Every morning, we will give you five things from the night before in the NBA to start your day.
1: So Close
In a trio of overtime games, three different teams came extremely close to scoring pretty substantial wins. Unfortunately the three underdogs with the chance to get those wins failed to do so despite reaching the extra frame with the chance to do so.
First the Wizards faced division rivals in the Hawks looking for their first win of the season. Coach Randy Wittman employed an entirely new starting lineup featuring Kevin Seraphin, Jan Vesely and Bradley Beal. Change for the sake of change is a necessity at 0-9. And it almost worked.
The Wizards led in the final 30 seconds in both regulation and in the overtime period but could not hang on for their first win of the season. Kyle Korver hit a 3-pointer with 1.3 seconds left in overtime to help the Hawks secure the 101-100 win. A rough way to lose for a Washington team searching for its first win.
The Bucks too were looking to make a statement win in Miami but could not hold on and fell 113-106 in overtime. Dwyane Wade and LeBron James each scored 28 points to lead the Heat in the win. More importantly, Miami held Brandon Jennings and Monta Ellis to a combined 28 points on 13-for-41 shooting. Nowhere near efficient. Yet the Bucks still had a chance to win.
2: Clippers left Thunderstruck
The Clippers had a real chance to defeat the Thunder in Oklahoma City. But Los Angeles was unable to get the win. Kevin Durant scored 17 of his 35 points in the fourth quarter and overtime to help Oklahoma City take a 117-111 win.
Durant was joined by his friends with 23 points from Russell Westbrook and 20 points from Kevin Martin to help pace Oklahoma City in the win.
The problem for the Clippers was that Chris Paul had one of his worst games of his career. Paul shot 2 for 14 to score only nine points to go with nine assists. Clearly the Clippers will need more from their star point guard.
Oklahoma City came in focused and Durant left no doubt that he can still score at will when he needs to. That is what the Thunder needed to win this game. And they got it.
3: HIGHLIGHTS!!!
Korver sinks the Wizards
Tony Parker over Paul Pierce
Nate Robinson around the world
4: Line of the Night: Jeremy Pargo — 28 points, 11/19 FGs, 4/8 3FGs
The Cleveland thought it would have a tough go of things with Kyrie Irving out with an injury. If Jeremy Pargo can do what he did Wednesday night more often, it may not matter much. Pargo scored 28 points to lead Cleveland to a 92-83 win over Philadelphia.
5: You can quote me on that
I think I put so much pressure on myself that I had to score that when I did get the ball in a scoring opportunity, I kind of sped up, which wasn’t good. I just let the game come to me and I felt comfortable
–Pacers guard Paul George after scoring 37 points in a win over the Hornets
The day before a holiday, there are a lot of teams that cast it in. But, I don't think our guys are that way. Our guys are pretty competitive and pretty serious.
–Nuggets coach George Karl after Nuggets defeated the Timberwolves 101-94
