Wednesday night saw 11 exciting matchups in the NBA, with a career-high performance from back-to-back Slam Dunk Contest winner Zach LaVine of the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Wolves beat Magic
The Minnesota Timberwolves beat the Orlando Magic 123-107 on their home court off the back of LaVine’s career-high 37 points, four rebounds and three assists. Andre Wiggins and Karl-Anthony Towns combined for 49, and Senegalese centre Gorgui Dieng finished the game with a 12-point, 11-rebound double-double and also had seven assists.
The Orlando Magic were led by Nikola Vucevic who had a double-double with 24 points and 14 rebounds. Congolese forward Serge Ibaka had 11 points and two rebounds, while DRC-born centre Bismack Biyombo ended the game with three points and eight rebounds.
DeRozan still hot as Raps beat Thunder
DeMar DeRozan led the Toronto Raptors past OKC 112-102 off the back of his 37 points, four rebounds and six assists. Kyle Lowry had a double-double with 19 points and 13 assists, while Patrick Patterson got 13 points, three rebounds and three assists.
Russell Westbrook took the lead at OKC with 36 points, seven rebounds and seven assists. American-Nigerian Victor Oladipo had 18 points and eight rebounds, while Steven Adams had a 14-point 12-rebound double-double.
Hawks swoop to Bulls victory
The Atlanta Hawks held down home court, beating the Chicago Bulls 115-107. Swiss-South African Thabo Sefolosha led the Hawks with a season-high 20 points. Dwight Howard and Paul Millsap both had double-doubles (Howard with 18 points and 10 rebounds, Millsap with 16 points and 11 rebounds), while German-Gambian Dennis Schroder ended the game with 13 points and seven rebounds.
Jimmy Butler had a big night, leading the Bulls with 39 points. Dwyane Wade had 25 points, three rebounds, three assists and five steals, and Taj Gibson had 13 points and six rebounds.
Sixers fall again as Embiid misses out
The Philadelphia 76ers missed the presence of Cameroonian centre Joel Embiid and lost 115-122 to the Indiana Pacers in OT. Jeff Teague led the Pacers with 30 points, Paul George had 28 points and eight rebounds, while Al Jefferson finished with 18 points and six rebounds.
Robert Covington had 23 points and six rebounds for the Sixers, Hollis Thompson had 18 points and six rebounds while Gerald Henderson finished with 17 points, five rebounds and two assists.
Hornets sting Jazz
The Charlotte Hornets improved to 6-1 after defeating the Utah Jazz 104-98. Kemba Walker led the Hornets with 21 points, five rebounds and six assists, Marvin Williams had 19 points and eight rebounds, while Frank Kaminsky and Marco Belinelli combined for 26 with 13 apiece.
Gordon Hayward led the Jazz with 29 points, seven rebounds and four assists, Rodney Hood had 20 points four rebounds and four assists, while Derrick Favors finished with a 16-point 10-rebound double-double.
Rockets shoot down Spurs
It was a close game in San Antonio as the Spurs went down to the visiting Houston Rockets 101-99. James Harden led the Rockets with his first triple-double of the season (24 points, 12 rebounds and 15 assists), Ray Anderson had 20 points and eight rebounds, while Swiss-Congolese centre Clint Capela ended the game with 12 points and five rebounds.
Kahwi Leonard led the Spurs with 34 points and seven rebounds, LaMarcus Aldridge had 14 points and five rebounds, and David Lee finished with 10 points, four rebounds and two assists.
Clippers make light work of Trail Blazers
In LA, the Clippers beat the Portland Trail Blazers 111-80. Blake Griffin led the Clippers with a 22-point 13-rebound double-double. Chris Paul had 19 points, four rebounds and seven assists. Cameroon’s Luc Mbah a Moute had a quiet night with three points and five rebounds.
Shabazz Napier led the Blazers with 11 points, two rebounds, two assists and two steals, while Noah Vonleh finished the game with five points and 11 rebounds.
The rest
In the other games, the Knicks took New York beating the Brooklyn Nets 110-96, the Washington Wizards beat the Boston Celtics 118-93, the Phoenix Suns beat the Detroit Pistons 107-100 and the Golden State Warriors beat the Dallas Mavericks 116-95.
By Kaunda Chama
