NBA Action Heats Up on Sunday: Cavaliers Continue Dominance, Pelicans Soar, and Green Takes flight
Table of Contents
- 1. NBA Action Heats Up on Sunday: Cavaliers Continue Dominance, Pelicans Soar, and Green Takes flight
- 2. cavaliers Extend Win Streak to an Remarkable 10 Games
- 3. pelicans Take Flight with Consecutive Wins
- 4. Jalen Green Takes Flight Against the Lakers
- 5. Murphy III lights Up the Court
- 6. Trey Murphy III Lights Up Pelicans Offense
- 7. Pelicans Showcase Impressive Ball Movement
- 8. LaMelo Ball’s Return Ignites Hornets
- 9. Thunder Continue Dominance with 15th Straight Win Over Celtics
- 10. Defensive Masterclass Stifles Celtics
- 11. Dort’s Clutch Shooting Ices the Game
- 12. Gilgeous-Alexander Posts Dominant Performance
- 13. Defense Fuels Offense in Highlight Reel Play
- 14. NBA Nail-Biter in Oklahoma City as Celtics fight for Fourth Quarter Lead
- 15. 🏀Around the League: Top 3️⃣ Stories 🏀
- 16. How did the Oklahoma City Thunder’s defense contribute to their victory against the Boston Celtics on January 5, 2025?
- 17. Defensive Masterclass Stifles Celtics
- 18. Dort’s Clutch Shooting Ices the Game
- 19. Gilgeous-Alexander’s Dominant Performance
- 20. Defense Fuels Offense in Highlight-Reel Play
- 21. Tatum Leads Celtics in Defeat
cavaliers Extend Win Streak to an Remarkable 10 Games
The Cleveland Cavaliers are on fire! After defeating the Charlotte Hornets 115-105 on Sunday, the Cavs have now racked up an astounding 10 straight wins, pushing their impressive record to 31-4.
Darius Garland led the charge with 25 points, while Jarrett Allen delivered another strong performance with a double-double, scoring 19 points and grabbing 11 rebounds.
Despite strong performances from Miller and Ball, who each put up 24 points in their return from injury, the Hornets were unable to overcome Cleveland’s dominant play.
“CAVS WIN! #LetEmKnow,” tweeted the official Cleveland cavaliers account along with a celebratory video.
pelicans Take Flight with Consecutive Wins
The New Orleans Pelicans are starting to find their rhythm. Thay secured a 110-98 victory over the Wizards,marking their second straight win and a much-needed boost to their season.
Dejounte Murray was the driving force behind the win, achieving a triple-double with 14 points, 12 assists, and 10 rebounds.
Murphy and CJ McCollum were on fire from beyond the arc, combining for 10-21 shooting from long range. Murphy chipped in 22 points while McCollum poured in 25.
Kyle Kuzma led all scorers with 28 points for the Wizards, and 2024 No. 1 selection Alexandre Sarr displayed his potential with a double-double, scoring 18 points and collecting 11 rebounds.
“Triple Double for Dejounte 👏 14 PTS 12 AST 10 REB,” tweeted the Pelicans, celebrating Murray’s impressive performance.
Jalen Green Takes Flight Against the Lakers
Jalen Green put on a show for the Houston Rockets, dazzling fans with his amazing athleticism against the Los Angeles Lakers.
Green fearlessly attacked the basket, soaring through the air for a breathtaking and-one possibility against LeBron James.His explosive first quarter performance saw him rack up 18 points on 7-8 shooting, propelling the Rockets to an early 39-22 lead.”that’s 𝙞𝙘𝙚 𝙘𝙤𝙤𝙡𝙡𝙙𝙙 JG 🥶,” tweeted the Houston Rockets, sharing a highlight of Green’s impressive play.
Murphy III lights Up the Court
Trey Murphy III was in the zone, displaying his sharpshooting skills and infectious energy.
Trey Murphy III Lights Up Pelicans Offense
Trey Murphy III was firing on all cylinders for the New Orleans pelicans on January 6th,2025,leading a dominant performance against the Washington Wizards. Murphy’s hot shooting sparked a strong start for the Pels, who took a commanding 71-51 lead early in the third quarter. “TREY. MURPHY. III,” the Pelicans tweeted, sharing a highlight reel of Murphy’s explosive play.
TREY.
MURPHY.
