NBA: Rookie Brandon Miller shines with 31 points as Hornets defeat Cavaliers

The Charlotte Hornets defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers 118-111, with rookie Brandon Miller scoring a career-high 31 points, including seven 3-pointers. The Hornets snapped a five-game losing streak with a strong shooting performance, shooting 58% from the field. Jarrett Allen led the Cavaliers with 24 points. In another game, the Golden State Warriors overcame Draymond Green’s early ejection to beat the Orlando Magic 101-93. Stephen Curry made crucial baskets late in the game, finishing with 17 points and 10 assists.

In a close overtime game, the Brooklyn Nets defeated the Washington Wizards 122-119 behind Cam Thomas’ 38 points. Jordan Poole scored a season-high 38 points for the Wizards, but missed a game-tying 3-pointer. In a matchup between the Atlanta Hawks and Portland Trail Blazers, the Hawks came out on top with a 120-106 victory. Dejounte Murray led the Hawks with 30 points, while Garrison Mathews contributed 21 off the bench. The Portland Trail Blazers suffered their eighth straight loss.

The Los Angeles Clippers secured a 108-107 win over the Philadelphia 76ers, with Kawhi Leonard making key plays down the stretch. Paul George added 22 points for the Clippers, while Tyrese Maxey led the 76ers with 26 points. The New York Knicks dominated the Toronto Raptors with a 145-101 win, led by Miles McBride’s 29 points. The Knicks swept the season series against the Raptors, who lost their 12th straight game. In another game, the Chicago Bulls defeated the Indiana Pacers 125-99 behind DeMar DeRozan’s 27 points.

LeBron James notched a triple-double with 23 points, 14 rebounds, and 12 assists to lead the Los Angeles Lakers to a 136-124 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies. Rui Hachimura added 32 points for the Lakers, who won their fifth straight game. The Minnesota Timberwolves overcame a slow start to beat the Detroit Pistons 106-91, behind Naz Reid’s 21 points and 10 rebounds. In a high-scoring overtime game, the Houston Rockets defeated the Oklahoma City Thunder 132-126, extending their winning streak to 10 games. Jalen Green led the Rockets with 37 points.

The San Antonio Spurs outpaced the Utah Jazz 118-111, with Devin Vassell scoring 31 points. The Jazz lost their seventh straight game despite strong performances from Collin Sexton and Lauri Markkanen. In a matchup between Western Conference contenders, the Phoenix Suns defeated the Denver Nuggets 104-97 behind Kevin Durant’s 30 points and 13 rebounds. Nikola Jokic led the Nuggets with 22 points, but they struggled without Jamal Murray. The Suns moved ahead of Sacramento for the seventh spot in the Western Conference.