the Atlanta Hawks. Paul George led the charge with 26 points as Indiana overcame 11 points, eight assists, six rebounds and a steal from Hawks reserve Shelvin Mack.
With the win, Indiana clinched a record of .500 or better for the third straight season with a record of 41-12. It’s the fastest the Pacers have reached 41 wins as an NBA franchise.
4. Mike Conley scored 22 points, Mike Miller dropped 19 and the Memphis Grizzlies defeated the New York Knicks 98-93. It was a big win for a Grizzlies squad that improved to 17-6 since January 1 and 30-23 for the season.
New York hasn’t been as lucky, going 1-6 in February after achieving a record of 10-6 in January.
5. Anthony Bennett, Tristan Thompson and Tyler Zeller all posted double-doubles as the Cleveland Cavaliers took down the Philadelphia 76ers 114-85. Zeller posted 18 points and a career-high 15 rebounds, Thompson had 12 and 10, and Bennett put up 10 and 11 boards.
Bennett has two double-doubles in his past three games after failing to do it in any of his previous 39 appearances.
6. Al Jefferson continued his stellar campaign with 32 points, 12 rebounds, seven assists and a steal as the Charlotte Bobcats took down the Detroit Pistons 108-96. Andre Drummond did his best to counter Jefferson’s production with 16 points, 22 rebounds, 11 offensive boards and two blocks in 34 minutes.
It was Drummond’s fourth game with at least 10 offensive rebounds. The rest of the NBA has combined for six.
7. Kyle Lowry responded to his All-Star snub with 24 points and 10 assists as the Toronto Raptors took down John Wall and the Washington Wizards 103-93. Wall finished with 22 points, seven assists and three steals, but Washington shot 26.7 percent from beyond the arc and 61.9 percent from the free throw line as a team.
Lowry has three 20-point and 10-assist games in 2013-14 after doing it three times in 2011-12 and 2012-13 combined.
8. Two of the worst teams in the NBA clashed as the Milwaukee Bucks defeated the Orlando Magic 104-100. Nate Wolters stepped up with 15 points, eight assists, seven rebounds and two steals, while Caron Butler scored 21 while coming off of the bench for the Bucks.
Orlando falls to a league-worst 3-24 on the road.
9. Gerald Green scored a career-high 36 points and Goran Dragic dished out 14 assists as the Phoenix Suns earned a 112-107 road victory over the Denver Nuggets. Markieff Morris added 13 points and 12 rebounds as Phoenix overcame 21 points and 10 boards from Kenneth Faried.
Denver’s Evan Fournier scored a career-high 25 points in defeat.
10. Patty Mills put up 25 points in place of the injured Tony Parker as the San Antonio Spurs defeated the Los Angeles Clippers 113-103 at Staples Center. Blake Griffin dominated with 35 points and 12 rebounds, but Chris Paul shot just 1-of-10 from the field and L.A. allowed 50 points in the paint.
San Antonio improves to a league-best 21-7 on the road.
Bonus Fact
- Blake Griffin has scored at least 20 points in a career-best 14 straight games. 11 were played without CP3.
- Cavaliers guard Dion Waiters hyperextended his knee on the dunk that you can see in the previously provided video.
- Cleveland’s 29-point win was its largest since LeBron James’ departure.