Alperen Sengun and Jabari Smith Jr. both achieved double-doubles and combined for a crucial late three-pointer as the Houston Rockets held off the Milwaukee Bucks and Giannis Antetokounmpo, winning 112-108 on Saturday.
Sengun contributed 21 points and 11 rebounds, while Smith scored 14 points and grabbed 12 rebounds. Despite the Bucks reducing a 21-point deficit to 102-99, Sengun assisted Smith for a crucial three-pointer, securing the victory for the Rockets. Giannis Antetokounmpo had an outstanding performance, finishing with 48 points and 17 rebounds. However, Damian Lillard (18 points, eight assists) and Khris Middleton (10 points, five assists) struggled, shooting just 8-for-25 as the Bucks suffered their third loss in four games. Seven Rockets players scored in double figures, with Jalen Green and Jeff Green each contributing 16 points, and Fred VanVleet adding 14 points and seven assists.
Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown led Boston to a victory over Indiana in Indianapolis, halting the Pacers’ six-game winning streak. Tatum recorded 38 points, the highest in the game, and Brown contributed 31 points. Tatum also secured 13 rebounds and provided six assists, while making eight of his 13 three-point shots. On the other side, Tyrese Haliburton tallied 17 points and seven assists for Indiana, but the team struggled from beyond the arc, making only eight of their 42 attempts. Bennedict Mathurin led the Pacers with 20 points, supported by 15 points from Buddy Hield and 12 from Myles Turner.
Julius Randle had a strong comeback, scoring 39 points as the Knicks led throughout the game and secured a win against the Washington team. This performance followed a quiet game in Philadelphia where he only scored eight points. Randle’s contribution, including 13 successful shots out of 23 attempts and 10 out of 13 free throws, along with seven rebounds and five assists, helped the Knicks achieve their season-high fourth consecutive victory. Despite Kyle Kuzma’s 27 points, the Wizards suffered their fourth consecutive loss. Deni Avdija also made a significant contribution with 23 points, 10 rebounds, and six assists, but Washington’s 47.1% shooting was not enough to offset the 20 turnovers that led to 23 points for the Knicks.
Lauri Markkanen scored 33 points and grabbed 13 rebounds to help Utah defeat Philadelphia on their home court. Collin Sexton also had a strong performance with 22 points and 10 assists, while John Collins contributed 19 points. Jordan Clarkson scored 18 points and Walker Kessler added 10. Tyrese Maxey led the Sixers with 25 points, Kelly Oubre Jr. scored 24, and Paul Reed achieved a season-high of 16 points. Joel Embiid was absent from the game due to swelling in his left knee.
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