Only four games in the NBA on Wednesday, so we’ll take a look at all of them:
Grizzlies Stop Suns as Kevin Durant Makes History
Ja Morant and Desmond Bane helped the Memphis Grizzlies (36-17) to a 119-112 triumph over the Phoenix Suns (26-27) at Footprint Center to spoil Kevin Durant’s latest milestone.
Morant had 26 points, 7 rebounds, and 6 assists, while Desmond Bane 20 points and 8 rebounds used a strong start and repelled every Suns comeback attempt. Brandon Clarke and Santi Aldama fired 14 each from the Memphis bench.
Durant scored a game-high 34 points en route to becoming only the eighth NBA player to reach 30,000 career points. He now has 30,027 in his 16-year career. Nick Richards added 18 points and 14 rebounds, but Devin Booker was held to just 17 markers.
Up next:
Grizzlies vs. Los Angeles Clippers on February 13
Suns vs. Houston Rockets on February 13
Knicks Rout Pacers as Karl-Anthony Towns Drops 40-10
Karl-Anthony Towns had 40 points, 12 rebounds, and 5 assists to lead the New York Knicks (35-18) to a 128-115 victory over the Indiana Pacers (29-23) at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
Josh Hart added 30 points, 10 rebounds, and 5 assists. Miles McBride and Landry Shamet combined for 26 points off the bench to make up for Jalen Brunson’s off-night, as he struggled with foul trouble and managed only 8 markers.
Thomas Bryant led the Pacers with 18 points, while Benedict Mathurin came off the bench to score 18 as well.
Up next:
Knicks vs. Atlanta Hawks on February 13
Pacers vs. Washington Wizards on February 13
Raptors Overcome Sixers Behind Scottie Barnes’ Big Game
Scottie Barnes capped off a huge night with a well-placed assist to help the Toronto Raptors (17-37) overcome the Philadelphia 76ers (20-33) in a 106-103 thriller at Wells Fargo Center.
Barnes, who finished with 33 points and 10 rebounds, dished a dime to Ochai Agbaji for the layup that gave the Raptors a 105-103 lead with time down to 1:32. Immanuel Quickley gave Barnes lots of support, putting up 23 points and 5 assists, while Gradey Dick chipped in 17.
Joel Embiid, playing in his second consecutive game, dropped 27 points and 12 rebounds to lead the Sixers but turned the ball over with less than a minute left. Tyrese Maxey struggled throughout, finishing with only 5 points on 1-for-9 shooting.
Up next:
Raptors vs. Cleveland Cavaliers on February 13
Sixers vs. Brooklyn Nets on February 13
Pistons Dismantle Bulls Behind Cade Cunningham, Malik Beasley
Cade Cunningham and Malik Beasley led the Detroit Pistons (28-26) to a 132-92 dismantling of the Chicago Bulls (22-32) at United Center.
Beasley fired a team-high 24 points on seven triples off the bench, while Cunningham put up 20 points, 6 rebounds, and 7 assists. Tobias Harris and Ausar Thompson chipped in 18 and 16, respectively, while Isaiah Stewart and Marcus Sasser each had 14, also off the bench.
Matas Buzelis topscored for the Bulls with 12 points. Josh Giddey was the only other Bull to finish in double-digits as Chicago shot a putrid 35% from the field overall.
Up next:
Rematch on February 13
