Top Stories

• Pistons barely edge out Heat

• James Harden drops 41

• PG and Maxey carry Sixers to win

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Games of the day

Last Night’s Top Games! (link to the box scores of every game from yesterday)

Tim Hardaway Jr. hit three 3-pointers in overtime to help the Detroit Pistons end the Miami Heat’s four-game winning streak with a 125-124 victory. Cade Cunningham had 20 points, a career-high 18 assists and 11 rebounds for the Pistons, his sixth triple-double of the season. Jimmy Butler had 35 points, 19 rebounds and 10 assists for Miami. Malik Beasley led the Pistons with 28 points and went 7 of 13 on 3-pointers. Miami trailed by 19 points in the second half, but finished regulation on an 18-2 run before scoring the first eight points of overtime. Hardaway’s first two 3s pulled Detroit within 122-120 with 1:35 left in OT. After Tyler Herro missed an off-balance jumper, Hardaway hit another 3 to put the Pistons ahead 123-122. Butler and Cunningham traded baskets before Herro missed again with 19 seconds to play. A turnover gave Miami one more chance, but Herro missed a 3 at the buzzer. The Pistons, who had lost four of five, shot 50% (20 of 40) from 3-point range.

James Harden scored 24 of his 41 points in the first quarter and the Los Angeles Clippers rolled to a 144-107 victory over the Utah Jazz while reaching a season-high scoring total. Norman Powell had 29 points, Ivica Zubac added 19 points with 12 rebounds and Amir Coffey scored 16 points as the Clippers ended a three-game losing streak and a two-game home skid. Harden had 34 points at halftime when the Clippers had an 81-47 lead. It was the most points in a first half as a team for the Clippers since scoring 82 in a December, 2019 game against Washington. Jordan Clarkson scored 20 points, Lauri Markkanen added 17 and Collin Sexton had 15 for the Jazz, who lost their third consecutive game and fell for the eighth game in their last nine. Utah dropped to 3-10 on the road.

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League News

Around the League

• Tyrese Maxey scored 40 points, Paul George added 33 points as the Philadelphia 76ers spoiled LaMelo Ball’s return to the floor with a 121-108 win over the Charlotte Hornets. Maxey and George were combined for 12 for 21 on 3-pointers. Kelly Oubre Jr. had 19 points, while Andre Drummond, starting in place of the injured Joel Embiid, chipped in with 15 rebounds for the 76ers (8-16). Miles Bridges had 24 points and Nick Richards added 19 points off the bench to lead the Hornets. Ball returned to action, finishing with 15 points and 11 assists in nearly 26 minutes. Ball's return meant the Hornets (7-19) finally had their preseason projected starting five on the floor together for the first time this season. But that lasted a little more than three quarters as Brandon Miller sprained his left ankle with 8:20 remaining in the game on a drive to the basket and did not return.

• Injury Updates: Kawhi Leonard (knee) is out indefinitely, but he practiced with the team this week and is getting closer to returning. James Wiseman tore his achilles and will be out indefinitely. Taylor Hendricks (leg and ankle) suffered a fractured fibia and dislocated ankle and will be out for the season. Paolo Banchero (oblique) has a tear and will be out indefinitely, and re-evaluated in 3-4 weeks. Isaiah Jackson (achilles) will be out for the season. Zion Williamson (hamstring) will be out multiple weeks. Chet Holmgren (hip) suffered a fracture and will be out 8-10 weeks. DeAnthony Melton (ACL) underwent surgery and will be out for the season. Grant Williams (ACL) suffered a tear and will be out for the season. Franz Wagner (oblique) has a tear and will be out at least 4 weeks. We wish all these guys speedy and successful recoveries.

• Trade Updates: The Miami Heat traded Thomas Bryant to Indiana for a 2nd round pick. The Brooklyn Nets traded Dennis Schroder for DeAnthony Melton.

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NBA MVP Ladder

1. Nikola Jokić, Denver Nuggets

Last Ladder: No. 1
Season stats: 32.3 ppg, 13.6 rpg, 10.2 apg

His case: Not only is he on a historic start to a season, but his last two games were legendary. On back-to-back nights he totaled 104 points, 30 rebounds and 16 assists. Oh, and don’t forget the 74 total minutes played flying from one city to another — no nights off here.

And that’s what you want in your MVP, someone who shows up both physically and productively. There’s nothing not to like about “The Joker” right now. The pole position for this award belongs to him as we begin the home stretch to Christmas. That’s not up for debate.

2. Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks

Last Ladder: No. 2
Season stats: 32.7 ppg, 11.4 rpg, 6 apg

His case: Antetokounmpo is a case study in bucket efficiency and this season is shaping up as one of his best. He’s shooting 61.2% overall this season, which reflects how devastating he is when running downhill and charging the rim. The flip side — when he gets fouled his free throws are, shall we say, a bit trickier.

That and the recent rise in turnovers are the only blemishes. Otherwise, Antetokounmpo is simply doing work at both ends.

3. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City Thunder

Last Ladder: No. 4
Season stats: 30.2 ppg, 5.4 rpg, 6.3 apg

His case: He showed out in the biggest (we use that word carefully pre-Christmas) game of the season when he torched the Mavericks to punch OKC’s ticket to Vegas. And that’s what you look for in MVP candidates — do they rise to the occasion along with the stakes?

He has 30 points in eight of his last 10 games and while he lives for the mid-range and trips to the free-throw line, his five 3-pointers vs. the Mavericks were the most 3-pointers he’s made in a game this season.

4. Jayson Tatum, Boston Celtics

Last Ladder: No. 3
Season stats: 28.2 ppg, 8.9 rpg, 5.7 apg

His case: As deep as the Celtics are, Tatum is the team leader in scoring, rebounds, assists and steals. He has always been a tremendous rebounder for a small forward and his average is a career best.

He had a pair of uncharacteristic lapses in scoring over the last week, failing to reach 20 points twice in three games. But those occasional dips are expected throughout a season and in no way reflect his consistent high-level production — that’s why he’s top five on this list.

5. Karl-Anthony Towns, New York Knicks

Last Ladder: No. 5
Season stats: 24.9 ppg, 13.6 rpg, 3.2 apg

His case: Towns was extremely impressive during and especially in the clutch in the Knicks’ recent win in Toronto when he put the Raptors to sleep with a massive 3-pointer.

He’ll miss out on all the fun in Vegas despite coming shy of a 20-20 against the Hawks by a rebound and a point. Nonetheless, Towns, who is shooting 44% from deep, is not only making a strong case for an All-Star nod but also, an All-NBA spot if this keeps up.

The Next Five:

6. Luka Dončić, Dallas Mavericks
7. Anthony Davis, Los Angeles Lakers
8. Donovan Mitchell, Cleveland Cavaliers
9. Victor Wembanyama, San Antonio Spurs
10. Trae Young, Atlanta Hawks

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Fantasy Leaders

PG makes his Top 3 debut

Overtime Thoughts