Though there is no verifiable basis for it, zero confirmation, one of the hottest rumors out there right now is Ricky Rubio heading to the New York Knicks along with a 2021 first round pick for Marcus Morris, Frank Ntilikina and Dennis Smith, Jr. and a possible late first rounder.
This notion seems viable, but may be more wishful thinking for Knicks fans who are mired in a glut of forwards for their 9-24 team, and need a player like Rubio to come in, settle things down, and mentor players like R.J. Barrett and Kevin Knox to become the future of this franchise, which has struggled mightily for over two decades now.
Though Rubio seemed to have faded into the twilight of his career after a short stint in Utah and behind Devin Booker and Kelly Oubre, Jr. in Phoenix, look again: Booker, Oubre and Rubio combined for 73 points in the Suns’ win against the Sacramento Kings on Saturday night, and is actually averaging some career bests with 14.7 points per game, 4.7 rebounds, 9.2 assists, and shooting 45.5 percent.
Another consideration may be New Orleans’ Lonzo Ball, who broke out with a game high 27 points, 10 rebounds, eight assists and two steals to lead the New Orleans Pelicans to their fourth straight win last night against the Houston Rockets.
However, I take Rubio over Ball simply for his experienced leadership, something Ball has yet to earn.
While most of this is in the fantasy stage at this point, it would be nice to see the Suns land a player of Morris’ caliber in return for Rubio if it happens.
Thoughts?
Hit me in the comments, on Facebook or on Twitter here.
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| WESTERN CONFERENCE | EASTERN CONFERENCE |
| Los Angeles Lakers (26-7) .788 | Milwaukee Bucks (29-5) .893 |
| Denver Nuggets (23-9) .719 | Miami Heat (24-8) .750 |
| Los Angeles Clippers (23-11) .676 | Boston Celtics (22-8) .733 |
| Houston Rockets (22-11) .667 | Toronto Raptors (22-11) .667 |
| Dallas Mavericks (25-11) .656 | Philadelphia 76ers (23-12) .657 |
| Utah Jazz (20-12) .625 | Indiana Pacers (21-12) .636 |
| Oklahoma City Thunder (17-15) .531 | Brooklyn Nets (16-15) .516 |
| Portland Trailblazers (14-19) .424 | Orlando Magic (14-18) .438 |
********************
FRIDAY’S GAMES
********************
Cleveland Cavaliers 117
Boston Celtics 129
A 33-22 first quarter put all the distance the Boston Celtics needed between themselves and the visiting Cleveland Cavaliers on Friday night. It was Boston’s fifth consecutive win, and Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown both scored 30+. The Celtics are 3-0 versus Cleveland thi season.
| clevelandCAVALIERS | bostonCELTICS |
| Kevin Love 30 points – seven rebounds – four assists | Jaylen Brown 34 points – nine rebounds – two assists |
| Collin Sexton 21 points – four rebounds – two assists – one steal | Jayson Tatum 30 points- five rebounds – two assists – two blocks |
| Kevin Porter, Jr. 16 points – three rebounds – four assists | Enes Kanter 14 points – nine rebounds – three assists – two steals – two blocks |
NEXT GAMES
Cavaliers at Timberwolves – Saturday
Raptors at Celtics – Saturday
********************
Philadelphia 76ers 97
Orlando Magic 98
The Orlando Magic won their second straight game at the Philadelphia 76ers’ expense on Friday night, despite losing the fourth quarter and shooting only 60 percent from the free throw line on the night. The Magic were lucky to escape with the home win after going five for 11 from the charity stripe in the final minute and a half, including four misses in the waning seconds of the game.
| philadelphia76ERS | orlandoMAGIC |
| #VFL Tobias Harris 24 points – 11 rebounds – three assists | Evan Fournier 20 points – two rebounds – six assists – two steals |
| Joel Embiid 24 points – 11 rebounds – two assists – one block | Aaron Gordon 19 points – 11 rebounds – three assists – one block |
| #VFL Josh Richardson 15 points – three rebounds – six assists – three steals – one block | Terrence Ross 17 points – seven rebounds – one steal |
NEXT GAMES
Sixers at Heat – Saturday
Magic at Bucks – Saturday
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Oklahoma City Thunder 104
Charlotte Hornets 102 (OT)
”I kept telling Shai (Gilgeous-Alexander), ‘All right, it’s the fourth quarter and we will turn it on.’ And that’s the thing that gets your blood flowing, those fourth-quarter situations.” — Oklahoma City guard Chris Paul. Paul scored 10 points in the fourth quarter and in overtime as the Thunder’s guard corps came through once again to keep the team above .500 in the win-loss column on Friday night.
