The Los Angeles Lakers, propelled by an outstanding 37-point performance from superstar LeBron James, successfully held off the Houston Rockets, securing a narrow 105-104 victory.
In the final moments, Austin Reaves, assisted by James, sank a three-pointer, providing the Lakers with a 103-100 lead and only 24.2 seconds left on the clock. Despite this, Alperen Sengun’s layup tied the game at 104-104 with a mere four seconds remaining.
NBA RECAP: Lakers VS Rockets | Nov 19
— Sports Zone X (@sportszonex) November 20, 2023
| 2023 #nbahighlightstoday #nbahighlights #lebronjames #fypviraltwitter #fypシviral #fyp pic.twitter.com/WqFe2QZQ2P
Drawing a foul under the rim, James converted one of two free throws, ultimately securing the crucial victory. James also contributed six rebounds and eight assists, while Anthony Davis added 27 points and 10 rebounds. Coming off the bench, Reaves made a significant impact with 17 points, proving instrumental on a night when Lakers starters Cam Reddish, Taurean Prince, and D’Angelo Russell faced offensive challenges.
On Sunday, Phoenix’s standout player, Kevin Durant, delivered a stellar performance with 39 points, securing a 140-137 victory over the Utah Jazz in a captivating NBA double-overtime contest.
Durant, who also contributed eight rebounds and 10 assists, demonstrated his exceptional skills, while Devin Booker added 26 points for the Suns. Lauri Markkanen led the Utah team with 38 points and 17 rebounds.
Kevin Durant's next game will be his 100TH game. Will totally be there❤️🔥❤️🔥 pic.twitter.com/VYjXS87HmU
— BenzeGOAT (@AiashWesam63567) November 20, 2023
In the second overtime period, Durant’s crucial eight points propelled the Suns to a 138-135 lead with 43.2 seconds left. Although Markkanen’s layup narrowed the gap to one, Booker’s successful free throws sealed the Suns’ 140-137 win with less than a second remaining. Initially deemed a foul on Durant during a failed three-point attempt, the call was overturned upon review, securing the victory for Phoenix.
Despite trailing for much of the night, Utah forced the first overtime with Markkanen’s layup in the closing moments of regulation. Despite Phoenix taking a 123-118 lead in the initial extra period, Utah rallied, and Collin Sexton’s putback layup forced a second overtime.
Durant extended his streak to 12 consecutive games with 25 or more points, establishing the longest such run in Suns history.
“I’m just trying to stay prepared on off days and before games, just trying to follow the game plan to execute as much as I can and play with a calm and free spirit,” said Durant.
CELTICS PREVAIL IN EXCITING FINISH
In a heart-stopping conclusion, the Boston Celtics clinched a narrow victory, extending their winning streak to six games with a 102-100 win over the Grizzlies in Memphis.
🏀 #NBA Game Alert!
— Sports Bot (@xSportsBot) November 20, 2023
Boston Celtics (-625) vs. Memphis Grizzlies (+458) is starting in 24 minutes.
Pregame odds have moved 6% towards Boston Celtics. 📈
Who do you think will win?
The thrilling contest, featuring 18 lead changes, reached its pinnacle as Kristaps Porzingis executed a decisive go-ahead dunk with just one minute and one second remaining. Porzingis then secured the victory by blocking Ziaire Williams’s last-second attempt at the buzzer.
At the forefront for the Celtics, Porzingis contributed 26 points, grabbed eight rebounds, and recorded six blocked shots.
JOKIC FACES CHALLENGES IN UNEXPECTED LOSS
In a different contest, the short-handed Cleveland Cavaliers caused a surprise upset by defeating the NBA champion Denver Nuggets 121-109. Frustration mounted for Nuggets star Nikola Jokic as he grappled with foul trouble, eventually concluding the game as a spectator from the bench.
Darius Garland took charge for Cleveland with 26 points, while rookie Craig Porter Jr. achieved a career-high 21 points, driving the Cavs to their third consecutive victory, all achieved without star guard Donovan Mitchell and key reserve Caris LeVert.
Jokic, a recipient of the NBA Most Valuable Player award twice, bore a substantial responsibility in the absence of his star teammate Jamal Murray, who was sidelined with a strained hamstring. He finished the game with 18 points, 10 rebounds, and seven assists.
EMBIID FALLS SHORT OF TRIPLE-DOUBLE IN DOMINANT WIN
Reigning NBA MVP Joel Embiid efficiently contributed 32 points, 12 rebounds, and nine assists in just three quarters, guiding the Philadelphia 76ers to a convincing 121-99 victory over the Nets in Brooklyn.
Tyrese Maxey added 25 points and provided 10 assists for the Sixers, who established a 61-49 halftime lead and maintained control throughout the remainder of the game.
Sixers vs. Nets takeaways: Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey are NBA’s top scoring duo; Philly is a deep team https://t.co/xKWBWZIOv0
— Philadelphia Inquirer Sports (@phillysport) November 20, 2023
With a comfortable lead secured, Embiid opted to rest for the entire fourth quarter. Despite being a mere three assists away from achieving his sixth career triple-double, he expressed nonchalance, stating, “I got told I was three assists away, but that’s not where my head was at. We just try to play the right way.”
In Toronto, the Raptors dominated with a lead of as much as 40 points, securing a 142-113 victory over the Detroit Pistons.
Setting a new franchise record, the Raptors amassed 44 assists, further adding to the woes of the Pistons, who suffered their 11th consecutive defeat.
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