Six-game slate from Monday🏀🏀🏀
⭐⭐TOP PERFORMERS⭐⭐
Jimmy Butler: 35 points (12-21 FG), 19 rebounds, 10 assists, four steals, one block
James Harden: 41 points (11-17 FG, 7-11 3PM), six assists, one rebound, one steal, one block
Tyrese Maxey: 40 points (12-28 FG) five rebounds, five assists, four steals
Cade Cunningham: 20 points (7-17 FG), 11 rebounds, 18 assists, one block
Top Storylines👉📝
Vintage Performances: Jimmy Butler imposed his will on Detroit, playing physically, showcasing impressive shot making and dominating the glass on both ends. James Harden logged his 2nd 40+ point game of the season. Paul George (33 points, 13-20 FG) was a metronome for Philadelphia.
Nikola Jokić and Jamal Murray looked like one of the best duos in the league Monday night. Murray (28 points, 11-26 FG) delivering consistent production in the clutch makes Denver just as potent as any team in the Western Conference.
RJ Barrett continues blossoming, averaging career-high marks in points, rebounds and assists. The 24-year-old racked up 32 points (11-24 FG), five rebounds and nine assists Monday. He’s now averaging 23.5 points, 6.8 rebounds and 6.1 assists while shooting 45.5% from the field across 24 appearances this season.
Nuggets win 130-129. Re-watch epic ending below👇
Denver escapes Sacramento with a 130-129 victory. In the Kings’ final play, DeMar DeRozan cuts on the baseline, but can’t handle a pass from Domantas Sabonis coming down off pick-and-roll with De’Aaron Fox. DeRozan ultimately regathers, but his shot misses as Sacramento’s well-drawn play goes awry.
The battle-tested duo of Nikola Jokić (20 points, 14 rebounds, 13 assists) and Jamal Murray (28 points, six assists) were in playoff-form. Denver scored on their final five possessions in a top-tier display of clutch shot making. Aaron Gordon (24 points (9-14 FG) was a constant force. Jokić totals his 103rd career 20 point triple-double, passing LeBron James for 3rd most in NBA history.
Sabonis put forth a similarly impressive performance, finishing with 28 points (12-20 FG, 1-3 3PM, 3-3 FT), 14 rebounds, six assists, three steals and only two turnovers. Keon Ellis was a menace defensively for Sacramento, finishing with five blocks and two steals to accompany his 12 points, six rebounds and one assist.
De’Aaron Fox finished with 29 points (11-24, 2-7 3PM, 5-6 FT), five rebounds and seven assists. Malik Monk supplied for 25 points (9-19 FG, 4-10 3PM, 3-3 FT), six rebounds, 10 assists and three blocks. Keegan Murray (ankle) was inactive for Sacramento — which is a notable factor as Denver won the rebounding battle 55-42.
THE LAST 85 SECONDS OF NUGGETS-KINGS WAS BACK-AND-FORTH MADNESS 🤯🤯
7 lead changes.
Big bucket after big bucket.
The @nuggets come out on top in a THRILLER in Sacramento! pic.twitter.com/syC7xf7bu5
— NBA (@NBA) December 17, 2024
Detroit salvages win, earns 125-124 victory
After relinquishing a double-digit lead in the fourth quarter, the Pistons continued struggling to start overtime, going over six minutes of game time without a bucket. Clutch shooting from Malik Beasley (28 points, 7-13 3PM) and Tim Hardaway (16 points, 5-10 3PM) helped Detroit come back in overtime.
Hardaway had a costly turnover at the end of overtime that gave Miami an extra opportunity to win the game, but Detroit emerged unscathed when Tyler Herro’s 3PA clanked off the back iron.
The shooters owe Cade Cunningham, who racked up 18 assists to go along with 20 points and 10 rebounds. The 23-year-old is third in the NBA with six triple-doubles this season.
Not to be outdone, Jimmy Butler erupted for 35 points (12-21 FG), 19 rebounds, 10 assists, four steals and one block in 44 minutes of action. Seven of his rebounds were offensive — constituting a gritty performance from the 35-year-old.
Cade Cunningham’s triple-double and Malik Beasley’s 7 threes propel the @DetroitPistons to the OT win!
