NBA roundup: Kevin Durant hits 31K career points in Rockets' win
Sat Dec 6 12:45am ET
Field Level Media
Amen Thompson and Kevin Durant combined for 59 points to pace a blistering shooting effort as the Houston Rockets rolled to a 117-98 victory over the visiting Phoenix Suns on Friday.
Durant scored 17 of his 28 points in the second quarter to turn the tide, and he became the eighth player in NBA history to eclipse 31,000 career points. He added eight assists.
Thompson scored a season-high 31 points on 12-for-17 shooting from the field. The Rockets excelled despite the absence of Alperen Sengun (illness), hitting 59.2% of their field-goal attempts.
Dillon Brooks paced the Suns with 23 points while Jamaree Bouyea scored a career-high 18. Phoenix, playing without leading scorer Devin Booker (groin), shot 5-for-36 (13.9%) on 3-point attempts.
Thunder 132, Mavericks 111
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 33 points in three quarters, helping Oklahoma City to a home win over Dallas.
The Thunder have won 14 consecutive games and 22 of their first 23 to start the season. Gilgeous-Alexander shot 10 of 12 from the field while adding six assists and five rebounds. The reigning Most Valuable Player scored 16 of his points in the third quarter when Oklahoma City put the game away.
The Mavericks' three-game winning streak was snapped. Jaden Hardy led Dallas with 23 points off the bench, including 12 in the third quarter.
Nuggets 134, Hawks 133
Nikola Jokic totaled 40 points, nine rebounds and eight assists, helping visiting Denver rally for a win over Atlanta. Jamal Murray added 23 points and 12 assists for Denver, which trailed by as many as 23 en route to its ninth straight road win.
Atlanta's Jalen Johnson became the fifth player in the play-by-play era (since 1997-98) to record a first-half triple-double. After having 11 points, 10 rebounds and 12 assists before the break, he finished with 21, 18 and 16, respectively.
Nickeil Alexander-Walker scored 30 points while Kristaps Porzingis contributed 25 as the Hawks dropped their third straight game. At the end, Alexander-Walker then had his 3-point attempt blocked by Murray, and he settled for a layup with 2.2 seconds remaining. Denver inbounded the ball and ran out the clock.
Celtics 126, Lakers 105
Jaylen Brown had 30 points, eight rebounds and eight assists to help Boston stretch its winning streak to four games by beating visiting Los Angeles.
The Celtics received 19 points from Derrick White, 17 from Jordan Walsh and 15 from Payton Pritchard. Walsh has made 18 of his 19 shots from the floor over the past three games.
The Lakers played without Luka Doncic (personal), LeBron James (sciatica and foot) and Marcus Smart (lumbar). Austin Reaves had a 36-point performance for Los Angeles, and Gabe Vincent tossed in 18.
Cavaliers 130, Spurs 117
Donovan Mitchell scored 28 points and Jaylon Tyson tallied 16 of his 24 points in the second half as Cleveland used a big third-quarter run to beat visiting San Antonio.
Tyson scored 11 points during a 31-7 run in the third that gave the Cavaliers the lead for good at 98-81. Evan Mobley had 17 points, 10 rebounds and five assists for Cleveland, which had lost two straight at home.
Devin Vassell finished with 28 points while De'Aaron Fox had 25 points and nine assists for San Antonio. The Spurs fell to 4-3 on their trip through nine cities in 18 days.
Pistons 122, Trail Blazers 116
Cade Cunningham scored 29 points and dished out nine assists as host Detroit held off Portland.
Jalen Duren contributed 18 points and eight rebounds and Ron Holland II had 17 points off the Pistons' bench. Ausar Thompson supplied 15 points as Detroit won for the third time in four games.
Deni Avdija led the Trail Blazers with 35 points, nine rebounds and seven assists. Jerami Grant fired in 29 points and Shaedon Sharpe had 28. There were 64 fouls called and 83 free throws attempted in the contest.
Knicks 146, Jazz 112
Jalen Brunson scored 33 points in three quarters for host New York, which rode its biggest game-opening run on record to a rout of visiting Utah.
The Knicks raced out to a 23-0 lead, their longest game-opening run since at least 1996-97, when the NBA began tracking play-by-play data. New York led by at least 19 thereafter as it completed a second straight wire-to-wire win. Miles McBride scored 22 points off the bench and was 7-of-10 from 3-point range.
