DeMar DeRozan has put on a series that only Michael Jordan knows in the Bulls jersey. The Celtics continue their winning streak thanks to the immediate assistance of a new signing, Indiana giving away a dream start from Tyrese Haliburton.
Detroit Pistons (12-44) – Charlotte Hornets (29-28) 119:141 (BOXSCORE)
- “Enough of the Sixers and Nets, don’t forget us,” the Hornets apparently thought after the trade deadline and put on a show against the Pistons to end their negative six-game streak. Charlotte set a new franchise record with 79 points in the first half, while LaMelo Ball directed an excellent offense with 31 points (10/14 FG, 7/9 3P) and 12 assists.
- Miles Bridges (10/16 FG) and Terry Rozier lined up with 25 points each, Rozier also celebrated the third triple-double of his career with 10 rebounds and 11 assists and 4 steals. To do this, he unpacked a move that is otherwise only seen in the open air. Charlotte led early in the third quarter at +28.
- The Hornets gave the Pistons 140 points in their first duel of the season, this time newcomer Montrezl Harrell also participated with 15 points (7/9 FG) and 6 rebounds coming from the bench.
- The Pistons brought at least seven players in double digits, especially Saddiq Bey with 25 points (8/16 FG). Killian Hayes posted a double-double off the bench (11, 5/9 FG, 12 assists) and outplayed Cade Cunningham (12, 5 assists, 6 turnovers), who was returning from a hip injury after missing five games. Hamidou Diallo (16) provided with a windmill dunk so that the home fans also had at least one highlight of their team to celebrate.
Indiana Pacers (19-38) – Cleveland Cavaliers (35-21) 113:120 (BOXSCORE)
- Two very different halves for the newly formed Pacers. Tyrese Haliburton sunk his first five shots as a pacer, Indiana started 10/12 from Downtown and scored 18 points from turnovers in the first quarter (0 for Cleveland). According to Stathead, the Pacers even set a new franchise record with 47 points in the first 12 minutes, but then it slowly went downhill.
- As expected, the Pacers could not maintain their quota of three, in the zone they were clearly inferior (38:60 points) against the huge lineups of the Cavaliers, for which Isaac Okoro was the shortest starter at 1.96 meters without the injured Darius Garland. Cleveland gradually reduced the interim deficit of -21 until the Cavs took the lead with just under five minutes to go and didn’t give up. Indiana lost the second half 39-57.
- Seven Cavaliers scored in double digits, led by ex-pacer Caris LeVert (10/19 FG, 5 assists, 3 steals) and Jarrett Allen (8/12, 6 of 14 rebounds offensive) with 22 points each. Pacers President seemed to have had a bad premonition even before the game. “Trading him has been one of the hardest things for me, he’s a special person and I want to thank Caris. He’ll probably make 50 points tonight.”
- Rajon Rondo made his best game so far as a Cav with 17 points (6/7), 7 rebounds, 6 assists and 3 steals, Kevin Love (3/5 3P) and Cedi Osman also support with 14 points each coming off the bench. Cleveland sunk 25/30 free throws (11/16 for Indiana) and forced 20 turnovers (13 for Indiana).
- Haliburton celebrated a successful debut with 23 points (9/15 FG, 4/6 3P) and 6 assists overall, but also managed 6 turnovers. Buddy Hield almost had a career-first triple-double in his first game as a pacer with 16 (6/17 FG), 9 rebounds and 8 assists. Jalen Smith also impressed with 12 points (2/3 3P) coming off the bench. Oshae Brisett (11 rebounds) and Chris Duarte (4/7 3P) each contributed 18 points.
Philadelphia 76ers (33-22) – Oklahoma City Thunder (17-38) 100:87 (BOXSCORE)
- Sixers fans who had been looking forward to James Harden’s debut in Philadelphia were disappointed against OKC. He and Paul Millsap have not yet attended the game. Instead, there was a duel in Philly without much offensive, the highlight in the arena somehow had to do with Harden: The new signing was introduced on the video cube, when he was seen wearing the number 1 jersey in the Sixers colors, the home fans responded with the biggest round of applause of the night.
- Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey were the main drivers of the Sixers’ victory. Embiid already had 11 points and 10 rebounds in the first quarter, so he’s loudly loud ESPN Stats & Info the first sixer to double-double in the first quarter since play-by-play statistics were kept (1996). The Thunder then had much more success against him, Embiid finished the game with 25 points with only 8/25 FG and 19 rebounds, 4 assists and 5 blocks.
- Maxey was much more accurate with 9/14 FG for 24 points, and Tobias Harris (17, 11 rebounds, 3 blocks) and Matisse Thybulle (10, 3 steals) also provided support. Shake Milton was available again from his back injury on Jan. 3 but, like the rest of the Sixers reservists, was barely successful with 1/9 FG for 4 points.
- Paul Reed will probably get more minutes as second Big Man after Andre Drummond’s departure and stood out positively with 4 offensive rebounds, 2 steals and 2 blocks in 13 minutes. But he also allowed himself to miss the game, when he wanted to show a particularly spectacular dunk after a steal, but only failed spectacularly.
- At OKC, Derrick Favors was already the top scorer on his team with 16 points (8/13 FG), which only scored 6/35 (17.1 percent) from downtown. Darius Bazley recorded a double-double (14, 15 rebounds), Aleksej Pokusevski contributed 15 points (7/11 FG) coming from the bench.