Cade: 20 PTS, 18 AST (career high), 11 REB
Malik: 28 PTS (9-18 FGM), 4 AST, 7 3PM pic.twitter.com/je6dDzgiCi
— NBA (@NBA) December 17, 2024
GOT IT DONE. pic.twitter.com/09N8IGBvaL
— Detroit Pistons (@DetroitPistons) December 17, 2024
James Harden dominates, Clippers win🔥🔥🔥
James Harden needed only 30 minutes to score 41 points (11-17 FG, 7-11 3PM, 12-14 FT) as the Clippers never trailed against Utah en route to a 144-107 victory.
Harden notches the 33rd game of his career with 40+ points and 7+ made threes, trailing only Stephen Curry’s total of 56 such games. The 35-year-old had previously posted at least five made threes on just three occasions this season.
Norman Powell was similarly unstoppable and co-starred with 29 points (12-16 FG, 5-7 3PM).
James Harden got loose for 41 points and 7 threes on an efficient 64.7 FG% in the @LAClippers W! 🔥 pic.twitter.com/8yGpVhiYk8
— NBA (@NBA) December 17, 2024
NORMAN POWELL HEAT CHECK🔥👀 pic.twitter.com/Liml2I8FzS
— LA Clippers (@LAClippers) December 17, 2024
Nuggets and Kings: Game of runs🍿🍿
A 14-3 run has given Denver a 123-122 lead with under two minutes remaining. The Nuggets once controlled a 23-point lead, but Sacramento stormed back to take a 10-point lead of their own early in the fourth quarter. Both teams are now answering clutch shots with clutch shots as the final buzzer nears.
The Joker floats it in for the lead! 🃏@nuggets 123@SacramentoKings 122
Watch the last minute on NBA League Pass: https://t.co/YfVCVQAELv pic.twitter.com/cxL8eA6lvn
— NBA (@NBA) December 17, 2024
James Harden cooking♨️♨️
Harden ties his 3rd-highest single-quarter scoring total of his career Monday, getting into his classic ball screen and crossover bag work💰💰
JAMES HARDEN 1Q MENU:
🔥 24 PTS
🔥 5 3PM
🔥 6-9 FGM
🔥 7-8 FTM pic.twitter.com/Xxtlab3Qb5
— NBA (@NBA) December 17, 2024
THAT’S NASTY HARD3N 👌 pic.twitter.com/exWOkqC2xh
— LA Clippers (@LAClippers) December 17, 2024
🟣🟣BEAM TEAM RESPONDS🟣🟣
Sacramento has overcome a 23-point deficit to trail by seven at halftime. Domantas Sabonis has 15 points and eight rebounds, leading the Kings in both categories. Sabonis, along with four other Kings, posted double-digit scoring by the break.
Nikola Jokić continues carving up opponents, posting eight points (4-9 FG), eight rebounds, nine assists and two steals in 19 minutes. Sacramento has done a good job stacking the paint to limit his efficiency and induce three turnovers from the big man.
HALFTIME: Kings trail 75-68 at the break.
👑 Domantas Sabonis: 15 PTS, 8 REB, 2 AST
👑 DeMar DeRozan: 13 PTS 2 STL, 1 AST
👑 De’Aaron Fox: 12 PTS, 4 AST, 2 REB pic.twitter.com/cpNkXP6Hf4
— Sacramento Kings (@SacramentoKings) December 17, 2024
Westbrook starting, Denver jumps to 24-6 lead
Denver is gashing Sacramento to begin Monday’s showdown. The Nuggets are playing without Christian Braun (back), who is missing his first game of the season.
Murray lobs to Gordon who punches it home with the left 👊
Nuggets-Kings 1Q action is live on NBA League Pass!
📲 https://t.co/YfVCVQAELv pic.twitter.com/hsh8Cwdig3
— NBA (@NBA) December 17, 2024
⭐⭐76ers’ stars takeover⭐⭐
LaMelo Ball’s return from an ankle injury was spoiled by 33 points from Paul George and 40 points from Tyrese Maxey as Philadelphia lead for all but 40 seconds en route to a 121-108 victory over Charlotte.
Monday represents the second 40-point game of Maxey’s career, as well as the first 30-point game for George in his 76ers’ tenure. Each hit six threes and combined to post 12-of-21 shooting from beyond the arc, while the rest of Philadelphia combined to connect on just four 3PA.
LaMelo Ball’s return from a multi-game absence due to a calf injury yielded 15 points and 11 assists, showing quality chemistry with Mark Williams (seven points, through rebounds, three blocks). Both players continue operating on limited workloads as they ramp up to game-speed following respective absences.
