Coast-to-Coast: Trail Blazers hand Thunder first loss; Pistons, Lakers go second

In a loaded 11-game slate, the Portland Trail Blazers snapped the OKC Thunder’s unbeaten run, while the Detroit Pistons and LA Lakers climbed to solo second in the East and West, respectively, behind their sizzling win streaks.

TRAIL BLAZERS STUN THUNDER; MITCHELL FIRES 46 FOR CAVS

• Portland Trail Blazers (5-3) def. OKC Thunder (8-1), 121-119: In one of the biggest early-season upsets, the Trail Blazers came back from a 22-point deficit to hand reigning champion Thunder their first loss.

Deni Avdija flirted with a triple-double, posting 26 points, 10 rebounds, and nine assists in Portland’s largest comeback win in three years.

• Cleveland Cavaliers (5-3) def. Philadelphia 76ers (5-3), 132-123: Donovan Mitchell erupted for a season-high 46 points, lifting the Cleveland Cavaliers to back-to-back wins at the expense of the Philadelphia 76ers.

He added eight assists and six three-pointers, becoming just the second player in franchise history to record at least 20 40-point games, joining LeBron James (51).

• New York Knicks (5-3) def. Minnesota Timberwolves (4-4), 137-114: The Knicks achieved their first 5–0 home start since 2012, punctuating the strong start with a decisive victory over ex-New York cager Julius Randle and the Timberwolves.

[ALSO READ: NBA: Balanced Knicks stay perfect at home, tame Timberwolves for third-straight win]

• Houston Rockets (5-2) def. Memphis Grizzlies (3-6), 124-109: Amen Thompson continued to fuel the Rockets’ resurgence, showcasing his all-around brilliance in taking down the struggling Grizzlies.

The 22-year-old stuffed the stat sheet with 28 points, 10 boards, and seven dimes as Houston notched its fifth straight victory after an 0–2 start.

• New Orleans Pelicans (2-6) def. Dallas Mavericks (2-6), 101-99: After a 0-6 start, Saddiq Bey’s near double-double of 22 points and nine rebounds powered the Pelicans to back-to-back wins in a close call with the Mavericks.

• Boston Celtics (4-5) def. Washington Wizards (1-7), 136-107: Jaylen Brown scored 35 points in just 26 minutes as the Celtics shook off a slow start to hand the Wizards a 29-point beatdown and end a two-game slide. 

PISTONS, LAKERS STAY SHARP; JOKIC, WESTBROOK DROP TRIPLE-DOUBLES 

• Detroit Pistons (6-2) def. Utah Jazz (3-5), 114-103: Cade Cunningham erupted for 19 of his 31 points in a dominant fourth quarter to lead Pistons past the Jazz for a fourth-straight win.

With another dub, Detroit moved into solo second in the East just behind the Chicago Bulls (6–1).

• LA Lakers (7-2) def. San Antonio Spurs (5-2), 118-116: Without LeBron James and Austin Reaves, Luka Doncic carries the load with 35 points, 13 assists, and nine rebounds to help the Lakers extend their win streak to five.

[ALSO READ: NBA: Luka Doncic makes 35-9-13 as undermanned Lakers rally past Victor Wembanyama, Spurs]

• Denver Nuggets (5-2) def. Miami Heat (4-4), 122-112: Nikola Jokic recorded his league-leading fifth triple-double of the season as the Nuggets remained perfect at home after toppling the Heat.

The three-time MVP tallied 33 points, 16 assists, and 15 rebounds to power Denver to its fifth win in the last six games.

• Sacramento Kings (3-5) def. Golden State Warriors (5-3), 121-116: Russell Westbrook notched his 204th career triple-double as the Kings put away the undermanned Warriors for a strong bounce-back.

He ended up with 23 points, 16 rebounds, and 10 assists for his first 20-15-10 game in four years. 

• Brooklyn Nets (1-7) def. Indiana Pacers (1-7), 112-103: Michael Porter Jr. dropped his third 30-point game of the season to help the Nets finally break through, edging the Pacers in Indianapolis. 
  

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Pao Ambat earned his journalism degree from Cavite State University in 2022.

Passionate about sports from a young age, he primarily covers the NBA for One Sports, while also assisting in reporting on the PVL, PBA, UAAP, and other leagues.