Russell Westbrook (#4) of the Washington Wizards shoots the ball in the game against the Brooklyn Nets at Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C., January 31, 2021. /CFP
The Washington Wizards achieved an epic victory over the Brooklyn Nets 149-146 at Capital One Arena on Sunday, thanks to back-to-back triples knocked down by Bradley Beal and Russell Westbrook in just three seconds.
Though James Harden sat out this game, the Nets are undoubtedly a stronger team than the Wizards. In fact, the Nets scored 30+ points in each of the four quarters. Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving dropped 37 and 26 points respectively. Deadeye shooter Joe Harris went 8-13 behind the 3-point line to get 30 points. Even Jeff Green contributed 23 points off the bench.
Bradley Beal (L) and Russell Westbrook of the Washington Wizards celebrate the team's 149-146 win over the Brooklyn Nets at Capital One Arena, January 31, 2021. /CFP
Despite their poor defense, the Nets usually beat their opponents on offense, which they failed to do on Sunday. Having trailed 38-28 in the first quarter, the Wizards scored 121 points over the next three quarters. In Q4, Westbrook and Beal combined for 37 of Washington's 48 points to seal the win.
Irving made his last shot at 0:12 to extend the Nets' lead to five points (146-141). Four seconds later, Beal narrowed the trail down to two with a 3-pointer. Then Westbrook intercepted the Nets' inbounds pass and sank his fourth triple of the game, putting the Wizards on top 147-146.
In the following four seconds, Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot missed a wide open shot, leaving Green no other choice but to foul Beal. Beal, who was 8-9 in this quarter, made both free throws to seal the fourth win for the Wizards.
Other games on Sunday (away teams come first):
Kawhi Leonard (#2) of the Los Angeles Clippers shoots the ball in the game against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York, January 31, 2021. /CFP
Los Angeles Clippers 129-117 New York Knicks
The game was tougher than the result looked like. The absence of Patrick Beverley made the Clippers vulnerable in front perimeter defense, especially in screen plays. Julius Randle, R.J. Barrett and Immanuel Quickley scored 75 points together. Thanks to their efforts, the Knicks only trailed by two at 7:44 in Q4.
Fortunately for the Clippers, Lou Williams, Paul George and Marcus Morris launched a 7-0 run in the following minute, ensuring LA's return to the top of the Western Conference.
Nikola Jokic (R) of the Denver Nuggets shoots the ball in the game against the Utah Jazz at Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado, January 31, 2021./CFP
Utah Jazz 117-128 Denver Nuggets
Donovan Mitchell returned for the Jazz on Sunday, a sign of how much the team wanted to continue their winning streak at Ball Arena. Unfortunately, they met Nikola Jokic and his ridiculous offensive performance.
Having gone 17-26 in field goals and 4-4 behind the 3-point line, Jokic put down a career-high 47 points, 22 of which came in the first quarter. He also grabbed 11 rebounds, meaning that in each of the 20 games so far this season, Jokic has claimed a double-double. That's the second-longest record in league history, only behind Bill Walton's run of 34 straight in the 1976-77 season.
Now you understand why Jokic is able to go neck and neck with Joel Embiid in this season's MVP race.
Tobias Harris (#12) of the Philadelphia 76ers shoots the ball in the game against the Indiana Pacers at Bankers Life Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana, January 31, 2021. /CFP
Philadelphia 76ers 119-110 Indiana Pacers
The 76ers did not send Embiid to Sunday's game. In the previous four games they chose to do so, the 76ers were 1-3. That seemed to be the scenario at Bankers Life Fieldhouse, especially when the Pacers extended their lead to 19 points twice in the third quarter.
That's when Tobias Harris, Furkan Korkmaz and Dwight Howard stood up to save the day. The three combined for 26 points, 10 rebounds and two assists in the fourth quarter. Their work put the 76ers on a 37-15 run in Q4 to pocket the second win without Embiid.
Pascal Siakam of the Toronto Raptors reacts in the game against the Orlando Magic at Amalie Arena in Tampa, Florida, January 31, 2021. /CFP
Orlando Magic 102-115 Toronto Raptors
Both teams have been struggling recently. The Magic lost four of their past five games while the Raptors were looking at a three-game losing streak.
In the end, the Raptors pulled themselves out of the fire pit first. Five Raptors reached double-digit points. Kyle Lowry had a double-double of 12 points and 15 assists. Pascal Siakam dropped a game-high 30 points plus 10 rebounds. This was his second 30+ point game in a row. If Siakam can continue playing like this, the Raptors remain hopeful for playoff qualification.
Anthony Edwards (#1) of the Minnesota Timberwolves drives with the ball in the game against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota, January 31, 2021./CFP
Cleveland Cavaliers 104-109 Minnesota Timberwolves
The Timberwolves also ended their three-game skid at home after coming back to defeat the Cavaliers. D'Angelo Russell had been struggling with his shooting for three quarters before sinking three triples in Q4. Timberwolves rookie Anthony Edwards scored a team-high 23 points as well as five rebounds and four assists.
Despite the loss, Andre Drummond still had a big double-double of 25 points and 22 rebounds. There have been many rumors about the 27-year-old four-time rebounding leader joining the Nets in the past week. That makes sense considering that the Nets allowed 72 points in their loss to the Wizards on Sunday.