THIS PHILLY DUO 🔥
TYRESE MAXEY AND PAUL GEORGE COMBINE FOR 7️⃣3️⃣ IN THE SIXERS WIN VS. HORNETS‼️ pic.twitter.com/vYrka4piuR
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) December 17, 2024
Tyrese Maxey and Paul George go OFF for a combined 73 PTS in the @sixers win!
🔥 Maxey: 40p, 5a, 5r, 4s, 6 threes
🔥 PG: 33p, 8a, 5r, 2s, 6 threes, 13-20 shooting pic.twitter.com/YCJD45Qols
— NBA (@NBA) December 17, 2024
Bulls win, Nikola Vučević shines again
Vučević posted 24 points (10-17 FG, 2-4 3PM, 2-2 FT) to lead a balanced Chicago attack in scoring en route to a 122-121 victory over Toronto.
Jamal Shead banked in a three at the final buzzer, making the score seem slightly closer than it was. The possession prior, Vučević punished Shead under the rim, capitalizing on a poor defensive switch by the Raptors allowing the Bulls to make it a two-possession game.
Gradey Dick struggled with his shot throughout the first half, but he continued firing away and hit clutch buckets down the stretch. He finishes with 27 points (9-20 FG, 3-9 3PM, 6-7 FT), six rebounds and two assists. RJ Barrett posted 32 points and nine assists to lead Toronto in both categories. He also had six turnovers.
Big team W up North.
Vooch: 24p/5r/3a/2b
Coby: 19p/5a/2s
THT: 15p/4r/2a/2s
Ayo: 12p/5r/5a/1s/1b
Giddey: 11p/9r/8a/2s/1b
Stix: 10p/5r/1a/1s
Julian: 10p/1s/1b
Zo: 8p/6r/7a/1s/1b
Matas: 7p/4r/1a
Pat: 6p/4r/1a/1s/1b pic.twitter.com/FoKkQfx6rL
— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) December 17, 2024
Cleveland cruises✅
The Cavaliers defeat the Nets 130-101, having seven players post at least 10 points for the fourth time this season. Evan Mobley return from a one-game absence to an ankle injury to lead Cleveland with 21 points (7-9 FG, 1-1 3PM, 6-6 FT)
Cameron Johnson posted a game-high 22 points (5-10 FG, 3-6 3PM, 9-13 FT), continuing what has been an excellent campaign for the 28-year-old. He’s posting career-best efficiency marks across the board with 18.5 points on a 48.4/43.1/87.9 percent shooting slash, as well as career highs in volume with 12.8 shots and 3.3 free throws per game.
Cleveland moves to 23-4 on the year.
Cavs WIN. #LetEmKnow pic.twitter.com/uiOkBHi80O
— Cleveland Cavaliers (@cavs) December 17, 2024
GRADEY DICK AND LONZO BALL TRADING BLOWS
Lonzo Ball extends Chicago’s lead at a crucial juncture as the Bulls look to withstand a Toronto comeback fueled by hot shooting from Gradey Dick. Dick has 24 points for the Raptors, trailing only RJ Barrett’s 30 points
Toronto is outscoring Chicago 32-22 nearing the final minute of Q4.
BIG BALLER. LONZO BALL IS CLUTCH.@CHSN__ | @ZO2_ pic.twitter.com/0lDlgP6iVp
— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) December 17, 2024
LET IT FLY @gradey_dick 👌 pic.twitter.com/wvCUqPtSyT
— Toronto Raptors (@Raptors) December 17, 2024
🚨🚨MIAMI COMEBACK. OT IN DETROIT🚨🚨
Miami overcomes a 19-point deficit in the second half to force overtime versus Detroit. Jimmy Butler has a game-high 31 points, while Tyler Herro is co-starring with 23 points for the Heat. Malik Beasley leads Detroit with 28 points.
Detroit was limited to two points in the final three minutes of regulation.
TYLER HERRO 3-BALL TIES IT 114…
CAPS AN 18-2 HEAT RUN IN THE 4TH TO FORCE OT! pic.twitter.com/0nLVoADBuu
— NBA (@NBA) December 17, 2024
JIMMY CUT IT TO 1 FOR 31 ON THE NIGHT 👀
Now a 3-point game after FTs…
11.5 seconds left on NBA League Pass! ⤵️https://t.co/AaRUtgiK9n pic.twitter.com/zKmLCDR9w3
— NBA (@NBA) December 17, 2024
30-PIECE FOR MAXEY🍽️🍽️
Tyrese Maxey fuels a 41-point third quarter for Philadelphia to take a 95-79 lead over Charlotte. The 24-year-old has 30 points (11-26 FG, 6-12 3PM, 2-3 FT), three rebounds, four assists and four steals.
