NBA roundup: short-handed Cavs defeat Heat, Celtics dominate Bulls

Donovan Mitchell, aged 28, led the undermanned Cleveland Cavaliers to a 126-106 victory over the Miami Heat on Wednesday, scoring 34 points and helping the team maintain its lead in the Eastern Conference over the defending champions, the Boston Celtics.

Darius Garland, who averages 21.7 points per game, was rested, while Caris LeVert and Isaac Okoro remained unavailable due to injuries.

The Cavaliers maintained control throughout the game, shooting 54% from the field and committing only seven turnovers, successfully avenging their loss to the Heat on December 8.

Evan Mobley contributed significantly with 22 points and 15 rebounds, while Ty Jerome added 20 points off the bench. With this win, Cleveland improved its record to 38-9, remaining 5.5 games ahead of the Celtics, who defeated the Chicago Bulls 122-100.

The New York Knicks trailed the Cavaliers by one game after securing a 122-112 win against the Denver Nuggets.

Kristaps Porzingis was instrumental for Boston, hitting eight three-pointers and finishing with 34 points, 11 rebounds, and three steals. Jaylen Brown supported with 28 points, six rebounds, and six assists, while Derrick White contributed 22 points. Jayson Tatum, who was initially questionable due to a sore knee, scored 16 points.

Porzingis set an aggressive tone early, scoring 13 points in under four minutes, allowing the Celtics to establish a 15-6 lead.

The Knicks, led by Jalen Brunson's 30 points and 15 assists, achieved their fifth consecutive victory.

Jamal Murray was the standout for the Nuggets with 33 points, while NBA Most Valuable Player Nikola Jokic faced foul trouble early, finishing with 17 points, six rebounds, and six assists, contributing to Denver's third consecutive loss.

With Jokic sidelined due to early fouls, the Knicks seized control of the game. Although the Nuggets managed to take the lead in the third quarter, New York responded effectively.

OG Anunoby scored 23 points, and Karl-Anthony Towns recorded 14 points and 10 rebounds for the Knicks, who committed only six turnovers.

Indiana Pacers Defeat Detroit Pistons
In a heated matchup in Indianapolis, Pascal Siakam delivered an impressive performance with 37 points, while Tyrese Haliburton contributed 30 points and eight assists, leading the Indiana Pacers to a 133-119 victory against the Detroit Pistons.

The Pacers began the game with remarkable intensity, making 16 of their first 20 shots in the opening quarter, which allowed them to establish a 40-33 advantage.

Following a previous encounter in Detroit that had escalated tensions, the Pistons displayed visible frustration throughout the game.

Within the first 17 minutes, Detroit incurred two technical fouls, and Isaiah Stewart was ejected early in the second quarter after pushing Indiana's Thomas Bryant.

In San Antonio, the Los Angeles Clippers secured a 128-116 win over the Spurs, led by Kawhi Leonard and Norman Powell, who each scored 27 points.

Ivica Zubac also made a significant impact with 21 points and 22 rebounds, igniting the ire of Spurs star Victor Wembanyama after a shove during the third quarter.

Wembanyama attempted to confront Zubac but was restrained by teammates and coaches. Zubac later expressed that he felt he had been fouled by Wembanyama on a previous play and admitted to letting his emotions influence his actions.

"I reacted a little," Zubac stated, adding that he apologized to Wembanyama.

Wembanyama concluded the game with 23 points, 12 rebounds, four assists, two steals, and three blocked shots for the Spurs, who briefly led 107-106 with just over five minutes remaining in a closely contested game.

However, Zubac's drive for a basket initiated a decisive 13-0 run for the Clippers, allowing them to secure the victory.

In other notable games, Tyrese Maxey scored 30 points, leading the Philadelphia 76ers to their fourth consecutive win, defeating the Sacramento Kings 117-104. The Brooklyn Nets ended their seven-game losing streak with a 104-83 victory over the Charlotte Hornets, where Keon Johnson led the team with 18 points, contributing to a balanced scoring effort from six Nets players in double figures.

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