The Bounce Newsletter
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Game Highlights
Nikola Jokić‘s recent no-look pass that just brushed by Domantas Sabonis could really spark some creative themed promotions for the Denver Nuggets. It seemed like Jokić won a game of wit against Sabonis that the latter never knew he was part of.
Last night’s action featured a notable grudge match between the Milwaukee Bucks and Indiana Pacers. This rivalry has been heating up recently after skirmishes over a game ball and confrontations during last season’s playoffs. Giannis Antetokounmpo’s conflicts with Tyrese Haliburton‘s father over the Bucks’ early exit from the postseason only added fuel to an already intense rivalry.
The game featured Myles Turner’s return to Indiana after his offseason shift to the Bucks, but he was met with boos from the home crowd despite his affection for the franchise.
Turner contributed modestly with nine points, seven rebounds, and five blocks in 32 minutes. Instead of a revenge performance, it was Giannis who took center stage, scoring 33 points, accumulating 13 rebounds, and dishing out five assists, making 14 of 21 attempts from the field. Though the Pacers rallied to equalize after trailing by 12 points in the fourth quarter, they were unable to secure the win, with Giannis hitting the decisive shot in the final seconds. He notably silenced the crowd with a gesture—a reaction to the fans’ treatment of Turner—and even returned their jeers.
Milwaukee now holds a 5-2 record, while Indiana’s struggles continue, placing them at 1-6.
Other Game Results
In other games, the Houston Rockets triumphed over the Dallas Mavericks, 110-102. Despite a commendable effort from Dallas, who were without star Anthony Davis, players like P.J. Washington, who scored 29 points and grabbed 12 rebounds, couldn’t compensate for the loss. Amen Thompson spearheaded Houston’s offense, netting 27 points, while Alperen Şengün added a substantial 26 points, 11 rebounds, and 6 assists.
A nail-biting finish occurred in the Miami Heat’s narrow victory against the Los Angeles Clippers, where Kawhi Leonard missed a crucial late-game shot, contributing to the Clippers’ turnover woes. In a high-scoring affair, Norm Powell made a return with 21 points, but it was Bam Adebayo‘s 25-point and 10-rebound performance that led Miami to a 120-119 victory.
The Utah Jazz managed a 105-103 win against the Boston Celtics, thanks in large part to Keyonte George‘s 31-point effort and a game-winning putback by Jusuf Nurkić in the closing seconds. Jaylen Brown shined for the Celtics with 36 points, yet it was the Jazz’s strong rebounding performance that likely sealed their victory.
The Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Portland Trail Blazers, 123-115, in a game that saw no appearance from Luka Dončić or LeBron James. Deandre Ayton led the Lakers with a stellar performance of 29 points and 10 rebounds, while Nick Smith Jr. added 25 off the bench.
In a close contest, the Detroit Pistons triumphed over the Memphis Grizzlies, 114-106, thanks to Cade Cunningham‘s 33 points and Isaiah Stewart‘s explosive stat line of 26 points, 14 rebounds, 4 assists, and 4 blocks. The Pistons improved to 5-2 as they withstood a comeback attempt from the Grizzlies, who had cut a substantial deficit down to just three points late in the game.
The Denver Nuggets edged out the Sacramento Kings, winning 130-124. Russell Westbrook put on a strong showing against his former team, contributing 26 points, 12 rebounds, and 6 assists. Denver’s success hinged on Jokić’s impressive 34 points and 14 assists.
The Minnesota Timberwolves trounced the Brooklyn Nets, 125-109, with Julius Randle earning a triple-double via 19 points, 11 rebounds, and 10 assists, while Donte DiVincenzo led all scores with 25 points. It marked the Nets’ seventh consecutive loss, leaving fans and analysts questioning if they will secure a win before December.
Lastly, the New York Knicks claimed victory over the Washington Wizards, 119-102, even though Washington began strong. The Knicks excelled in the second and third quarters, scoring 76 points compared to the Wizards’ 48.
Upcoming Prospects
As for upcoming prospects, which teams are best positioned heading into the men’s college basketball season? The Athletic’s college basketball expert, Brendan Marks, shared insights on the potential surprises as the season unfolds.