III. https://t.co/BIunorK5tx pic.twitter.com/nVPLnW1WUU
— New Orleans Pelicans (@PelicansNBA) January 6, 2025
Murphy finished the game with 18 points, showcasing his versatility with 4-of-8 three-point shooting and seven rebounds.
Pelicans Showcase Impressive Ball Movement
The Pelicans’ offense was not solely reliant on murphy’s sharpshooting. Their ball movement was on point, as demonstrated by dejounte Murray’s dazzling no-look, behind-the-back pass to CJ McCollum for an easy layup. “THAT NO LOOK,” the Pelicans tweeted, along with a video of the impressive play.
THAT NO LOOK 👀 pic.twitter.com/K4Bas5lhSz
— New Orleans Pelicans (@PelicansNBA) January 6, 2025
At halftime, New Orleans held a comfortable 60-45 lead.
LaMelo Ball’s Return Ignites Hornets
In other NBA action, LaMelo Ball’s return to the Charlotte Hornets lineup electrified his team. Ball’s wizardry on the fast break was on full display as he delivered a behind-the-back pass to Cody Martin for a bucket, according to a tweet from the NBA. “LaMelo is a wizard on the fastbreak 🪄”, the tweet read.
LaMelo is a wizard on the fastbreak 🪄
He goes behind-the-back as Hornets/Cavs gets underway! pic.twitter.com/oluvhsVbKi
— NBA (@NBA) January 5, 2025
The Hornets remained competitive against the Cleveland Cavaliers, trailing by just six points, 29-23, after the first quarter. Brandon Miller also made a significant impact in his return, leading Charlotte with eight points on 3-4 shooting. Ball trailed closely behind with seven.
Thunder Continue Dominance with 15th Straight Win Over Celtics
The Oklahoma City Thunder continued their torrid pace, racking up their 15th consecutive victory with a resounding 105-92 triumph over the Boston Celtics on January 5, 2025. The red-hot Thunder now boast an impressive 30-5 record, firmly placing them atop the Western Conference standings.
Defensive Masterclass Stifles Celtics
Oklahoma City’s renowned defense showcased its prowess in the second half, limiting the Celtics to a mere 27 points. This stifling performance proved decisive in securing the victory, as the Thunder controlled the game’s tempo and stifled Boston’s offensive rhythm.
15 STRAIGHT WINS FOR OKC ⛈️
Much respect between SGA and JB 🤝 pic.twitter.com/otuwRZ8695
— NBA (@NBA) January 5, 2025
Dort’s Clutch Shooting Ices the Game
Guard Lu Dort played a pivotal role in sealing the victory, sinking three crucial three-pointers in the closing minutes. His sharpshooting prowess helped the Thunder pull away and secure their impressive win streak.
Lu Dort nails THREE triples in the closing minutes to help ice it for the @okcthunder‘s franchise-best 15th straight W! pic.twitter.com/k4zb0rp8i8
— NBA (@NBA) January 5, 2025
Gilgeous-Alexander Posts Dominant Performance
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander starred for the Thunder once again, delivering an all-around performance with 33 points, 11 rebounds, 6 assists, 3 steals, and 2 blocks. his dynamic playmaking and scoring ability proved instrumental in leading Oklahoma City to victory.
Defense Fuels Offense in Highlight Reel Play
A highlight-reel sequence exemplified the Thunder’s dominant performance. Gilgeous-Alexander emphatically blocked Jayson Tatum from behind before heaving a perfect lob to Isaiah Hartenstein for a thunderous slam dunk. The play ignited the Thunder faithful and showcased the team’s synergy and athleticism.
WHAT A SEQUENCE FOR THE THUNDER 😱
SGA blocks it then lobs it up to Hartenstein!
CROWD BUZZING… OKC UP 9 ON NBA TV! pic.twitter.com/cTXCg6bkE1
— NBA (@NBA) January 5, 2025
THIS I-HART POSTER IS NEXT LEVEL 😲 https://t.co/rdTa5LdnjB pic.twitter.com/OlCLaKYsXL
— NBA (@NBA) january 5, 2025
Tatum led the Boston Celtics with 26 points and 10 rebounds.
