The second annual in-season tourney, the NBA Cup, began Tuesday with eight games in group play. For an explanation of how the tourney works, including the breakdown of the groups, tap here.
Tuesday’s results
- Celtics 116-117 Hawks (Recap)
- Pistons 123-121 Heat (Recap)
- Magic 114-89 Hornets (Recap)
- 76ers 99-111 Knicks (Recap)
- Bucks 99-85 Raptors (Recap)
- Jazz 112-120 Suns (Recap)
- Warriors 120-117 Mavs (Recap)
- Blazers 122-108 T-Wolves (Recap)
Top performers
Tyler Herro (Heat): Herro’s efforts nearly lifted Miami to a dramatic comeback win over the Detroit Pistons. The Heat guard finished with a season-high 40 points, including six triples in the fourth quarter to erase a 14-point deficit and force overtime. He knocked down 10 threes overall to set a new single-game franchise record. Herro’s contested basket with 1.8 seconds remaining in the extra frame would’ve been the game-winner had Miami made one more defensive stand.
Dyson Daniels (Hawks): Daniels stepped up in Trae Young’s absence, posting a career-high 28 points, seven assists, six steals, and three boards to lead the Hawks to a stunning road win over the Boston Celtics. The third-year guard is the first NBA player to register at least 35 steals through their first 10 appearances of the season since Baron Davis and Allen Iverson in 2003-04.
Steph Curry (Warriors): Curry spoiled Klay Thompson’s Bay Area homecoming. The two-time MVP dropped 37 points – including a personal 12-3 fourth-quarter run – on 14-of-27 shooting from the field to go along with his nine assists and six rebounds. Curry embraced his former Splash Bro, who recorded a season-high 22 points, after the final whistle blew.
Highlight of the night
Toronto Raptors center Bruno Fernando uncorked a wicked poster over Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo. The journeyman center also had his best game in a Raptors uniform, recording season highs in points (eight), rebounds (13), and blocks (two).
https://twitter.com/i/status/1856528928715755589
Tweet of the night
Hundreds of Golden State Warriors employees were waiting for Thompson to arrive at the Chase Center for his first game against the Warriors since he joined the Dallas Mavericks. The staff members were sporting sailor hats in homage to Thompson’s well-known hobby of boating.
https://twitter.com/i/status/1856492962999591088
Stat of the night
You’ve got to love shooting variance. The Portland Trail Blazers picked up a crucial 122-108 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves, knocking down 18-of-32 (56%) of their attempts from deep. Portland shot just 4-of-42 (9%) from the land beyond in its previous game, managing just 89 points in a 45-point loss.
What’s next
The NBA Cup resumes Friday with a dozen matchups, highlighted by a West Group B clash in South-Central Texas between LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers and Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs.