| oklahomacityTHUNDER | charlotteHORNETS |
| Shai Gilgeous-Alexander 27 points – four rebounds – one assist – two steals | Terry Rozier 26 points – four rebounds – three assists – one steal |
| Dennis Schroder 24 points – two rebounds – three assists | Devonte’ Graham 15 points – nine rebounds – 13 assists – one steal |
| Chris Paul 16 points – seven rebounds – six assists – one steal | P.J. Washington 14 points – five rebounds – one block |
NEXT GAMES
Thunder at Raptors – Sunday
Hornets at Grizzlies – Sunday
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Milwaukee Bucks 112
Atlanta Hawks 86
The Milwaukee Bucks have won the season series with the Atlanta Hawks, 3-0, with a resounding 26 point win on Friday night in a game where Thanasis Antetokuonmpo played, but brother Giannis Antetokuonmpo did not. Without the reigning MVP, the Bucks put the brakes on Trae Young, who only scored 12 points, and the Hawks in general, holding Atlanta to 40 first half points to set up the easy win.
| milwaukeeBUCKS | atlantaHAWKS |
| Khris Middleton 23 points – eight rebounds – seven assists | Allen Crabbe 20 points – four rebounds – three steals |
| Brook Lopez 19 points – two rebounds – five assists – three blocks | Kevin Huerter 12 points – three rebounds – three assists |
| Ersan Ilyasova 18 points – 17 rebounds – one block | Trae Young 12 points – two assists |
NEXT GAMES
Magic at Bucks – Saturday
Hawks at Bulls – Saturday
********************
Indiana Pacers 112
Miami Heat 113
The Miami Heat held on to the NBA’s best home record Friday night as they defeated the visiting Indiana Pacers to remain 14-1 at AmericanAirlines Arena. It wasn’t without drama, however, as both Jimmy Butler and Kendrick Nunn missed shots in the waning seconds of the game before Goran Dragic hit the game winning shot to send the Pacers with a loss in their luggage on the way to New Orleans.
| indianaPACERS | miamiHEAT |
| Aaron Holiday 17 points – three rebounds – nine assists | Jimmy Butler 20 points – nine rebounds – six assists – one steal |
| T.J. Warren 16 points – four rebounds – two assists – one steal | Bam Adebayo 18 points – 15 rebounds – six assists |
| Jeremy Lamb 16 points – four rebounds – one assist – two steals | Duncan Robinson 18 points – three rebounds – two assists |
NEXT GAMES
Pacers at Pelicans – Saturday
Sixers at Heat – Saturday
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Phoenix Suns 96
Golden State Warriors 105
Watch out – the Golden State Warriors have won four straight games. What was once common place in years past, is now welcomed and refreshing in the 2019-20 season. Maybe they weren’t tanking after all. The Warriors eclipsed the Phoenix Suns with an impressive, closeout fourth quarter where they outscored Devin Booker and the Suns, 39-18, to notch their ninth win of the season.
| phoenixSUNS | goldenstateWARRIORS |
| Devin Booker 34 points – three rebounds – four assists – two steals | D’Angelo Russell 31 points – five rebounds – six assists – one steal |
| Dario Saric 11 points – 10 rebounds – two assists | Damion Lee 16 points – eight rebounds – two assists – three steals |
| Ricky Rubio 11 points – four rebounds – four assists – one steal | Alec Burks 13 points – five rebounds – one assist – one steal |
NEXT GAMES
Suns at Kings – Saturday
Warriors at Mavericks – Saturday
********************
SATURDAY’S GAMES
********************
Memphis Grizzlies 110
Denver Nuggets 119
After watching the Memphis Grizzlies lumbering through the first quarter on Saturday night, the Denver Nuggets followed Nikola Jokic’s lead and poked the bear … but the bear was soft. Jokic, however, was stellar with his seventh triple double this season and a season high 31 points in the Nuggets’ 22nd win of the season.
