Nine games were on the Sunday’s NBA schedule, with Jalen Brunson’s excellence leading the New York Knicks to an MSG win, Nikola Jokic and Russell Westbrook once again galvanizing the Denver Nuggets, and the Indiana Pacers ending the Cleveland Cavaliers’ 12-game winning streak.
Jalen Brunson and the Knicks (26-14) rang up 140 on the Milwaukee Bucks in a 140-106 victory. Brunson, in just 29 minutes, put up 44 points with 6 assists and 5 rebounds on 16-for-26 from the field (5-for-10 from 3-point range). Karl-Anthony Towns, who is averaging 25.3 points and a second best 13.9 rebounds this season, posted 30 points and 18 rebounds on 10-for-16 shooting.
Giannis Antetokounmpo led the Bucks (20-17) with 24 points and 13 rebounds on 10-for-21 shooting, while Damian Lillard scored 22 points on 8-for-17.
The Nuggets (23-15) used an outstanding fourth quarter to propel them to a 112-101 win over the Dallas Mavericks (22-17). The Nuggets rebounded from 17 first quarter points to score 41 in the second, then were outscored 28-21 in the third before a 33-12 final frame. They trailed 89-79 heading into the fourth quarter.
Nikola Jokic was spectacular, narrowly missing a triple-double with 19 points, 18 rebounds, and 9 assists on 6-for-13 shooting, while Russell Westbrook scored 21 points with 10 rebounds and 7 assists on 10-for-17 shooting. It was the second consecutive impressive performance from Westbrook, who had 25 points, 11 rebounds, and 10 assists on Friday in a 19-point win over the Nets. Westbrook is averaging 13.2 points, 6.8 assists, and 5.1 rebounds on 46 percent shooting in just 27.5 minutes per game this season.
Klay Thompson led the Mavericks with 25 points and 6 rebounds on 9-for-19 (6-for-13 from deep). The Mavericks received 16 points from Naji Marshall and 16 points and 10 assists from Spencer Dinwiddie. The Mavericks were without Kyrie Irving (has not played since January 1) and Luka Doncic (has not played since December 27).
The Pacers went into Cleveland and snatched an impressive 108-93 win over a Cavalier team that had won 12 consecutive games going in and maintains the league’s best record at 33-5. The 22-18 Pacers were led by Andrew Nembhard’s 19 (7-for-11) and Pascal Siakam’s 18 points and 9 rebounds (8-for-21). Myles Turner pitched in a double-double with 15 points and 10 rebounds.
The Cavaliers shot just 40 percent, with Donovan Mitchell and Darius Garland combining to go 14-for-33 from the field (20 points for Garland, 19 for Mitchell). Evan Mobley registered a solid performance with 16 points and 12 rebounds on 6-for-10 shooting. It was the Cavaliers’ first loss since December 8 when they lost 122-113 in Miami. Sunday’s loss was only their second home defeat of the season.
Around the League
Kings 124 (20-19)
Bulls 119 (18-21)
Fox: 26 PTS, 9 REB (9-for-16 FG) Sabonis: 22 PTS, 15 REB, 8 AST (8-for-10 FG)
DeRozan: 21 PTS (9-for-20 FG)
LaVine: 36 PTS, 10 REB (12-for-24 FG)
Vucevic: 18 PTS, 7 REB (8-for-15 FG)
CHI: 18-for-37 from 3PT
Celtics 120 (28-11)
Pelicans 119 (8-32)
Tatum: 38 PTS, 11 REB (14-for-30 FG)
Porzingis: 19 PTS, 11 REB (7-for-19 FG)
Murphy: 30 PTS, 6 REB, 4 AST (10-for-17 FG, 5-for-10 3PT)
Murray: 26 PTS, 9 REB, 8 AST (8-for-19 FG, 6-for-9 3PT)
Magic 104 (23-18)
76ers 99 (15-22)
Anthony: 27 PTS (11-for-17 FG) Banchero: 20 PTS, 8 REB, 6 AST (5-for-8 FG, 9-for-11 FT)
Maxey: 29 PTS, 5 AST, 4 REB, 3 STL (7-for-19 FG, 12-for-23 FT)
George: 25 PTS, 10 REB, 6 AST (10-for-20 FG, 5-for-8 3PT)
Thunder 136 (32-6)
Wizards 95 (6-31)
Gilgeous-Alexander: 27 PTS, 7 REB, 4 AST (5-for-17 FG, 16-for-17 FT)
Jalen Williams: 17 PTS, 6 REB (4-for-13 FG)
Hartenstein: 10 PTS, 12 REB
Kispert: 17 PTS (6-for-9 FG, 3-for-5 3PT)
Poole: 13 PTS (3-for-10 FG, 0-for-6 3PT)
WAS: 6th-consecutive loss
Jazz 112 (10-28)
Nets 111 (13-26) in OT
Collier: 23 PTS, 7 REB, 7 AST (9-for-16 FG)
Sexton: 21 PTS, 5 AST (8-for-20 FG)
Evbuomwan: 22 PTS, 5 REB (7-for-8 FG, 6-for-9 3PT)
Williams: 19 PTS, 6 REB (4-for-11 FG, 8-for-8 FT)
Simmons: 14 PTS, 9 AST, 6 REB (7-for-11 FG)
Russell: Missed last three games with calf injury
Suns 120 (19-19)
Hornets 113 (8-28)
Booker: 30 PTS, 8 AST, 5 REB (10-for-20 FG, 4-for-9 3PT)
Durant: 27 PTS, 8 REB, 5 AST (11-for-24 FG)
Ball: 25 PTS, 11 AST, 6 REB (9-for-25 FG, 5-for-17 3PT)
Williams: 24 PTS, 16 REB, 4 AST (9-for-12 FG)
PHX: 18-10 with Durant this season, 1-9 without
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