Damian Lillard dazzled spectators with an epic efficiency, scoring a season-high 60 factors, together with 9 3-pointers, which powered the Portland Trail Blazers to an exhilarating 134-124 victory over the Utah Jazz on Wednesday night time.
Lillard tied for second-most within the NBA this season. Donovan Mitchell had 71 in an extra time recreation for Cleveland in opposition to Chicago on Jan. 3, and Luka Doncic scored 60 in Dallas’ OT victory over New York on Dec. 27.
Jerami Grant added 19 factors to assist Portland win its second straight recreation.
Lauri Markkanen led the Jazz with 24 factors. He had a layup adopted by a tip shot with 5:20 left that bought Utah to 115-108.
When Lillard got here to the free-throw line late within the recreation, the house crowd stood and chanted “MVP! “MVP!” Lillard missed a soar shot with 29.1 seconds left that might have topped his profession finest 61. Lillard has 4 profession video games of 60 factors or extra. He’s reached 61 twice.
76ers 137, Nets 133
James Harden hit two 3-pointers and had a driving layup within the ultimate 4 minutes in opposition to his former Brooklyn teammates and Philadelphia stretched its profitable streak to 6 video games.
Tyrese Maxey led the 76ers with 27 factors, and Joel Embiid had 26. Harden added 23, and Philadelphia was 35 of 36 from the foul line.
Seth Curry had a season-high 32 factors for Brooklyn. Kyrie Irving had 30 for the Nets, who’ve misplaced 5 of the final seven video games with out Kevin Durant.
The recreation was the primary regular-season matchup between Embiid and former teammate Ben Simmons since a February 2022 commerce that despatched Simmons to Brooklyn for Harden. Simmons missed the remainder of the 2022 season with varied accidents, then Embiid was injured and missed the Sixers’ win in Simmons’ Philadelphia return Nov. 22.
Warriors 122, Grizzlies 120
Jordan Poole scored the profitable layup with a second remaining to cap a loopy, back-and-forth ultimate minute, and Golden State fought again to beat Memphis.
Brandon Clarke had a tying dunk with 6.3 seconds left for Memphis on a go from Ja Morant after Klay Thompson’s 3-pointer with 14.6 remaining put the Warriors forward. Thompson then missed a rushed baseline jumper with 5 seconds to play, however Golden State bought the ball out of bounds.
Stephen Curry outdueled Morant and scored 34 factors earlier than being ejected with 1:14 remaining in one other thrilling recreation between the rivals who performed final 12 months within the Western Conference semifinals received by the Warriors in 5 video games.
Morant wound up with 29 factors and 12 assists after lacking a recreation with an ankle damage. He transformed a pair of free throws with 26.6 seconds left to place Memphis forward earlier than Thompson’s huge 3.
Curry hit a tying jumper with 2:18 left and made three free throws on the 1:55 mark. He drew the ejection for throwing his mouthpiece into the seats.
Lakers 113, Spurs 104
Anthony Davis scored 21 factors in his return from a proper foot damage, LeBron James added 20 and Los Angeles bounced again from loss to the Clippers on Tuesday night time to beat San Antonio.
Davis, who missed 20 video games because of a stress damage suffered in the course of the first half of a Dec. 16 recreation at Denver, got here in with 4:22 remaining within the first quarter. He was 7 of 15 from the sphere and in addition had 12 rebounds in 26 minutes.
Patrick Beverley scored a season-high 18 factors and Rui Hachimura added 12 in his Lakers debut. Keldon Johnson had 25 factors for San Antonio.
Bucks 107, Nuggets 99
Giannis Antetokounmpo had 33 factors and 14 rebounds to assist Milwaukee beat defeated short-handed Denver.
The Western Conference-leading Nuggets have been lacking 4 typical starters in two-time reigning MVP Nikola Jokic (left hamstring tightness), Jamal Murray (left knee/damage administration), Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (sprained proper wrist) and Michael Porter Jr. (private causes).
Jokic returned Tuesday night time after lacking two video games and had his fourth straight triple-double in a 99-98 victory at New Orleans. But he rested the hamstring Wednesday quite than enjoying on back-to-back nights.
Aaron Gordon had 26 factors and 13 rebounds for the Nuggets.
Timberwolves 111, Pelicans 102
Anthony Edwards scored 37 factors, Rudy Gobert had 17 factors and 12 rebounds in his return from a groin damage, and Minnesota spoiled New Orleans star Brandon Ingram’s return from a two-month absence.
Ingram, who had not performed since Nov. 25 and had missed 29 video games with a left toe damage, scored 13 factors however struggled together with his shot, lacking 14 of 18, together with all six makes an attempt from deep.
CJ McCollum scored 25 factors, and Jonas Valanciunas added 15 factors and 12 rebounds for the Pelicans. They misplaced their sixth straight and dropped their ninth within the 12 video games missed by star energy ahead Zion Williamson (proper hamstring).
Raptors 113, Kings 95
Pascal Siakam had 26 factors and 11 rebounds in Toronto’s victory over Pacific Division-leading Sacramento,
Fred VanVleet scored 17 factors for the Raptors, who had misplaced 4 of their final six.
Kevin Huerter scored 21 factors to steer the Kings. They entered the sport with seven wins of their final eight video games.
Wizards 108, Rockets 103
Kyle Kuzma scored 20 of his 33 factors within the fourth quarter to assist Washington rally previous Houston.
The Wizards trailed by 19 factors and have been down by 10 to open the fourth quarter.
Houston’s Alperen Şengün had 21 factors, 11 rebounds and 10 assists for his second profession triple-double.
Hawks 137, Thunder 132
Trae Young had 33 factors and 11 assists in Atlanta’s victory over Oklahoma City.
Dejounte Murray scored 21 factors and Bogdan Bogdanovic added 20.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 36 factors for Oklahoma City.
Magic 126, Pacers 120
Paolo Banchero scored 23 factors, Garry Harris made all six of his 3-pointers and added 22 factors and Orlando held Indiana.
Orlando made 15 of 28 makes an attempt from 3-point vary and shot 56% general.
Bennedict Mathurin had 26 factors for Indiana for the second straight recreation. Myles Turner added 22 factors and 13 rebounds.
