{"id":400063,"date":"2026-01-08T16:19:15","date_gmt":"2026-01-08T16:19:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/400063\/"},"modified":"2026-01-08T16:19:15","modified_gmt":"2026-01-08T16:19:15","slug":"starting-5-clutch-buckets-abound-on-12-game-night","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/400063\/","title":{"rendered":"Starting 5: Clutch buckets abound on 12-game night"},"content":{"rendered":"

<\/p>\n

What. Just. Happened.<\/p>\n

Charlotte\u2019s late lead vs. Toronto? Quickley over
\nGame on the line in Brooklyn? Banchero banks it
\nLightning bottled in OKC? No way, says Shai<\/p>\n

Three buzzer-beaters. Three heroes. Triple zeroes and a night we won\u2019t forget.<\/p>\n

\"Immanuel<\/p>\n

5 STORIES IN TODAY\u2019S EDITION \ud83c\udfc0<\/p>\n

At The Buzzer: Paolo & Quickley call game, Shai extends eruption into OT, Portland escapes by inches<\/p>\n

West Statements: Nuggets outduel C\u2019s, Wemby\u2019s Spurs outshine Luka & Lakers, Steph fuels Dubs<\/p>\n

Big East Dubs: Knicks slow Clips, Pistons win shorthanded, Embiid & Sixers stay hot<\/p>\n

Roundup: Suns & Hawks bounce back to cap a truly wild Wednesday<\/p>\n

Tonight\u2019s Tip-Offs: Ant shoots for 10,000 career points on a four-game night<\/p>\n

BUT FIRST \u2026 \u23f0<\/p>\n

\"Scores<\/p>\n

Thursday delivers a four-game slate, including the Heat visiting the Bulls on NBA TV (8 ET<\/a> | Tap to Watch<\/a>), while Anthony Edwards\u2019 Wolves host Donovan Mitchell\u2019s Cavs on League Pass (8 ET<\/a> | Tap to Watch<\/a>).<\/p>\n

Name Your All-Stars: Less than one week remains to vote for the 2026 NBA All-Star Game starters. Submit your daily ballot through Jan. 14 using your NBA ID. The clock\u2019s ticking, vote now<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Reports: The Hawks are reportedly trading four-time All-Star Trae Young to the Wizards for CJ McCollum and Corey Kispert | More<\/a><\/p>\n

1. EPIC ENDINGS: 3 BUZZER-BEATERS, UNLIMITED CHAOS<\/p>\n

\"Immanuel<\/p>\n

Three buzzer-beaters in the 4th quarter and overtime in one night.<\/p>\n

Sound Special? Entering this season, it had happened just twice in the last 20 years
\nSound Familiar? In the last two months, it\u2019s happened twice more<\/p>\n

The first came on Nov. 10<\/a> \u2013 two walk-off winners, plus another buzzer-beater to force OT.<\/p>\n

Last night? Winner. Winner. Tie. Again.<\/p>\n

This time\u00a0\u2013\u00a0thanks to Paolo, Immanuel Quickley and Shai \u2013 we got one more reminder that we\u2019re living through one of the wildest, pulse-pounding stretches of basketball in recent memory.<\/p>\n

Last night\u2019s final tally?<\/p>\n

Three games decided by one point or less \u2013 something we\u2019d seen just twice in the last decade on a 12+ game night
\nFive games decided by 4 points or fewer
\nTwo overtimes. 2 game-winners. 3 buzzer-beaters
\nOne-hundred and sixteen total lead changes
\nEleven 30-point scorers. 2 40-point scorers
\nOne night of pure adrenaline<\/p>\n

\"Paolo<\/p>\n

Magic 104, Nets 103 (OT): We start the buzzer bonanza in Brooklyn, where Banchero banked in the Tissot triple<\/a> to end a back-and-forth that was seconds shy of more horn heroics from the Nets\u2019 Egor D\u00ebmin.<\/p>\n

D\u00ebmin first hit a three with under 5 seconds left in regulation to force OT. Seven straight points later, he hit another for the lead with 3.6 seconds<\/a> to play.<\/p>\n

