Nightly Pulse: Latest NBA News & Highlights from January 12th

Giannis Antetokounmpo was a standout performer in Milwaukee's loss, putting up an impressive double-double with 24 points and 13 rebounds.

Sunday’s slate of games

Nuggets 112, Mavericks 101 (

Final

)

Bucks 106, Knicks 140 (

Final

)

Kings vs. Bulls (

Live on NBA League Pass

)

Thunder vs. Wizards (

6 ET, Live on NBA League Pass

)

76ers vs. Magic (

6 ET, Live on NBA League Pass

)

Pacers vs. Cavaliers (

6 ET, Live on NBA League Pass

)

Pelicans vs. Celtics (

6 ET, Live on NBA League Pass

)

Nets vs. Jazz (

8 ET, Live on NBA League Pass

)

Hornets vs. Suns (

9 ET, Live on NBA League Pass

)

Knicks roll in the Garden

Nuggets dominate the fourth quarter, earn the win

The Nuggets outscored the Mavericks 33-12 in the final frame to pick up their third straight victory.

Nikola Jokić finished one assist shy of a triple-double, scoring 19 points and pulling down 18 rebounds. Russell Westbrook continued to fill up the stat sheet, this time pouring in 21 points and getting 10 rebounds and seven assists. Aaron Gordon was effective off the bench in his return, playing his first game since Christmas day, scoring 13 points and grabbing six rebounds in just 18 minutes. 

Klay Thompson was hot from three, finishing with 25 points on 6-13 long-range shooting, but it wasn’t enough, as Dallas’ win streak ended at two.

3️⃣Stories for the night

Two of the NBA’s hottest teams will take the court for an Eastern Conference showdown when the Cavaliers host the Pacers on Sunday at 6 ET. Indiana has won five straight, including 11 of their last 14, where their only losses were to the Thunder, Celtics, and Bucks. Meanwhile, Cleveland continues to astonish, sporting a 33-4 record, and winners of 12 straight. One of these team’s streaks will come to an end when they tipoff at the Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. 

Orlando and Philadelphia both have been hit hard by injury woes this season, with neither team having their star players on the floor together for the majority of their campaigns. Despite the injuries though, the Magic have been able to remain afloat, currently sitting at 22-18, and just got back Paolo Banchero, although they remain without Franz Wagner and Jalen Suggs. However, the 76ers haven’t been as successful, sitting at 15-21 and are outside the playoff picture. A win here could be big for Philadelphia as they try to get their season on track, but they have to do so without Joel Embiid, who is questionable. 

Phoenix has won two straight as they work to get themselves back in the playoff picture. Sitting at 18-19, it hasn’t been the season the Suns had expected thus far, but a third straight victory would keep them moving in the right direction. Their last loss came at the hands of the Hornets, back on Jan. 7, something they’ll have a chance to avenge when they step on the floor at the Footprint Center this evening. The Hornets haven’t played since that night, having their last two scheduled games against the Lakers and Clippers postponed.