Coast-to-coast: Doncic, Mitchell deliver 40-point bombs; Hornets stir winning buzz

Cavs star Donovan Mitchell and Lakers ace Luka Doncic lit up the scoreboard with stellar offensive outings, while the Charlotte Hornets rode the wave to their first three-game winning streak of the season in Tuesday’s eight-game slate.

LUKA, MITCHELL DROP 45+ POINTS EACH; HORNETS NOW ON A ROLL 

• LA Lakers (28-17) def. Chicago Bulls (23-23), 129-118: Luka Doncic dropped 46 points to power the Lakers’ fourth win in their last five games, ending the Bulls’ four-game winning streak. 

[RELATED: NBA: Luka Doncic torches Bulls with 46, carries Lakers to back-to-back wins]

• Cleveland Cavaliers (28-22) def. Orlando Magic (23-22), 114-98: Thanks to Donovan Mitchell’s 45-point explosion, the Cavaliers rolled past the Magic to notch their fourth successive win. 

[RELATED: NBA: Donovan Mitchell explodes for 45 as surging Cavs cruise past Magic]

• Charlotte Hornets (19-28) def. Philadelphia 76ers (24-21), 130-93: Brandon Miller erupted for 30 points as the Hornets rolled past the Sixers, securing their first three-game winning streak of the season.

Charlotte stormed ahead after a 28-22 first quarter, taking a 109-59 lead entering the fourth to become the first team since the Suns in 2009 to lead by 50 or more points in two separate games within the same calendar month.

• Boston Celtics (29-17) def. Portland Trail Blazers (23-24), 102-94: The Celtics spoiled Jrue Holiday’s Boston homecoming, with Payton Pritchard and Jaylen Brown leading the charge against the Trail Blazers.

[RELATED: NBA: Celtics turn back Trail Blazers to spoil Jrue Holiday’s Boston homecoming]

• Houston Rockets (28-16) def. Memphis Grizzlies (18-26), 108-99: Alperen Sengun and Kevin Durant each scored 33 points, helping the Rockets pull away in the fourth to send the Grizzlies to a third successive loss. 

• Minnesota Timberwolves (28-19) def. Golden State Warriors (26-22), 108-83: Matched up for the second time in as many days, the Timberwolves overcame the Warriors behind Rudy Gobert’s 17-point, 15-rebound double-double.

• Atlanta Hawks (23-25) def. Indiana Pacers (11-36), 132-116: CJ McCollum’s 23 points led a balanced Hawks attack over the Pacers, with seven players scoring in double figures for Atlanta’s third successive win. 

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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.