Lakers Get Back on Track; Heat win OT Thriller! 12/28/19

It’s another day in the NBA and we have a full slate of 14 games on the schedule tonight.

Memphis Grizzlies vs Denver Nuggets

Prediction: Denver Nuggets

The Grizzlies travel to Mile High to face the Nuggets.

The Nuggets cruised to a 119-110 win.

Nikola Jokic had 31 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists for Denver.

Jaren Jackson Jr. had 20 points for the Grizzlies.

The Grizzlies shot 49% from the field, and the Nuggets shot 31% from 3. The Nuggets forced 17 turnovers on Memphis.

The Nuggets are now 22-9 on the year, and the Grizzlies have fallen to 12-21 on the year.

Toronto Raptors vs Boston Celtics

Prediction: Toronto Raptors

The Raptors look for revenge as they travel to Boston.

The Raptors controlled this game, winning 113-97.

Kyle Lowry had 30 points and 7 assists for the Raptors.

Kemba Walker had 30 points for Boston.

The Raptors shot 52% from the field and 41% from 3. The Celtics outscored Toronto by 17 at the line, 28-11.

The Raptors are now 22-10 on the year, and the Celtics have fallen to 22-8.

Indiana Pacers vs New Orleans Pelicans

Prediction: Indiana Pacers

The Pacers travel to the Big Easy to take on the Pelicans. Malcolm Brogdon is out for Indiana.

The Pelicans dominated, winning 120-98.

Brandon Ingram had 24 points, 5 rebounds, and 7 assists for New Orleans.

Aaron Holiday had 25 points for the Pacers.

The Pelicans shot 46% from the field and 43% from 3. The Pacers outscored the Pelicans by 10 at the line, 26-16.

The Pelicans are now 10-23 on the year, and the Pacers have fallen to 21-12.

Philadelphia 76ers vs Miami Heat

Prediction: Miami Heat

The 76ers travel to South Beach to face the Heat.

This game was very close, going down to the wire, with the Heat winning 117-116 in OT. At the end of regulation, Ben Simmons had the putback layup with 0.6 seconds left to force OT. In overtime, Jimmy Butler hit 1/2 free throws, and Tobias Harris missed the 3 that would have won it.

7 players scored in double figures for the Heat, led by Jimmy Butler who had 25 points, 9 rebounds, and 9 assists.

Joel Embiid had 35 points and 11 rebounds for Philadelphia.

The 76ers shot 47% from the field, and the Heat shot 36% from 3. The two teams combined for just 17 turnovers.

The Heat are now 24-8 on the year, and the 76ers are 23-12.

Atlanta Hawks vs Chicago Bulls

Prediction: Chicago Bulls

The Hawks travel north to face the Bulls. The Hawks will be without Trae Young.

The Bulls dominated, winning 116-81.

Lauri Markkanen had 25 points for Chicago.

John Collins had 34 points and 8 rebounds for the Hawks.

The Bulls shot 49% from the field and 48% from 3. The two teams combined for 36 turnovers.

The Bulls are now 13-20 on the year, and the Hawks have fallen to 6-27.

New York Knicks vs Washington Wizards

Prediction: Washington Wizards

The Knicks go to the nation’s capitol to take on the Wizards. Bradley Beal is out for the Wizards.

The Knicks won a narrow game, 107-100.

Julius Randle had 30 points, 16 rebounds, and 6 assists for the Knicks.

Isaiah Thomas had 20 points and Jordan McRae had 20 points and 5 rebounds for Washington.

The Knicks shot 45% from the field, and the Wizard shot 40% from 3. The Wizards forced 21 turnovers on the Knicks.

The Knicks are now 9-24 on the year, and the Wizards have fallen to 9-22.

Brooklyn Nets vs Houston Rockets

Prediction: Houston Rockets

The Nets go to Texas to face James Harden and the Rockets. Clint Capela is out for Houston.

The Rockets cruised to a 108-98 win.

James Harden had 44 points, 10 rebounds, and 6 assists for Houston.

Spencer Dinwiddie had 17 points and 11 assists for the Nets.

The Rockets shot 44% from the field and 31% from 3. Both teams had 48 points in the paint.