That\u2019s when Banchero\u2019s big answer capped his huge night (30 pts, 14 reb, 6 ast) and lifted Orlando past D\u00ebmin (18 pts, 5 3s) and Brooklyn\u2019s furious 39-25 rally across the 4th quarter and overtime. | Recap<\/a><\/p>\n

Winning Week: Paolo\u2019s had two game-winning buckets in the final 10 seconds since New Year\u2019s Eve, after beating the Pacers<\/a> with an and-1
\nFast 5K: Paolo reached 5,000 career points in his 226th game, becoming the second-fastest Magic player to do so, behind Shaq (187 games)<\/p>\n

\u201cI knew I had two seconds, so two dribbles and just get it up,\u201d Banchero said. \u201cFelt good coming out of my hands and, blessed off the backboard.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cD\u00ebmin\u2026 rookie made a hell of a shot, and we just had to respond.\u201d<\/p>\n

Egor Activated: All 18 of D\u00ebmin\u2019s points came in the 4th quarter and the extra frame, scoring the Nets\u2019 final 13 points including all ten OT points<\/p>\n

\"Immanuel<\/p>\n

On a night where the Raptors missed 19 straight 3s, they splashed the most important one.<\/p>\n

Raptors 97, Hornets 96: With the game tied and time winding down, LaMelo Ball (15 pts, 7 ast) kissed in a running layup to give Charlotte the lead with 1.6 seconds left, sending the Spectrum Center \u2013 and play-by-play announcer Eric Collins \u2013 into a frenzy<\/a>.<\/p>\n

But the celebration didn\u2019t last long, as Immanuel Quickley received the ensuing inbound at the top of the key, turned, popped and called game<\/a> at the buzzer. | Recap<\/a><\/p>\n

No Rhythm: Quickley was 2-of-10 from deep before the winner, as Toronto finished 7-of-34 as a team (20.6%), its second-lowest 3-point percentage all season
\nNo Hesitation: But in the final second, it didn\u2019t matter, as Quickley was straight cash for Toronto\u2019s third straight win
\nRJ Takes Over: Quickley finished with 21 points and his first career game-winner, but it was Barrett (28 pts) who set the stage, scoring 16 of Toronto\u2019s 31 points in a 4th that featured 7 lead changes
\nSpecial Season: Quickley and Banchero\u2019s game-winners mark just the\u00a0fifth\u00a0time in the last decade we\u2019ve seen two Tissot buzzer-beaters on the same night. The last instance? Fifty-nine days ago\u00a0(Nov. 10)<\/p>\n

\"Shai<\/p>\n

The run of buzzer-beaters kept rolling \u2013 the third, courtesy of the reigning Kia MVP.<\/p>\n

Thunder 129, Jazz 125: Three seconds. That\u2019s all that stood between OKC and its first three-game losing streak of the season, as Lauri Markkanen\u2019s putback gave Utah a 2-point edge to silence the Paycom Center.<\/p>\n

Three seconds. That\u2019s all Shai Gilgeous-Alexander needed. Already with 35 points on the night, SGA delivered his biggest bucket yet \u2013 a tough drive-and-rise double-pump from the elbow to force OT at the buzzer<\/a>.<\/p>\n

He wasn\u2019t done, as OKC outscored Utah 15-11 in the extra frame, with Shai pouring in 9 more points to punctuate a monster outing (46 pts, 6 reb, 6 ast<\/a>) with a timely dub. | Recap<\/a><\/p>\n

MVP Close: SGA dropped 32 after halftime, including 17 in the 4th quarter and OT. That gave him his 2nd-highest scoring game this season, behind only his career-best 55 on Oct. 23 vs. Indy
\nThunder Legends: It\u2019s his 15th career 40\/5\/5 game, tying Kevin Durant for the 2nd-most in franchise history and trailing only Russell Westbrook (33)
\nChet Closes: Chet Holmgren added a double-double (23 pts, 12 reb), capped by a dagger putback jam<\/a> to put OKC up 4 with 8 seconds left in OT<\/p>\n

