We've got all the scores, highlights and news from Tuesday's NBA games
There was no Christmas hangover for the NBA, as teams got right back into action on Tuesday. We have all the scores, highlights and updates from an eight-game slate.
NBA scores for Tuesday, Dec. 26
- Dallas Mavericks 98, Toronto Raptors 93 (Box Score)
- Detroit Pistons 107, Indiana Pacers 83 (Box Score)
- Miami Heat 107, Orlando Magic 89 (Box Score)
- Chicago Bulls 115, Milwaukee Bucks 106 (Box Score)
- San Antonio Spurs 109, Brooklyn Nets 97 (Box Score)
- Phoenix Suns 99, Memphis Grizzlies 97 (Box Score)
- Denver Nuggets 107, Utah Jazz 83 (Box Score)
- Los Angeles Clippers 122, Sacramento Kings 95 (Box Score)
Tyson Chandler for the win
You can't draw it up any better than this. With 0.6 seconds remaining in a tie game, Dragan Bender threw a perfect lob pass to Tyson Chandler off of an out-of-bounds play, and Chandler threw it down to give the Suns a home victory over the Grizzlies.
Greek Freak not enough to beat Bulls
Giannis Antetokounmpo returned from a one-game absence and put up 28 points, seven rebounds and four assists, but it wasn't enough to overcome the resurgent Bulls. Kris Dunn led the way for Chicago with 20 points, 12 assists and four steals, plus a late bucket to help seal the victory.
Read More Here
Suns coach had winning play saved for years
The Phoenix Suns had a perfect play lined up for the final 0.6 seconds of their game against the Memphis Grizzlies. Apparently it was one interim head coach Jay Triano had saved up for years.
Here’s a look at the play where Dragan Bender threw an inbound pass right next to the hoop, allowing Tyson Chandler to dunk it in for the win:
Harrell, Williams key Clippers bench in rout of Kings
Sacramento Kings guard George Hill, right, shoots around Los Angeles Clippers forward Sam Dekker during the second half of an NBA basketball game in Los Angeles, Tuesday, Dec. 26, 2017. The Clippers won 122-95. (Chris Carlson/AP)
Jamil Wilson had 17 points for the Clippers, whose bench outscored their Kings counterparts, 72-43. Center DeAndre Jordan finished 13 points and 15 rebounds.
Willie Cauley-Stein scored 17 points for Sacramento. Buddy Hield and Malachi Richardson each scored 10 points, the only other Kings to finish in double figures.
The Clippers took control with a dominating close to the first half, finishing with a 37-14 run to take a 71-53 at the break.
It was the most points the Clippers had scored in a first half this season.
Leonard, Aldridge combine for 41 to lead Spurs past Nets
There was some hesitation and a rash of early turnovers, but they grew comfortable as the game progressed.
Kawhi Leonard scored 21 points, LaMarcus Aldridge added 20 and San Antonio beat Brooklyn 109-97 on Tuesday night, its 15th straight win at home over the Nets.
"(The rash of injuries is) very unusual for us, but we still have a month and a half until the rodeo (road trip) starts," Spurs veteran Manu Ginobili said. "This is a good time to get everybody playing, everybody feeling good. Get Kawhi and Tony (Parker) back to their usual selves, back to their rhythm, feeling good and I think we are accomplishing that. Slowly, because they haven’t been back for so long, but they are really showing progress."
San Antonio is third in the Western Conference at 24-11 despite being without Leonard and/or Parker for 30 games this season.
Aldridge has led the team during the duo’s absence and his resurgent season has not slowed with their return. The 6-foot-11 forward was 7 for 15 from the field and had nine rebounds against Brooklyn.
"You know, obviously, watching (Aldridge and Pau Gasol) play and see them do the things they do for our team is great, and it inspires everyone on the bench, me, even guys playing," Leonard said. "But just with me, just taking it slow and trying not to skip any steps, like I said before, so I can be healthy down the road."
Playing in just his fifth game, Leonard was 8 for 17 from the field in scoring a season high. He made his first appearance in the fourth quarter, scoring four points in three minutes.
"When Kawhi checked into the game in the fourth quarter, that wasn’t a welcome sign," Nets coach Kenny Atkinson said. "It just changes the game. He makes such a difference. Defensively, it’s just unbelievable. I felt like he was guarding our whole team at times."
Playing with a full roster for the first time led to some indecision, as the Spurs scored just 19 points in the opening quarter while trying to involve all their scoring options.
"We went to being too careful," said reserve guard Patty Mills, who scored 11 points. "That caused us to turn the ball over."
San Antonio had nine of their 12 turnovers in the first half, but offset that by holding Brooklyn to 36 per cent shooting.
Gasol added 15 points, Parker had 14 and Ginobili had 11.
The Nets kept pace early despite injuries to their top two point guards, D’Angelo Russell and Jeremy Lin.
Caris LeVert led Brooklyn with 18 points and Allen Crabbe added 15.
"I like the process. The results weren’t great offensively but we did some good things," Atkinson said.
TIP-INS
Nets: Russell has not played since Nov. 11, missing his 20th straight game. He is expected to be back in the first half of January after undergoing left knee surgery Nov. 17. … The Nets are 4-41 on the road against the Spurs in franchise history. Their last win in San Antonio in the regular season was a 92-86 victory on Jan. 22, 2002, at the Alamodome. … Atkinson was assessed a technical foul with 6:45 left in the third quarter after bolting from his seat and running to midcourt to protest an offensive foul call on Crabbe.
Spurs: San Antonio coach Gregg Popovich has 1,174 career victories, placing him one shy of tying George Karl for fifth all-time. … Gasol collected his 10,817th rebound, moving him past Jack Sikma for 30th in league history. … Aldridge has led the Spurs in scoring 28 times in 33 games after doing so a combined 37 times in his first two seasons with the team. … The Spurs are 16-2 at home, the league’s best home record.
Comments