| memphisGRIZZLIES | denverNUGGETS |
| Jaren Jackson, Jr. 20 points – four rebounds – one assist – one block | Nikola Jokic 31 points – 10 rebounds – 10 assists – one steal (fouled out) |
| Ja Morant 16 points – three rebounds – eight assists – one block | Will Barton 20 points – six rebounds – seven assists – two steals – one block |
| Brandon Clarke 15 points – two rebounds – five assists – one block | Mason Plumlee 15 points – seven rebounds – one assist – one steal |
NEXT GAMES
Hornets at Grizzlies – Sunday
Kings at Nuggets – Sunday
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Toronto Raptors 113
Boston Celtics 97
Patrick McCaw has been on two championship teams – the Golden State Warriors and last year with the Toronto Raptors. Always on the cusp of being dealt, McCaw showed his championship chops on Saturday night, stepping up in the place that Pascal Siakam would normally step up. The champs came into Beantown and opened up a can of whoop ass on the Celtics in the first quarter and then watched Boston wilt in the fourth to take the rare win on the parquet. Fred VanVleet chipped in 18 points as well to match McCaw, also adding three rebounds, five assists, five steals and a blocked shot.
| torontoRAPTORS | bostonCELTICS |
| Kyle Lowry 30 points – four rebounds – seven assists – two steals | Kemba Walker 30 points – two rebounds – two assists – two steals |
| Serge Ibaka 20 points – 10 rebounds | Jaylen Brown 17 points – five rebounds – one assist – three steals |
| Patrick McCaw 18 points – seven rebounds – eight assists – one steal – one block | Gordon Hayward 13 points – six rebounds – three assists – one steal – two vlocks |
NEXT GAMES
Thunder at Raptors – Sunday
Celtics at Hornets – Tuesday
********************
Indiana Pacers 98
New Orleans Pelicans 120
As if it wasn’t enough that the Golden State Warriors were having a good week, the New Orleans Pelicans have the feel goods as well, winning their third consecutive on Saturday night, defeating the Indiana Pacers by 22 points to net their 10th win of the season in the Happy Holidays Brothers Reunion. Jrue Holiday is still leading the Pelicans’ offensive schemes, though may be traded sometime in the next couple of months, while his brothers Aaron and Justin lace ‘em up for the Indiana Pacers. Aaron Holiday has led the Pacers last two games – losses both – while Justin Holiday plays a more reserve role. But it was Jrue and Brandon Ingram who dictated Saturday night’s win and Pelicans fans hope there are more to come.
| indianaPACERS | neworleansPELICANS |
| Aaron Holiday 25 points – two rebounds – two assists – one steal | Brandon Ingram 24 points – five rebounds – seven assists – two steals |
| T.J. Warren 20 points – three rebounds – one assist – one steal | Jrue Holiday 20 points – three rebounds – seven assists – two steals – one block |
| Domantas Sabonis 15 points – 16 rebounds – four assists – one steal | J.J. Redick 15 points – two rebounds – two assists |
NEXT GAMES
Rockets at Pelicans – Sunday
Sixers at Pacers – Tuesday
********************
Atlanta Hawks 81
Chicago Bulls 116
You know things are bad when you’re losing to the Chicago Bulls by 25 points and you’ve been stuck on six wins while Golden State, New Orleans and New York pass you like you’re standing still in the slow lane. Because you are, Atlanta. Chicago ran out to a 35-16 first quarter, then almost did it again in the fourth quarter, winning it 33-16 to embarrass the Hawks, who were without Trae Young, and seemingly everyone else. Lloyd Pierce, better polish that resume.
| atlantaHAWKS | chicagoBULLS |
| John Collins 34 points – eight rebounds – two assists – one steal – three blocks | Lauri Markkanen 25 points – four rebounds – one assist |
| Alex Len 10 points – five rebounds – two assists | Zach LaVine 19 points – seven rebounds – four assists – two steals |
| Trae Young DNP (sprained right ankle, did not travel) | Coby White 18 points – five assists |
NEXT GAMES
Hawks at Magic – Monday
Bucks at Bulls – Monday
********************
Brooklyn Nets 98
Houston Rockets 108
The Brooklyn Nets made a valiant effort on Saturday night to come back and down the Houston Rockets at the Toyota Center, but a 42-20 first quarter liftoff was too difficult for the flagging Nets to overcome. Houston has won five of their last six games, the lone exception being the game they gifted the Golden State Warriors on Christmas Day. Brooklyn outscored Houston in the second quarter, 34-21, to try and get back in it, but only played to a near draw in the second half to lose their 15th game of the season.
