The 2014-15 NBA regular season continued on Sunday, January 18. There was a buzzer-beater, a dominant performance by the reigning MVP and a statement win by the defending NBA champions.
Here’s how it all transpired.
1. The San Antonio Spurs played smothering defense in an 89-69 decimation of the Utah Jazz. Both teams shot worse than 39 percent, but San Antonio made eight 3-point field goals to three by Utah and converted 19 free throws to 10 by the Jazz.
In its past nine games, San Antonio is 7-0 when it holds the opposition below 100 points and 0-2 when it fails to.
2. Rudy Gobert led Utah with 13 points, four blocks and a season-high 18 rebounds.
3. Kevin Durant, Dion Waiters and Russell Westbrook dismantled the Orlando Magic en route to a 127-99 Oklahoma City Thunder victory. Durant had 21 points, 11 rebounds, eight assists, one block and a steal on 7-of-10 shooting, Westbrook tallied 17 points on 7-of-12 shooting and Waiters converted 7-of-9 field goals for 16 points.
At 20-20, this is just the second time all season that OKC has been at .500. It’s never once been above it.
4. Tyreke Evans stepped up with 26 points, five rebounds, five assists and a steal on 9-of-14 shooting as the New Orleans Pelicans upset the Toronto Raptors 95-93. Evans sank the game-winning layup with 1.6 seconds on the clock, thus overcoming 16 points and nine assists from Greivis Vasquez.
Alexis Ajinca scored a career-high 22 points on 10-of-13 shooting for New Orleans.
5. The Pelicans won this game without both Anthony Davis and Jrue Holiday.
Bonus Fact: Derrick Favors and Gobert combined for 31 rebounds and eight blocks for Utah in defeat.