Lauri Markkanen and Keyonte George had 18 points apiece before sitting out the fourth for the Jazz, whose two-game winning streak was snapped. Ace Bailey and Isaiah Collier each put up 13 points.
Magic 106, Heat 105
Franz Wagner scored 32 points as host Orlando held off a late Miami surge to record a win.
The Heat, down by 10 points in the fourth quarter, got within a point on back-to-back inside buckets by Norman Powell. On an inbounds play in the last second, the Magic's tight defense forced a contested 3-point heave from Bam Adebayo that came nowhere close.
Orlando's Paolo Banchero made his return to the lineup from a groin strain that cost him 10 games, and he scored nine points in 20 minutes. Powell paced the Heat with 28 points, and Adebayo registered 24 points and 15 rebounds.
Hornets 111, Raptors 86
Rookie Kon Knueppel had 21 points and seven assists as visiting Charlotte defeated Toronto.
Tidjane Salaun added a career-best 21 points -- 13 in the fourth quarter -- and Miles Bridges had 15 points and nine rebounds for the Hornets. LaMelo Ball added 11 points before leaving with left ankle soreness during the third quarter.
Immanuel Quickley scored 31 points for the Raptors, who have lost four of five. Scottie Barnes added 13 points as Toronto showed signs of carryover from a loss on a buzzer-beater against the Lakers on Thursday.
Pacers 120, Bulls 105
Pascal Siakam produced 36 points and 10 rebounds and Bennedict Mathurin added 28 points to lift visiting Indiana to a victory against scuffling Chicago.
The Pacers stopped a two-game slide while sending the Bulls to their season-high sixth straight defeat. Andrew Nembhard (15 points), Jay Huff (11) and Ethan Thompson (11) also scored in double figures for the Pacers.
Coby White led Chicago with 22 points and Matas Buzelis posted 19 points and 12 rebounds. The Bulls, who have lost 12 of 15, shot 44.2% compared to 53.6% for the Pacers.
76ers 116, Bucks 101
Quentin Grimes scored 22 points and Paul George added 20 to lead visiting Philadelphia to a win over Milwaukee.
It was an atypical scoring night for Philadelphia, with Tyrese Maxey managing just 12 points and the bench unit contributing 61. Maxey's previous season low in scoring was 20.
Bobby Portis led Milwaukee with 22 points on 9-of-16 shooting. Kevin Porter Jr. added 20 points, nine assists and seven rebounds, and Myles Turner put up 19.
Grizzlies 107, Clippers 98
Rookie Cedric Coward had 23 points and 14 rebounds, logging four points and a steal in the closing 2:17, while leading Memphis to a victory over visiting Los Angeles.
Jaylen Wells and Cam Spencer added 17 points apiece for the Grizzlies, who won for the sixth time in eight games. Jaren Jackson Jr., who was held to two points in the first half, finished with 13.
Kawhi Leonard led the Clippers with 24 points, eight rebounds and four assists. James Harden had 18 points and seven assists as Los Angeles lost for the ninth time in 11 games.
- NBA roundup: Kevin Durant hits 31K career points in Rockets' win
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- Clippers waive F Jahmyl Telfort as roster adjustments continue
- Lakers' Luka Doncic (personal) out vs. Raptors
- Bucks F Giannis Antetokounmpo (calf) out 2-4 weeks
- NBA roundup: Jamal Murray nets 52 as Nuggets extend road win streak
- Bucks' Giannis Antetokounmpo out for game with right calf strain
- Suns' Devin Booker (groin) will miss at least 1 week
- Giannis Antetokounmpo, Bucks discussing future
- Warriors G De’Anthony Melton (knee) set to return vs. 76ers
- NBA fines 76ers for violating rules leading up to Joel Embiid's return
- Ex-NBA champ, Clemson star Elden Campbell dies
- Clippers release G Chris Paul in late-night move
- NBA roundup: Jaylen Brown (42), Celtics hold off Knicks
- Pelicans F Zion Williamson questionable vs. Timberwolves
- Longtime NBA F Danilo Gallinari, 37, announces retirement
- Nuggets G Jamal Murray sprains ankle in loss to Mavs
- NBA roundup: Devin Booker gets hurt, but Suns end Lakers' win streak
Washington Wizards forward Khris Middleton (knee) is questionable for Saturday's matchup with Atlanta, continuing a stretch where his availability and production have been hard for managers to rely on. The veteran has bounced in and out of the lineup, and his recent line of 16 points, three rebounds, and four assists underscores a solid but low-ceiling role when active. If he sits, Justin Champagnie, rookie Will Riley, and Cam Whitmore (illness) should absorb extra wing minutes, with Champagnie's rebounding and Whitmore's scoring making them deeper-league streamers rather than standard-league priorities.