| brooklynNETS | houstonROCKETS |
| Spencer Dinwiddie 17 points – two rebounds – 11 assists | James Harden 44 points – 10 rebounds – six assists – one steal – three blocks |
| Jarrett Allen 16 points – 10 rebounds – one steal – two blocks | Russell Westbrook 23 points – nine rebounds – seven assists – one steal – one block |
| Taurean Prince 16 points – six rebounds – two assists – one steal | Austin Rivers 14 points – one rebound – one assist |
NEXT GAMES
Rockets at Pelicans – Sunday
Nets at Timberwolves – Monday
********************
Philadelphia 76ers 116
Miami Heat 117 (OT)
The Philadelphia 76ers lost their second one-point game of the weekend, while the Miami Heat utilized an overtime period to beat another Eastern Conference contender at AmericanAirlines Arena, making their NBA best home record 15-1. The win gives Jimmy Butler a win over his former team that he couldn’t get earlier in the month at Philadelphia.
| philadelphia76ERS | miamiHEAT |
| Joel Embiid 35 points – 11 rebounds – two assists – one block | Jimmy Butler 25 points – nine rebounds – nine assists – two steals – one block |
| #VFL Josh Richardson 17 points – five rebounds – two assists – one block | Goran Dragic 19 points – two rebounds – seven assists – one steal – one block |
| Ben Simmons 15 points – seven rebounds – 11 assists – three steals – one block | Tyler Herro 16 points – five rebounds |
NEXT GAMES
Heat at Wizards – Monday
Sixers at Pacers – Tuesday
********************
Cleveland Cavaliers 94
Minnesota Timberwolves 88
The timetable for Karl-Anthony Towns’ return is infinite at this point. That’s a shame, because the Minnesota Timberwolves truly miss their franchise player. Saturday night saw Towns miss his sixth game for the T’Wolves, who have gone 1-5 in his absence, losing to teams like the Pelicans, Nuggets, Blazers, and Warriors, while taking two overtimes to beat the Sacramento Kings. Losing to the Cleveland Cavaliers may have been the toughest, because they lost to a team who’s all but given up on their coach. The win is likely a fluke by Cavaliers players’ standards. Towns is progressing, but that’s about as much of an update as you’re going to get out of Minnesota.
| clevelandCAVALIERS | minnesotaTIMBERWOLVES |
| Collin Sexton 18 points – seven rebounds – one assist – one steal | Jeff Teague 18 points – four rebounds – one steal |
| Darius Garland 18 points – two rebounds – three assists – two steals | Kelen Martin 17 points – six rebounds – one steal |
| Tristan Thompson 12 points – 15 rebounds – three assists = one block | Robert Covington 14 points – seven rebounds – three assists – four steals – one block |
NEXT GAMES
Nets at Timberwolves – Monday
Cavaliers at Raptors – Tuesday
********************
New York Knicks 107
Washington Wizards 100
With flurries of trade rumors swirling that Marcus Morris may be heading to Phoenix along with Frank Ntilikina and Dennis Smith, Jr. so that Ricky Rubio can come to New York and develop R.J. Barrett, Morris took the court and helped the Knicks to their fifth win of the season under interim head coach Mike Miller. The Knicks only won four under former head coach David Fizdale. The Knicks have now won two in a row, while Washington languished without leading scorer Bradley Beal, who was out with right leg soreness. Isaiah Thomas returned from his suspension to lead the Wizards with 20 points along with Jordan McRae in the loss.
