The Brooklyn Nets' stars delivered in a win over the Los Angeles Clippers, while Fred VanVleet made history for the Toronto Raptors. (More Sports News)
The Nets' 'Big Three' – Kevin Durant, James Harden and Kyrie Irving – led Brooklyn past the Clippers 124-120 in the NBA on Tuesday.
Harden posted a triple-double of 23 points, 14 assists and 11 rebounds, while Irving had a game-high 39 points and Durant finished with 28.
With his 50th career triple-double, Harden became the eighth player in NBA history to achieve that mark, joining Oscar Robertson (181), Russell Westbrook (151), Magic Johnson (138), Jason Kidd (107), LeBron James (95), Wilt Chamberlain (78) and Larry Bird (59).
The Nets improved to 14-9 with victory over a Clippers (16-6) side also expected to contend come season's end.
@KyrieIrving drops a season-high 39 PTS (6 3PM) in the @BrooklynNets victory against LAC! #BrooklynTogether pic.twitter.com/Z2h36aisFm
— NBA (@NBA) February 3, 2021
Clippers star Kawhi Leonard had 33 points and Paul George chipped in with 26.
VanVleet dominated with a record-breaking 54 points in the Raptors' 123-108 win over the Orlando Magic.
The guard broke DeMar DeRozan's franchise record of 52 points in a game.
VanVleet was 17-of-23 from the field and 11-of-14 from three-point range, while adding three rebounds, three steals and three blocks.
He became the first player in NBA history to have 50-plus points, 10-plus three-pointers made, three-plus blocks and three-plus steals in a game, as per Stats Perform. He was also the first guard with 50-plus points, three-plus blocks and three-plus steals in a game since Michael Jordan in April 1987.
FVV sets Toronto franchise record @FredVanVleet makes @Raptors history, erupting for 54 POINTS and 11 THREES (11-14 3PM) in the road W! #WeTheNorth pic.twitter.com/QeDEfTkCZf
— NBA (@NBA) February 3, 2021
Curry magic not enough, Sabonis stars
Stephen Curry made seven three-pointers and had 38 points and 11 rebounds, but the Golden State Warriors went down to the Boston Celtics 111-107.
Jayson Tatum led the Celtics with 27 points and nine rebounds.
Domantas Sabonis' double-double of 32 points and 13 rebounds saw the Indiana Pacers past the Memphis Grizzlies 134-116.
Domas ties his career-high
— NBA (@NBA) February 3, 2021
The @Pacers defeat Memphis behind 32 PTS, 13 REB from @Dsabonis11! #AlwaysGame pic.twitter.com/omtkNe3RVh
Damian Lillard finished with 32 points as the Portland Trail Blazers beat the Washington Wizards 132-121. Bradley Beal had 37 points for the Wizards.
Griffin below his best
Blake Griffin struggled from the field, shooting four-of-13 for 11 points in 29 minutes in the Detroit Pistons' 117-105 loss to the Utah Jazz.
Melo moves
Carmelo Anthony posted 21 points off the bench in the Trail Blazers' win. He moved up to 13th on the all-time scoring list.
Congrats to @carmeloanthony of the @trailblazers for moving up to 13th on the all-time SCORING list! pic.twitter.com/JZ2r0iNM8u
— NBA (@NBA) February 3, 2021
Tuesday's results
Toronto Raptors 123-108 Orlando Magic
Brooklyn Nets 124-120 Los Angeles Clippers
Indiana Pacers 134-116 Memphis Grizzlies
Portland Trail Blazers 132-121 Washington Wizards
Boston Celtics 111-107 Golden State Warriors
Utah Jazz 117-105 Detroit Pistons
Pacers at Bucks
The Pacers (12-9) will aim for a second straight win when they take on Giannis Antetokounmpo (averaging 27.3 points, 11 rebounds and 5.7 assists per game this season) and the Milwaukee Bucks (12-8) on Wednesday.
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