Reports, box score, and NBA full game highlights from the games that were played last night, Wednesday, Dec 23. Highlights from Boston Celtics, Phoenix Suns, Sacramento Kings, Philadelphia 76ers, New Orleans Pelicans, San Antonio Spurs, and Minnesota Timberwolves victories on the night.
CELTICS 122, BUCKS 121 [FULL GAME HIGHLIGHTS]
Boston grabbed a dramatic victory at home over the Milwaukee Bucks after Jayson Tatum banked home a late 3-pointer and Giannis Antetokounmpo missed the potential game-tying free throw with the last play of the game.
With the Celtics trailing 120-119 and looking for a hero, Tatum collected a pass with 8.9 seconds left from a sideline inbound play resumption before dribbling the clock and put up a high 3-point shot over Antetokounmpo that banked in off the glass and went down with 0.4 seconds left.
Antetokounmpo was presented with the chance to send the game into overtime after he was fouled as the clock ticked down to zero.
However, after making the first attempt, the two-time reigning MVP missed the second try which earned Boston the victory at TD Garden.
Jaylen Brown had 33 points to lead Boston, while Tatum ended with 30 points and seven rebounds. Newcomer Jeff Teague scored 19 points off the bench.
Antetokounmpo led Milwaukee with 35 points – 17 coming in the fourth quarter – to go with 13 rebounds. Khris Middleton had 27 points and 14 rebounds and new recruit Jrue Holiday scored 25 points for the Bucks.
76ERS 113, WIZARDS 107 [FULL GAME HIGHLIGHTS]
PHILADELPHIA — Joel Embiid had a double-double with 29 points and 14 rebounds and made the go-ahead basket with 1:09 left as the Philadelphia 76ers beat the Washington Wizards 113-107.
Russell Westbrook starred in a losing effort for Washington with a triple-double of 21 points, 15 assists, and 11 rebounds on his debut.
Shake Milton scored 19 points off the bench and Ben Simmons had 16 points, nine rebounds, seven assists, three blocks, and two steals for the Sixers, handing coach Doc Rivers a debut victory.
Bradley Beal shot 11 for 22 to lead the Wizards with 31 points and four steals and Davis Bertans finished with 14 points.
SUNS 106, MAVERICKS 102 [FULL GAME HIGHLIGHTS]
PHOENIX — Devin Booker scored 22 points with five rebounds, Mikal Bridges added 18 points and seven boards, while Cameron Johnson scored 15 points off the bench to help the Phoenix Suns beat the Dallas Mavericks 106-102.
Deandre Ayton grabbed 13 points and eight rebounds, while Cameron Payne and Langston Galloway each scored 11 points off the bench for Phoenix.
Luka Doncic recovered from some early game shooting rust in the first half, where he shot just 5 for 15 from the field, to finish with 32 points on 11 for 26 at the end of the game in leading Dallas. He also had eight rebounds and five assists.
Josh Richardson added 12 points and seven boards, while Tim Hardaway Jr. and Jalen Brunson each scored 12 points for the Mavericks. Dorian Finney-Smith chipped in with 11 points and eight rebounds in the defeat.
KINGS 124, NUGGETS 122, OT [FULL GAME HIGHLIGHTS]
DENVER — Three players scored over 20 points to help the exciting Sacramento Kings defeated the Denver Nuggets 124-122 in overtime.
Talented guard Buddy Hield tipped home a Harrison Barnes miss as time expired to gift Sacramento the win in Denver. Hield scored 22 points, Barnes added 21 points, nine rebounds, five assists, and two steals and De’Aaron Fox added 21 points for the Kings.
Talented big man Nikola Jokic opened his 2020-21 NBA season with a triple-double with 29 points, 15 rebounds and 14 assists for Denver. He also had three blocks and committed six turnovers.
Michael Porter Jr. scored 24 points five rebounds, three blocks, and two steals for the Nuggets with veteran forward Paul Millsap scoring 16 points and seven rebounds and Will Barton ending with 16 points in the defeat.
Leading guard Jamal Murray, however, was held to just nine points on 1-for-9 shooting before fouling out late in regulation.
TIMBERWOLVES 111, PISTONS 101 [FULL GAME HIGHLIGHTS]
MINNEAPOLIS — Malik Beasley scored 23 points and Karl-Anthony Towns recorded a double-double with 22 points and 11 rebounds to go with seven assists as the Minnesota Timberwolves moved past the Detroit Pistons 111-101.
D’Angelo Russell supported with 18 points, and first overall pick in the NBA draft last month, Anthony Edwards added 15 points four rebounds and four assists in his Timberwolves debut. Josh Okogie had 12 points, while Jarrett Culver finished with 10 points and 10 rebounds for Minnesota.
Josh Jackson had 19 points and six rebounds for Detroit, Blake Griffin finished with 15 points and seven rebounds and Derrick Rose had 15 points and six assists off the bench.
The Pistons also collected 14 points, eight rebounds and six assists from Mason Plumlee in the loss.
PELICANS 113, RAPTORS 99 [FULL GAME HIGHLIGHTS]
TAMPA, Fla. — Brandon Ingram had 24 points on 11 of 19 shooting with 11 assists, nine rebounds, and three steals and the New Orleans Pelicans downed the Toronto Raptors 113-99.
J.J. Redick scored 23 points and converted a four-point play with a little over a minute remaining in leading the support off the bench.
With the Pelicans ahead 112-97 with 1:16 left in the game, Redick connected on a 3-pointer after being fouled by Norman Powell. The veteran guard then completed the play by making the free throw.
Eric Bledsoe scored 18 points with six assists, Lonzo Ball finished with 16 points, while Zion Williamson made 7 of 9 shots from the field to end with 15 points and 10 rebounds for New Orleans.
Pascal Siakam led the Raptors with 20 points with six rebounds and six assists. Kyle Lowry finished with 18 points and 10 assists, but Fred VanVleet was held for just nine points on 3 for 12 shooting from the field.
Complete Box Scores
Complete NBA Scores From Last Night – Wednesday, December 23
SUNS 106, MAVERICKS 102
KINGS 124, NUGGETS 122, OT
PELICANS 113, RAPTORS 99
JAZZ 120, TRAIL BLAZERS 100
MAGIC 113, HEAT 107
76ERS 113, WIZARDS 107
SPURS 131, GRIZZLIES 119
CAVALIERS 121, HORNETS 114
HAWKS 124, BULLS 104
TIMBERWOLVES 111, PISTONS 101
PACERS 121, KNICKS 107
