Starting 5, Dec. 21: Cavs rain 3s to douse sizzling Bucks, OKC keeps rolling & a 12-game Saturday slate

A powerful begin to #WorldBasketballDay.

5 STORIES IN TODAY’S EDITION 🏀
Dec. 21, 2024

Can’t-Miss Cavs: Cleveland hits 20 treys to decelerate the surging Bucks

Friday Fireplace: Embiid returns because the Sixers warmth up, and the Thunder preserve rumbling

Star Guard Saturday: One night time, three matchups and 6 electrifying playmakers

Huge Males Battle: AD & Sabonis conflict inside for the second time in three days

Beasts In The East: Keys to look at as the highest six groups within the East take the ground tonight

BUT FIRST … ⏰
Friday’s scores and a stacked Saturday slate…

Twelve video games tip off at present, together with an interconference conflict on NBA TV because the Pelicans host Karl-Anthony Cities and the Knicks, who’re looking for a 3rd straight win (8 ET).

Comfortable World Basketball Day! Right now, the NBA household comes collectively to rejoice basketball’s energy in uniting and connecting folks worldwide. See how hoopers across the globe are celebrating under:

• Why Do You Love Hoops? Your favourite web hoop creators share what makes basketball so particular to them
• Trivia Time! Have some enjoyable and check your data on at present’s NBA Play Trivia, centered round World Basketball Day

Be a part of the worldwide celebration! Share the way you’re honoring the day through the use of the hashtag #WorldBasketballDay.

1. CAVS COOL OFF BUCKS IN STATEMENT WIN

The Bucks rolled into Friday on hearth, successful 12 of their final 15 video games, resulting in a visit to the Emirates NBA Cup championship, the place they knocked off the West-leading Thunder to hoist the Cup.

However then the Cavs, sitting atop the East standings for practically two months, reminded the league why they personal the very best report within the NBA.

Cavaliers 124, Bucks 101: Giannis Antetokounmpo had 33 factors and 14 boards, nevertheless it wasn’t sufficient to take down Cleveland, as Donovan Mitchell (27 pts) led six scorers in double figures, and the Cavs sank 20 3s to earn an announcement dub. | Recap

• Cavs In Focus: Cleveland shot 50.5% from the sphere and 42.6% from 3, marking its league-high twelfth sport this season with a 50/40 capturing break up or higher
• Balanced Buckets: Cleveland’s beginning 5 outscored Milwaukee’s 83-48, led by Mitchell and Darius Garland (16 pts)
• All Cleveland: The Cavs trailed for simply 29 seconds early within the 1st quarter. By halftime, they led 69-51, and their benefit ballooned to 36 within the 4th
• “We did it for 48 minutes tonight,” mentioned Mitchell. “Only a degree of tenacity and starvation — not being happy with the place we’re.”

What It Means: The Cavs’ victory pushed their report to 24-4, staying on tempo with their 2008-09 squad as the very best begin in franchise historical past. Additionally they improved to 15-1 at house.

• Collection Dub: The Cavs at the moment are 3-0 towards the Bucks (who have been with out Damian Lillard because of a strained calf), clinching the regular-season sequence with one sport left
• 3 In A Row: It’s additionally Cleveland’s third straight victory, all of which have come by double figures

2. EMBIID RETURNS, THUNDER STRIKE IN FLORIDA AGAIN

Don’t look now, however the Sixers are heating up.

76ers 108, Hornets 98: After struggling a sinus fracture final Friday, a masked Joel Embiid returned with a bang, notching 34 factors, 9 assists and two blocks to steer Philly previous Charlotte, marking the Sixers’ fourth win in 5 video games. | Recap

• Embiid Eats: It’s Embiid’s third 30+ level sport in simply seven outings this season, and he scored 12 factors within the 4th quarter to seal the win
• Extra Buckets: Tyrese Maxey (23) and Kelly Oubre Jr. (22) each added 20-pieces for Philly, whereas Vasilije Micić (20) led Charlotte with LaMelo Ball out
• “He’s battling lots,” mentioned Oubre on Embiid. “He fights for us … he put us on his again within the 4th quarter, and did what Joel does.”

