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By The Numbers: Mind-boggling stats from all 13 games from a busy NBA Thursday

Yash Matange

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By The Numbers: Mind-boggling stats from all 13 games from a busy NBA Thursday image

Thursday night witnessed 26 of the 30 NBA teams taking the floor.

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Across the 13 games, we saw multiple thrilling plays, record-setting performances and some blowouts as well. All put together, there were some head-scratching, eye-popping numbers from every game. 

Washington Wizards 97, Cleveland Cavaliers 94

Kuzma show in Cleveland

Two early surprising teams going head-to-head was a fun one in Cleveland. The Cavaliers dominated and led for a majority of the second half but Kyle Kuzma had other ideas. 

Down nine points with six minutes to play, the Wizards staged a comeback by outscoring the hosts 19-7. Offseason acquisition Kyle Kuzma alone scored 12 of those 19, going a perfect 4-of-4 from long distance in the final six minutes. 

18 of Kuzma's 22 points for the game came from beyond the arc, making the six 3-pointers, one shy of his career-high. Through 11 games, he's averaging career-highs in points (14.8), rebounds (6.1) and 3-point shooting (makes and efficiency).

Brooklyn Nets 123, Orlando Magic 90

KD and Harden dominate

We all know that Kevin Durant is a gifted scorer. The league's leading scorer proved that with a display of super-efficiency in Orlando as he scored 30 on just 12 shots. Yes, 12! 

The 91.7 percent field goal percentage is the best efficiency of his 320 career 30-point games. On the other hand, Harden brought up his 61st career triple-double with 17-10-10 and doing so in quick time. 

Boston Celtics 104, Toronto Raptors 88

Celtics finally win at home

It took three weeks but the Celtics finally win at home by blowing out the Raptors, avenging a 32-point blowout in their home opener nearly three weeks earlier. 

Until this point, It's been tough viewing for the Celtics' faithful at the TD Garden.

In the home opener, they got blown out by 32 at the hands of the Raptors. In the second game, they rallied back from 15 down but lost to a Wizards squad that ran away with it late. In Game 3 against the Chicago Bulls, they only managed 11 fourth-quarter points, giving up a 19-point lead to lose by 14.

Milwaukee Bucks 112, New York Knicks 100

Champs nail late 3s to survive at MSG

Despite playing on the second night of a back-to-back and the third game in four nights, the Bucks were dominating early in New York. 

However, the Knicks, who were down by 24 late in the fourth quarter, tied things up with five minutes to play but Milwaukee used some late 3-point shooting to stay ahead and win. 

In non-Thibodeau fashion, the Knicks are struggling on defence.

Detroit Pistons 112, Houston Rockets 104

Cunningham and Green duel doesn't disappoint

The No.1 and No. 2 overall picks from the 2021 NBA Draft went head-to-head and they kicked off what is sure to be a long rivalry with an entertaining back-and-forth battle.

Chicago Bulls 117, Dallas Mavericks 107

League's steals leader puts on a showcase

Alex Caruso is averaging a league-best 2.6 steals per game and is second only to Gary Trent Jr. (30) in total steals (29).

Charlotte Hornets 118, Memphis Grizzlies 108

Oubre Jr. helps Hornets snap losing streak

The Hornets snapped a five-game losing streak by overcoming a 19-point first quarter from Ja Morant, who finished with a near triple-double of 32 points, eight assists and seven rebounds, with the help of a career night from Kelly Oubre Jr. 

Oklahoma City Thunder 108, New Orleans Pelicans 100

NAW balls out but Pels still lose

Nickeil Alexander-Walker stuffs the stat sheet 33 points, 10 rebounds, four assists and two steals but the Pelicans losing streak extends to eight games. 

On the flip side, this victory is the OKC Thunder's third straight. 

San Antonio Spurs 136, Sacramento Kings 117

Spurs rain 3s (by their standards) to win 1st game vs. West

The Spurs average 10.2 3-pointers made per game, good for 29th but knocked down 18 against the Kings to win by 19. 

The victory is the team's first against the Western Conference, having started the season 0-5 within the conference.

Denver Nuggets 101, Indiana Pacers 98

What's going on in Indiana?

No Nikola Jokic (suspension), no Jamal Murray (injury) and no MPJ (injury), and still the Nuggets edge the Pacers at home led a 30-piece from Will Barton, who is averaging career-highs across the board. 

Golden State Warriors 123, Minnesota Timberwolves 110

Edwards' career-night

Despite losing comprehensively, the Timberwolves' second-year superstar put on a show. Anthony Edwards erupted for a career-high 48 points, setting and breaking numerous records. 

For more on Edwards' historic night, click here.

The Warriors, led by Andrew Wiggins' huge game, improved their stellar start to 10-1 with this win. 

Phoenix Suns 119, Portland Trail Blazers 109

Trail Blazers remain winless on the road

Despite missing starting center Deandre Ayton, the Suns ensured the Trail Blazers remained winless on the road. Portland has begun the season 0-6 on the road. 

Los Angeles Lakers 120, Miami Heat 117 [OT]

33 lead changes

No LeBron James and Jimmy Butler left after the first quarter, but there were still plenty of stars on the court in Anthony Davis, Russell Westbrook, Kyle Lowry and Bam Adebayo. 

It was a hard-fought overtime contest between two marquee franchises with as many as 33 lead changes and 14 ties. In the end, it wasn't easy but the Lakers prevailed.  

Six players scored in double figures for the Lakers, including a 25-14-12 triple-double by Russell Westbrook, a 24-13 double-double by Anthony Davis 27 points off the bench by Malik Monk. 

The Heat fought hard but missed free throws in crunch time cost them this game, one they had multiple chances to take control of towards the end. Bam Adebayo, who was fouled out late in overtime, stuffed the stat sheet with 28 points, 10 rebounds, six steals and four assists. 

Tyler Herro continued his remarkable run off the bench, scoring 27 points. 

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Yash Matange

Yash Matange Photo