Daily Dose of NBA

Auri Sports
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6 min readNov 27, 2023

Welcome to November 26th’s Daily Dose of NBA! Follow along for your daily dose of NBA coverage. Tonight saw a lineup of eight thrilling games, featuring game winners and stellar performances. Let’s dive in:

Giannis-Led Bucks Complete Stunning 26-Point Rally Over Blazers, Lillard Shines in Against His Former Team

In a stunning turn of events, the Milwaukee Bucks pulled off an epic comeback against the Portland Trail Blazers, overturning a massive 26-point deficit to secure a nail-biting 108–102 victory. Led by Giannis Antetokounmpo’s extraordinary performance, contributing 33 points, 16 rebounds, and six assists, the Bucks mounted their largest comeback in over a decade, showcasing their resilience and determination. Damian Lillard, in his first face-off against his former team, registered 31 points and played a crucial role in sealing the win with clutch free throws in the final seconds. The game marked an emotional moment for Lillard, facing familiar faces from his former squad but swiftly adjusting focus once the match commenced. Portland dominated the first half but faltered in the latter, succumbing to Milwaukee’s relentless pursuit and losing their shooting touch when it mattered most. The Bucks capitalized on key moments, displaying composure and grit in a game that appeared almost lost at one point. Antetokounmpo’s pivotal tip-in and Lillard’s ice-cold free throws sealed the sensational comeback.

AP Photo/Aaron Gash

Timberwolves Dominate Grizzlies with Convincing 119–97 Win, Edwards Leads the Charge

Getty Images

The Minnesota Timberwolves dominated the court, securing a commanding 119–97 win against the Memphis Grizzlies. Anthony Edwards led the charge with an impressive 24-point display, supported by Karl-Anthony Towns and Mike Conley, who each contributed 18 points. Conley’s standout performance included a season-high 10 assists and hitting 6 of 9 three-pointers, adding firepower to the Timberwolves’ offense. Minnesota’s strong first-half showing, shooting at 60% from the field while stifling Memphis to under 40% shooting, set the tone for their victory. Despite a brief attempt by Memphis to close the gap in the third quarter, the Timberwolves maintained control, sealing the win and reaffirming their position atop the Western Conference standings.

Booker’s Buzzer-Beater Lifts Suns Over Knicks in Durant’s Absence

Devin Booker proved his clutch factor, nailing a game-winning 3-pointer with 1.7 seconds left, securing a 116–113 victory for the Phoenix Suns against the New York Knicks. Despite facing intensified defensive pressure all game, Booker, with 28 points and 11 assists, showcased his determination to take the crucial shot, sealing the Suns’ seventh consecutive win. With Kevin Durant and Grayson Allen absent for the Suns, Phoenix showcased resilience, with Eric Gordon contributing 25 points. Jalen Brunson’s stellar 35-point performance and Julius Randle’s 28 points kept the Knicks in contention, but Booker’s late-game heroics ultimately determined the outcome.

Magic Extend Win Streak to Seven with Dominant Victory Over Hornets Led by Wagner and Anthony

Franz Wagner and Cole Anthony fueled the Orlando Magic’s dominant 130–117 win over the Charlotte Hornets, each scoring 30 points and spearheading a seven-game win streak. Anthony’s explosive fourth-quarter performance, coupled with Paolo Banchero’s 23 points and eight assists, secured the Magic’s commanding lead. Despite Miles Bridges’ strong 23-point, 10-rebound effort for the Hornets, LaMelo Ball’s absence in the second half due to injury hindered Charlotte. Terry Rozier’s return after nine games added 22 points and nine assists. Coach Steve Clifford stressed the Hornets’ need for improved half-court defense despite their consistent offensive output this season.

