Nets 112 (1-2), Pacers 132 (2-1)
Indiana took a 10-point lead heading into the fourth and quickly expanded it to nearly 30. Victor Oladipo had 25 points, 7 boards and 4 steals.
Raptors 117 (3-0), Wizards 113 (0-2)
With Kawhi Leonard (rest) out, Kyle Lowry stepped up and carried Toronto to victory. K-Low finished with 28 points (13 in the fourth) and 12 dimes.
Fred VanVleet dealt the critical blow by sinking an off-balance deuce with just under 14 seconds remaining.
FRED VANVLEETā¼ļø Ice runs in his veins (via @Raptors) https://t.co/RBOIeoEf6D
— SLAM (@SLAMonline) October 21, 2018
Celtics 103 (2-1), Knicks 101 (1-2)
Once again, the Celtics went to their 20-year-old star Jayson Tatum to get them a bucket when the game was on the line. Once again, he delivered.
The SLAM 218 cover subject drained a fadeaway over Tim Hardaway Jr’s outstretched arm to give Boston the lead with 21 seconds left. He finished with 24 and 14 at Madison Square Garden.
He’s built for the big time.
Jayson Tatum is a CERTIFIED star (via @NBA) pic.twitter.com/8QcfSFfvDl
— SLAM (@SLAMonline) October 21, 2018
Magic 115 (1-2), Sixers 116 (2-1)
Orlando got off to a hot start, and then Philly decided to pull Ben Simmons out of the game because of “back tightness.”
But thanks to JJ Redick’s 8 threes (the last of which was the game-winner) and Joel Embiid’s 32 points, the Sixers were able to outlast the Magic.
"I told my guy that I was going to hit 8ā£ threes tonight." -JJ Redick
Three-pointer number 8ā£ was the game-winner! (via @NBA) pic.twitter.com/etxKQC3wbz
— SLAM (@SLAMonline) October 21, 2018
Hornets 113 (2-1), Heat 112 (1-2)
Charlotte nearly lost after building a 26-point third quarter lead, but none other than Kemba Walker kept the ship afloat.
After dropping 39 points, Walker is now averaging 35.3 points over the first three games of the season. Dude has to be Player of the Week in the East, right?
Pistons 118 (2-0), Bulls 116 (0-2)
In another game that went down to the wire, Zach LaVine had a chance to win the game. But he lost the ball on the last play and the Bulls never got a shot off.
Blake Griffin had 33 points and 12 rebounds for Detroit.
Wolves 136 (1-2), Mavs 140 (1-1)
In the highest scoring game of the evening, Minnesota and Dallas went neck-and-neck during the second half with very little defense.
DeAndre Jordan was his usual self with 22 points, 10 rebounds and 5 blocks, while Dennis Smith Jr (19 points, 6 dimes) came up with the super-clutch and one with just 6 seconds remaining.
Dennis Smith Jr just got that CLUTCH performer badgeā¼ļø (via @NBA) pic.twitter.com/d4uJ8GEWtL
— SLAM (@SLAMonline) October 21, 2018
Suns 91 (1-1), Nuggets 119 (2-0)
Only two players have recorded a triple-double without missing a shot: Wilt Chamberlain and Nikola Jokic.
Jokic scored 35 points on just 11 shots and get this: He didn’t commit a turnover while playing just under 31 minutes. Unreal.
Good luck beating this line by Nikola Jokic.
3ā£5ā£ points (11-11 FG)
1ā£2ā£ rebounds
1ā£1ā£ assists
4ā£ steals
0ā£ TOs pic.twitter.com/KIqVaJES5A— SLAM (@SLAMonline) October 21, 2018
Spurs 108 (1-1), Blazers 121 (2-0)
Damian Lillard quietly turned in yet another gem in this one: 29 points (on 15 shots), 9 assists with 0 turnovers and 0 fouls.
CJ McCollum added 24 points (on 15 shots) and crossed up Bryn Forbes into oblivion.
CJ McCollum: Professional Ankle Bully šÆ (via @trailblazers) pic.twitter.com/1VLMFRMKvu
— SLAM (@SLAMonline) October 21, 2018
Rockets 124 (1-1), Lakers 115 (0-2)
Here’s hoping you didn’t turn this game off early! Staples CenterĀ erupted in a brawl late in the fourth quarter.
Brandon Ingram shoved James Harden in the back after Ingram was called for a shooting foul. Then longtime foes, Chris Paul and Rajon Rondo, went at itāshoving and throwing blows at each other.
As #ThemHands were being thrown, Ingram ran back to the fray to add a couple punches to the mix. He connected on a punch to Paul before the players were separated.
All three were ejected from the game and will be facing fines and suspensions in the days to come!
#THEMHANDS (via @espn) pic.twitter.com/LQFn3WkVkC
— SLAM (@SLAMonline) October 21, 2018