Let's take a look at what happened on Sunday in the NBA.
Here’s the NBA Daily Recap for Dec. 29, 2024, where we witnessed six matchups. It was a high-scoring day and top teams got great competition from lower-seed rivals. Players like Trae Young, Jaylen Brown, Victor Wembanyama and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander delivered top-class performances.
From Cole Anthony’s winning layup in Brooklyn to the Celtics drop sixth home game already in the season, let’s go through the key highlights from the NBA action on Sunday night.
Orlando Magic pulled off another comeback of the season to beat the Brooklyn Nets 102-101. Magic cut the 21-point deficit in the second half with a dominant 22-4 run. It was Magic’s second win after trailing by at least 21 points. Cole Anthony hit a winning layup with 1.3 seconds left to complete a 17-point fourth-quarter surge for the short-handed Orlando.
Thomas was the top performer for the Nets, scoring 25 points off the bench on return after injury. Jalen Wilson chipped in 16 points including two free throws with 6.2 seconds remaining. Magic’s two players scored in double-figures off the bench and also completed a four-game season series sweep of the Nets. Brooklyn now dropped a second straight game after winning against the Bucks on Boxing Day.
Trae Young posted a double-double with 34 points and 10 assists as the Atlanta Hawks handed another loss to the Toronto Raptors, who committed a season-high 30 turnovers. De’Andre Hunter added 22 points off the bench and Clint Capela had 13 rebounds and 11 points. Atlanta Hawks extended their winning streak to four games.
Scottie Barnes led the Raptors with 19 points and eight rebounds. RJ Barrett scored 17 points and six rebounds while Jakob Poeltl had 13. Toronto went seven for 24 from beyond the arc for 29.2 per cent which is their second-worst three-point shooting performance. Raptors dropped their 10th straight game of the season and fell to 7-25.
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NBA Champions, Boston Celtics dropped their sixth game at home this season with a loss against Indiana Pacers. Tyrese Haliburton scored 31 points for the Pacers to avenge the 37-point loss to Boston in the rematch. Andrew Nembhard had 17 points, eight rebounds and eight assists after returning from the injury. Pascal Siakam poured in with 17 points and Bennedict Mathurin added 14.
Jaylen Brown was the leading scorer for Boston, scoring 31 points. Jayson Tatum added 22 points, nine rebounds and six assists. Payton Pritchard chipped in with 21 points and Derrick White had 17. Boston had a chance to gain the lead when Tatum cut the 11-point deficit to two points in the fourth quarter but the Pacers closed out the game with an 18-11 run.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 35 points to lead Oklahoma City Thunder for a 10th straight win in the regular season. Thunder also opened a five-game homestand with a win. Jalen Williams scored almost a triple double with 14 points, 10 onboards and 8 assists. Ajay Mitchell chipped in with 17 points off the bench and Isaiah Hartenstein had 12 points and 9 rebounds.
Desmond Bane led the Memphis with 22 points and 9 rebounds. John Konchar dropped his best with 16 rebounds while Jay Huff added 17 off the bench. Thunder outscored Grizzlies 42-19 in the second quarter to take a 76-50 lead at halftime. Grizzlies fought hard to cut the deficit but it never went below 20 throughout the game. Memphis snapped a two-game winning streak and are 1-1 in first two of a four-game road trip.
Rockets 100-104 Heat
Timberwolves 112-110 Spurs
Image Credit: Mike Watters-Imagn Images
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