Thunder 104, Warmth 97: After successful in Orlando on Thursday, OKC took down the Warmth in Miami as Jalen Williams dropped a season-high 33 factors, whereas Shai Gilgeous-Alexander added 25 to stave off Tyler Herro (28 pts) and firm. | Recap

• Thunder Streak: It’s OKC’s seventh straight dub (the Emirates NBA Cup championship doesn’t depend towards reg. season report) and its twenty second on the season, pushing it previous Boston for the second-most within the NBA
• Stingy OKC: Boasting the league’s finest protection, the Thunder have now held their opponent underneath 100 factors 13 instances this season — probably the most within the NBA
• Bam Passes Alonzo: Bam Adebayo (17 pts, 10 rebs) tallied his 206th profession double-double, passing Alonzo Mourning (205) for the second-most in Warmth historical past

3. STAR GUARDS TAKE CENTER STAGE SATURDAY

Saturday’s slate options among the finest guards within the NBA going head-to-head, from all-time bucket-getters to electrifying dime-droppers.

Let’s activate the tape and break down a particular ability set to look at in every matchup:

Clippers at Mavericks (8:30 ET) | James Harden vs. Kyrie Irving

Two generational scorers, Harden and Irving have feasted in isolation for years, however they’re additionally among the many finest finishers within the paint — standing out not solely amongst guards however all gamers.

• Powerful Buckets: Since 2011-12, (the primary season each have been within the league), Harden ranks second in factors scored within the restricted space (5,794), whereas Irving ranks sixth (4,166)
• Effectivity: Their area objective share from the RA? 61.1% and 60.4% — rating second and fifth, respectively, in that span
• How Harden Does It: Typically attacking from the highest of the important thing, The Beard thrives at getting downhill and maneuvering round bigs together with his well-known euro-step

Kyrie’s Creativity: Regardless of being undersized at 6-foot-2, Irving’s post-up sport is elite, as he makes use of ball fakes and masterful footwork to create house

Grizzlies at Hawks (7:30 ET) | Ja Morant vs. Trae Younger

Put together for takeoff. Whereas Younger leads the NBA in assists per sport (12.2), Morant is averaging a career-high (8.1). Tonight, followers can anticipate some high-flying lobs, as they rank first (41) and second (31) in alley-oop assists.

• Transition Oops: Rating third in transition factors, Atlanta (26.8) creates lob alternatives on the run, with Younger main the cost

• Halfcourt Highlights: In 5×5 conditions, Morant — a high-flyer himself — takes benefit of hedging defenders on the rim for straightforward oops, including to an NBA-best 58.6 PITP per sport for Memphis

Warriors at Wolves (8 ET) | Steph Curry vs. Anthony Edwards

In Yr 5, Ant is having a Steph-like season from 3, hitting a career-high 4.3 triples per sport — the second-most within the NBA. Ranked fourth within the league? Curry, with 4.0 3s an outing.

• Splashing In House: Ant is capturing 46.5% on open 3s, whereas Steph is capturing 36.7% — rating third and fourth amongst gamers averaging 5+ open triples per sport
• Creating Seems: However how do such harmful threats from deep get so open? For the NBA’s all-time 3-point chief, it’s about staying energetic off-ball

• Ant’s Athleticism: In the meantime, Edwards makes use of the specter of him moving into the lane to create house off the dribble and splash

Extra Should-See Matchups: One other duel of elite guards takes place tonight as Devin Booker and the Suns host Cade Cunningham and the Pistons (9 ET).

Plus, the NBA’s second all-time help chief, Chris Paul, will lead the Spurs towards the Blazers (8:30 ET).

4. IN-STATE RIVALS & STAR CENTERS TIP OFF SATURDAY

To open Saturday’s slate, two of probably the most dominant bigs within the NBA — Domantas Sabonis and Anthony Davis — will conflict for the second time in three days because the Kings host the rival Lakers (6 ET).

Recognized for his or her physicality, Sabonis leads the league with 24 double-doubles this season, whereas Davis is the one participant averaging 25+ factors, 10+ rebounds and a couple of+ blocks.

