It was a very busy day around the NBA, and it was hard to choose which three games to highlight. So, we’ll go with these three: two games featuring two hot teams and a rematch between former NBA Finals combatants.
Cavs Cool Off Suns Behind Stifling Defense
The Cleveland Cavaliers (36-6) clamped down on the Phoenix Suns (21-21) in the middle two quarters to post a 118-92 victory at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse.
Donovan Mitchell provided the firepower for the Cavs, firing 33 points and dishing off 5 assists. Darius Garland added 16 points and 7 dimes. Jayton Tyson and Sam Merrill gave an unexpected boost as well scoring 10 apiece off the bench.
Kevin Durant led the Suns with 23 points and 7 assists. But Devin Booker was held to only 15 after scoring at least 30 in each of his last five games.
Up next:
Cavs vs. Houston Rockets on January 23
Suns vs. Brooklyn Nets on January 23
Celtics Dismantle Warriors as Starters Drop 75
The Boston Celtics (30-13) left no doubt in this Finals rematch from three seasons ago as they dealt the Golden State Warriors (21-21) a 125-85 beating at Chase Center.
Jayson Tatum finished with 22 points, 9 rebounds, 7 assists, and 2 steals, while Kristaps Porzingis added 18 points and 7 rebounds. Boston was so dominant that their starters’ 75 points total nearly equalled the Warriors’ final tally.
Steph Curry could only muster 18 points on 4-for-12 from downtown as the Celtics defense smothered the four-time champ all game long. Moses Moody was the only other Warrior to get to double digits with 13.
Up next:
Celtics vs. Los Angeles Clippers on January 23
Warriors vs. Sacramento Kings on January 23
Pistons Top Rockets as Cade Cunningham Takes Over in the Third
Cade Cunningham scored 19 of his 32 points in the third quarter to help the Detroit Pistons 22-21) break free from a halftime deadlock en route to a 107-96 win over the Houston Rockets (28-14) at Toyota Center.
The Pistons’ 33-23 third quarter proved to be the difference as Cunningham completely took over the game. Jalen Duren was a difference-maker as well, finishing with 16 points, 14 rebounds, 3 assists, 4 steals, and 2 blocks. Malik Beasley fired 17 off the Detroit bench.
Fred VanVleet and Jalen Green had 20 and 19, respectively, but were a combined 15-for-36 from the field. The Rockets as a team shot a measly 39%—including 28% from downtown.
Up next:
Pistons vs. Atlanta Hawks on January 23
Rockets vs. Cavs on January 23
