We had seven games on deck on Friday, headlined by John Wall's impressive Rockets debut, Domantas Sabonis' dominance for Indiana and the Suns' best start to a season since 2009.
We've got you covered below with the scores, news, highlights, and the best fantasy performers of the night.
Indiana Pacers 118, Cleveland Cavaliers 99
Domantas Sabonis led six players in double-figure scoring, recording 25 points on 10-of-14 shooting, adding 11 rebounds for his fifth-straight double-double to start the season.
Turbonis has been ᴀᴄᴛɪᴠᴀᴛᴇᴅ 📈@Dsabonis11 ➡️ @Original_Turner pic.twitter.com/Eo8uiAEfCf
— Indiana Pacers (@Pacers) December 31, 2020
Chicago Bulls 133, Washington Wizards 130
The shorthanded Bulls hung on for the win, with Otto porter leading seven players in double figures with 28 points. Zach LaVine added 22 points, while Coby White recorded 16 points and a career-high 10 assists.
CLUTCH defense from Zach LaVine!@NBCSChicago | @ZachLaVine pic.twitter.com/ks2HqPtfMh
— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) January 1, 2021
Russell Westbrook went for 22 points, 10 rebounds and 11 assists, joining Oscar Robertson as the only players in NBA history to open a season with four triple-doubles in their first four games.
Philadelphia 76ers 116, Orlando Magic 92
The 76ers hand the Magic their first loss of the season, behind 21 points and nine rebounds from Joel Embiid. Seth Curry added 21 points, Tobias Harris 20 points and nine rebounds and Ben Simmons nine points, 10 rebounds and eight assists.
🎯 @BenSimmons25 for 3️⃣ #HereTheyCome pic.twitter.com/8FEINMotYI
— NBA Australia (@NBA_AU) January 1, 2021
Houston Rockets 122, Sacramento Kings 119
John Wall impressed in his Rockets debut with 22 points and nine assists, while James Harden led all scorers with 33 points.
Wall, Boogie balling in 1st half as @HoustonRockets teammates! 🚀
— NBA (@NBA) January 1, 2021
Wall: 14 PTS
Cousins: 8 PTS (3-4 shooting) pic.twitter.com/pC8eusta8U
Toronto Raptors 100, New York Knicks 83
The Raptors earn their first win over the season, behind 25 points and seven assists from Fred VanVleet.
Defence creating offence
— Toronto Raptors (@Raptors) January 1, 2021
Love it pic.twitter.com/ELeLtOydRt
New Orleans Pelicans 113, Oklahoma City Thunder 80
The Pelicans stormed home in the fourth quarter, winning the period 28-7 to cruise to victory.
Seven players finished in double figures, led by 20 points and seven from Brandon Ingram. Eric Bledsoe added 17 points, while Lonzo Ball stuffed the stat sheet with 16 points, eight rebounds and nine assists, including this oop to Zion from halfcourt.
We've been waiting for one of those @ZO2_ x @Zionwilliamson collabs 🔥🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/32RKpj0e97
— New Orleans Pelicans (@PelicansNBA) January 1, 2021
Phoenix Suns 106, Utah Jazz 95
The Suns continue their strong start to 2020-21, going 4-1 to start the season for the first time since 2009.
Devin Booker led all scorers with 25 points and seven assists, while Jae Crowder and Mikal Bridges added 16 apiece.
Oh my @DevinBook... pic.twitter.com/bTlV45Xjwm
— Phoenix Suns (@Suns) January 1, 2021
Fantasy Lines of the night
Domantas Sabonis: 25 PTS (10-14 FG, 2-2 3PT, 3-3 FT ), 11 REB, 7 AST
Otto Porter Jr.: 28 PTS (10-14 FG, 5-9 3PT, 3-3 FT), 12 REB, 3 AST, 3 STL
Russell Westbrook: 22 PTS (8-18 FG, 3-5 3PT, 3-6 FT), 10 REB, 11 AST , 1 STL
James Harden: 33 PTS (10-24, 4-11 3PT, 9-11 FT), 8 AST, 6 REB, , 1 STL, 1 BLK
Fred VanVleet: 25 PTS (9-19 FG, 4-9 3PT, 3-3 FT), 7 AST, 5 REB, 1 STL, 1 BLK
Lonzo Ball: 16 PTS, (7-15 FG, 2-7 3PT, 0-1 FT), 9 AST, 8 REB, 1 STL
The views on this page do not necessarily reflect the views of the NBA or its clubs.
