It was another busy day around the Association, and today’s slate was full of incredible performances. We break down two of the best, along with a magical comeback for the ages.
Nuggets Escape Pelicans’ Upset Axe with Furious Rally
The Denver Nuggets bucked a sluggish start to rally past the New Orleans Pelicans, 132-129, in overtime at the Smoothie King Center.
Denver (15-11) was still down 107-98 midway through the fourth quarter but uncorked a 15-2 run to get the lead. The Pelicans (5-25), though, fought back and led again, 119-117 on a CJ McCollum triple with 52 ticks left. Jamal Murray sent the game to OT with a midrange jumper at the elbow.
Murray finished with 27 points. Nikola Jokic had 27 as well—including Denver’s final five points in OT—on top of 13 rebounds and 10 dimes. Russell Westbrook added 21 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists, and 3 steals off the Nuggets bench. McCollum had 24 for the Pelicans, who got a team-high 25 from Jordan Hawkins off the bench.
(Up next: Nuggets vs. Phoenix Suns on December 24, Pelicans vs. Houston Rockets on December 27)
Pacers Explode in Second Half, Rout Kings
Pascal Siakam scored 13 of his 19 points after intermission to lead the Indiana Pacers’ second-half explosion en route to a 122-95 triumph over the Sacramento Kings at Golden 1 Center.
The Pacers (14-15) broke the game open in the third, outscoring the Kings (13-17), 35-26, to turn a 52-all nail-biter to an 87-78 advantage. Indiana scored 35 more in the fourth to complete the rout.
Six other Pacers scored in double-digits, including Myles Turner, who had 15, and Tyrese Haliburton, who chipped in with 14 points and 8 assists. Ben Sheppard also had 14, while Thomas Bryant and Andrew Nembhard each put up 12. De’Aaron Fox led the Kings with a game-high 23 points to go along with 5 rebounds and 7 assists.
(Up next: Pacers vs. Golden State Warriors on December 24, Kings vs. Detroit Pistons on December 27)
Rockets Survive Raptors for First Win in Toronto Since 2019
Dillon Brooks and Jalen Green combined for 49 points to help lead the Houston Rockets (19-9) to a 114-110 victory over the Toronto Raptors (7-22) at Scotiabank Arena—their first since 2019.
Brooks finished with 27 markers, going 13-for-14 from the foul line as he looked to attack the Toronto defense. Green added 22 points and 6 boards, while Alperen Sengun had 17 points and 10 boards. Amen Thompson and Cam Whitmore chipped in 10 and 11, respectively off the bench.
The Raptors loss spoiled the career night of Ja’Kobe Walter, who scored Toronto’s first 14 points en route to a career-high 27. Jamal Shead had 11 points and 10 dimes off the Raptors bench, while Chris Boucher chipped in 15.
(Up next: Raptors vs. Charlotte Hornets, Raptors vs. New York Knicks on December 24)
