Six great games were played in the NBA on Tuesday night, featuring surprise victories and game-winning performances by Anthony Davis of the New Orleans Pelicans and Giannis Antetokounmpo of the Milwaukee Bucks.
Giannis takes down Cavaliers
The Milwaukee Bucks beat the defending champions Cleveland Cavaliers 118-101 on the back of Giannis Antetokounmpo’s 34-point, 12-rebound double-double. Jabari Parker had 18 points and four rebounds, while Michael Beasley finished with 17 points, two rebounds, two assists and two steals.
LeBron James led the Cavs with 22 points, four rebounds and four assists, Kyrie Irving had 20 points, two rebounds and three assists, while Kevin Love ended the game with a 13-point, 13-rebound double-double.
Magic cast spell on Spurs
The Orlando Magic beat the San Antonio Spurs 95-83. Congolese Serge Ibaka led the Magic with 18 points, seven rebounds, two assists and two steals, French-Algerian Evan Fournier had 13 points, three rebounds and seven assists, Nikola Vucevic had a 12-point, 10-rebound double-double, while DRC centre Bismack Biyombo finished with nine points and six rebounds.
Kawhi Leonard led the Spurs with 21 points, LaMarcus Aldridge had 16 points, six rebounds and three assists, while Manu Ginobili was good.
Nets snare Clippers
The Brooklyn Nets beat the LA Clippers 127-122 in double overtime. Sean Kilpatrick led the Nets with a 38-point, 14-rebound double-double, Brook Lopez had 27 points and eight rebounds, while Trevor Booker finished with a 15-point, 11-rebound double-double.
Chris Paul led the Clippers with a 26-point, 10-rebound and 13-assist triple-double. DeAndre Jordan had a 21-point, 23-rebound double-double, Cameroonian Luc Mbah a Moute had two points, four rebounds and three steals, while JJ Redick ended the game with 18 points.
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Jazz beat Rockets
The Utah Jazz beat the Houston Rockets 120-101. Gordon Hayward led the Jazz with 31 points, five rebounds and seven assists, Rodney Hood had 19 points, French-Senegalese Boris Diaw had four points, two rebounds and one assist, while Rudy Gobert finished with a 16-point, 14 rebound double-double.
James Harden led the Rockets with 26 points, five rebounds and seven assists, Eric Gordon had 24 points and two rebounds, while Swiss-Congolese centre Clint Capela ended the night with eight points and six rebounds.
Davis demolishes Lakers
The New Orleans Pelicans beat the Los Angeles Lakers 105-88. Anthony Davis had a monster double-double with 41 points and 16 rebounds, Jrue Holiday had 22 points and five assists, while Omer Asik finished with a 10-point, 11-rebound double-double.
Lou Williams led the Lakers with 16 points, three rebounds and four assists, Julius Randle has a 12-point, 10-rebound double-double, Timofey Mozgov had 10 points and nine rebounds, while South Sudanese forward Luol Deng ended the game with five points, two rebounds, one assists and a steal.
The rest
In Tuesday night’s other game, the Detroit Pistons beat the Charlotte Hornets 112-89.
By Kaunda Chama
