The Miami Heat picked up right where they left off to start 2026, besting the East’s top-ranked Detroit Pistons and extending their winning streak to four games.
Kawhi Leonard’s latest scoring exploits kept the Clippers rolling on the same night the Houston Rockets ended their run of futility in Brooklyn against the lowly Nets.
LEONARD ERUPTS FOR 45; HEAT, CELTICS STAY SHARP
- LA Clippers (12-21) def. Utah Jazz (12-21), 118-101: Kawhi Leonard delivered another scoring masterclass, pouring in 45 points to lead the Clippers to their sixth consecutive win.
Leonard is now averaging an incredible 39 points over his last six games as LA extend their season-best winning run behind a dominant outing at home.
- Houston Rockets (21-10) def. Brooklyn Nets (10-21), 120-96: Kevin Durant delivered a standout performance with a 22-point, 11-assist double-double, propelling the Rockets past the Nets and extending their winning streak to four games.
It also marked Houston’s first regular-season win in Brooklyn since 2019.
- Miami Heat (19-15) def. Detroit Pistons (25-9), 118-112: Norman Powell’s 36-point explosion powered the Heat past the East-leading Pistons, helping Miami secure their fourth consecutive win.
[ALSO READ: NBA: Heat carry winning ways to 2026 with road reversal of East-leading Pistons]
- Philadelphia 76ers (18-14) def. Dallas Mavericks (12-23), 123-108: VJ Edgecombe is now 2-0 against fellow rookie Cooper Flagg as the Philadelphia 76ers handed the struggling Dallas Mavericks a fourth-straight loss to open 2026.
[ALSO READ: VJ Edgecombe outduels Cooper Flagg anew as Sixers add more woes to skidding Mavs]
- Boston Celtics (21-12) def. Sacramento Kings (8-26), 120-106: The Celtics leaned on a dominant fourth quarter to fend off the Kings, claiming their sixth win in seven games.
Boston outscored Sacramento 32-18 in the final frame, with Jaylen Brown posting a 29-point, 10-rebound double-double to extend the Kings’ losing streak to three.
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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.