\"Tari<\/p>\n

The madness didn\u2019t stop there, as we were milliseconds from a fourth winner at the horn.<\/p>\n

Blazers 103, Rockets 102: Two nights after Kevin Durant called game against Phoenix, Houston nearly did it again, as Tari Eason\u2019s potential game-winning tip-in was ruled no good after a lengthy review \u2013 with his fingertip just barely on the ball<\/a> as the buzzer blew, handing Portland a dramatic dub. | Recap<\/a><\/p>\n

KD & Avdija Duel: Durant finished with 37 points on 14-of-27 shooting, going bucket for bucket with Deni Avdija, who got the last word with a season-high 41 \u2013 his most as a Blazer
\nBlazing Hot: Avdija is averaging 34.3 pts, 7.8 reb and 8 ast in Portland\u2019s last four games \u2013 resulting in four straight wins<\/p>\n

2. WEST STATEMENTS: NUGGETS TOP C\u2019S, SPURS STALL LAKERS, DUBS BEAT BUCKS<\/p>\n

\"Jamal<\/p>\n

Nuggets 114, Celtics 110: After 24 lead changes and no double-digit leads through three quarters, Denver flexed a 14-0 run midway through the final frame to take a second straight win with career numbers from Jamal Murray (21 pts, career-high 17 ast<\/a>) and Peyton Watson (30 pts, career-high 6 3s). | Recap<\/a><\/p>\n

Best, Again: Murray hit a career high in assists for the second game in a row, becoming the first player since Luka (2024) to log back-to-back 20\/15 games
\n30+ For JB: Jaylen Brown (33 pts) led Boston with his 21st 30+ point game this season \u2013\u00a0one away from matching his career high
\nLooks Familiar: Mirroring Boston\u2019s signature shooting, Denver hit 20 threes (45.5% 3P%) and limited the league-leading Celtics (ten games of 20+ 3s) to 15<\/p>\n

\"Victor<\/p>\n

Luka Don\u010di\u0107 orchestrated his fourth triple-double of the season, but it was the Spurs banging the victory drum last night.<\/p>\n

Spurs 107, Lakers 91: Luka\u2019s 38-point triple-double (10 reb, 10 ast) fell short with LeBron out (foot) as Keldon Johnson (27 pts) and Wemby\u2019s bench boost (16 pts, 14 reb) helped the Spurs keep the Lakers under 100 for the fourth time this season & end their 3-game win streak. | Recap<\/a><\/p>\n

Warriors 120, Bucks 113: Steph\u2019s 31 points<\/a> (6 reb, 7 ast) and 43 more from De\u2019Anthony Melton (season-high 22 pts, 5 3s) and Jimmy Butler (21 pts) pushed the Dubs to a 17-point lead, helping withstand Giannis and the Bucks\u2019 31-22 4th-quarter run. | Recap<\/a><\/p>\n

Matching Big O: With nine points in the 4th-quarter comeback attempt, Giannis went over 30 to tie Oscar Robertson for most 30\/10\/5 games (159) in NBA history<\/p>\n

3. BIG EAST DUBS: KNICKS SLOW CLIPS, PISTONS & SIXERS STAY HOT<\/p>\n

\"Jalen<\/p>\n

Knicks 123, Clippers 111: Kawhi Leonard (25 pts, 3 stl) and James Harden (23 pts, 9 ast) combined for 55, but Jalen Brunson (26 pts, 7 ast) and Karl-Anthony Towns (20 pts, 11 reb, 7 ast) sparked a 72-55 2nd half to snap New York\u2019s four-game skid. | Recap<\/a><\/p>\n

Garden Bloom: OG Anunoby added 20 as the Knicks improved to 16-4 at MSG this season, their best home start since 1999-2000<\/p>\n

\"Isaiah<\/p>\n

Pistons 108, Bulls 93: Isaiah Stewart\u2019s career-best 31 points (14-17 FG) got Detroit past Chicago\u2019s trio of Ayo Dosunmu (24 pts), Matas Buzelis (20 pts) and Nikola Vu\u010devi\u0107 (20 pts, 16 reb) for a third straight win. | Recap<\/a><\/p>\n

