The 2014-15 NBA regular season continued on Saturday, January 10. A storied veteran had a career night, an up-and-coming force did the same and a number of teams put on performances worth remembering.
Here’s how it all transpired.
1. Pau Gasol went off for 46 points and 18 rebounds to carry the Chicago Bulls past the Milwaukee Bucks 95-87. Gasol had 46 points on 17-of-30 shooting from the field, while his teammates combined for 49 points on a mark of 18-of-58 from the floor.
The 46 points are a new career-high for the 34-year-old Gasol.
2. The last Bulls player to record at least 40 points and 15 rebounds: Michael Jordan on March 28, 1990.
3. Blake Griffin and Chris Paul led the Los Angeles Clippers past Monta Ellis, Dirk Nowitzki and the Dallas Mavericks 120-100. Griffin put up 22 points, seven rebounds, six assists and two steals, and Paul finished with 17 points and 13 assists for L.A., while Nowitzki scored 25 points and Ellis tallied 23 for Dallas.
The Mavericks have lost four consecutive road games against Western Conference foes.
4. Brandon Jennings and Greg Monroe collaborated to lead the Detroit Pistons past the Brooklyn Nets 98-93. Jennings finished with 20 points and 11 assists, and Monroe put up 16 points and 17 rebounds.
Detroit has won eight of nine since waiving Josh Smith.
5. LaMarcus Aldridge scored 25 points and Wesley Matthews put up 18 points and eight rebounds as the Portland Trail Blazers downed the Orlando Magic 103-92. For Orlando, Nikola Vucevic scored a career-high 34 points and pulled down 16 rebounds.
The Magic have lost six consecutive games.
6. The Philadelphia 76ers picked up their second consecutive win with a 93-92 victory over the Indiana Pacers. Tony Wroten led the charge with 20 points and nine assists as Philadelphia won its third game in four tries.
David West scored a season-high 28 points for the Pacers.
7. In a game that featured 47 turnovers, the Houston Rockets defeated the Utah Jazz 97-82. James Harden led the charge with 30 points for the Rockets, thus overcoming 16 points in 21 minutes from Enes Kanter of the Jazz.
Donatas Motiejunas recorded 14 points and 10 rebounds for his third double-double of 2014-15. He had three double-doubles in his first two seasons combined.
8. Austin Daye came out of nowhere for 22 points and 10 rebounds as the San Antonio Spurs went on the road to take down the Minnesota Timberwolves 108-93. San Antonio had lost its previous four road games, but Daye helped it overcome 18 points, 12 rebounds and four blocks from T-Wolves center Gorgui Dieng.
Minnesota is tied for the worst active losing streak in the NBA with 15 consecutive losses.
9. Kemba Walker returned to New York City in style, torching the New York Knicks for 28 points on 13 shots as the Charlotte Hornets dismantled the New York Knicks 110-82. Quincy Acy had 18 points in 22 minutes for the Knicks, while rookie P.J. Hairston matched a career-high with 15 points in 23 minutes for Charlotte.
New York, just like Minnesota, has lost 15 straight games. Charlotte has won five in a row.
10. The Toronto Raptors’ balanced attack was too much for the Boston Celtics to overcome as the squad from the Great North picked up a 109-96 win. Kyle Lowry and Louis Williams both scored 19 points for Toronto, while Kelly Olynyk led Boston with 23 points of his own.
Toronto snaps a four-game losing streak.
Bonus Facts
- Rookie Devyn Marble racked up a career-high five steals in his first NBA start.
- Austin Daye has two double-doubles in 2014-15. He had one in his first five seasons combined.