New Orleans also a big winner behind an efficient 31-point performance in just 29 minutes from Zion Williamson, finally shaking off a nine-game skid with a dominant victory over Washington.
The Portland Trail Blazers kept their winning streak alive, the Oklahoma City Thunder rallied from 21 points down, and the New Orleans Pelicans finally broke free from a nine-game skid in a packed 10-game NBA Saturday (PH time) slate.
TRAIL BLAZERS STAY HOT; THUNDER RALLY PAST GRIZZLIES
- Portland Trail Blazers (19-20) def. Houston Rockets (22-13), 111-105: Deni Avdija and the Trail Blazers struck again, handing the Rockets a second loss in three days and stealing the spotlight from Kevin Durant’s historic scoring milestone.
[RELATED: NBA: Trail Blazers rally past Rockets, spoil Kevin Durant scoring milestone]
- OKC Thunder (32-7) def. Memphis Grizzlies (16-22), 117-116: Even without Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Chet Holmgren, the defending champion Thunder orchestrated a stunning comeback from 21 points down to topple the Grizzlies.
[RELATED: NBA: Sans SGA, Holmgren, Thunder win vs Grizzlies via 21-point comeback]
- Boston Celtics (24-13) def. Toronto Raptors (23-16), 125-117: Payton Pritchard and Jaylen Brown poured in a combined 52 points as the Celtics beat the Raptors, reclaiming the Eastern Conference’s no. 2 spot from the New York Knicks, who fell on the road to the Suns.
- Philadelphia 76ers (21-15) def. Orlando Magic (21-18), 103-91: Fueled by Tyrese Maxey’s 29-point outing, the Sixers pulled away in the second half to slow down the Magic.
- LA Clippers (14-23) def. Brooklyn Nets (11-24), 121-105: James Harden dropped 31 points against his former team, the Nets, lifting Clippers to another win as they extended their surge to eight victories in the last 10 games.
[RELATED: NBA: James Harden torches ex-team Nets as Clippers continue winning ways]
PELICANS SNAP SKID; GIANNIS CLUTCH DEFENSE SEAL BUCKS WIN
- New Orleans Pelicans (9-31) def. Washington Wizards (10-27), 128-107: Trey Murphy III and Zion Williamson each scored 30 plus as the Pelicans dominated the Wizards, snapping a nine-game losing skid. Rookie Derik Quin added 14 points, 16 rebounds, and 12 assists to record his first career triple-double.
- Milwaukee Bucks (17-21) def. LA Lakers (23-13), 105-101: Giannis Antetokounmpo delivered a clutch defensive stop in the final moments, poking the ball away from LeBron James to help the Bucks outlast the Lakers. Antetokounmpo finished with 21 points, powering Milwaukee to its fifth win in the last seven games.
- Atlanta Hawks (19-21) def. Denver Nuggets (25-13), 110-87: Dyson Daniels recorded a triple-double as the Hawks kicked off the post-Trae Young era with a resounding win over the Nuggets. Daniels tallied 17 points, 11 rebounds, and 10 assists, marking Atlanta’s first victory in Denver since 2018.
- Phoenix Suns (23-15) def. New York Knicks (24-14), 112-107: Devin Booker erupted for 31 points to lead the Suns in extending the Knicks’ slump, handing New York its fifth loss in six games.
- Golden State Warriors (21-18) def. Sacramento Kings (8-30), 137-103: Stephen Curry dished out a season-high 10 of Golden State’s 39 assists as the Warriors dealt the Kings a 34-point beating. Curry fired a team-high 27 points as Golden State handed Sacramento its seventh consecutive defeat while delivering their most dominant performance of the season.
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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.