Wednesday night around the NBA featured dominant road performances, historic individual efforts and a few rivalry blowouts as several contenders continued to flex their muscle while others struggled to keep pace. Here’s a look at all seven games from Jan. 21.
Cavaliers 94, Hornets 87
Donovan Mitchell scored 24 points and the Cleveland Cavaliers jumped out to a 21-point first-quarter lead before holding off Charlotte. Evan Mobley added 14 points and 14 rebounds as Cleveland clamped down defensively, limiting the Hornets to 32 first-half points. Brandon Miller led Charlotte with 24 points, but the Hornets’ late rally came up short.
Celtics 119, Pacers 104
Jaylen Brown posted 30 points and 10 rebounds as Boston opened a 23-point first-half cushion and cruised past Indiana. Sam Hauser knocked down five 3-pointers and Neemias Queta added 17 points and nine rebounds for the Celtics. Pascal Siakam had 32 points and 10 rebounds in the loss for the Pacers.
Knicks 120, Nets 66
The New York Knicks snapped a four-game losing streak in historic fashion, routing Brooklyn by 54 points in the most lopsided win in franchise history. Jalen Brunson scored 20 points and Landry Shamet went a perfect 6-for-6 from deep, finishing with 18. The Knicks led by as many as 59 and extended their winning streak over the Nets to 13 straight games.
Hawks 124, Grizzlies 122
Jalen Johnson delivered 32 points and 15 rebounds, including a clutch basket in the final minute, as Atlanta edged Memphis in a back-and-forth thriller. The game featured 21 lead changes before the Hawks sealed it late. Ja Morant finished with 23 points and 12 assists, but his buzzer-beating 3-pointer missed.
Pistons 112, Pelicans 104
Jalen Duren recorded 20 points and 15 rebounds as Detroit led wire to wire in its fourth straight win. Daniss Jenkins scored 17 and Duncan Robinson added 15 for the Eastern Conference-leading Pistons. Saddiq Bey led New Orleans with 20 points, while Zion Williamson exited early in the third quarter and did not return.
Thunder 122, Bucks 102
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander put together a historic performance with 40 points, 11 assists and seven rebounds as Oklahoma City rolled past Milwaukee despite multiple injuries. The reigning MVP shot 16-for-19 from the floor, leading the Thunder to their seventh win in eight games. Giannis Antetokounmpo had 19 points and 14 rebounds for the Bucks.
Raptors 122, Kings 109
Scottie Barnes erupted for 14 of his 23 points in the third quarter as Toronto outscored Sacramento 43-21 in the period to pull away. Brandon Ingram also scored 23 points, while Sandro Mamukelashvili added 22 points and nine rebounds. Russell Westbrook led the Kings with 23 points in the loss.
