Phoenix Suns’ superstar Kevin Durant did his best Mariano Rivera on Monday night in Phoenix, scoring 15 of his 35 points in the fourth quarter as the Suns held off the Philadelphia 76ers 118-116 from Footprint Center.
Durant’s elbow jump shot with one minute left gave the Suns a 116-115 lead and his driving layup with 24 seconds on the clock put the Suns up 118-116. The 76ers’ Tyrese Maxey, who scored 32 points (12-for-22, 6-for-14 from downtown) missed a last second three at the buzzer. Durant finished the game 14-for-20 from the field and Maxey’s effort was his third 30-point game of the season.
Paul George, playing his first game of the season, struggled from the field going just 4-for-14 for 15 points, including 1-for-7 from downtown.
A major bright spot for the 76ers was Guerschon Yabusele, whose Olympic exploits in August earned him an NBA contract. 76er play-by-play announcer Kate Scott remarked during the fourth quarter that Yabusele, the 16th overall pick in 2016 by the Boston Celtics, worked on his three-point shooting while playing overseas. On Monday night, his dedication was on display as the 28-year-old hit on five attempts out of 11 from deep for 19 points. He also added 7 rebounds and 6 assists. He scored eight points in the fourth quarter.
Royce O’Neale (15 points, 6-for-9) and Grayson Allen (14 points) gave quality efforts off the bench for the Suns, while Bradley Beal put up 17 points on 7-for-10 shooting. Devin Booker had an off night to say the least (3-for-18), finishing with only 13 points. The win got the Suns to 6-1 on the season (five consecutive victories) while the 76ers dropped to 1-5.
George will need a bit of time to get used to his new surroundings and get in a rhythm, while the team still misses the services of Joel Embiid.
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Darius Garland was clutch down the stretch and Jarrett Allen (14 points, 15 rebounds) rejected Damian Lillard in the final seconds as the Cleveland Cavaliers (8-0) remained unbeaten with a 116-114 win over the Milwaukee Bucks from Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. Evan Mobley scored 16 and Donovan Mitchell 15.
Leading 73-60 at halftime, the Cavaliers were outscored 31-16 in the third quarter. Garland scored 12 of his 39 points in the fourth, including five consecutive points that allowed the Cavaliers to take a 113-111 lead with 45 seconds on the clock.
Lillard scored 36 points and 7 assists in the loss, going 11-for-22 and connecting on five triples. Bobby Portis added 21 points and a big 18 rebounds. The Bucks, who dropped to 1-6, were without Giannis Antetokounmpo.
Around the League
Warriors 125 (6-1)
Wizards 112 (2-4)
Curry: 24 PTS
Poole: 24 PTS
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Pistons 115 (3-5)
Lakers 103 (4-3)
Cunningham: 17 PTS, 11 REB, 11 AST (3rd career triple-double); Ivey: 26 PTS
Davis: 37 PTS, 9 REB; James: 20 PTS, 11 AST, 8 REB
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Celtics 123 (7-1)
Hawks 93 (3-5)
Tatum: 28 PTS (26 in first half)
Jalen Johnson: 20 PTS, 11 REB
Risacher: 15 PTS
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Nets 106 (4-4)
Grizzlies 104 (4-4)
Schroder, Cam Johnson: 20 PTS
Morant: 25 PTS, 9 AST, 5 REB
Edey: 25 PTS, 12 REB
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Kings 111 (4-3)
Heat 110 (3-3)
Fox: 28 PTS, 6 REB, 5 AST; DeRozan: 26 PTS
Sabonis: 16 PTS, 16 REB, 11 AST
Butler, Herro: 27 PTS
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Jazz 135 (1-6)
Bulls 126 (3-4)
Keyonte George: 33 PTS, 9 AST; Collins: 28 PTS, 13 REB, 5 AST
White: 28 PTS; Dosunmu: 25 PTS
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Rockets 109 (4-3)
Knicks 97 (3-3)
Sengun: 25 PTS, 14 REB, 5 AST
Brunson: 29 PTS; Towns: 17 PTS, 19 REB
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Timberwolves 114 (4-3)
Hornets 93 (2-5)
Reid: 25 PTS, 9 REB; Edwards: 21 PTS
Ball: 19 PTS
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Thunder 102 (7-1)
Magic 96 (3-5)
Jalen Williams: 23 PTS
Gilgeous-Alexander: 21 PTS
Franz Wagner: 22 PTS
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Trail Blazers 118 (3-5)
Pelicans 100 (3-5)
Simons: 24 PTS; Ayton: 19 PTS, 13 AST
Ingram: 27 PTS
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Pacers 134 (3-4)
Mavericks 127 (4-3)
Turner: 30 PTS, 11 REB
Halburton: 25 PTS, 12 AST
Doncic: 34 PTS, 15 AST, 7 REB
Irving: 27 PTS
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Nuggets 121 (4-3)
Raptors 119 (2-6)
DEN outscored TOR 33-26 in 4th
Barrett step back triple at buzzer goes in and out. Jokic: 28 PTS, 14 REB, 13 AST
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Clippers 113 (3-4)
Spurs 104 (3-4)
SA led 40-14 after 1st quarter, LAC outscored SA 31-18 in 4th
Powell: 23 PTS; Coffey: 21 PTS
Wembanyama: 24 PTS, 13 REB, 9 BLK
Champagnie: 21 PTS
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There are no games scheduled on Tuesday, Nov. 5 due to Election Day.
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