From last-second heroics to historic dominance, the LA Lakers and Philadelphia Sixers survived close calls, while the Boston Celtics delivered the season’s most lopsided victory.
Dramatic endings defined five-game NBA Friday slate, with the LA Lakers and Philadelphia 76ers staging late game heroics to get the win, while the Boston Celtics registered the season’s widest margin of victory in a 45-point rout.
LAKERS, SIXERS LEAVE IT LATE; CELTICS DOMINATE PELICANS
- LA Lakers (16-5) def. Toronto Raptors (15-8), 123-120: Rui Hachimura buried the game-winning triple as time expired, lifting the Lakers to a cardiac road escape over the Raptors.
LeBron James’ assist to Hachimura ensured that his NBA-record streak of 1,297 consecutive double-digit scoring games in the regular season ended after the 40-year-old finished with just eight points.
[ALSO READ: Rui Hachimura saves the day as Luka Doncic-less Lakers survive Raptors]
- Philadelphia 76ers (12-9) def. Golden State Warriors (11-12), 99-98: In a wild finish, VJ Edgecombe made the go-ahead putback before Tyrese Maxey raced back for a game-saving block that allowed a pulsating Sixers triumph over the Warriors.
[ALSO READ: Edgecombe, Maxey deliver clutch plays to tow Sixers past pesky Warriors in thriller]
- Boston Celtics (13-9) def. Washington Wizards (3-19), 146-101: Derrick White and the Boston Celtics exploded for a season-high 146 points in a dominant 45-point rout of the Washington Wizards.
White starred with 30 points, nine assists, and five three-pointers in just 29 minutes, leading Boston to what is now the largest margin of victory by any team this season.
- Minnesota Timberwolves (14-8) def. New Orleans Pelicans (3-20), 125-116: Julius Randle led a balanced attack as the Timberwolves rolled to a fourth straight win after holding off the lowly Pelicans.
Randle had 28 points and nine rebounds for Minnesota, who matched their season-high winning streak to overtake the Suns for the West sixth place.
- Utah Jazz (8-13) def. Brooklyn Nets (5-17), 123-110:
The Utah Jazz erased a 15-point first-half deficit to down the Brooklyn Nets, marking their third win in four games.
Lauri Markkanen and Keyonte George combined for 59 points, leading a scorching 42-20 fourth-quarter surge that sealed the comeback for Utah.
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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.