NBA roundup: Cunningham's triple-double powers Pistons to OT victory; Cavs dominate Nets
Cade Cunningham (23) achieved a triple-double, while Tim Hardaway Jr. (32) made significant contributions in overtime, leading the Detroit Pistons to a narrow 125-124 victory over the Miami Heat on Monday, thereby ending the Heat's four-game winning streak.
This game featured several thrilling moments, including Nikola Jokic recording his 10th triple-double of the season in Denver's 130-129 win against the Sacramento Kings, and the Chicago Bulls narrowly defeating the Raptors 122-121 in Toronto.
The Pistons appeared to dominate the game in Detroit, establishing an 18-point lead with 8:05 remaining in the fourth quarter. However, the Heat mounted a comeback, tying the game at 114-114 with a three-pointer from Tyler Herro with just 5.2 seconds left in regulation.
Cunningham missed a chance to secure the win in regulation, and the Heat opened the overtime period with the first eight points. Nevertheless, Hardaway responded with three consecutive three-pointers, giving the Pistons a 123-122 advantage.
Jimmy Butler's putback layup briefly restored Miami's lead, but Cunningham's banked shot put Detroit ahead 125-124 with 37.5 seconds left, allowing the Pistons to clinch the victory.
Cunningham concluded the game with 20 points, 11 rebounds, and a career-high 18 assists, marking his sixth triple-double of the season.
"It's my job and responsibility," Cunningham stated. "I strive to support my teammates."
He added, "Growing up, I always aspired to be someone who could do it all."
Malik Beasley contributed significantly with seven three-pointers, totaling a team-high 28 points, which helped the Pistons counter Butler's impressive triple-double of 35 points, 19 rebounds, and 10 assists.
Butler contributed four steals and a blocked shot; however, Miami was unable to make any progress in the Eastern Conference, which is currently dominated by the Cleveland Cavaliers. The Cavaliers enhanced their league-leading record to 23-4 following a decisive 130-101 victory over the Nets in Brooklyn.
Evan Mobley was the standout performer for the Cavaliers, scoring 21 points and leading a total of seven players who reached double figures.
In Sacramento, reigning NBA Most Valuable Player Jokic recorded a triple-double with 20 points, 14 rebounds, and 13 assists, guiding the Nuggets to victory in a thrilling finish that saw seven lead changes in the final 1:15.
Jamal Murray was the top scorer for the Nuggets with 28 points, clinching the win with a pull-up shot assisted by Jokic with just 8.6 seconds left on the clock.
For the Kings, De'Aaron Fox scored 29 points, Domantas Sabonis contributed 28, and Malik Monk added 25. Despite trailing by as many as 23 points in the first half, the Kings entered the fourth quarter with a 103-96 lead.
In another matchup, the undermanned Philadelphia 76ers, powered by 40 points from Tyrese Maxey and 33 from Paul George, defeated the Hornets 121-108, marking a challenging return for Charlotte's star LaMelo Ball.
Ball, who had been averaging 31.1 points per game prior to a calf strain on November 27, returned to the court with 15 points, five rebounds, and 11 assists.
Miles Bridges led the Hornets with 24 points, but the 76ers maintained control for most of the game, despite missing star center Joel Embiid and Rookie of the Year candidate Jared McCain.
The 76ers announced on Monday that Embiid would be sidelined for at least a week due to a sinus fracture sustained on Saturday, while McCain is set to undergo surgery for a torn meniscus.
The Chicago Bulls secured a narrow victory against the Toronto Raptors.
Nikola Vucevic was the standout performer for the Bulls, contributing 24 points, while a total of seven players reached double figures in scoring.
Among them was Josh Giddey, who recorded 11 points, nine rebounds, and eight assists before leaving the game due to a right ankle injury sustained in the third quarter.
For the Raptors, RJ Barrett led the scoring with 32 points, and Gradey Dick added 27 points; however, Toronto was unable to overcome a 16-point deficit in the fourth quarter.
SportsLigue