The Orlando Magic hindered the Boston Celtics’ chances in the NBA in-season tournament, while the Houston Rockets eliminated the reigning champions Denver from the new competition.
Houston Rockets 105 Denver Nuggets 86
Jalen Green scored 25 points and Alperen Sengun contributed 21 points and 15 rebounds for the Rockets. They managed to withstand a strong performance from Denver’s Nikola Jokic, who scored 38 points, grabbed 19 rebounds, and dished out eight assists. Despite Jokic’s efforts, the struggling Nuggets, missing the injured Jamal Murray, only shot 34% from the field and suffered their fifth loss in seven games.
Aaron Gordon epitomized their offensive struggles by going 0-for-12 from the field and scoring just two points. The Nuggets finished the group with a 2-2 record, but their point differential meant they were unable to advance. In the same group, the New Orleans Pelicans secured the top spot with a 116-106 win over the Los Angeles Clippers, leading to the elimination of the Nuggets.
Orlando Magic 113 Boston Celtics 96
The Magic, who recently defeated the Nuggets, dominated the league-leading Celtics in the second half to secure a 113-96 victory, extending Orlando’s winning streak to six games. Moritz Wagner scored 27 points coming off the bench, while Paolo Banchero contributed 23 points and seven rebounds for the Magic. Jayson Tatum led the Celtics with 26 points, and Jaylen Brown added 18, with 12 of those points scored in the first quarter.
However, Brown struggled in the last three quarters, making only two of 17 shots as the Magic tightened their defense, resulting in the Celtics’ most significant defeat of the season. With this outcome, the Magic finished group with a 3-1 record, while the Celtics, who could have secured their spot in the knockout stage, dropped to 2-1, tying with the Brooklyn Nets, with one game left in the group before its conclusion on Tuesday.
Sacramento Kings 124 Minnesota Timberwolves 111
The Minnesota Timberwolves missed an opportunity to advance to the next round by losing 124-111 to the Sacramento Kings. De’Aaron Fox led the Kings with 36 points and 12 assists, helping them to a 3-0 record in the group.
Goldens State Warriors 118 San Antonio Spurs 112
Stephen Curry scored 35 points, including seven three-pointers, for the Warriors as they defeated the Spurs, who were led by Devin Vassell with 24 points off the bench. Victor Wembanyama and Keldon Johnson each scored 22 points in the game. This victory marked the Spurs’ 11th consecutive defeat.
New York Knicks 100 Miami Heat 98
In a crucial tournament game in New York, the Knicks made a remarkable comeback from a 21-point third-quarter deficit to defeat the Miami Heat 100-98. Jalen Brunson led the Knicks with 24 points, while Immanuel Quickley contributed 20 points off the bench. The Knicks outscored the Heat 29-11 in the fourth quarter. Despite Jimmy Butler’s 23 points for Miami, he missed a potential game-winning three-pointer with just two-tenths of a second remaining.
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