The Dallas Mavericks secured a commanding 108-85 victory over the Orlando Magic, showcasing a strong defensive performance. Luka Doncic led the charge with 32 points, nine rebounds, and seven assists.
Daniel Gafford contributed significantly with a season-high 18 points and eight rebounds in just 20 minutes. The Mavericks’ decisive 30-9 run in the second quarter helped them establish a substantial lead by halftime.
Orlando faced difficulties without Paolo Banchero, who was sidelined due to a torn right oblique. The Magic’s offense struggled, resulting in their lowest scoring game of the season. They also recorded poor shooting percentages, with only 33.3% from the field and 19.5% from beyond the arc. Franz Wagner was their top scorer with just 13 points, far below their average of 111.7 points per game.
The Atlanta Hawks ended their losing streak by defeating the New Orleans Pelicans 126-111. A pivotal 14-0 run in the fourth quarter sealed their victory. Jalen Johnson led Atlanta with 29 points, while Trae Young added 23 points and dished out 12 assists. The Hawks shot an impressive 56.8%, marking their best shooting performance this season.
The Pelicans were without several key players, including Zion Williamson, who missed the game due to right hamstring tightness. Despite Brandon Ingram’s strong showing with 32 points on efficient shooting, New Orleans struggled without Williamson’s presence in the paint.
Pistons Display Balanced Scoring Against Nets
In another matchup, the Detroit Pistons defeated the Brooklyn Nets with a score of 106-92. Cade Cunningham led Detroit with 19 points as part of a balanced offensive effort that saw six players score in double figures. Tobias Harris and Malik Beasley each contributed 18 points to secure the win.
The Pistons improved to two wins in three games after starting the season with four consecutive losses. Meanwhile, Brooklyn’s Cam Thomas was limited to just 17 points on inefficient shooting, while Cameron Johnson led his team with a season-high of 26 points.
Overall, these games highlighted significant performances and strategic plays that influenced each team’s outcomes on this competitive day in basketball action across various matchups.