nba.com

Brooklyn Nets Set Season Record with 25 Threes in Win Over Chicago Bulls

Corey Sipkin for the NY POST

Spencer Dinwiddie’s 24-point performance led the charge as the Brooklyn Nets fired an NBA season-high 25 three-pointers, securing a 118–109 win over the Chicago Bulls. Lonnie Walker IV and Royce O’Neale each sank six triples, supported by Mikal Bridges’ four, contributing to the Nets’ long-range dominance. Despite missing key players like Nic Claxton, Ben Simmons, Cal Thomas, and Dennis Smith Jr., Brooklyn showcased resilience, bagging their second consecutive victory following a win against Miami. DeMar DeRozan’s 27 points led the Bulls, but a historic second-quarter surge, where the Nets outscored Chicago 44–19, turned the tide in Brooklyn’s favor. With Chicago’s fourth consecutive loss, the Nets evened their record at 8–8, highlighting their ability to excel despite roster challenges.

Celtics Overcome Injuries, Top Hawks with Tatum’s 34 Points: 113–103 Victory

In a test of resilience, the injury-depleted Boston Celtics showcased their depth, led by a stellar 34-point performance from Jayson Tatum and a solid 21-point contribution by Jaylen Brown, securing a 113–103 victory over the Atlanta Hawks. Missing Kristaps Porzingis and Jrue Holiday due to injuries, the Celtics, now at 13–4, leaned into their limited roster, starting Dalano Banton at guard and offering him nearly 19 minutes of playtime, where he added eight points. Derrick White’s 15 points and 11 assists complemented the Celtics’ efforts, while Al Horford’s dominance on the boards with 15 rebounds and Tatum’s nine boards further solidified Boston’s control. Trae Young’s 33-point effort and De’Andre Hunter and Bogdan Bogdanovic’s combined 57 points propelled the Hawks’ offense, but they couldn’t overturn the Celtics’ lead. Brown’s early injury scare didn’t hinder his impactful first-half performance, punctuated by a highlight-reel jam over Clint Capela that fueled Boston’s momentum.

Garland, Strus Lead Cavaliers to 105–102 Victory Over Raptors in Hard-Fought Battle

Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images

In a tense battle, Darius Garland’s 24 points and Max Strus’ explosive 20-point third quarter powered the Cleveland Cavaliers to a hard-fought 105–102 win over the Toronto Raptors. Cleveland surged to a 12-point lead in the fourth, but late heroics from Dennis Schroder, who scored seven of his 15 points in the final 95 seconds, kept Toronto in contention. Despite Donovan Mitchell’s struggles, the Cavaliers held on, securing the win. Strus’ standout performance, alongside Jarrett Allen’s 18 points and Evan Mobley’s double-double, lifted Cleveland, now 1–2 on their homestand. Jakob Poeltl’s 18 points and 13 rebounds, alongside Pascal Siakam’s 18 points, weren’t enough for the Raptors, who fell to 1–5 on the road against Eastern Conference teams.

Jokic’s Dominance Leads Nuggets to 132–120 Victory Over Spurs Despite Wembanyama’s Efforts

Nikola Jokic’s stellar 39-point performance, backed by 11 rebounds and nine assists, led the Denver Nuggets to a decisive 132–120 win over the struggling San Antonio Spurs, who suffered their 12th straight loss. Despite Victor Wembanyama’s 22 points, 11 rebounds, and six steals, the Spurs couldn’t break their slide. Michael Porter Jr. contributed 25 points and Reggie Jackson added 20 for Denver, undefeated at home with an 8–0 record. With Aaron Gordon sidelined due to a heel strain, Justin Holiday stepped into the starting lineup. Coach Michael Malone’s changes, including DeAndre Jordan in a backup role, paid off as Denver dominated early, building a 20-point lead before San Antonio closed the gap at halftime. However, a potent third-quarter surge by the Nuggets secured a commanding 23-point lead heading into the final quarter, sealing their victory.

Photo by Adam Taylor

Thank you for tuning in to today’s Daily Dose of NBA. Join us tomorrow for a comprehensive recap of all the games. Don’t forget to subscribe and follow me on social media for daily NBA content:

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