| newyorkKNICKS | washingtonWIZARDS |
| Julius Randle 30 points – 16 rebounds – six assists – one steal | Jordan McRae 20 points – five rebounds – two assists – one steal |
| Bobby Portis 17 points – three rebounds – one steal | Isaiah Thomas 20 points – four rebounds – four assists – one steal |
| R.J. Barrett 14 points – five rebounds – one assist | Gary Payton II 15 points – six rebounds – two assists – six steals |
NEXT GAMES
Heat at Wizards – Monday
Blazers at Knicks – Wednesday
********************
Dallas Mavericks 141
Golden State Warriors 121
The Dallas Mavericks and Golden State Warriors each inadvertently paid tribute to retired forward Dirk Nowitzki by scoring 41 points apiece in the opening quarter of Saturday night’s game at the Chase Center in San Francisco. In the third quarter, enough was enough and the Mavericks broke out a 45-24 third quarter to separate themselves from the Warriors behind Luka Doncic’s ninth triple double of the season.
| dallasMAVERICKS | goldenstateWARRIORS |
| Luka Doncic 31 points – 12 rebounds – 15 assists – two steals | D’Angelo Russell 35 points – four rebounds – six assists |
| Tim Hardaway, Jr. 25 points – one assist | Damion Lee 18 points – 12 rebounds – two assists |
| Kristaps Porzingis 18 points – seven rebounds – three assists – four blocks | Marquese Chriss 16 points – five rebounds – two assists – two blocks |
NEXT GAMES
Mavericks at Lakers – Sunday
Warriors at Spurs – Tuesday
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Orlando Magic 100
Milwaukee Bucks 111
Apparently it does take a village. At least that is the teamwork mentality for the Milwaukee Bucks, playing their second consecutive game (and second win in as many games) without Giannis Antetokuonmpo, who is resting due to back soreness. The Milwaukee bench outscored Orlando’s, 51-28, to help the Bucks cruise to win No. 29. Robin Lopez also had 17 points, as well as three rebounds and an assist in the victory.
| orlandoMAGIC | milwaukeeBUCKS |
| Evan Fournier 23 points – three rebounds – two assists – one steal | Khris Middleton 21 points – five rebounds – seven assists – two steals |
| Nikola Vucevic 21 points – eight rebounds – four assist – three steals – two blocks | Ersan Ilyasova 17 points – 14 rebounds – five assists – one block |
| Jonathan Isaac 19 points – nine rebounds – two assists – seven steals – one block | George Hill 17 points – five rebounds – three assists |
NEXT GAMES
Hawks at Magic – Monday
Bucks at Bulls – Monday
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Detroit Pistons 109
San Antonio Spurs 136
All season long, the San Antonio Spurs have lulled us and the rest of the NBA to sleep with their slow start and atypical losses in the Gregg Popovich Era. Maybe that was the game plan, at least for the rest of the NBA and not the fans. Pop is a Jedi Master, as he and the Spurs have shown of late – hitting 145 points last Monday night and 136 last night, winning three of their last five games to be within spitting distance of the No. 8 spot in the Western Conference all of a sudden, after downing Detroit on Saturday night.
| detroitPISTONS | sanantonioSPURS |
| Derrick Rose 24 points – three rebounds – four assists – four steals | DeMar DeRozan 29 points – five rebounds – eight assists |
| Andre Drummond 21 points – 18 rebounds – three assists – one steal – four blocks | LaMarcus Aldridge 25 points – 12 rebounds – one assist – one steal – two blocks |
| Langston Galloway 15 points – three rebounds – one assist | Bryn Forbes 18 points – three rebounds – three assists – one steal |
NEXT GAMES
Pistons at Jazz – Monday
Warriors at Spurs – Tuesday
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Phoenix Suns 112
Sacramento Kings 110
Devin Booker is back, y’all. And just in time. The sharpshooter led the Phoenix Suns with 32 points Saturday night in Sacramento to slip out of town with a steal of a win to stop the Suns’ eight game losing streak. And if Ricky Rubio is indeed being dealt to the New York Knicks, he’s going out with a bang, having led the Suns in Booker’s absence, despite the losses.
