Santi Aldama signed a game-saving block to give the Memphis Grizzlies the win over the San Antonio Spurs, Luka Doncic and LeBron James scored 30 points apiece in the Lakers’ win over the New Orleans Pelicans, and the Indiana Pacers strung together their 13th consecutive loss, the worst streak in their NBA history.
De’Aaron Fox, a specialist in winning baskets, took over the last attack for the Spurs, who needed only two points to take the game. He penetrated into the paint and, with five seconds left, launched a shot that barely traveled a few inches before meeting Aldama’s hand. Cam Spencer grabbed the rebound and pulled the ball away from the Memphis basket to run out the clock.
Aldama decides in an agonizing finish
The Grizzlies (16-20) thus took a hard-fought 106-105 win over the Spurs (25-11).
They brought back Frenchman Victor Wembanyama, a substitute after missing the last two games with a hyperextended knee, who finished with 30 points.
Aldama, who was a substitute, finished the game with 10 points and 9 rebounds, in addition to two assists and two blocks.
Indiana’s worst streak
The Pacers, who a few months ago came close to an NBA ring in Game 7 of the Finals, are now the worst team in the league with a 6-31 record.
On Tuesday, they posted their 13th consecutive loss, the worst streak in franchise history, as they fell 116-120 to the Cleveland Cavaliers (21-17).
Entering the final quarter, the Pacers were up by nine, but Cleveland turned it around with a 7-23 run in just over six minutes.
Darius Garland scored 14 of his 29 points in the fourth quarter.
Evan Mobley contributed 20, Jarrett Allen had 19 points and 12 rebounds and Sam Merrill had another 19 points. Pascal Siakam scored 22 for Indiana.
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LeBron and Doncic charge the Lakers
Doncic finished with 30 points and 10 assists, while James signed 30 points, 8 rebounds and 8 assists.
In addition, Deandre Ayton added 18 points and 11 rebounds to the Lakers’ tally.
Like the Pacers, the Pelicans (8-30) had a 9-point margin with just under two minutes left in the third quarter, but saw the Lakers (23-11) turn the score around with a 17-32 run in the final quarter.
The final score was 103-111 for the Lakers.
James and Doncic, with 18 points between them in that final quarter, carried the weight of Los Angeles’ win.
Trey Murphy III scored 42 points for the Pelicans, a personal best that was of little use.
The win in New Orleans is the third in a row for the Lakers and is a breather for JJ Redick, who at Christmas had issued a wake-up call to his players for a lack of involvement and intensity on the court.
Minnesota sweeps Miami and Washington holds on
In the rest of Tuesday’s NBA games, the Minnesota Timberwolves defeated the Miami Heat 122-94 with 26 points from Anthony Edwards.
And the Wizards beat the Orlando Magic 120-112 after thwarting the visitors’ comeback, which cut Washington’s margin from 26 (89-63) to 2 (107-105) in the final minutes.
The Wizards have won six of their last ten games.
With information from EFE
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