NBA Game Notes (Dec. 8, 2022)
Here are the NBA game notes for games that were played on December 8, 2022.
Nuggets-Blazers Thriller
Jamal Murray hit a 3-pointer with just 0.9 seconds left on the clock to lift the Nuggets to a thrilling 121-120 win over the Trail Blazers. Murray’s shot came on the heels of Damian Lillard’s lead-changing 3-pointer with just 8.8 seconds remaining.
The Nuggets’ Nikola Jokic recorded team highs of 33 points, 10 rebounds, and nine assists. It’s the 90th time Jokic has been his team’s outright leader in all three categories. Only two players in NBA history have recorded more such games: LeBron James (151) and Russell Westbrook (98).
Teammate Aaron Gordon scored 20 points on 8-12 shooting from the field, including two 3-pointers. Gordon has recorded six 20-point games with an effective field goal percentage of at least 75% this season, the most such games in the NBA.
Lillard scored 40 points and dished out 12 assists in the loss. He shot 12-22 from the field — including 9-17 from 3-point range — and made all seven of his free throws.
It’s the 14th time Lillard has recorded at least 40 points and 10 assists in a game. The only players since the ABA-NBA merger with more such games are James Harden (31) and Russell Westbrook (17).
Lillard now has 10 career games in which he’s made at least nine 3-pointers. The only other player in NBA history to reach that mark is Stephen Curry, who’s recorded 38 such games.
Butler, Adebayo Lead Heat
Jimmy Butler recorded a Game Score of 31.7 as the Heat got past the Clippers 115-110:
26 PTS
5 REB
8 AST
4 STL
10-12 FG
Teammate Bam Adebayo chipped in with 31 points and 14 rebounds on 14-21 shooting from the field for a Game Score of 28.3. It’s the second time this season Butler and Adebayo have each recorded a Game Score of 25.0 or higher in the same game. The only other duo with multiple such games this season is Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving with three.
The Clippers’ Paul George tallied 29 points, eight rebounds, and seven assists in the loss. George shot 5-11 from 3-point range, the 94th time he’s scored at least 25 points with five 3-pointers made. Only five players in NBA history have recorded more such games:
268 — Stephen Curry
160 — James Harden
132 — Damian Lillard
99 — Ray Allen
95 — Klay Thompson
Spurs Snap Streak
The Spurs snapped their 11-game losing streak with a 118-109 victory over the Rockets. It’s just the Spurs’ second win in their last 18 games, with their only other win in that span having come almost one month ago (Nov. 11).
The Spurs’ Keldon Johnson scored a game-high 32 points on 14-21 shooting from the field. Johnson’s Game Score was 21.9, the third time he’s recorded a figure of 20.0 or higher this season.
Teammate Tre Jones scored a career-high 26 points on 10-15 shooting from the field. He dished out five assists and did not commit a turnover. Jones recorded a Game Score of 23.2, the second-highest such figure of his career.