Just eight teams hit the floor on Wednesday for Day 6 of NBA pre-season action!
Watch live games on your favourite device with NBA League Pass
LeBron James and Anthony Davis made their pre-season debuts for the Lakers, while Coby White and Zach LaVine put on a show for the Bulls.
We've got you covered with all the big takeaways from Day 6 of pre-season:
LeBron, AD make pre-season debuts, Kuzma steals the spotlight
LeBron James and Anthony Davis made their first appearance for the Lakers in pre-season in their 112-107 win over the Phoenix Suns.
Davis recorded 10 points in 18 minutes, while James added 11 points in 15 minutes, in what was their first game in over two months since Game 6 of the NBA Finals.
“I felt great, honestly,” Davis said. “Coming in, I thought I was going to be a little winded. You can try to get in shape all you want, but it's nothing like getting in basketball shape."
With the All-Star duo only playing in the first half, the Lakers turned to their youngsters to finish the job, with Kyle Kuzma leading all scorers with 23 points on on 8-15 shooting from the field, while Talen Horton-Tucker continued his impressive pre-season, chipping in 18 points on 7-11 shooting from the field.
Kuzma started the contest alongside James, Davis, and off-season additions Dennis Schroder and Marc Gasol. The Spaniard looks right at home in LA, showing off his passing game with this TD to Davis.
Gasol to AD in the end zone 🏈 pic.twitter.com/H3F3h7K7qS
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) December 17, 2020
LaVine and White fill it up for Bulls
The Chicago Bulls have every reason to be excited for their new starting backcourt this season with Coby White and Zach LaVine piling up the points in their 124-103 blowout win over the OKC Thunder.
LaVine scored 16 of his 24 points in the first quarter, before White took over in the third, scoring 18 of his 27 in the period, with the duo combining to shoot 20-of-31 from the field.
.@ZachLaVine (24 PTS) and @CobyWhite (27 PTS) combine for 51 PTS in the @chicagobulls preseason W! #NBAPreseason pic.twitter.com/JNGyKr99sN
— NBA (@NBA) December 17, 2020
For the Thunder, newly-acquired veteran big man Al Horford made his first appearance in a Thunder uniform, turning in a solid performance with 15 points and seven rebounds in 16 minutes of action.
The 34-year-old is coming off a down year in Philly, but looked like his old self, going to work in the paint as he shot 6-of-10 from the field, and 2-of-4 from the 3-point line.
Nuggets' fast start too much for Blazers
The Denver Nuggets started the game with a bang, piling on 41 points on 70% shooting in the first quarter as they cruised to a 126-95 win over the Portland Trail Blazers.
Nikola Jokic poured in a near triple-double with 12 points, 11 rebounds, and eight assists, while Paul Millsap added 18 points, Jamal Murray 16, and PJ Dozier 15.
Just another night at the office for Joker.
— Denver Nuggets (@nuggets) December 17, 2020
12 PTS
11 REB
8 AST #MileHighBasketball pic.twitter.com/lGx4f5lAUK
“Defensively, first quarter, we got off to a poor start,” said Blazers head coach Terry Stotts. “We looked a little disorganised, it was very disappointing. I do think Denver took advantage with some good passing and some good shot-making, but very disappointed with our defence this game.”
Robert Covington led Portland with 15 points, while Damian Lillard, Enes Kanter, and Carmelo Anthony chipped in 14 apiece.
Knicks rally for comeback win vs. Cavs
After trailing by 17 points in the fourth quarter, the Knicks' youngsters mounted a wild comeback to secure a 100-93 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers — running away with the final frame 34-13.
Rookie Immanuel Quickley and Kevin Knox, propelled the comeback, alongside Mitchell Robinson, RJ Barrett, and Obi Toppin, who put the cherry on top with this huge one-handed slam!
That was fun. Knicks get the W ✅ pic.twitter.com/ZwaXDeCDEF
— NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) December 17, 2020
“We came out with different-type energy and locked in on the defensive end,’’ Knox said post-game. “We just made the right plays down the stretch. We got stops and ran transition.’’
Knox caught fire in the fourth, knocking down three 3-pointers on his way to 16 points, while Barrett added 16, and Mitchell Robinson 13 points and 10 rebounds.
Julius Randle didn't play in the fourth, but led all scorers with 18 points.
The views on this page do not necessarily reflect the views of the NBA or its clubs.
