Nets claim win over city rivals while OKC lose on Durant’s return…
There were 10 games on a busy night in the NBA on Tuesday, with the Dallas Mavericks securing a thrilling double-overtime win over the Chicago Bulls.
Monta Ellis took 35 shots to reach 38 points but despite the abnormality of his numbers, coach Rick Carlisle was pleased with his performance given that he contributed clutch plays to secure the win.
Ellis hit three free-throws with 1.2 seconds left in the fourth quarter to tie the game and then made his only 3-point shot of the game for a go-ahead basket in the second overtime that lifted the Mavs to the win.
Chicago’s Derrick Rose hit a 3-pointer at the overtime buzzer to force double OT, but despite ending with 18 points while Pau Gasol had 29 points and 14 rebounds along with 23 from Jimmy Butler, it wasn’t enough for the hosts to avoid defeat.
The Bulls drop to 2-4 at home so far this season and 11-7 overall with Rose insisting that they are learning from the experience and waiting for things to click.
The Brooklyn Nets claimed a win over their city rivals the New York Knicks behind 22 points and eight rebounds from Joe Johnson.
Brook Lopez added 23 points as the Nets move to 2-0 in the series so far this season with Carmelo Anthony putting up 20 points, nine rebounds and six assists in a losing effort.
The Oklahoma City Thunder were also on the losing end on Tuesday despite the return of reigning league MVP Kevin Durant from injury, as they slipped to 5-13 for the season after a loss at the New Orleans Pelicans.
Durant scored 27 points on his comeback, but it was Tyreke Evans (30 points) and Anthony Davis (25 points, 10 rebounds and four blocks) who stole the show to end a three-game losing streak for the Pelicans.
“I was confident in myself. I knew my wind wasn’t where I wanted it to be, obviously, but I felt good out there,” said Durant, who missed the Thunder’s first 17 games with a fractured right foot.
Elsewhere, Kyrie Irving scored 28 points as the Cleveland Cavaliers’ ‘Big Three’ combined for 81 points in a slim win over the Milwaukee Bucks, while the Golden State Warriors were also winners on Tuesday to extend their winning streak to 10 games.
NBA Results
Milwaukee Bucks 108-111 Cleveland Cavaliers
Boston Celtics 105-109 Atlanta Hawks
Los Angeles Lakers 106-96 Detroit Pistons
Brooklyn Nets 98-93 New York Knicks
Dallas Mavericks 132-129 Chicago Bulls
Oklahoma City Thunder 104-112 New Orleans Pelicans
Portland Trail Blazers 105-103 Denver Nuggets
Indiana Pacers 99-116 Phoenix Suns
Toronto Raptors 117-109 Sacramento Kings
Orlando Magic 97-98 Golden State Warriors
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