The Rockets are now 22-10 on the year, and the Nets have fallen to 16-15.

Cleveland Cavaliers vs Minnesota Timberwolves

Prediction: Minnesota Timberwolves

The Cavs go to Minnesota to face the Timberwolves. Kevin Love is out for Cleveland.

The Cavs won a low scoring game, 94-88.

Collin Sexton had 18 points and 7 rebounds and Darius Garland had 18 points for the Cavaliers.

Jeff Teague had 18 points for Minnesota.

The Cavs shot 42% from the field, and the Timberwolves shot 22% from 3. The Cavs outscored the T-Wolves by 12 at the line, 26-14.

The Cavs are now 10-22 on the year, and the Timberwolves have fallen to 11-20.

Orlando Magic vs Milwaukee Bucks

Prediction: Orlando Magic

The Magic go to Milwaukee to face the Bucks, but the Bucks will be without MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo.

Even without the MVP, the Bucks won 111-100.

Khris Middleton had 21 points, 5 rebounds, and 7 assists for Milwaukee.

Evan Fournier had 23 points for the Magic.

The Bucks shot 51% from the field, and the Magic shot 40% from 3. The Magic forced the Bucks into 22 turnovers.

The Bucks are now 29-5 on the year, and the Magic have fallen to 14-18.

Detroit Pistons vs San Antonio Spurs

Prediction: San Antonio Spurs

The Pistons travel Texas to face off with the Spurs.

The Spurs dominated, winning 136-109.

DeMar DeRozan had 29 points, 5 rebounds, and 8 assists for the Spurs.

Derrick Rose had 24 points for Detroit.

The Spurs shot 57% from the field and 51% from 3. The Pistons had 17 points at the line, and the Spurs had 12.

The Spurs are now 13-18 on the year, and the Pistons have fallen to 12-21.

Dallas Mavericks vs Golden State Warriors

Prediction: Dallas Mavericks

The Mavericks go to the Bay Area to face off with the Warriors.

The Mavericks won a high scoring game, 141-121.

Luka Doncic had 31 points, 12 rebounds, and 15 assists for Dallas.

D’Angelo Russell had 35 points and 6 assists for the Warriors.

The Mavs shot 52% from the field and 47% from 3. The Mavericks made 21 free throws, and the Warriors made 13.

The Mavericks are now 21-10 on the year, and the Warriors have fallen to 9-25 on the year.

Phoenix Suns vs Sacramento Kings

Prediction: Phoenix Suns

The struggling Suns go to Sacramento to battle the Kings. Marvin Bagley and De’Aaron Fox are not playing for Sacramento.

The Suns won a close game, 112-110.

Devin Booker had 32 points and 10 assists for the Suns.

Buddy Hield had 23 points and 5 rebounds for Sacramento.

The Suns shot 52% from the field, and the Kings shot 39% from 3. The Kings had 52 points in the paint, and the Kings had 46.

The Suns are now 12-20 on the year, and the Kings have fallen to 12-20 as well.

LA Lakers vs Portland Trail Blazers

Prediction: Portland Trail Blazers

LA looks to get back on track as they travel to Portland.

The Lakers won a high scoring game, 128-120.

Kyle Kuzma had 24 points for LA.

Damian Lillard had 31 points and 9 assists for the Blazers.

The Lakers shot 52% from the field, and the Blazers shot 43% from 3. The Lakers forced Portland into 16 turnovers.

The Lakers are now 25-7 on the year, and the Blazers have fallen to 14-19.

Utah Jazz vs LA Clippers

Prediction: Utah Jazz

The Jazz go to Staples Center to face off with the Clippers.

The Jazz outscored the Clippers by 12 in the 4th quarter, and they won 120-107.

Donovan Mitchell had 30 points, 7 rebounds, and 9 assists for the Jazz.

Paul George had 20 points and 10 rebounds for LA.

The Jazz shot 52% from the field and 49% from 3. The Clippers outscored the Jazz by 12 at the line, 25-13.

The Jazz are now 20-12 on the year, and the Clippers have fallen to 23-11.

Predictions: 10-4

I hope you have enjoyed this edition of the NBA in December, please comment on how your team is doing so far, and enjoy the rest of the holiday season!