Key highlights from Dec 07, 2024, NBA action, including top-quality matchups and record-breaking stats.
Here’s the NBA Daily Recap for Dec. 7, 2024, where we had top-class matchups with individual performances. From Nikola Jokic’s career-high performance going in vain to Cunningham’s fifth triple-double of the season, let’s go through the key highlights from the action on Saturday night.
Evan Mobley finished with a career-high 41 points to help the Cleveland Cavaliers beat the injury-hit Hornets. Donovan Mitchell had 18 points, eight rebounds and eight assists for the Caves, who improved to 21-3. Caves had a 40-18 lead in the first quarter, courtesy of Mobley’s 23 points.
Charlotte added a comeback in 2nd quarter, and with 5:05 to play, the deficit was reduced to four points. However, a 12-2 run denied the Hornets a first win after seven defeats. DaQuan Jeffries scored 17 points off the bench while Josh Green had 16.
Washington Wizards ended their 16-game losing streak by overshadowing Nikola Jokic’s career-high 56-point performance. Jordan Poole scored 39 points for the Wizards including a career-high nine 3-pointers. Without the key players, the Nuggets were fueled by Nikola Jokic who had 16 rebounds and eight assists.
Justin Champagnie scored 23 points for the Wizards while Jonas Valanciunas had 20 points and 12 rebounds. Russell Westbrook had 10 rebounds and 12 assists for the Nuggets. Julian Strawther chipped in 18 points off the bench.
Oklahoma City Thunder overcame the Pelicans 119-109 to secure a seventh win in eight games. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander dropped 16 of his 31 points in the first quarter to provide a 77-51 lead at halftime. Jalen Williams finished with 27 points for the Thunder.
New Orleans outscored Thunder 29-22 in the third quarter and took away the game to 114-105 with 3:31 left. Oklahoma City hit five straight to finish the game. Dejounte Murray added 26 points and Herb Jones had 24 for the Pelicans. New Orleans have a 3-9 record at home and 5-19 overall.
Cade Cunningham posted his fifth triple-double of the season, and the Detroit Pistons defeated the New York Knicks. The 23-year-old scored 29 points, 15 assists and 10 rebounds to halt a three-game losing streak. Malik Beasley added 23 points off the bench and Jaden Ivey had 16 for the Pistons.
Jalen Brunson led New York with 31 points and 10 assists, and Mikal Bridges chipped in 20. Knicks forwards, OG Anunoby and Josh Hart added 17 points apiece over a 39-minute stay. Knicks dropped their first game after three straight wins.
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Luka Doncic’s second-straight triple-double with 30 points, 13 rebounds and 11 assists helped the Dallas Mavericks beat Toronto Raptors. Kyrie Irving chipped in 29 points and Klay Thompson added 20 for the Mavericks, who extended the NBA’s longest active winning streak.
Dallas had a 16-point lead at the break and the Raptors pulled off a comeback by outscoring the visitors in both remaining quarters. Scottie Barnes led Toronto with 19 points, a career-high 14 assists and 8 rebounds. Gradey Dick finished with a team-high 27 points and hit a couple of three-pointers to reduce the deficit to five but Raptors fell short in the end.
Miami Heat added a second win on their 4-game homestand and also crossed .500 mark in the East. Bam Adebayo scored 25 points, 12 rebounds and eight assists while Jimmy Butler had 24 for the Heat. Duncan Robinson added 19 and Tyler Herro chipped in 17 points, eight rebounds to route Phoenix Suns.
Phoenix Suns had a 58-53 lead at halftime but Miami came strong in the third with 34-24. The last quarter was vital for both and Heat outscored the Suns again. Royce O’Neale led Phoenix with 23 points and Devin Booker added 21. Miami outscored the Suns 62-32 in the paint.
Memphis Grizzlies ended their 10-game losing streak at the home floor of Celtics with a narrow win. Ja Morant contributed 32 points, nine assists and nine rebounds. Jaren Jackson Jr. finished with 27 points and nine rebounds.
Jrue Holiday paced the Celtics with 23 points while Jaylen Brown and Payton Pritchard each had 22 points. Celtics had a 97-94 lead in the fourth quarter after reducing the 14-point deficit. However, Grizzlies had a 23-20 run to regain the lead and later, Memphis hit seven straight to take 124-115 lead which eventually proved costly for Boston.
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