The NBA celebrated Martin Luther King Day with nine great matchups including a Cavaliers–Warriors game and an African duel between Joel Embiid and Giannis Antetokounmpo when Philadelphia met Milwaukee.
Sixers tame Bucks
Cameroonian rookie sensation Joel Embiid led the Philadelphia 76ers past the Milwaukee Bucks (113-104) with a 22-point, 12-rebound double-double, Dario Saric had 17 points, nine rebounds and four assists, while Robert Covington finished with 11 points, five rebounds and four assists.
Greek-Nigerian Giannis Antetokounmpo had 23 points and six rebounds for the Bucks, Jabari Parker also had 23 points and five rebounds, Greg Monroe had 14 points and six rebounds.
Warriors conquer Cavaliers
The Golden State Warriors beat the Cleveland Cavaliers 126-91. Klay Thompson had 26 points and four rebounds, Kevin Durant had 21 points, six rebounds and five assists, Stephen Curry had a 20-point, 11-assist double-double and Draymond Green finished with an 11-point, 13-rebound, 11-assist triple-double.
The Cavs were led by LeBron James with 20 points and eight rebounds, Kyrie Irving had 17 points, while Iman Shumpert ended the night with 15 points and nine rebounds.
Hawks peck Knicks
The Atlanta Hawks beat the New York Knicks 108-107. German-Gambian Dennis Schroder had 28 points, Tim Hardaway Jr had 20 points and four assists, Paul Millsap had 17 points, seven rebounds and six assists, while Swiss-South African Thabo Sefolosha finished with three points, four rebounds, one assist and two steals.
Carmelo Anthony led the Knicks with 30 points and seven rebounds, Derrick Rose had 18 points, four rebounds and nine assists, while Mindaugas Kuzminskas ended the game with 14 points and five rebounds.
Nuggets outshine Magic
The Denver Nuggets beat the Orlando Magic 125-112. Nikola Jokic had a double-double with 30 points and 11 rebounds, Kenneth Faried had 20 points and five rebounds, Congolese guard Emmanuel Mudiay finished with an 18-point, 13-assist double-double.
The Magic were led by Elfrid Payton with a 20-point, 12-assist double-double, Congolese forward Serge Ibaka had 15 points and five rebounds, while DRC-born center Bismack Biyombo ended the game with 15 points and nine rebounds.
Celtics swat Hornets
The Boston Celtics beat the Charlotte Hornets 108-98. Isaiah Thomas had 35 points, five rebounds and four assists, Al Horford had 22 points, six rebounds and four assists, and Kelly Olynyk had 15 points, nine rebounds and four assists.
Kemba Walker led the Hornets with 24 points and four rebounds, Marvin Williams had 21 points and four rebounds while French-Cameroonian Nicolas Batum had a 10-rebound, 10-assist double-double.
The Rest
In other Martin Luther King Day matchups, the Washington Wizards beat the Portland Trail Blazers 120-101, the Indiana Pacers edged the New Orleans Pelicans 98-95, the Utah Jazz beat the Phoenix Suns 106-101 and the LA Clippers thumped OKC 120-98.
By Kaunda Chama
