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NBA Rumors & Tidbits: Clippers, Tyrese Haliburton and Dunk of the Year Candidate, Plus More

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The NBA kicked off its 12-game slate on December 2 in the afternoon as the Los Angeles Clippers (9-11) picked up a 113-112 come-from-behind victory over the Golden State Warriors (9-11) as Paul George knocked down the game-winning 3-pointer with 8.9 seconds to go.

NBA Tidbits: Clippers, Ben Simmons, Tyrese Haliburton and Dunk of the Year Candidate, Plus More

George scored a game-high 25 points, on 8 of 17 shooting from the field, including 4 of 8 from the 3-point line. George also grabbed six rebounds and doled out six assists while finishing with a +5 plus/minus. Kawhi Leonard and James Harden also reached the 20-point mark as well.

Leonard has tallied 20 points and seven rebounds in four straight games.

With the victory, the Clippers avenged their six point (120-114) home loss to the Warriors on Thursday. It was also the Clips’ sixth dub in their last nine contests.

Golden State has now lost eight of 11 games. The Warriors were without Chris Paul, Andrew Wiggins, and Gary Payton II. Paul and Wiggins have missed the last two games.

But Stephen Curry posted his second double-double of the season (22 points and a season-high 11 assists) led the way for the Warriors. Meanwhile, Draymond Green and Moses Moody posted season-highs in points with 21 points a piece.

Addiionally, Jonathan Kuminga threw down a dunk that could be one of the best of the year.

Minnesota Big Men Dominate Charlotte

The Minnesota Timberwolves improved their NBA Western Conference best record to 15-4 with a 123-117 victory over the Charlotte Hornets (6-12) as their three big men combined for 77 points and 22 rebounds. The Wolves have won 14 of 16 games.

Karl-Anthony Towns  led the way with 28 points, seven rebounds and five assists, marking his sixth straight game of reaching double-figures and grabbing at least seven boards.

Rudy Gobert tallied a season-high 26 points and added 12 boards and three blocks. Gobert has registered a double-double and three swats in the last three games. Naz Reid added 23 points, while Mike Conley recorded his second double-double of the campaign with 14 points and 10 dimes.  The Timberwolves were without Anthony Edwards (hip) and Jaden McDaniels, who is expected to be re-evaluated soon.

Brooklyn Nets End Orlando Magic’s 9-Game Winning Streak

Mikal Bridges tossed in 42 points to lead the Brooklyn Nets (10-9) to a 129-101 victory over the Orlando Magic, who saw their nine-game winning streak snapped. Bridges, who scored 34 points in the opening half, was highly efficient as he was 12 of 20 from the field and 15 of 18 from the free throw line.

Spencer Dinwiddie added 22 points, Cam Thomas had 20 points, and Dennis Smith Jr. recorded a double-double (10 points, 11 boards). Thomas has tallied 46 points in his two games since returning from injury.

Dorian Finney-Smith (illness) and Lonnie Walker IV (hamstring) sat out the game. Meanwhile, Royce O’Neale returned after one game absence as he posted three points, six rebounds, and seven assists in 26 minutes.

Orlando Magic forward Paolo Banchero turned in his first double-double in consecutive games with 19 points and 10 rebounds. Banchero also dished out eight assists to give him 15 dimes over the last two contests. Franz Wagner and Cole Anthony led the way with 20 points. Wagner has now tallied 20 points in four straight games while hauling six boards in five consecutive contests.

Los Angeles Lakers

The Los Angeles Lakers are getting healthier. Jarred Vanderbilt made his season debut, and Cam Reddish and Rui Hachimura were also available for the Lakers 107-97 victory over Houston. Hachimura did not play, receiving a DNP- coach’s decision.

Gabe Vincent remains out due to a left knee effusion. However, coach Darvin Ham told The Athletic’s Jovan Buha that Vincent is getting closer to returning.

Indiana Pacers

The Indiana Pacers, the league’s highest-scoring team, shot 66% from the field in their 144-129 victory over the Miami Heat. It was the Pacers’ second-highest shooting percentage in a game and the highest percentage ever against the Heat. Bruce Brown led the way for the Pacers without Tyrese Haliburton with a season-high 30 points. Haliburton is dealing with a knee injury and is considered questionable for Monday’s In-season quarterfinal clash against Boston.

Six Pacers scored in double-figures, including T.J. McConnell, who recorded his first double-double of the campaign. Indiana has scored 130 or more points nine times this season.

Other Tidbits

Bojan Bogdanovic (22 points) made his season debut for Detroit, but the Pistons still lost 17 straight games as they fell to the Cleveland Cavaliers 110-101 on Saturday. The Cavaliers were without Caris LeVert, who missed the game with a knee injury.

Chicago (7-14) won consecutive games for the first time this season with its 124-118 victory over New Orleans as Coby White tallied a season-high 31 points. DeMar DeRozan recorded his first double-double with 24 points and 10 assists. CJ McCollum sat out for rest reasons, though the Pelicans did have Zion Williamson in back-to-back games for the first time this season.

Giannis Antetotkounmpo posted his first double-double of the season with 32 points, 11 rebounds, and 10 assists as the Milwaukee Bucks improved to 9-1 at home with a 132-121 victory over the Atlanta Hawks. Pat Connaughton missed his second consecutive game due to an ankle injury and is questionable for the Bucks’ In-Season Quarterfinal contest against the Knicks on Tuesday. Andre Jackson Jr. also sat out the game with back spasms.

One day after missing his first game of the season for the birth of his daughter, Luka Doncic picked up his third triple-double of the campaign in a (126-120)loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder. Doncic had 36 points, 15 assists, and 16 rebounds to lead the way for the Mavs, who went on a 30-0 scoring run in the fourth quarter. The Mavericks (11-8) have lost two straight for the second time this season.

 

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