Bench Assist: With Cade Cunningham out (wrist), Dannis Jenkins dished 15 dimes in 28 minutes off the bench, becoming the third-ever Piston to do so<\/p>\n

\"Tyrese<\/p>\n

76ers 131, Wizards 110: Joel Embiid (28 pts, 2 blk), Paul George (23 pts, 5 ast) and Tyrese Maxey (22 pts, 8 reb) took over, all topping 20+ points for the first time this season for Philly\u2019s fourth win in five games. | Recap<\/a><\/p>\n

Embiid At Work: The 2022-23 Kia MVP is posting 28.4 points over the last five games, with Philly putting up 129.4 per night \u2013 more than any other team in that span<\/p>\n

4. ROUNDUP: SUNS, HAWKS SPREAD THE SCORING IN STRONG SHOWINGS<\/p>\n

\"Dillon<\/p>\n

Suns 117, Grizzlies 98: Dillon Brooks led the way (21 pts, 7 reb), Grayson Allen added 19 (5 3s) in his second game back from a nine-game absence. Five other Suns scored 10+ in a near wire-to-wire win \u2013 marking Phoenix\u2019s seventh victory in nine games. | Recap<\/a><\/p>\n

Hawks 117, Pelicans 100: Zaccharie Risacher (25 pts, 8 reb) and Nickeil Alexander-Walker (17 pts, 6 reb, 6 ast) led seven Hawks in double figures as they used a 24-13 3rd quarter to pull away from Zion Williamson (22 pts, 8 reb, 6 ast) and the Pels. | Recap<\/a><\/p>\n

5. TONIGHT: ANT-MAN\u2019S PURSUIT OF 10K HIGHLIGHTS 4-GAME SLATE<\/p>\n

\"Anthony<\/p>\n

As a new year rolls in, Anthony Edwards\u2019 offensive production has continued to climb.<\/p>\n

Tonight, he finds himself one good outing away from the biggest number of his career: 10,000.<\/p>\n

Cavaliers at Wolves (8 ET): Ant is 23 points away from 10,000 in his career as Minnesota seeks a fourth straight W when Donovan Mitchell\u2019s Cavs come to town.<\/p>\n

10K Today? Edwards is pacing to it, as he\u2019s scored under 23 points in just five of 29 full games this season
\nA Rare Rate: Reaching 10,000 points under age 25 will put Ant with LeBron, Kobe, KD, Luka, T-Mac and Melo as the only players in NBA history to do so
\nFruits Of Labor: Edwards (29.3 ppg) is enjoying his fifth consecutive season of increased scoring. Must be the pineapples<\/a>
\nShooting Strength: In each of the past two seasons, Ant has increased both his 3-point percentage (40.7) and his effective field goal percentage (58.9)<\/p>\n

\u201cGreatness is boring,\u201d Edwards said of his work ethic, quoting motivation from assistant coach Chris Hines. \u201cIt was a lot of boring days in the gym working on one-dribble pull-ups, but I think it benefits me.\u201d<\/p>\n

Spida\u2019s Finest: Mitchell is having his own career year with highs in scoring (29.8 ppg) and shooting splits (49.7 FG%, 38.8 3P%)
\nCavs\u2019 Roll: Cleveland enters having won two straight against Minnesota last season, with Mitchell starring for 29.5 points on 53.7 FG% in the set<\/p>\n

\"Josh<\/p>\n

On NBA TV, the Heat visit the Bulls (8 ET) seeking a sixth win in eight games, while on League Pass the Hornets host the Pacers (7 ET) and Cooper Flagg and Dallas carry two straight key victories into Utah (9 ET).<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"What. Just. Happened. Charlotte\u2019s late lead vs. Toronto? Quickley over Game on the line in Brooklyn? Banchero banks…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":400064,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[557],"tags":[64,63,590,85,8019],"class_list":{"0":"post-400063","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-nba","8":"tag-au","9":"tag-australia","10":"tag-nba","11":"tag-sports","12":"tag-starting-5"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/400063","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=400063"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/400063\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/400064"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=400063"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=400063"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=400063"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}