Another day, another busy slate around the Association. This time around, there were 11 games played, including some saucy matchups, like the New York Knicks edging out the Philadelphia 76ers, 125-119, and the Toronto Raptors shocking the Boston Celtics 110-97 (again). But for our daily picks, we’ll go with these three:
Refs Blow Big Call as Pelicans Escape Mavs
Controversy gripped the ending of the New Orleans Pelicans’ 119-116 escape act against the Dallas Mavericks at Smoothie King Center.
With the Mavs (22-19) trailing the Pelicans (10-32) 117-116, Spencer Dinwiddie went up for a lay-in but was blocked by Trey Murphy III. He then sank two free throws for the final tally. However, replays clearly showed Dinwiddie’s shot had hit the glass first, which would’ve been a clear goaltending. But the Mavs couldn’t challenge as they had no timeouts left.
Murphy finished with 24 points, 10 rebounds, and 3 blocks, while Dejounte Murray had 30 points, 7 rebounds, and 7 assists for the Pelicans. Daniel Gafford led the Mavs with 27 points and 12 rebounds. Dinwiddie added 20 markers and 3 steals. Dallas again played without Kyrie Irving (back) and Luka Doncic (calf).
Up next:
Pelicans vs. Utah Jazz on January 18
Mavs vs. Oklahoma City Thunder on January 18
Fast Start Helps Warriors Survive Wolves
Steph Curry fired 31 points on seven triples to help the Golden State Warriors (20-20) to a 116-115 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves (21-19) at Target Center.
Curry’s hot shooting led the Warriors to an early 26-5 lead as the Wolves scored only 12 in the first quarter to the Dubs’ 34. But Minnesota steadily chipped away at the lead, eventually tying things up at 108 with time down to 1:07. But Curry hit a trey to give the Warriors back the lead they never relinquished.
Andrew Wiggins added 24 points, while Buddy Hield chipped in 18 off the Dubs’ bench. Donte DiVincenzo was sensational for the home team, finishing with 28 points, 6 rebounds, and 9 assists. Anthony Edwards contributed 28 points as well but committed 5 turnovers and shot just 7-for-19 overall.
Up next:
Warriors vs. Washington Wizards on January 19
Wolves vs. New York Knicks on January 18
Clippers Give Nets Brutal Beatdown
Kawhi Leonard and James Harden combined for 41 points while playing fewer than 25 minutes each to lead the Los Angeles Clippers (22-17) to a dominant 126-67 triumph over the Brooklyn Nets (14-27) at Intuit Dome.
The Clippers and Nets actually fought to a 21-all deadlock after one quarter, but the Clippers zoomed ahead with a 37-14 second period. Things got worse in the third when the home team outscored the visitors 44-16 in a complete mismatch. The Clips’ 59-point annihilation of the Nets is the ninth-biggest winning margin in NBA history.
Leonard finished the game with 23 points in just 24 minutes, while Harden had 21 in 23 minutes. Four other Clippers fired double-digit scoring outputs. Jalen Wilson was a lone bright spot for the Nets with his 16 points off the bench.
Up next:
Clippers vs. Trail Blazers on January 17
Nets vs. Los Angeles Lakers on January 18
