The Boston Celtics handed the Los Angeles Lakers their biggest loss of the season as they defeated the Western Conference leaders by 32 points in Boston.
Jayson Tatum scored 27 points for the hosts in the 139-107 victory as the Celtics torched the Lakers on both ends of the floor.
Kemba Walker finished with 20 points and seven assists for Boston as he claimed his first win over Lebron James in 29 attempts.
We showed a collective team effort against the Lakers, as five of our players scored in double-figures during a 139-107 win. pic.twitter.com/yy95wpY9H2 — Boston Celtics (@celtics) January 21, 2020
James was held to just 15 points – and 13 assists – in the loss while Anthony Davis only scored nine points on his return from a back injury.
Ben Simmons recorded the best performance of his young career as the Philadelphia 76ers claimed a 117-111 victory over the Brooklyn Nets.
The 23-year-old finished with 34 points, 12 rebounds, 12 assists, five steals and two blocks to lead his side to their fourth-straight win, while Spencer Dinwiddie top scored for Brooklyn with 22.
34 PTS | 12 REB | 12 AST 🗳️ https://t.co/8XCMYg4X1J x #NBAAllStar pic.twitter.com/2PhH9JzO6b — Philadelphia 76ers (@sixers) January 21, 2020
Derrick White led the way with 25 points as the San Antonio Spurs held on for a narrow 120-118 victory over the Phoenix Suns.
The Spurs led by 20, before that was reduced to two, but ultimately got the better of their opponents, who saw Devin Booker score a game-high 37 points.
The Portland Trail Blazers needed a career-high 61 points from Damian Lillard in order to eke out a 129-124 overtime victory against the Golden State Warriors.
Career-high ✔️Franchise record in points ✔️Francise record in 3-pointers ✔️Most points scored in the NBA this season ✔️Most points ever on #MLKDay ✔️@dame_lillard is SPECIAL pic.twitter.com/gdlSz6ASNP — Portland Trail Blazers (@trailblazers) January 21, 2020
Lillard was unstoppable for the Blazers, draining 11 threes to get the hosts over the line – including the buzzer-beater that forced overtime.
James Harden suffered a disastrous night as the Houston Rockets fell to the Oklahoma City Thunder 112-107.
Harden shot just one of 17 attempts from the three-point range while Chris Paul scored 28 for the City Thunder as the Rockets slipped to their fourth-straight loss.
📹| @spidadmitchell put on a show in the 4th quarter ⤵️ 25p | 3a | 2r | 2 3pm | 2s | 1b | 🌟: https://t.co/OlvGH3rkeP pic.twitter.com/0SoAtlxNmA — Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) January 21, 2020
The Miami Heat saw off the Sacramento Kings 118-113 to keep their stellar home record in tact and the Denver Nuggets kept the pressure on the Lakers with a 107-100 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Donovan Mitchell scored 25 points to lead the Utah Jazz to a 118-88 triumph over the Indiana Pacers, while Eastern Conference leaders the Milwaukee Bucks defeated the Chicago Bulls 111-98 to extend their winning streak to seven.
Jrue Holiday's 36 points helped the New Orleans Pelicans to a 126-116 win over the Memphis Grizzlies.
Trae BALLED out in the 4th tonight ❄️ Vote him into the @NBAAllStar Game: https://t.co/jXLWcMp6hx pic.twitter.com/X7gLodJOWb — Atlanta Hawks (@ATLHawks) January 21, 2020
Bradley Beal and Ian Mahinmi combined for 50 points as the Washington Wizards toppled the Detroit Pistons 106-100.
A 42-point effort from Trae Young was not enough as the Atlanta Hawks suffered a 122-117 defeat to the Toronto Raptors.
An all-around performance from New York helped the Knicks to a 106-86 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Orlando Magic bounced back from two-straight defeats to overcome the Charlotte Hornets 106-83.
