Three Stars
Here are my “three stars” from yesterday’s NBA games, with the “first star” considered the top performer.
First ⭐️
Giannis Antetokounmpo scored a game-high 34 points to lead the Miami Heat to a 137-117 victory over the Detroit Pistons. Antetokounmpo shot a sizzling 13-17 from the field and 7-9 from the free throw line. He added a game-high 14 rebounds, eight assists, a game-high three blocks (tied with Kevin Huerter), and one steal in 31 minutes played.
Second ⭐️
Nikola Jokic racked up game highs of 26 points, 10 assists, and eight rebounds (tied with Yves Missi) in the Denver Nuggets’ 116-108 win over the New Orleans Pelicans. Jokic went 9-14 from the floor and a perfect 7-7 from the charity stripe. He also swiped three steals in 37 minutes of action.
Third ⭐️
Cedric Coward produced game highs of 23 points and 12 rebounds as the Memphis Grizzlies beat the Brooklyn Nets 129-110. Coward shot 7-13 from the field (4-6 on threes) and 5-6 from the free throw line. He also contributed four assists, two steals, and a team-high two blocks (tied with Cameron Boozer) in 33 minutes played.
Milestones
LaMelo Ball went just 4-19 from beyond the arc in the Minnesota Timberwolves’ 117-106 loss to the Chicago Bulls, setting franchise records for most 3-pointers attempted and most 3-pointers missed in a game. The previous marks of 18 attempts and 13 misses were both held by Anthony Edwards.
Streaking
Antetokounmpo has recorded three straight 30-point games and 10 straight 20-point games. He’s averaging 29.1 PPG, 13.8 RPG, and 5.8 APG with a field goal percentage of 60.2% over the latter span.
Antetokounmpo is just the second player in Miami Heat history to record back-to-back 30-point games with 75% shooting from the field, joining Andrew Wiggins.
Team(s) with a losing streak of five or more games: New Orleans Pelicans (six).
The Memphis Grizzlies hit 15 triples to extend their streak of games with 10 or more 3-pointers made to 51. That breaks a tie with the Charlotte Hornets for the ninth-longest such streak in NBA history.
Miscellany
Tyrese Proctor recorded his first career triple-double, compiling 24 points, 11 rebounds, and 10 assists as the shorthanded Cleveland Cavaliers beat the Dallas Mavericks 127-117. The top six players in the Cavaliers’ regular rotation were inactive for this game.
Jokic recorded game highs (either outright or tied) in points, rebounds, and assists for the 93rd time, 23 more such games than any other player in NBA history (LeBron James, 70).