Maxey and Paul George have combined for 57 points while the rest of the 76ers have a total of 38.
Tyrese Maxey strong drive downhill gives him 30!
Sixers-Hornets | NBA League Pass
📲 https://t.co/b6vz9nDLkk pic.twitter.com/2CqKrdrDoN
— NBA (@NBA) December 17, 2024
SPIDA SPECIAL. TOP FLOOR PLEASE❗
Donovan Mitchell shows off some vintage bounce. The 28-year-old still has it. Cleveland is crushing Brooklyn in the Nets’ first game since trading Dennis Schroder to Golden State.
💥 SPIDA MITCHELL💥 pic.twitter.com/pfhwiTLbnU
— NBA TV (@NBATV) December 17, 2024
Detroit connection🤝
Cade Cunningham hits rookie Ron Holland with the no-look dime. That transition bucket helped secure a 63-59 lead for the Pistons entering halftime.
Jimmy Butler leads all players with 21 points (7-10 FG) along with four rebounds, five assists and three steals.
after further review, THIS PLAY IS TOP TIER! #DetroitBasketball https://t.co/tE6VCaeZXU pic.twitter.com/9mz5eVPbWI
— Detroit Pistons (@DetroitPistons) December 17, 2024
CHARLOTTE BUZZING⚡⚡
LaMelo Ball and Miles Bridges connect on back-to-back lobs! Ball hasn’t missed a beat in his first game back from a calf injury. Ball started the sequence forcing the steal, then Charlotte benefited from a hasty 2-for-1 attempt from Tyrese Maxey.
Nonetheless, the 76ers cling to a 54-49 lead at halftime.
LAMELO SPARKING THE MADNESS IN CHARLOTTE 😱
TOSSES UP BACK-TO-BACK LOBS TO BRIDGES! pic.twitter.com/bH1XYqorCq
— NBA (@NBA) December 17, 2024
Paul George climbing leaderboards📈📈
George moves into 10th all-time with 2,283 made threes. George passes Jason Terry, with Vince Carter and Kyle Korver being his next targets.
Paul George’s 2,283rd three-pointer to move him into top 10 ALL-TIME! 👏 https://t.co/oFJuQfwlhx pic.twitter.com/cbd6K84vPj
— NBA (@NBA) December 17, 2024
that’s a whole lot of threes. 👌
congrats @Yg_Trece pic.twitter.com/seKsBjBJe3
— Philadelphia 76ers (@sixers) December 17, 2024
LaMelo Ball dimes up Mark Williams👀👀
Big hands. A perfect wrap-around Andre Drummond to Mark Williams for the dunk — that is sharp LaMelo. Hornets fans have been waiting for the Ball and Williams duo for a long time.
THIS LAMELO PASS 😩😩 pic.twitter.com/OVeZduH9ey
— NBA (@NBA) December 17, 2024
Miami and Detroit battling
Detroit holds a 38-32 lead over Miami in the opening seconds of the second quarter. Malik Beasley leads all scorers with 13 points (4-5 FG, 3-3 3PM, 2-2 FT)), while Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo each have seven points for Miami.
Miami has yet to lead in the contest.
😤😤😤 pic.twitter.com/RR2dFhrlzn
— Miami HEAT (@MiamiHEAT) December 17, 2024
Key Storylines for the Night 🍿🍿
LaMelo Ball (calf) is back in action. He returns to what has been an All-Star caliber season thus far, averaging 31.1 points and 6.9 assists on a career-high 56.4 TS%.
Prior to Friday’s dominant win over the Clippers, Nikola Jokić was averaging 37.8 points, 14.0 rebounds, 8.5 assists and 2.3 steals while raining in 46.4 percent of 4.7 threes per game across his last six contests. He’ll look to carry on Denver’s winning ways versus Sacramento.
Jimmy Butler, Tyler Herro and Coach Eric Spoelstra seek vengeance against Cate Cunningham and the Pistons after Miami suffered a 123-121 loss to Detroit on Nov. 12. Spoelstra attempted to use a timeout the Heat did not have in the final seconds, sending the Pistons to the free-throw line for the win .
Ball🫶🏻🥹
A young Wolf in Minnesota links with Jaden McDaniels. Amazing moment.
that feeling when you meet Jaden McDaniels 🥹 pic.twitter.com/ZpfM317NTw
— Minnesota Timberwolves (@Timberwolves) December 16, 2024