D’Angelo Russell hit a game-winning 3-pointer with 3.4 seconds left, helping the Brooklyn Nets break their 11-game home losing streak with a dramatic 99-97 win over the Houston Rockets on Tuesday in New York. Brooklyn trailed by four with 9.5 seconds left, but Keon Johnson hit a three to close the gap.
After a steal by Tosan Evbuomwan, he passed to Russell, who made the decisive three-pointer. Houston’s Jalen Green missed a long shot at the buzzer. Johnson led Brooklyn with 22 points, while Evbuomwan and Nic Claxton both added 14. Alperen Sengun returned from injury to score 24 points and grab 20 rebounds for the Rockets, but they lost their fourth straight game.
Lakers 122, Clippers 97
LeBron James led the Los Angeles Lakers to a 122-97 win over the Clippers in Inglewood, Calif., scoring 26 points, eight rebounds, and nine assists. With Luka Doncic sidelined due to injury after being traded to the Lakers, Rui Hachimura and Austin Reaves each scored 20 points. The Clippers struggled defensively, allowing at least 122 points for the eighth time this season. Norman Powell led the Clippers with 20 points.
76ers 118, Mavericks 116
Joel Embiid posted a triple-double, and Tyrese Maxey had a double-double as the Philadelphia 76ers edged the Dallas Mavericks 118-116. Embiid finished with 29 points, 11 rebounds, and 10 assists. Maxey added 33 points and 13 assists. Kyrie Irving led the Mavericks with 34 points. Dallas, fresh off trading Luka Doncic to the Lakers, continued to struggle, while Philly bounced back from two consecutive losses.
Trail Blazers 112, Pacers 89
Anfernee Simons scored 22 points, and Jerami Grant added 20 as the Portland Trail Blazers defeated the Indiana Pacers 112-89. Scoot Henderson posted 17 points, eight rebounds, and five assists, while Shaedon Sharpe contributed 17 points.
Portland extended its winning streak to five games and continued its dominance over Indiana at home, winning for the 15th time in 16 meetings. The Pacers’ four-game win streak came to an end.
Bulls 133, Heat 124
In Chicago, rookie Matas Buzelis set a career-high with 24 points on perfect shooting, and Josh Giddey added 24 points to lead the Bulls past the Miami Heat 133-124. Ayo Dosunmu scored 21 points with nine assists, and Coby White contributed 22 points. Miami was led by Tyler Herro, who had 23 points, nine assists, and eight rebounds. Bam Adebayo also scored 23 points for the Heat.
Celtics 112, Cavaliers 105
Derrick White’s 14 fourth-quarter points helped the Boston Celtics defeat the Cleveland Cavaliers 112-105, extending their win streak to four games. Jayson Tatum led the Celtics with 22 points, while Kristaps Porzingis added 19 points and seven rebounds. Donovan Mitchell scored 31 points with 10 rebounds and six assists for the Cavs, but Cleveland’s home record dropped to 24-4.
Knicks 121, Raptors 115
The New York Knicks held off a second-half rally from the Toronto Raptors to win 121-115. Jalen Brunson led New York with 28 points, and Karl-Anthony Towns posted 27 points and 20 rebounds. Despite Toronto closing the gap to one point late, the Knicks held on for the win and completed a four-game sweep of the season series. Scottie Barnes scored 23 points for the Raptors, and Jamal Shead added 16 points and nine assists.
