The 2014-15 NBA regular season continued on Monday, January 12. The college football National Championship Game stole headlines, but the Association stepped up with some of the best action of the year.
Here’s how it all transpired.
1. Brandon Jennings went off for 34 points and 10 assists as the Detroit Pistons went on the road to upset the Toronto Raptors 114-111 in an instant classic. Greg Monroe added 22 points and 10 rebounds for Detroit, while Kyle Lowry dished out 12 assists for Toronto.
Detroit has won nine of its past 10 games.
2. Jonas Valanciunas finished with 31 points and 12 rebounds on 14-of-15 shooting from the field. The 31 points are a new career-high.
3. James Harden put up 30 points to lead the Houston Rockets to a 113-99 road win over the Brooklyn Nets. Harden was 9-of-13 from the field, while Mason Plumlee led Brooklyn with 24 points and 10 rebounds on a mark of 10-of-11 shooting.
Donatas Motiejunas recorded 18 points and 11 rebounds, giving him double-doubles in consecutive games for the first time in his career.
4. Pau Gasol and Nikola Vucevic clashed as the Orlando Magic took down the Chicago Bulls 121-114 in a high-scoring affair. Vucevic finished with 33 points, 11 rebounds and four assists, while Gasol tallied 28 points, 14 rebounds, two blocks and a steal.
This marks the first time that Vucevic has scored at least 30 points in consecutive outings.
5. Jared Sullinger and Jae Crowder collaborated to guide the Boston Celtics past the New Orleans Pelicans 108-100. Sullinger finished with 27 points and 10 rebunds, and Crowder scored 22 points for Boston, while Anthony Davis had 34 points, nine rebounds, four assists and three blocks for New Orleans.
The 22 points set a new career-high for Crowder.
Bonus Fact: Valanciunas is the first player to shoot at least 90.0 percent from the field with at least 15 attempts since Dwight Howard on April 14, 2007.