Coast-to-coast: Edwards, Doncic sizzle; red-hot Cavs keep ascent in East

Donovan Mitchell and the Cleveland Cavaliers stayed hot, Luka Doncic and Anthony Edwards shined, while the Denver Nuggets erupted for 157 points in a record-setting win on a busy NBA Saturday.

CAVS STAY SHARP; EDWARDS, DONCIC WAX HOT 

• Cleveland Cavaliers (36-21) def. Charlotte Hornets (26-31), 118-93: Behind Donovan Mitchell’s 32 points, the red-hot Cavaliers notched their seventh straight win after dismissing the Hornets.

With the victory, Cleveland overtook the New York Knicks for sole possession of third place in the Eastern Conference.

[RELATED: NBA: Cavs rise to East solo third, best Hornets to collect seventh straight win]

• Minnesota Timberwolves (35-22) def. Dallas Mavericks (19-36), 122-111: In his first game since earning All-Star Game MVP honors, Anthony Edwards erupted for 40 points to anchor the Timberwolves’ third straight victory.

[RELATED: NBA: Anthony Edwards fires 40 after All-Star MVP outing as Twolves fend off Mavs]

• LA Lakers (34-21) def. LA Clippers (27-25), 125-122: A sizzling 38-point, 11-assist performance from Luka Doncic powered the Lakers to a triumphant return from the All-Star break, overcoming the Clippers.

[RELATED: NBA: Masterful Luka Doncic outing tows Lakers past Clippers in Battle of LA]

• Denver Nuggets (36-21) def. Portland Trail Blazers (27-30), 157-103: Nikola Jokic recorded 32 points, nine rebounds, and seven assists in just three quarters as the Nuggets bounced back with a 54-point demolition of the Trail Blazers.

Denver’s 157 points marked the most by any NBA team this season and the sixth-highest single-game total in franchise history.

• OKC Thunder (43-14) def. Brooklyn Nets (15-40), 105-86: Jared McCain stepped up in the absence of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams to lead the Thunder to a commanding home win over the struggling Nets.

[RELATED: NBA: Post-22nd birthday, Jared McCain helps Thunder reclaim best overall record]

• Miami Heat (30-27) def. Atlanta Hawks (27-31), 128-97: Tyler Herro returned from a lengthy absence and scored 24 points, powering a 31-point Heat demolition of the Hawks. 

Returning from a 15-game absence due to fractured ribs, Herro shot 9-of-14, added four rebounds and three assists off the bench in his first game in more than a month.

• Milwaukee Bucks (24-30) def. New Orleans Pelicans (15-42), 139-118: Cam Thomas, Ryan Rollins, and Kevin Porter Jr. combined for 79 points to lead the Bucks strong outing against the Pelicans to earn a third consecutive win. 

• Washington Wizards (16-39) def. Indiana Pacers (15-41), 131-118: Alondes Williams posted career highs of 25 points and 10 rebounds, helping the Wizards complete a two-game sweep of the Pacers in their second meeting in as many days. 

• Memphis Grizzlies (21-33) def. Utah Jazz (18-39), 123-114: Eight Grizzlies players scored in double digits as Memphis rallied from a 14-point deficit to beat the Jazz, snapping a four-game losing streak.

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.