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ESPN workers
The Golden State Warriors notched an NBA-best twenty first win and Steph Curry pulled inside 10 3-pointers of turning into the all-time chief in profession triples in beating the Portland Trail Blazers.
Though Curry and Co. have been on the forefront, there was loads of motion throughout the league Wednesday night time.
Kyle Kuzma performed a pivotal half for the Washington Wizards in his return dwelling to Michigan, James Harden’s Houston homecoming didn’t go as deliberate for the Brooklyn Nets, Joel Embiid had a giant exhibiting in Charlotte and the Oklahoma City Thunder took a visit north of the border that had an attention-grabbing ending.
Here is what you may’ve missed from a wild night time across the affiliation:
Regardless of a valiant effort from a Portland workforce with out stars Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum, the Warriors pulled away from the Blazers late. Curry team-leading 22 factors and Jordan Poole‘s 20 have been sufficient to carry off the Path Blazers.
Golden State would not play once more till Saturday in opposition to the Philadelphia 76ers and Curry’s brother, Seth, a Sixers guard, at 8:30 p.m. ET on ESPN. There’s an opportunity Curry may surpass Ray Allen’s file 2,973 profession 3s with a virtuoso efficiency.
Play of the Recreation: Otto Porter Jr. had an environment friendly capturing night time from deep, hitting 4 of his six pictures from that vary. One in all them was a 4-point play and helped lengthen the Warriors’ lead within the fourth.
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Otto Porter Jr. steps into the 3-pointer and drains it plus the foul.
After blowing a 13-point fourth-quarter lead, the Wizards needed to cope with extra time within the Motor Metropolis. No. 1 general decide Cade Cunningham rose to the event as he was answerable for eight of Detroit’s 10 factors in extra time, but it surely nonetheless wasn’t sufficient to take down Washington.
Kyle Kuzma led the Wizards with 22 of his 26 factors coming after halftime. The Wizards at the moment are 3-0 in extra time video games this season, the most effective mark within the NBA, whereas Detroit dropped its tenth consecutive recreation.
Play of the sport: Kuzma’s return to his dwelling state had fairly the storybook ending. He cashed in a go-ahead 3-pointer with 0.6 seconds left in extra time to safe Washington’s victory.
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Knotted at 116, Kyle Kuzma sinks a nook 3-pointer because the Wizards push previous the Pistons in extra time.
His winner additionally caught the eye of former teammate LeBron James.
KUUUUUUUZZZZZZZZZZZZ!!!!
— LeBron James (@KingJames) December 9, 2021
James Harden made his return to fan-filled Toyota Middle after being traded from the Houston Rockets final season. The gang gave him a standing ovation as a tribute video from the workforce was performed throughout the recreation.
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James Harden comes out of a timeout making coronary heart symbols to the gang after the Rockets performed a tribute video for him.
Regardless of the pleasantries, the Rockets spoiled his Houston homecoming.
Rockets guard Garrison Matthews scored 12 of his 19 factors within the fourth quarter, and a key steal on Harden helped safe the win. Houston’s win streak prolonged to seven after the workforce misplaced its earlier 15 contests.
Play of the sport: Kenyon Martin Jr. was on the incorrect facet of a vicious dunk courtesy of Paul Millsap within the first, however the second-year ahead made up for it later with a formidable throwdown over Jevon Carter to shut out the third.
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KJ Martin electrifies the gang as he crams down a vicious one-handed slam over Jevon Carter on the finish of the third quarter.
After snapping its eight-game dropping streak in opposition to Detroit on Monday, Oklahoma Metropolis remained within the win column Wednesday with an in depth victory over Toronto. The Thunder’s two Canadian-born gamers, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Luguentz Dort, led the workforce in scoring.
The victory got here with its share of theatrics. After Mike Muscala‘s go-ahead 3 gave OKC the lead with 9 seconds left, Justin Champagnie appeared to tip in Fred VanVleet’s missed buzzer-beater for the win. Nonetheless, after the play was reviewed, referees dominated that Champagnie’s would-be winner occurred after the ultimate buzzer.
Play of the sport: From Muscala’s clutch bucket to Champagnie’s too-late putback, the top of this contest was not quick on drama. Each performs are worthy of one other look.
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Mike Muscala hits a trey on one finish, then on the opposite Justin Champagnie’s tip-in comes simply after the horn sounds because the Thunder maintain on to win.
Philly got here out on high in opposition to Charlotte for the second time in three nights. Embiid has notched 75 factors and 23 rebounds in his previous two video games within the Hornets’ dwelling area.
In keeping with Sixers Stats, it is the ninth time he has tallied that whole in a two-game span, becoming a member of Charles Barkley and Wilt Chamberlain as the one different 76ers to take action.
Play of the sport: Embiid’s dominance was obvious all through the competition, and this video-game-like play sums up his efficiency.
ESPN Stats & Info contributed to this story.
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Joel Embiid makes use of the backboard to arrange his dunk vs. Charlotte.
