Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 and Khris Middleton #22 of the Milwaukee Bucks look on in the game against the Dallas Mavericks at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, January 15, 2021. /CFP
The Milwaukee Bucks edged over the Dallas Mavericks 112-109 at Fiserv Forum on Friday, extending their winning streak to four.
Kristaps Porzingis was still under time limit, contributing 15 points, 10 rebounds and two blocks in 29 minutes for the Mavericks. Luka Doncic missed one rebound for a triple-double by dropping 28 points, nine rebounds and 13 assists. Though they lacked multiple key teammates like Josh Richardson, Dwight Powell, Jalen Brunson and Dorian Finney-Smith, the Mavericks still managed to contend with the opponents until the last minute.
Giannis Antetokounmpo of the Milwaukee Bucks is ready to shoot a free throw in the game against the Dallas Mavericks at Fiserv Forum, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, January 15, 2021. /CFP
Giannis Antetokounmpo went 14-21 to score 31 points and nine rebounds at home. He also made two of his five attempts behind the 3-point line. However, behind his good efficiency in field goals stood the absurd 1-10 performance in free throws. The Greek Freak has already missed 282 free throws since the start of last season, the most in the league and 107 more than the second, Rudy Gobert of the Utah Jazz.
Moreover, going 1-10 in free throws in one game is already the worst record in Bucks franchise history. Antetokounmpo is also the fourth NBA player who shot 10 percent or worse (of at least 10 attempts) on the free throw line in 25 seasons. The other three are Andre Drummond (four times), Shaquille O'Neal (twice) and Al Horford (once).
Other games on Friday (away teams come first):
Jaylen Brown #7 of the Boston Celtics dunks in the game against the Orlando Magic at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts, January 15, 2021. /CFP
Orlando Magic 97-124 Boston Celtics
The Celtics were finally able to return to the court after watching three of their games get postponed. Though Jayson Tatum still did not play, Jaylen Brown took over the leader role. Not only did he score 21 points, he also delivered eight assists with only two turnovers, helping his team pocket a 27-point big win.
Boston's 2.26-meter Tacko Fall received the chance to play in this hardly intense game at TD Garden. He was 3-3 to get six points, five rebounds and one block in seven minutes.
Andre Drummond #3 of the Cleveland Cavaliers dunks in the game against the New York Knicks at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in Cleveland, Ohio, January 15, 2021. /CFP
New York Knicks 103-106 Cleveland Cavaliers
The Cavaliers put an end to their three-consecutive-loss trend thanks to the close home win at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. Andre Drummond put down court-high 33 points and 23 rebounds. He also had two steals and two blocks. This is the sixth time for a player to get 30+ points and 20+ rebounds in Cavaliers franchise history.
Compared with Drummond, JaVale McGee was not very happy as he only got two points and one rebound in Friday's game. The arrival of Jarrett Allen will undoubtedly cut McGee's time on the floor. There are already reports that multiple teams are interested in acquiring the three-time NBA champion center.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (L) of the Oklahoma City Thunder shoots the ball in the game against the Chicago Bulls at Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, January 15, 2021. /CFP
Chicago Bulls 125-127 Oklahoma City Thunder
When the Bulls expanded their lead to 22 points in the third quarter, the game seemed to have been long gone. However, Luguentz Dort of the Thunder disagreed and he showed his willpower by scoring 10 points in Q3.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander took over from Dort in Q4 and went 5-5 to get 12 points, including the finishing a 2+1 play to drag the game into overtime. Though he missed all three shots in OT, Mike Muscala sealed the win for the Thunder with two triples.
Zach Lavine dropped game-high 35 points for the Bulls at Chesapeake Energy Arena on Friday and it's already the fourth game in a row for him to get 30+points. Nonetheless, his efforts failed to lead the Bulls to even one win.
Trae Young #11 of the Atlanta Hawks shoots the ball in the game against the Utah Jazz at Vivint Smart Home Arena in Salt Lake City, Utah, January 15, 2021. /CFP
Atlanta Hawks 92-116 Utah Jazz
Onyeka Okongwu, the No. 6 selection of the 2020 NBA Draft, finally made his debut for the Hawks at Vivint Smart Home Arena on Friday. The 20-year-old forward was 2-6 to put down four points, six rebounds and two assists in 14 minutes, which was acceptable for a rookie.
However, when Trae Young went 1-11 in field goals and only took (and missed) two attempts from downtown, it's basically impossible for the Hawks to win. Though the team have more than enough ball handlers and each of them can launch offense, they only have one commander and it's Young.
Donovan Mitchell buried six triples to score 26 points in the game, not only adding another home win to the Jazz's pocket, but also lifting the team to the third in the Western Conference. For years, the Jazz have been used to starting late in the playoff qualification competition. Perhaps they want to make a change this season.
LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers blocks a shot by Kira Lewis Jr. #13 of the New Orleans Pelicans in the game at Staples Center in Los Angeles, California, January 15, 2021. /CFP
New Orleans Pelicans 95-112 Los Angeles Lakers
After the Anthony Davis trade in 2019 summer, the Pelicans have always been very enthusiastic in the games against the Lakers. Friday's contest at Staples Center was no exception. For example, the Pelicans led in rebounds, field goal rate and 3-point rate in the first half, not to mention they expanded their lead in points to double digit multiple times.
Nonetheless, they lost by 17 points in the end, partly thanks to their 20 turnovers on the court. The purple and gold did not commit all of their 11 steals via high defensive pressure. The Pelicans' ball movement in offense was more than problematic – they turned the ball over in launching pass several times, which should not happen to a playoff contender team.
LeBron James was two rebounds away from claiming a triple-double. He apparently did not turn on full power, but that did not keep the Lakers from achieving the fifth consecutive win.
Paul George #13 of the Los Angeles Clippers dunks in the game against the Sacramento Kings at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California, January 15, 2021. /CFP
Los Angeles Clippers 138-100 Sacramento Kings
Both Patrick Beverley and Lou Williams sat on Friday's game at Golden 1 Center, meaning that the Clippers only had one point guard Reggie Jackson against the Kings. However, the team still delivered 29 assists to walk over the opponents by 38 points. 11 of the 12 players in rotation had least one assist.
Kawhi Leonard and Paul George scored 54 points together and neither of them reached 30 minutes. By the way, this was the first time for the Clippers to get the third straight win this season.