Of their head-to-head battles, Davis (23.6 ppg, 11.3 rpg) has outscored and outrebounded Sabonis (15.0 ppg, 10.8 rpg), however the Kings maintain a 10-2 report towards the Lakers with each stars within the lineup.

• “He’s a hell of a participant,” mentioned Davis on Sabonis. “An All-Star. One of many premier bigs on this league. Hats off to him for what he’s in a position to do on each ends.”

Flipping The Script: Sacramento swept Los Angeles final season, however the Lakers have taken each matchups this 12 months, together with a 113-110 win on Thursday.

The driving power? Davis, who posted 21 factors, 19 rebounds and a season-high six blocks.

• “AD is particular,” mentioned LeBron James postgame. “Don’t take these performances without any consideration … that’s a particular expertise, and we wanted each final a type of 20 boards.”

The Lakers shot simply 40.4% from the sphere — their second-lowest mark this season — however outrebounded the Kings 53-43, with 35.8% of their boards coming from Davis.

• “This is likely to be my favourite win we’ve had all season,” mentioned Lakers coach JJ Redick postgame. “Simply because our offense wasn’t environment friendly…
• “AD was phenomenal tonight. It simply exhibits you the way elite he’s as a participant that he can have a 7-for-20 night time and nonetheless dominate a basketball sport.”

On the opposite aspect, Sabonis tallied 18 factors, 12 rebounds and 9 assists for Sacramento, however each he and Kings coach Mike Brown demanded extra depth.

• “They touched our paint every time they needed,” mentioned Brown. “They manhandled us the boards … we have now to raised.”
• “I feel we are able to play lots harder — me first,” added Sabonis. “That’s one thing we acquired to alter for the subsequent sport.”

Tonight, Sacramento goals to make an announcement whereas stopping its first season sequence loss to Los Angeles since 2019-20. With Sabonis and Davis every seeking to impose their will — the battle begins inside.

5. BEASTS IN THE EAST: WINNING KEYS TO WATCH

The highest six groups within the East — Cleveland, Boston, New York, Orlando, Milwaukee and Miami — all take the ground on Saturday.

Beneath is one successful key to look at for every workforce tonight.

76ers at Cavaliers (8 ET): After incomes a giant win over the Bucks on Friday, the Cavs face one other powerful check towards a rejuvenated Sixers squad with Tyrese Maxey, Paul George and Joel Embiid beginning to gel after 4 video games collectively.

• Profitable Each Methods: Whereas their offense ranks first in each area objective (50.4%) and 3-point share (40.0%), the Cavs protection has held its opponent underneath 110 factors 13 instances this season. In these video games, they’re 13-0

Knicks at Pelicans (8 ET, NBA TV): Coming off a 26-point win towards the Wolves in Karl-Anthony Cities’ return to Minnesota, the Knicks will search for a 3rd straight win as they go to the Pelicans.

• The KAT Key: Cities’ monster night time marked his seventeenth sport of 20+ factors and 10+ rebounds — the second-most within the NBA behind solely Giannis (20). New York’s report in these 17 video games? 14-3

Celtics at Bulls (8 ET): After Thursday’s loss to the Bulls in Boston, the Celtics will goal to keep away from their first back-to-back defeats since April 11 as they face Chicago once more — this time, on the United Middle.

• Boston 3 Social gathering: Main the league in 3-point makes an attempt (51.3) and makes (18.8), Boston is 13-2 this season after they shoot over 35% from deep

Warmth at Magic (7 ET): In one other in-state rivalry matchup tonight, the Magic host the Warmth, with each groups coming off a loss to the Thunder. A win for Orlando would snap a three-game skid.

• Stops & Photographs: Whereas permitting the second-fewest opponents’ ppg this season, Orlando is 13-2 when it shoots above its season common of 45.1%

Wizards at Bucks (8 ET): Trying to bounce again from final night time’s loss, Giannis and the Bucks will host Jordan Poole and the Wizards.

• Deer From Deep: Since their 2-8 begin, the Bucks have moved from 14th in 3-point share (35.6%) to first (40.7%). They’ve received their final six video games wherein they’ve shot over 40% from deep