The Cleveland Cavaliers remained unbeaten on Wednesday with a 131-122 road win in New Orleans. The Cavaliers, who own the league’s best record at 9-0, scored 40 third quarter points and received 29 points from star guard Donovan Mitchell. Mitchell’s ability to close games - like a high-arching jump shot plus the foul on Zion Williamson to put the Cavaliers up nine, 125-116, and a driving finish off the glass to keep the lead at nine after Williamson free-throws - is a major advantage for the team. Being able to have such a well-rounded team but have someone leading it who is a bonafide closer will not only help you win games, but gives you confidence as the season goes on and eventually into the playoffs.
Williamson, who also scored 29, grabbed 8 rebounds and shot 9-for-18 from the field and was 11-for-13 from the line. His aggressiveness in the fourth quarter kept the Pelicans in the game and the Cavalier defense on its heels. He is very difficult to stop going to the basket especially going to his left. Jose Alvarado had a great night with 27 points on 7-for-7 from downtown. With the loss, the depleted Pelicans fell to 3-6.
Kevin Durant (32 points, 11 in the fourth quarter) led the Suns (7-1) back from 15 down against the Miami Heat at Footprint Center for a 115-112 win, their sixth in a row. Devin Booker (9-for-17) scored 22 points and had 9 assists, while Jusuf Nurkic had a double-double with 20 points and 18 rebounds, including a clutch three-pointer.
Tyler Herro’s 28 points (9-for-15) led the Heat while Haywood Highsmith scored 19 off the bench. Bam Adebayo went just 5-for-21 with 12 points and 12 rebounds. Jimmy Butler was 6-for-13 for 15 points. On the Heat’s final possession, Butler found himself wide open from 18 feet, but knowing the team needed a triple, he retreated behind the line, took a look at the basket and passed off to Herro, who could not get the shot off in time.
Frankly, Kevin Durant might still be the game’s best scorer. His ability to generate easy looks because of his height and length and guard-like ball handling is something that we have never seen from someone his size, and if he gets a good look, he is virtually automatic. His clutch factor is such a benefit to this Suns team. Durant has reached the 30-point plateau five times this season, most in the league.
The Heat, who dropped to 3-4 with the loss, have a good mix of veterans and young guys, with the likes of Herro and Adebayo complementing Butler and Terry Rozier. They appear to have a more well-rounded group than they did last season, and as the seasons wears on will be better.
Peyton Watson blocked a Shai Gilgeous-Alexander floater as time expired in Denver to hand the Oklahoma City Thunder their first loss of the season. Nikola Jokic put up a big triple-double (23 points, 20 rebounds, 16 assists, 9-for-20), while Russell Westbrook scored 29 points along with 6 rebounds and 6 assists in 32 minutes in a starting role. Christian Braun and Michael Porter Jr. added 24 for the Nuggets, who are now 5-3.
Jalen Williams, who led the Thunder with 29 points, also had 10 rebounds and 9 assists. His three-pointer as well as a jump shot in the final minutes kept the Thunder in the game, as did Alex Caruso’s defensive hustle. Gilgeous-Alexander shot 10-for-19 for 28 points.
Stephen Curry’s drive and kick to Buddy Hield for three with 46 seconds left gave the Warriors a 111-104 lead to secure their 118-112 win over the Boston Celtics from TD Garden. Curry led with 27 points (four makes from downtown) and Hield added 16 off the bench with four triples. The Warriors improved to 7-1 with the win and are one of the surprise teams early on. The Celtics, 7-2, were led by Jayson Tatum’s 32 (10-for-20). Derrick White scored 26 in the losing effort.
Around the League
Hornets 108 (3-5)
Pistons 107 (3-6)
Bridges: 27 PTS
Ball: 25 PTS
Miller: 19 PTS
Cunningham: 20 PTS, 10 REB, 10 AST
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Pacers 118 (4-4)
Magic 111 (3-5)
Mathurin: 20 PTS, 11 REB
Wagner: 28 PTS
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Hawks 121 (4-5)
Knicks 116 (3-4)
Risacher: 33 PTS, 7 REB, 6-for-10 3PT
Jalen Johnson: 23 PTS, 15 REB, 7 AST
Young: 23 PTS, 7 AST
Towns: 34 PTS, 16 REB, 5-for-9 3PT
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Rockets 127 (5-3)
Spurs 100 (3-5)
Jalen Green: 25 PTS
VanVleet: 25 PTS, 10 AST, 10-for-11 FG
Wembanyama: 15 PTS, 6 REB, 3 BLK
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Grizzlies 131 (5-4)
Lakers 114 (4-4)
Morant, Wells, Jackson Jr.: 20 PTS each
James: 39 PTS, 7 AST, 6 REB, 15-for-24 FG
Davis: DNP (Left heel bruise)
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Mavericks 119 (5-3)
Bulls 99 (3-5)
Doncic: 27 PTS, 13 AST, 7 REB, 8-for-19 FG
Irving, Gafford: 17 PTS each
Vucevic: 14 PTS, 10 REB
Buzelis: 13 PTS, 9 REB
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Clippers 110 (4-4)
76ers 98 (1-6)
Powell: 26 PTS
Harden: 18 PTS, 6 AST, 5-for-15 FG, 1-for-6 3PT
Oubre Jr., George: 18 PTS each
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Kings 122 (5-3)
Raptors 107 (2-7)
DeRozan: 27 PTS
Sabonis: 17 PTS, 13 AST, 11 REB, 6-for-6 FG
Murray: 22 PTS, 12 REB
Barrett: 23 PTS
Davion Mitchell: 20 PTS
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