NBA Nail-Biter in Oklahoma City as Celtics fight for Fourth Quarter Lead
The Boston Celtics are holding onto a slim lead against the Oklahoma City Thunder heading into the final quarter of their matchup, with a score of 80-76. Kristaps Porziņģis’s late-game bucket helped the Celtics maintain their advantage after a strong offensive first half, scoring 65 points. Though, the Thunder tightened their defense in the third quarter, limiting Boston to just 15 points.
Jayson Tatum leads the Celtics with 17 points, closely followed by Jaylen Brown with 21 and Porziņģis with 19. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is carrying the offensive load for the Thunder,posting 26 points. Aaron Wiggins is the only other Thunder player in double digits, contributing 15 points off the bench.
KP nails the midrange J to close the 3rd!
Boston up 4 to start the 4th on NBA TV 🍿 pic.twitter.com/NFiGtwusFv
— NBA (@NBA) January 5, 2025
🏀Around the League: Top 3️⃣ Stories 🏀
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The Cleveland Cavaliers are on fire, riding a nine-game winning streak as they prepare to host the struggling Charlotte Hornets on Sunday evening. The Hornets are on a nine-game losing streak of their own, putting the Cavaliers in a strong position to extend their dominance. Cleveland’s recent wins have been impressive, with all victories coming by double digits – a feat not seen as the 2017-18 Philadelphia 76ers. The return of LaMelo Ball and brandon Miller, both listed as questionable for the game due to ankle and wrist injuries respectively, could be crucial for the Hornets to slow down the Cavaliers and snap their losing streak.
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The Los Angeles Lakers have found their stride, boasting an impressive 8-3 record over their last 11 games. They’ll look to continue their momentum against the second-seeded Houston Rockets on Sunday. The Rockets have faltered in recent games, losing three of their last four and encountering a setback with Jabari Smith’s broken hand, which will sideline him for at least the next four weeks. A win for the Lakers could signal their arrival as a force to be reckoned with in the Western Conference, while the Rockets will be aiming to regain their footing.
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The Sacramento Kings are experiencing a resurgence after the recent firing of head coach Mike Brown, securing three consecutive wins, including impressive victories over the Memphis Grizzlies and the red-hot Philadelphia 76ers. Sitting at 16-19, a win against the 18-16 Golden State Warriors could propel them further up the Western Conference standings. However, the Kings will face an uphill battle with key players De’Aaron Fox (glute) and Keegan Murray (ankle) ruled out. The Warriors are also facing injury woes, with Jonathan Kuminga sidelined due to an ankle sprain.
How did the Oklahoma City Thunder’s defense contribute to their victory against the Boston Celtics on January 5, 2025?
The Oklahoma City Thunder adn Boston Celtics delivered a thrilling showdown on January 5, 2025, with the Thunder extending their winning streak to 15 games in a hard-fought 105-92 victory. The game was a testament to the Thunder’s defensive dominance and their ability to execute in critical moments.
Defensive Masterclass Stifles Celtics
The Thunder’s defense shone brightly in the second half, holding the Celtics to just 27 points. This defensive clinic disrupted Boston’s offensive flow and allowed Oklahoma City to take control of the game.
15 STRAIGHT WINS FOR OKC ⛈️
Much respect between SGA and JB 🤝
— NBA (@NBA) Dort’s Clutch Shooting Ices the Game
Lu Dort played a pivotal role in sealing the victory, sinking three crucial three-pointers in the closing minutes.His sharpshooting helped the Thunder pull away and secure their franchise-best 15th straight win.
Lu Dort nails THREE triples in the closing minutes to help ice it for the @okcthunder’s franchise-best 15th straight W!
— NBA (@NBA) Gilgeous-Alexander’s Dominant Performance
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was onc again the star of the show, delivering an all-around performance with 33 points, 11 rebounds, 6 assists, 3 steals, and 2 blocks. His dynamic playmaking and scoring ability were instrumental in leading the Thunder to victory.
Defense Fuels Offense in Highlight-Reel Play
A standout sequence exemplified the Thunder’s synergy and athleticism. Gilgeous-Alexander emphatically blocked Jayson tatum from behind before heaving a perfect lob to Isaiah Hartenstein for a thunderous slam dunk. The play ignited the crowd and showcased Oklahoma City’s dominance.
WHAT A SEQUENCE FOR THE THUNDER 😱
SGA blocks it then lobs it up to Hartenstein!
CROWD BUZZING… OKC UP 9 ON NBA TV!
— NBA (@NBA) pic.twitter.com/OlCLaKYsXL