Dec 20, 2024; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell (45) drives to the basket against Milwaukee Bucks forward Khris Middleton (22) during the second half at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn
Dec 20, 2024; Miami, Florida, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder forward Jalen Williams (8) defends Miami Heat guard Tyler Herro (14) during the second half at Kaseya Center. Mandatory Credit: Rhona Wise-Imagn Images
Dec 20, 2024; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) drives against Charlotte Hornets forward Cody Martin (11) in the third quarter at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Ross-Imagn
December 21 – Donovan Mitchell scored 27 points to lead the Cleveland Cavaliers to a 124-101 home win over the Bucks on Friday, swiftly bringing Milwaukee down from its NBA Cup championship high.
Five other Cavs scored in double-figures, with Darius Garland putting up 16 and Evan Mobley and Dean Wade adding 15 each. Ty Jerome had 13 points, and Jarrett Allen posted 10 points and 10 rebounds.
Giannis Antetokounmpo led Milwaukee with 33 points along with 14 rebounds. Fellow star Damian Lillard did not travel with the team due to a right calf strain. Khris Middleton scored 14 off the bench, and Brook Lopez contributed 10 points.
The Cavaliers have won three in a row and seven of their past eight. The Bucks had a three-game winning streak end, though the count doesn’t include their 97-81 victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder in the NBA Cup final on Tuesday, as that game isn’t included in the regular-season standings.
Thunder 104, Heat 97
Jalen Williams scored a season-high 33 points and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander added 25 as visiting Oklahoma City withstood a fourth-quarter rally to beat Miami.
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Luguentz Dort had 14 points and Isaiah Hartenstein scored 13 points and matched his season high with 18 rebounds for the Thunder, who recorded their seventh consecutive official victory. The team’s NBA Cup final loss to the Milwaukee Bucks on Tuesday doesn’t count in the league standings.
Tyler Herro led Miami with 28 points and a season-high 12 rebounds. Bam Adebayo had 17 points and 10 rebounds, and Duncan Robinson and Dru Smith added 13 apiece. Heat star Jimmy Butler headed to the locker room with 4:41 left in the opening quarter and did not return due to illness.
76ers 108, Hornets 98
Joel Embiid scored 12 of his game-high 34 points in the fourth quarter to propel Philadelphia to a home win over Charlotte.
Tyrese Maxey (23 points) and Kelly Oubre Jr. (22) each made four 3-pointers for Philadelphia, which defeated Charlotte for the second time this week. Embiid missed Monday’s contest due to a sinus fracture sustained in a game against Indiana on Dec. 13, and he wore a protective mask against the Hornets.
Vasilije Micic scored a season-high 20 points to lead the Hornets, who have lost 12 of their last 13 games. Charlotte played without LaMelo Ball (calf) and Brandon Miller (ankle).
–Field Level Media
