Dec 16, 2024; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Philadelphia 76ers guard Tyrese Maxey (0) goes to dunk as he is defended by Charlotte Hornets guard Cody Martin (11) during the second half at the Spectrum Center. Mandatory Credit: Sam Sharpe-Image Image
Dec 16, 2024; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Chicago Bulls center Nikola Vucevic (9) drives to the basket as Toronto Raptors forward Jonathan Mogbo (2) tries to defend during the fourth quarter at Scotiabank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-Imagn Images
Dec 16, 2024; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Miami Heat guard Dru Smith (12) dribbles past Detroit Pistons guard Malik Beasley (5) in the first half at Little Caesars Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images
Dec 16, 2024; Brooklyn, New York, USA; Brooklyn Nets center Nic Claxton (33) drives to the basket against Cleveland Cavaliers forward Evan Mobley (4) during the fourth quarter at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Image
December 17 – Tyrese Maxey pumped in 40 points and Paul George racked up 33 points as both sank six 3-pointers, leading the injury-ravaged Philadelphia 76ers past the host Charlotte Hornets 121-108 on Monday night.
The outcome dampened the excitement around the return to action of Charlotte point guard LaMelo Ball, who racked up 15 points and 11 assists while coming back from a calf injury that had kept him out since Nov. 27.
The 76ers made 16 of 38 attempts from 3-point range in their first game after losing both center Joel Embiid (sinus fracture) and rookie guard Jared McCain (torn meniscus in knee) to injury on Friday.
The Hornets lost for the 10th time in 11 outings despite Miles Bridges’ 24 points.
Bulls 122, Raptors 121
Nikola Vucevic scored 24 points and visiting Chicago, which saw a 16-point lead shrink to one, held on to defeat Toronto. The Raptors cut into the final deficit with a last-second 3-pointer.
Coby White added 19 points for the Bulls, who have won two straight. Josh Giddey had 11 points, nine rebounds and eight assists before leaving with an ankle injury in the third quarter.
RJ Barrett scored 32 points and Gradey Dick had 27 for the Raptors, who have lost five straight. Toronto’s Jakob Poeltl left in the fourth quarter with a groin injury.
Pistons 125, Heat 124 (OT)
Malik Beasley had a season-high 28 points, Cade Cunningham supplied a triple-double and host Detroit topped Miami in overtime.
Cunningham had 20 points, 18 assists and 11 rebounds for Detroit, which squandered a 19-point, fourth-quarter lead. Ausar Thompson contributed 19 points and Tim Hardaway Jr. tossed in 16, hitting three consecutive 3-pointers in overtime to wipe out an eight-point Heat lead.
Jimmy Butler produced 35 points, 19 rebounds and 10 assists for the Heat, who had their four-game winning streak end. Tyler Herro scored 23 points.
Cavaliers 130, Nets 101
Evan Mobley scored 19 of his 21 points in the second half, Caris LeVert scored all 19 of his points in the first half and Cleveland seized control early and cruised to a rout of Brooklyn in New York.
Cleveland led by as many as 37, improved to 23-4 for the best start in team history and is 8-4 since winning its first 15 games.
Cameron Johnson led the Nets with 22 points and Day’Ron Sharpe added 15. Brooklyn committed a season-worst 22 turnovers, which resulted in 34 Cleveland points.
