The Boston Celtics have suffered their first home loss of the season, going down to the reigning champion Denver Nuggets 102-100.
With arguably the best team in each conference facing off, it promised to be a cracking game.
It sure delivered, with the game decided on the final play when Celtics star Jayson Tatum unable to connect on a game-tying fadeaway two in the final seconds.
“Sign me up for seven games of this in the NBA finals immediately,” ESPN’s Malika Andrews said post-game.
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Heading into the Nuggets clash, the Celtics were 20-0 on the season when playing at home.
Denver big man and Nikola Jokic proved a potent one-two punch against the Celtics, with the Serbian star recording 34 points, 12 rebounds and nine assists while Murray poured in 35 himself.
The two combined for 69 of their team’s 102 points, easily outplaying Boston’s star duo of Jayson Tatum (22pts) and Jaylen Brown (13pts).
JINGLES AGAIN MAKES PRESENCE FELT
Aussie star Joe Ingles was involved in a couple of humorous moment during’s Orlando’s loss to the Philadelphia 76ers, including one with reigning MVP Joel Embiid.
Marked on Embiid in the third quarter, Ingles slapped the ball out of the hand of the Sixers star in an attempt to steal it. After it went a few metres up in the air, it ended up in the hands of a Philadelphia player.
Embiid would get the ball again that position and was again defended by Ingles however the Aussie committed a foul which sent Embiid to the line.
Earlier in the game, Ingles hit a corner three in front of Philadelphia’s Danuel House Jr. and then proceeded to jokingly stare down his ex-Jazz teammate as he was retreating back on defence.
Ingles was his usually lively self for the Magic off the bench, scoring nine points and three assists in 21 minutes of action.
It wouldn’t be enough though as the Sixers proved far too good in a 124-109 victory.
D BOOK’S ELECTRIC FIRST HALF
It’s been an up-and-down season for the Phoenix Suns, but with three straight wins entering Saturday’s (AEDT) clash against the New Orleans Pelicans, it seems as if they’re beginning to find their groove as the star trio of Devin Booker, Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal finally put together consistent minutes on the court together.
It’s clear Booker is determined to extend his team’s win streak to four if his first half is anything to go by. The star guard had 32 points from 11/18 shooting by half time to give the Suns a 67-52 lead over the 25-17 Pelicans.
A win against the Pelicans would move Phoenix to 23-18 and up to 7th spot in the Western Conference.
NBA SCORES JANUARY 20
Sixers 124 @ Magic 109
Spurs 120 @ Hornets 124
Nuggets 102 @ Celtics 100
Suns @ Pelicans (in progress)
Hawks @ Heat (in progress)
Pacers @ Trail Blazers (2pm AEDT)
Nets @ Lakers (2pm AEDT)