All the top three teams in the East in the Cleveland Cavaliers, Boston Celtics, and New York Knicks stayed hot and extended their respective winning streaks.
Both the LA Lakers and the Denver Nuggets joined seven other teams in starting their post- All-Star campaign on a winning note. | Photos: NBA, Nuggets, Lakers
A nine-game NBA Friday slate saw LeBron James and Chris Paul rising up in all-time lists, the top three teams in the East kept rolling, and the Denver Nuggets rising to the West second place.
LEBRON GOES FOR 40; NUGGETS WIN NINTH STRAIGHT
- LA Lakers (33-21) def. Phoenix Suns (23-33), 110-102: LeBron James dropped his second 40-point game as a 40-year-old, taking matters into his own hands that enabled the Lakers to snap a two-game skid.
- Orlando Magic (28-29) def. Atlanta Hawks (26-30), 114-108: Paolo Banchero outdueled Trae Young as the Magic made it back-to-back wins at the Hawks’ expense.
- Milwaukee Bucks (30-24) def. LA Clippers (31-24), 116-110: Giannis Antetokounmpo made a triumphant return after missing six games due to left calf injury, guiding the Bucks past the visiting Clippers.
- Denver Nuggets (37-19) def. Charlotte Hornets (14-40), 129-115: Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray imposed their might to help the Nuggets extend their winning streak to nine games.
- Double Mayhem in Mile Hile City: Murray exploded for 34 points while Jokic flirted with a triple-double of 29 markers, 17 rebounds, and nine dimes for Denver, which climbed to the no. 2 spot in the West.
CP3 MOVES TO SOLO SECOND IN ALL-TIME STEALS LIST; EAST TOP THREE TEAMS KEEP PACE
- San Antonio Spurs (24-29) def. Phoenix Suns (26-29), 120-109: Chris Paul moved past Jason Kidd for second in the all-time steals leaderboard, guiding the Spurs to a much-needed win against the visiting Suns.
[ALSO READ: Spurs shut down Victor Wembanyama for rest of season due to right shoulder blood clot]
- Cleveland Cavaliers (45-10) def. Brooklyn Nets (20-35), 110-97: First to 45 wins this season are the East-leading Cavaliers after rolling past the Nets on the road and to a fifth-straight dub.
- Boston Celtics (40-16) def. Philadelphia 76ers (20-35), 124-104: Against a Sixers side parading Joel Embiid, Paul George, and Tyrese Maxey, the Celtics drained 24 threes en route to their 40th win of the season and league-leading 23rd road dub.
[ALSO READ: News Champion Celtics torch Sixers from deep for fourth straight win]
- New York Knicks (37-18) def. Chicago Bulls (22-34), 113-111: Karl-Anthony Towns put the entire Knicks on his back in a thrilling home thriller against the Bulls.
- Big-time Big Bodega: Towns erupted for a monster 32-point, 18-rebound game including dropping 20 markers alone in the third quarter to power a third straight New York victory.
- Indiana Pacers (40-16) def. Philadelphia 76ers (20-35), 127-113: Tyrese Haliburton led a balanced Pacers attack in completing a regular season sweep of the Memphis Grizzlies.