| phoenixSUNS | sacramentoKINGS |
| Devin Booker 32 points – three rebounds – 10 assists – two steals | Buddy Hield 23 points – five rebounds – two assists – one block |
| Ricky Rubio 21 points – three rebounds – eight assists – two steals – two blocks | Bogdan Bogdanovic 22 points – four rebounds – three assists |
| Kelly Oubre, Jr. 20 points – 16 rebounds – five assists – two steals | Harrison Barnes 21 points – 10 rebounds – one assist – one steal |
NEXT GAMES
Kings at Nuggets – Sunday
Suns at Blazers – Monday
********************
Los Angeles Lakers 128
Portland Trailblazers 120
What groin injury? Oh, that was just a precaution. Ohio State is out of the BCS Championship picture thanks to the Clemson Tigers, and L.A. fans should be grateful. That means LeBron James’ annual groin injury is miraculously healed and the Lakers are back to business as usual. However, it is Kyle Kuzma and the Laker bench that fans of the purple and gold should be thankful for, as they outscored Portland’s bench 72-39, the reason for the win Saturday night.
| losangelesLAKERS | portlandTRAILBLAZERS |
| Kyle Kuzma 24 points – four rebounds – one assist | Damian Lillard 31 points – two rebounds – nine assists – one steal – one block |
| LeBron James 21 points – seven rebounds – 16 assists – two steals – one block | Hassan Whiteside 19 points – 16 rebounds – four blocks |
| Anthony Davis 20 points – nine rebounds – five assists – two steals | C.J. McCollum 18 points – two rebounds – four assists |
NEXT GAMES
Mavericks at Lakers – Sunday
Suns at Trailblazers – Monday
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Utah Jazz 120
Los Angeles Clippers 107
For those who thought the Utah Jazz’s acquisition of Jordan Clarkson was a busted move, think again. Clarkson combined with Donovan Mitchell and Bojan Bogdanovic to form an inimitable front in L.A. versus the home town Clippers and crashed the party with a 13 point win that made it look like the whole Clippers organization was utilizing load management. The Jazz outscored L.A. 71-60 in the second and third quarters to pull away for their 20th win of the season.
| utahJAZZ | losangelesCLIPPERS |
| Donovan Mitchell 30 points – seven rebounds – nine assists – one steal | Paul George 20 points – 10 rebounds – two assists – one steal |
| Jordan Clarkson 19 points – four rebounds – two assists | Kawhi Leonard 19 points – four rebounds – six assists – two steals |
| Bojan Bogdanovic 17 points – five rebounds – three assists – two steals | Lou Williams 16 points – four rebounds – nine assists – two steals – one assist |
NEXT GAMES
Pistons at Jazz – Monday
Clippers at Kings – Tuesday
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SUNDAY’S GAMES
********************
Oklahoma City Thunder 98
Toronto Raptors 97
Every statistical category was as close as the final score of last night’s game in Toronto, where the Oklahoma City Thunder rolled in and stole their 17th win of the season behind Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who dropped 32 points for the third time in his last five games, and dropped the Raptors to their third loss in four games. Oklahoma City has won five straight in Toronto, six out of their last seven games, and 11 of their last 15. They weren’t supposed to do this. No one told them that.
| oklahomacityTHUNDER | torontoRAPTORS |
| Shai Gilgeous-Alexander 32 points – seven rebounds – two assists – three steals | Fred VanVleet 20 points – three rebounds – eight assists – one block |
| Chris Paul 25 points – 11 rebounds – eight assists | Kyle Lowry 20 points – three rebounds – five assists – one steal – one block |
| Nerlens Noel 13 points – four rebounds – one assists – three steals – three blocks | Patrick McCaw 13 points – two rebounds – two assists – two steals |
NEXT GAMES
Mavericks at Thunder – Tuesday
Cavaliers at Raptors – Tuesday
********************
Houston Rockets 112
New Orleans Pelicans 127
Did anyone tell the New Orleans Pelicans that they were playing the Houston Rockets, third place seed in the Western Conference last night? James Harden and Russell Westbrook take a well-deserved break, and suddenly the Rockets are down-to-earth, human. The Pelicans were on a mission, however, to take down anyone who stands in the way of their current win streak, which grew to four with the takedown of the Rockets. In good news for Houston, Eric Gordon returned to the lineup and shot 50 percent in his first game back.
