Hornets 120 (20-23), Magic 116 (20-22)
Despite a clutch Victor Oladipo shot forcing overtime, Kemba Walker proved too overwhelming for the Magic. Walker, who scored a franchise-record 52 points on Monday, followed up with 40 points on 50 percent shooting. As evidenced by the photo below, Walker is a true professional on and off the court.
AWESOME. @KembaWalker takes off his shoes before heading to the locker room after his 40pt game for a young fan. pic.twitter.com/hOxPWClyLG
— Charlotte Hornets (@hornets) January 23, 2016
While Magic head coach Scott Skiles didn’t have much to say of his team’s performance, he offered a strong take on the recent firing of David Blatt.
“You used to at least have to lose games before you got fired. Nowadays you can be coach of the year and get fired.”
Bulls 101 (24-18), Celtics 110 (23-21)
Despite a combined 55 points from Jimmy Butler and Derrick Rose, the Bulls absorbed their sixth loss in the past eight games. As exhibited by a combined seven points through 66 minutes of court time from Tony Snell, Nikola Mirotic, and Doug McDermott, the Bulls are in dire need of increased offensive versatility. The Celtics, meanwhile, snapped a two-game skid with Friday’s victory, receiving 20-plus point efforts from Avery Bradley and Isaiah Thomas.
IT steals Jimmy Butler's cookies and takes it the other way for two! Watch it again: https://t.co/OJvY8mBnyt
— Boston Celtics (@celtics) January 23, 2016
Jazz 108 (19-24), Nets 86 (11-33)
The Boos from those in attendance at the Barclays Center rained early and often, as the Nets squandered an early 10-point lead to get shellacked by a struggling Jazz team. Headed by a 21-point effort from Gordon Hayward, Utah snapped a two-game skid thanks to a combined 57.3 field goal percentage and dominance on the boards (securing 40 rebounds as opposed to 24 from Brooklyn). Before too long, the Nets are going to have to figure out trade destinations for their veteran players.
Clippers 116 (28-15), Knicks 88 (22-23)
#LobCity was in full effect against the Knicks, with Chris Paul’s 13 dimes coinciding with 20 points from DeAndre Jordan. With the game effectively out of hand by halftime, coach Derek Fisher used a larger rotation than usual; giving minutes to Kevin Seraphin (six points), Kyle O’Quinn (four points), and Sasha Vujacic (…one steal). What’s more, DeAndre Jordan’s free-throw shooting struggles proved to be a moot point; the Clippers big man shot 6-of-12 from the charity stripe.
Heat 81 (23-21), Raptors 101 (28-15)
Surprisingly, Dwyane Wade played 37 minutes in Friday’s defeat despite being ruled out with a shoulder injury earlier in the day. The Raptors would come away with the W regardless, as DeMar DeRozan scored at least 30 points for a third consecutive game. Tyler Johnson suffered an embarrassing moment in the early stages of Friday’s defeat; muffing an open-look reverse dunk after a steal.
Bucks 98 (19-26), Rockets 102 (23-22)
Josh Smith may not have put up a spectacular line (scoring two points on 1-0f-10 shooting) but the Rockets responded well to his presence, snapping a two-game losing streak. James Harden led the way with 30 points, while Trevor Ariza added five treys en route to a 19-point line. After the game, Smith elaborated on the circumstances surrounding his reunion with Houston.
“I wanted to play bad, man,” Smith said. “I haven’t played in like a month, month and a half. So being able to touch that hardwood makes you appreciate a lot of things. Being able to be around a group of guys and coaching staff that is confident in you is definitely helpful for my game.”
Thunder 109 (33-12), Mavericks 106 (25-20)
Kevin Durant guided OKC to their seventh-straight victory, scoring 24 points with seven dimes and two blocks. While All-Star hopeful Zaza Pachulia managed just four points for the Mavericks, coach Rick Carlisle received 20-plus point efforts from Chandler Parsons and Deron Williams. Ultimately, it was OKC’s second unit that helped the team pull away, enjoying double-digit scoring efforts from Kyle Singler, Enes Kanter, and Dion Waiters.
Spurs 108 (38-6), Lakers 95 (9-36)
Kobe Bryant earned bragging rights in the first quarter, forcing a Tim Duncan turnover as the big man posted up
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ytabaue8xAc&ab_channel=HighlightsNBA
The Spurs would ultimately take care of business, however, handing the outmatched Lakers their fifth consecutive loss. Receiving double-digit scoring efforts from Kawhi Leonard, Tony Parker, Danny Green, Patty Mills, and Manu Ginobili, the Spurs cruised to their 13th straight victory. D’Angelo Russell and Julius Randle, meanwhile, continue to force coach Byron Scott’s hand for increased playing time, scoring a combined 30 points.
Warriors 122 (40-4), Pacers 110 (23-20)
Stephen Curry incorporated two ridiculous circus shots in his 39-point triple-double, helping Golden State dispatch the struggling Pacers. Pacers head coach Frank Vogel had to make due without the injured Ian Mahinmi, and received a landmark 31-point effort from 19-year-old Myles Turner. Turner, who exceeded his previous career high of 25 points, led the Pacers’ bench along with Joe Young, who posted 16 points in 28 minutes.
👀 @Original_Turner's big blocked shot: https://t.co/D8uLbSiewN
— Indiana Pacers (@Pacers) January 23, 2016