Golden State Warriors guard De'Anthony Melton (knee) is questionable for Saturday's game in Cleveland after logging 21 minutes in his season debut Thursday. Melton produced 14 points, three assists, two steals, and one block on 45.5 percent shooting, but the team is expected to manage his workload, especially on back-to-backs. That creates volatility for fantasy managers. It also opens small windows for Will Richard, who posted five points and two steals in 20 minutes, and for Gary Payton II, but both remain fringe streaming plays rather than priority adds.
Golden State Warriors forward/center Draymond Green (foot) is questionable for Saturday's game in Cleveland after exiting Thursday's loss early and playing only nine minutes. Green had been productive before the setback, averaging 10.0 points, 7.6 rebounds, and 5.8 assists across his last five full outings, with at least six assists and nine rebounds in three of those games. If he cannot go, Quinten Post becomes the preferred streaming option after posting 10 points, three rebounds, and four assists in 25 minutes, while Trayce Jackson-Davis remains a deeper-league contingency play.
Golden State Warriors guard/forward Jimmy Butler III (knee) is questionable for Saturday's matchup in Cleveland after missing Thursday with left knee soreness. Butler delivered at least 20 points in four of his past five full outings, highlighted by a 24-point, eight-rebound, 10-assist performance in his most recent complete game, though he did log just six points in 15 minutes before exiting early against Oklahoma City. If he sits, Moses Moody becomes the cleanest streaming option after scoring 14 points with one steal in 23 minutes, while Jonathan Kuminga and Buddy Hield gain short-term value.
Atlanta Hawks' F Jalen Johnson recorded a triple-double, finishing with 21 points, 16 assists and 18 rebounds in a 133-134 loss to the Nuggets on Friday, Dec. 5.
Denver's C Nikola Jokic scored 40 points on 13-of-26 shooting in a 134-133 win over Atlanta on Friday, Dec. 5.
Chicago Bulls guard Coby White (calf) will return to action Friday against the Indiana Pacers. According to K.C. Johnson of theChicago Sports Network, White will have a 24-minute limit in the contest. The 25-year-old has missed three games with a sore left calf. His season debut was delayed by a right calf injury, and White's calf problems must be a major concern for the Bulls. On Friday, White will replace Ayo Dosunmu (thumb) in the rotation.
Chicago Bulls forward Patrick Williams (wrist) and guard/forward Dalen Terry (calf) will be active against the Indiana Pacers on Friday. Both players were initially listed as probable for the game. Having the two available is great news for an injury-hit Bulls squad. However, fantasy managers should not expect Williams and Terry to make much noise. Williams has been limited to 7.3 points and 3.2 rebounds in 20.7 minutes this season. Meanwhile, Terry has averaged fewer than 10 minutes per game, posting 2.6 points and 1.6 rebounds.
Chicago Bulls guard/forward Ayo Dosunmu (thumb) will miss his third game of the season on Friday versus the Indiana Pacers. He has been ruled out with a right thumb sprain. Dosunmu has logged 35-plus minutes in each of the last three games, so his exit from the lineup opens up a lot of playing time for other players. Dalen Terry (calf), Jevon Carter, and the returning Coby White (calf) should soak up most of the minutes. White is by far the best fantasy option of the trio, but he will be limited to 24 minutes on Friday.
Portland Trail Blazers center Donovan Clingan (leg) will miss Friday's action against the Detroit Pistons. He has been downgraded from questionable to out. Meanwhile, the Trail Blazers will have Robert Williams III (knee) back in the mix on Friday, helping to compensate for the absence of Clingan. Williams III will start the contest, with Duop Reath providing backup at the center position. Kris Murray (hip) may also pick up some of the available minutes in his return from a one-game absence.
