Let's take a look at what happened on Saturday in the NBA.
Here’s the NBA Daily Recap for Dec. 21, 2024, where we witnessed 12 matchups. It was day of comebacks where we saw tight finishes. Players like Steph Curry, Kevin Durant and Jayson Tatum delivered top-notch performances.
From the Magic’s fourth quarter surge over Miami to Rui Hachimura saving Lakers from another loss, let’s go through the key highlights from the NBA action on Saturday night.
Rui Hachimura and Austin Reaves rescued Lakers after Anthony Davis missing two free throws with 12 seconds left. Lakers completed a sweep on a two-game set as they beat the Sacramento Kings on the road.
LeBron James scored 32 points and Davis had 10 points and 15 rebounds. The latter also passed Kobe Bryant for the most blocks in franchise history. Reaves, who made late free throws, finished with 16 points. De’Aaron Fox paced the Kings with 31 points. Domantas Sabonis added 19 points and 19 rebounds, while DeMar DeRozan had 12 points.
Magic produced season’s biggest comeback to win the game against Miami Heat. Cole Anthony chipped in 27 of his 35 points in the second half. Miami had a 22 points lead heading into the fourth quarter but Magic pulled off the heist by outscoring the visitors 37-8. Orlando Magic tied their largest comeback in franchise history (previously did in 1989 vs. Caves).
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope added 24 points while Goga Bitadze had 18 points and 13 rebounds in the win. Mo Wagner left the court for Magic in the first quarter but it didn’t stop Orlando. Jimmy Butler-less Miami were fueled by Bam Adebayo and Terry Rozier with 23 points each, while Tyler Herro had 22.
Stephen Curry scored 31 points, including 11 straight in the fourth quarter to guide Golden State Warriors ending five-game losing streak on the road. Trayce Jackson-Davis scored 15 points and nine rebounds, and Brandin Podziemski added 12.
Anthony Edwards and Donte DiVincenzo scored 19 points apiece for the Wolves. Rudy Gobert added 18 points and 12 rebounds. Curry added 10 assists and made seven 3-pointers. Minnesota outscored Warriors 38-29 in the third to add some drama but Curry led Warriors in fourth quarter to win the game.
Boston Celtics improved to 22-6 after a clinical win over Chicago Bulls, who dropped fifth game at home in last seven. Jayson Tatum notched up a season-high 43 points including 16 rebounds and 10 assists for his third career triple-double. Kristaps Porzingis added 22 points and Jaylen Brown chipped in 19.
Celtics had a 16-point advantage heading to fourth quarter, courtesy of a 19-8 run. Nikola Vucevic led the Bulls with 19 points and 10 assists. Zach LaVine, Coby White and Patrick Williams added 14 points each.
San Antonio routed Trail Blazers 114-94 to its largest margin of victory this season. Spurs have now won four straight against the Trail Blazers. Victor Wembanyama finished with 30 points, seven rebounds, and 10 blocks. He is also the first player with four 3-pointers and 10 blocks in a game in NBA history.
Charles Bassey scored 16 points and 12 rebounds while Devin Vassell added 11 points for the Spurs. Shaedon Sharpe added 25 points for Portland, who lost nine of their last 11 games. Anfernee Simons chipped in 18 points in the loss. Trail Blazers dropped to 9-19 after a six-game losing streak on the road.
Kevin Durant scored a season-high 43 points on 14-of-26 shooting but couldn’t help the Suns to drop second straight home game. Cade Cunningham had 28 points and 13 assists for the Pistons, who are winning an alternative game from last one week. Jalen Duren contributed 17 points and 11 rebounds. Jaden Ivey added 20, and Beasley had 18 for the Pistons.
Devin Booker-less Phoenix Suns lost the control through out the game but they managed to reduce the deficit to 3 points with 2:26 left. But, Malik Beasley led a 11-6 run in the end to win the game. Durant also added five rebounds, six assists and attempted all free throws. Bradley Beal chipped in 26 points in the loss.
Hawks 112-128 Grizzlies
Nets 94-105 Jazz
Pelicans 93-104 Knicks
Bucks 112-101 Wizards
Mavericks 113-97 Clippers
Cavaliers 126-99 76ers
Image Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
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