Six NBA games took place in the early hours of Monday morning with some of the world’s best players in action.
Let’s take a look at what happened…
Washington Wizards 149 – 146 Brooklyn Nets
Russell Westbrook and Kevin Durant’s fierce rivalry continued as the former teammates locked horns in the Capital.
The Nets were without the injured James Harden, but were backed up by the formidable duo of Durant and Kyrie Irving.
Brooklyn led the game 146-141 with just ten seconds to go in the fourth quarter as they looked set to chalk up a 14th win of the season.
Bradley Beal gave the Wizards hope as he scored a deep three late in the game – his 22nd point of the fourth quarter and 37th overall.
Garrison Matthews instantly regained possession for Washington and passed the ball to Westbrook, who hit the game winner with just seconds on the clock.
Durant and Irving combined for 63 points for the Nets, but were no match for the Wizard’s star man.
Westbrook posted an impressive 41 points and 10 rebounds to record his eighth double-double of the season.
Despite the victory, Washington stay bottom of the Eastern Conference whilst the Nets held their position in second place.
Denver Nuggets 128 – 117 Utah Jazz
Nikola Jokic and the Denver Nuggets ended the Utah Jazz’s 11-game winning streak at the Vivint Arena.
Jokic equalled his career-best total of 47 points in a comfortable win for the Nuggets, with the Serb scoring 33 in the first half.
The Denver star posted 11 rebounds and five assists to cap off an incredible performance.
Fellow Serb, Bogdan Bogdanovic, led the losing side with 29 points.
Nuggets improve to 12-8 on the season whereas the Jazz stay second in the Western Conference.
LA Clippers 129 – 115 New York Knicks
The Clippers stay top of the Western Conference with their third victory in a row.
A well-fought contest, the home side eventually ran away with it thanks to a 19-6 run in the fourth quarter.
Kawhi Leonard scored 28 points for the Clippers, with five of his teammates posting at least ten – including 17 from Paul George.
However, there were plenty of positives to takeaway for the Knicks. Julius Randle recorded a double-double with 27 points and 12 assists, but the star performer for New York was Immanuel Quickely who scored 27 points off the bench.
The Knicks stay 9th in the Eastern Conference, one place off a play-off position.
Toronto Raptors 114-102 Orlando Magic
The 2019 champions secured a much-needed victory as they broke their three-game losing streak.
However, bad blood between Kyle Lowry and Aaron Gordon stole the headlines.
In the 2020 play-offs, Lowry fouled and injured Gordon in the process. It seemed the events still lingered in the mind of the Magics player.
In the second quarter, Gordon intentionally slammed his shoulder into the face of Lowry and was called for a Flagrant 1 Foul, although both were allowed to continue.
Gordon eventually left the court after rolling his ankle later on in the game.
Pascal Siakam shone for the Raptors as he posted 30 points and ten rebounds, whilst Lowry recorded a season-high 15 assists.
Toronto improved to 8-12 on the season as the Magic sit at 12th in the Eastern Conference.
Philadelphia 76ers 119 – 110 Indiana Pacers
The 76ers continued their dream start to the season as they maintained their position at the top of the Eastern Conference.
The Pacers did pose a major threat though, as they led by a sizeable 20 points at one stage.
Malcom Brodgon starred for Indiana, netting 25 points.
Nevertheless, Philadelphia closed the gap thanks to a 13-0 run in the fourth quarter with Tobias Harris and Ben Simmons teaming up to score a combined 48 points.
The Pacers remain in 5th place in the Eastern Conference.
Minnesotta Timberwolves 109 – 104 Cleveland Cavaliers
The Timberwolves recorded just their fifth victory of the season in a close contest.
Top draft pick, Anthony Edwards, posted impressive numbers once again: 23 points, five rebounds and four assists.
Edwards’ teammate, Malik Beasley, also contributed with 23 points.
Cavaliers centre, Andre Drummond, dominated the glass once again with 22 rebounds and a respectable 25 points in the defeat.
Cleveland fall to 9-11 on the season.