Chicago Bulls center Zach Collins (wrist) is available to make his season debut on Friday against the Indiana Pacers. He has been on the shelf with a wrist injury. Collins will reportedly be limited to 20 minutes on Friday night. A season ago, Collins averaged 15.3 minutes a night, posting 6.4 points and 4.5 rebounds. He will only have significant fantasy value if Nikola Vucevic is out of the lineup, and that won't be the case against Indiana.
Cleveland Cavaliers forward/center Evan Mobley (illness) is good to go for Friday's matchup against the San Antonio Spurs. Mobley told Chris Fedor of The Cleveland Plain Dealer that he will play in the contest. The talented big man was a late addition to the injury report due to illness. Since he isn't at 100 percent, Mobley might have trouble delivering his usual fantasy production on Friday.
Denver Nuggets guard/forward Spencer Jones (knee) will be active against the Atlanta Hawks on Friday. He hurt his right knee in Wednesday's victory over the Indiana Pacers and was initially listed as questionable for Friday's game. Jones has played a significant role in the rotation since Aaron Gordon's (hamstring) exit from the lineup. He has averaged 9.2 points and 4.5 rebounds in 24.1 minutes over the last six games, playing regularly as a starter.
Atlanta Hawks forward/center Kristaps Porzingis (illness) will return to the lineup on Friday against the Denver Nuggets. He has missed four games due to illness. The Latvian big man will come off the bench in Friday's contest. Even as a member of the second unit, Porzingis could still do plenty of damage, especially against a Nuggets team that allows the second-most bench points in the league. Porzingis is averaging 18.7 points, 5.9 rebounds, 3.3 assists, and 1.6 blocks in just 26.3 minutes per game this season.
New York Knicks forward OG Anunoby (hamstring) will return from a nine-game absence on Friday against the Utah Jazz, Stefan Bondy of The New York Post reports. He has been named a starter for the matchup. The Knicks initially listed Anunoby as questionable for the game. He has missed a couple of weeks with a hamstring strain, so it would be surprising if Anunoby played big minutes right off the bat. As a result of Anunoby's return, Miles McBride will drop to the bench. He will probably still have a significant role in the rotation, but coming off the bench will make it more difficult for McBride to make a fantasy impact.
Charlotte Hornets center Ryan Kalkbrenner (ankle) will suit up for Friday's clash against the Toronto Raptors. He injured his left ankle in Wednesday's loss to the New York Knicks, but Charlotte has upgraded Kalkbrenner's status from questionable to available. Kalkbrenner has averaged 7.5 points, 8.0 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks across two prior meetings with the Raptors this season. It's a tough matchup for the rookie big man against Austrian veteran Jakob Poeltl.
Charlotte Hornets guard Tre Mann (ankle) has been ruled out for Friday's meeting with the Toronto Raptors. He is struggling to overcome a knee problem, missing a third consecutive game. Mann's absence opens up minutes for players like Liam McNeeley and KJ Simpson. However, neither player has had a significant role in the rotation, and fantasy managers should ignore them. Mann's next chance to return will be on Sunday against the Denver Nuggets.
Charlotte Hornets guard/forward Brandon Miller (shoulder) has been cleared to play on Friday versus the Toronto Raptors. He has missed two games due to a left shoulder problem. It has been an issue for Miller all season, limiting him to six appearances. He is averaging a career-low 17.0 points in 25.0 minutes. Miller may also have trouble scoring on Friday night, as he will go up against the eighth-most efficient defense in the league.
Charlotte Hornets point guard LaMelo Ball (wrist) will play in Friday's contest against the Toronto Raptors. The team has upgraded his status from probable to available. Ball will make his sixth consecutive appearance and is fresh off his second-highest scoring game of the season. In Wednesday's 119-104 loss to the New York Knicks, Ball posted 34 points with 5-for-13 three-point shooting. Toronto has shown top-10 defensive numbers against point guards this season, making it challenging for Ball to replicate this performance on Friday night.
Houston Rockets center Alperen Sengun (illness) has been ruled out for Friday's contest against the Phoenix Suns, ESPN's Michael C. Wright reports. The Turkish big man landed on the injury report late with an illness and doesn't feel well enough to play. Instead, Steven Adams will start at center. Adams has previously averaged 6.5 points and 10.5 rebounds in 28.3 minutes as a starter this season. He faces a mediocre matchup on Friday against a Suns team that ranks 12th in rebounding rate.
