It was a six-game slate on Thursday for the NBA, and the schedule featured two of the Association’s most storied franchises. One stepped up and continued its winning ways but the other got embarrassed—big time.
Here are some notable games to check out:
Lakers Get 41-Point Trouncing from Heat
That strong start of the Los Angeles Lakers is looking more and more like a mirage after the Purple and Gold’s latest setback. On Thursday, the Lakers lost for a sixth time in eight games—a 134-93 shellacking courtesy of the Miami Heat in Kaseya Center—to drop to 12-10.
Already down 69-52 at halftime, the Lakers fell apart even more in the third quarter, when Tyler Herro exploded for 21 points on 7 triples to help the Heat (10-10) take a 95-72 lead going to the fourth quarter. Miami cruised from there, dealing the Lakers their worst loss of the season.
Herro finished with 31 points for the Heat, who also got 17 from Jimmy Butler, 16 from Terry Rozier, and 14 each from Bam Adebayo and Haywood Highsmith. LeBron James was the lone bright spot for the Lakers with 29 points and 8 assists.
(Up next: Lakers vs. Atlanta Hawks on December 7, Heat vs. Phoenix Suns on December 8)
Hawks Fly High Again, Stop Streaking Bucks
The Atlanta Hawks (12-11) continued their giant-slaying ways on Thursday, this time clipping the erstwhile red-hot Milwaukee Bucks (11-10), 119-104, at Fiserv Forum.
Atlanta used a strong first half to build a double-digit lead, then protected it throughout the second half, repulsing every Milwaukee uprising. Jalen Johnson led a balanced attack, finishing with 23 points and 13 rebounds. De’Andre Hunter continued to be lights out off the bench, adding 20 points for the Hawks, who now have won five straight.
Giannis Antetokounmpo had 31 points and 11 assists for the Bucks, who just could not build enough momentum to clip the Hawks.
(Up next: Hawks vs. Lakers and Bucks vs. Boston Celtics on December 7)
Sixers Lose to Magic, Drops to 5-15
Just when the Philadelphia 76ers seemed to have momentum after back-to-back wins, that all went kaput on Thursday as the Orlando Magic (16-8) handed the Sixers a 106-102 defeat. The loss sent the Sixers to 5-15 for the season as the team continues to navigate nagging injuries to Paul George and Joel Embiid.
Franz Wagner was sensational again for the Magic, finishing with 35 points and 7 rebounds. Jalen Suggs contributed 17 points and 6 dimes, while Jonathan Isaac, Moritz Wagner, and Anthony Black had 10 apiece off the bench.
Jared McCain dropped 24 points and 7 rebounds for the Sixers, who got double-digit scoring from every one of their starters—including 16 from Tyrese Maxey and 15 each from Guerschon Yabusele and Kelly Oubre Jr.—to give the Magic a good fight.
(Up next: Rematch on December 7)
