Luka Doncic has set a new career high in points against his favorite opponent after sinking seven three-pointers in the first quarter. The Suns got their revenge on the Bucks in the Finals rematch and the Knicks survive against the Warriors.
Detroit Pistons (12-43) – Memphis Grizzlies (39-18) 107:132 (BOXSCORE)
- As one of the youngest and hottest teams in the league, Memphis apparently didn’t feel compelled to change anything by trade by the deadline. The Grizzlies just keep going with plenty of highlights on the field. In addition, seven players scored at least twelve points. Ja Morant led the way with 23 points (2/8 3P) and 6 assists, Steven Adams (16, 5 assists) grabbed 7 of his 14 rebounds on the offensive board.
- Memphis led by 24 points in the first quarter, after which Detroit was no longer in the single digits. Among other things, the discrepancy from Downtown was too great: Memphis hit half of his triples (15/30), Detroit only every fifth throw from Downtown (7/35).
- Jerami Grant, whom the Pistons held despite allegedly great interest from various contenders, was his team’s top scorer with 20 points (7/13 FG). “I was able to play free tonight because now I know I’m going to keep being a piston,” Grant said after the game. Saddiq Bey (3/8 3P) and Hamidou Diallo (7/13, 10 rebounds) each contributed 17 points.
- At Memphis, only Jaren Jackson Jr. had a bit of a problem with his shot (2/9), and the Grizzlies didn’t let up a bit on offense with the reserves either. Only Morant stood on the floor for more than 30 minutes.
Washington Wizards (25-29) – Brooklyn Nets (29-26) 113:112 (BOXSCORE)
- Kyle Kuzma has come close a couple of times this season, but now he’s done it with the first triple-double of his career. And against the Nets it took all of the 15 points (6/15 FG), 13 rebounds and 10 assists. Both teams were missing some players due to injuries and recent trades that will be available for the next few days.
- The Wizards caught that on a team effort, with seven players over 11 points. Raul Neto went ahead with 21 points at 7/9 FG, only Corey Kispert (6, 2/13 FG) remained really pale. Anthony Gill (15, 6/7) and Rui Hachimura (12, 2/2 3P) provided energetic support coming off the bench. Scoring spread across fewer shoulders for the Nets as Kyrie Irving (31, 9/22 FG) and Cam Thomas (27, 11/18) kept taking charge.
- This was also the case in the final phase, when Thomas reduced the deficit to -3 with a three-pointer with almost 60 seconds to go, Irving went to the free-throw line in the next attack, as he did throughout the game (10/11 FT). With 6.3 seconds to play, Thomas got a chance to save Downtown’s game in overtime, but missed.
- The Nets led for most of the first three quarters but never really pulled away. Washington had the longest run of the game with 13 points in a row early in the fourth quarter, and the Wizards then held on to their lead.
New Orleans Pelicans (22-33) – Miami Heat (36-20) 97:112 (BOXSCORE)
- Playing against defenders like Kyle Lowry (4 steals), Jimmy Butler (4 steals), PJ Tucker and Bam Adebayo (3) in his debut for a new team is a thankless experience for CJ McCollum. The ex-Blazer took 21 throws straight away, but only had 15 points and 5 assists for New Orleans.
- However, McCollum was confident about the future of the Pels: “We will be in a great position to do real damage,” said the guard after the game: “I’m looking forward to it, I like the players we have here.”
- Butler and Adebayo were also in good form offensively with 29 points each, Adebayo also grabbed 6 of his 10 rebounds on the opposing board. Lowry rounded out the Big 3’s strong day with his second triple-double of the season (14, 11 rebounds, 11 assists). Duncan Robinson (10, 2/10 3P) and Dewayne Dedmon (11, 7 rebounds) also scored in double digits, Tyler Herro was absent due to injury.
- For New Orleans, 5 players broke the 15-point mark, but Jose Alvarado was his team’s top scorer with 17 (7/12 FG) coming off the bench. Miami dominated points in the zone (50-34) and points after second chances (25-13), among others. The Pelicans held the deficit in single digits for a long time before Miami pulled away late.