| houstonROCKETS | neworleansPELICANS |
| Danuel House, Jr. 22 points – six rebounds – three assists | Lonzo Ball 27 points – 10 rebounds – eight assists – two steals |
| Eric Gordon 20 points – one rebound – three assists – one steal | Brandon Ingram 27 points – six rebounds – four assists – two steals – one block |
| Isaiah Hartenstein 19 points – nine rebounds – four assists – two blocks | E’Twaun Moore 25 points – three rebounds – four assists – one steal |
NEXT GAMES
Nuggets at Rockets – Tuesday
Pelicans at Lakers – Friday
********************
Sacramento Kings 115
Denver Nuggets 120
The Denver Nuggets have now won nine of their last 10 games, the lone loss coming as a gift to the New Orleans Pelicans on Christmas. The Sacramento Kings are trending the other direction, losing their seventh in a row despite a valiant effort by Nemanja Bjelica (27 points) and the return of De’Aaron Fox, who scored 18 points and dished out 13 assists. The game was Michael Porter, Jr.’s debut in the Denver starting lineup.
| sacramentoKINGS | denverNUGGETS |
| Nemanja Bjelica 27 points – six rebounds – two assists – one block | Michael Porter, Jr. 19 points – six rebounds – one assist |
| Buddy Hield 20 points – five rebounds – eight assists – two steals – one block | Will Barton 19 points – three rebounds – five assists – one steal |
| Richaun Holmes 18 points – six rebounds – two assists – one steal | Jerami Grant 18 points – two rebounds – one steal – one block |
NEXT GAMES
Clippers at Kings – Tuesday
Nuggets at Rockets – Tuesday
********************
Charlotte Hornets 104
Memphis Grizzlies 117
The Charlotte Hornets didn’t seem to pester the Memphis Grizzlies last night as Memphis handed Charlotte its fifth straight loss by swatting the Hornets away early with a 31-20 first quarter performance. Charlotte’s Devonte’ Graham struggled from the field, while the Grizzlies seem to be coming together, with both teams walking away with 13 wins and sitting in the 10th position in their respective conference.
| charlotteHORNETS | memphisGRIZZLIES |
| Malik Monk 18 points – five rebounds – one steal – one block | Dillon Brooks 20 points – two assists (fouled out) |
| Devonte’ Graham 16 points – four rebounds – 10 assists – two steals | Brandon Clarke 18 points – four rebounds – three assists – one steal – three blocks |
| P.J. Washington 16 points – four rebounds – one assist – one block | Jonas Valanciunas 16 points – nine rebounds – five assists |
NEXT GAMES
Celtics at Hornets – Tuesday
Grizzlies at Kings – Thursday
********************
Dallas Mavericks 95
Los Angeles Lakers 108
The Dallas Mavericks shot a season low 30.4 percent last night in L.A. and lost the game without a dominance from LeBron James as a result, with James’ support staff stepping up and beating the player set to take over James’ spot as arguably the presumptive G.O.A.T. of the next generation of NBA basketball, Luka Doncic. L.A.’s defense held Doncic to 35.7 percent shooting, including 0 for six from downtown and Kristaps Porzingis to 40 percent. James was the Lakers’ fourth leading scorer in last night’s game at 13 points, six rebounds, 13 assists and two steals. James crossed the 9,000 assist plateau with his performance, only the ninth player in NBA history to do so.
| dallasMAVERICKS | losangelesLAKERS |
| Luka Doncic 19 points – four rebounds – seven assists – two steals | Anthony Davis 23 points – nine rebounds – four assists – two steals – one block |
| Delon Wright 14 points – four rebounds – three assists – three steals | Kentavious Caldwell-Pope 19 points – three rebounds – two assists – one steal – one block |
| Dorian Finney-Smith 12 points – six rebounds – three assists – one steal – one block | Dwight Howard 15 points – three rebounds – one steal – one block |
NEXT GAMES
Mavericks at Thunder – Tuesday
Suns at Lakers – Wednesday
********************
Tracy Graven is a Senior NBA Analyst for BackSportsPage.com.
He has written the NBA, and done NBA radio, for the last two decades for HoopsWorld, Swish Magazine, and HoopsHype, the Coach Scott Fields Show and NBARadioShow.com, and is also tackling the NFL, NCAA, and will be pinch-hitting on some Major League Baseball coverage for BackSportsPage.
He’s spent 20 years in locker rooms in Orlando, Boise (G League), San Antonio, Phoenix, and Oklahoma City.
A corporate trainer by day, he currently resides in Tennessee.
Reach him on Twitter at @RealTMoneyMedia
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