NBA news, scores and highlights: Big men battle, Bucks' domination, Lowry's triple-double

NBA.com India Staff

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NBA news, scores and highlights: Big men battle, Bucks' domination, Lowry's triple-double image

Thursday saw 26 teams hit the hardwood in what was an action packed day in the NBA.

If you missed any of the games, we've got you covered with the top storylines, best fantasy performers and can't-miss plays of the day.

Top Storylines

Embiid topples AD

Two of the most dominant big men in the NBA went toe-to-toe on Thursday when Joel Embiid and Anthony Davis sqaured off for the first time this season.

Both men entered the contest averaging over 25 points and 12 rebounds per game, but in front of his home fans it was Embiid who took the glory.

The 76ers All-Star continued his recent run of domination as he helped Philly record the 121-120 victory and remain perfect at home.

All eyes were locked on the battle of the bigs, but Embiid made it a one-sided fight as he finished with 31 points and 19 rebounds.

It gives him his 12th game of the season with 30 and 10. Also makes him the first player with 12 such games inside the first 20 of the season since Kareem Abdul-Jabaar back in 1971.

.@Sixers @JoelEmbiid up to 31 points and 18 rebounds tonight. It's his league-leading 12th 30-10 game this season. No other player has more than four.

Per @EliasSports, he's the first player with 12 such games in a team's first 20 contests of a season since @kaj33 in 1972-73.
— Sixers Stats (@SixersStats) November 22, 2018

Davis still managed to stuff the stat sheet but was kept in check on the offensive end, finishing with 12 points, 16 rebounds, 6 assists, 5 steals and 5 blocks.

Embiid fouled Davis with only two seconds to play in the game and with a chance to tie the battle, Davis missed the final free throw and sealed the result.

He'll have to wait until February 27 before he has a chance at getting one back over Embiid.

Celtics fall to third straight

Offensive struggles have plagued the Boston Celtics over their recent stretch and they appeared in front of the home crowd on Thursday.

Up against the New York Knicks, the Celtics found themselves in an early hole as they fell behind by eight after the first quarter.

By the time the final frame rolled around the margin had ballooned out to 21, but then it started to click.

Shots started to fall as the margin crept all the way down to four points.

Sadly they weren't able to get a stop on the other end as the Knicks ran out with the 117-109 win, thanks in large part to Trey Burke and his ice veins.

Ice in his VEINS. pic.twitter.com/sGG66hypN7
— NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) November 22, 2018

The loss makes it three straight and takes them to 9-9 on the season.

Milwaukee demolish Blazers at home

The Blazers entered the contest on top of the Western Conference standings after winning their past two-games and looked to take down the Bucks who were also riding a two-game win streak.

From the outset however it was one-way traffic in Milwaukee as the Bucks proved simply unstoppable.

An 11-point lead after the first quarter was extended out to 22 by the main break.

Tonight's match against Portland was our largest margin of victory since 2000!!#FearTheDeer pic.twitter.com/c52TH9BEXZ
— Milwaukee Bucks (@Bucks) November 22, 2018

Things didn't get any prettier in the second half for the Blazers as the lead continued to grow.

When the final buzzer rang out it was a convincing 143-100 victory for the Bucks, taking them to 13-4 on the season while the Blazers drop to 12-6 and second in the West.

Best fantasy performers

Joel Embiid : 31 points (11-23 FG), 19 rebounds

Anthony Davis : 12 points (4-13 FG), 16 rebounds, 6 assists, 5 steals, 5 blocks

Kyle Lowry : 21 points (7-12 FG), 12 rebounds, 17 assists

Giannis Antetokounmpo : 33 points (13-20 FG), 16 rebounds, 9 assists

LeBron James: 32 points (11-20 FG), 14 rebounds, 7 assists

Blake Griffin: 37 points (9-21 FG), 11 rebounds, 4 assists

James Harden: 43 points (10-20 FG), 7 rebounds, 9 assists

Russell Westbrook: 11 points (5-15 FG), 11 rebounds, 13 assists

Can't-miss highlights

Simmons steals and thunders home the SLAM

Simmons with the steal and SLAM #HereTheyCome

WATCH on #NBA League Pass: https://t.co/i5nRFmSg0h pic.twitter.com/8d2soRFI85
— NBA Australia (@NBA_AU) November 22, 2018

So Blake Griffin still has hops

Houston, we have liftoff. #PistonsNow pic.twitter.com/osjcfNDzzP
— Detroit Pistons (@DetroitPistons) November 22, 2018

Don't get in Dennis Smith Jr's way....

So this happened... pic.twitter.com/BJTh87bsWr
— Bobby Karalla (@bobbykaralla) November 22, 2018

VINCE!

Vince Carter reaches 25,000 career points with this dunk against the #Raptors 🙌💯 pic.twitter.com/pKG68LNLKx
— NBA Australia (@NBA_AU) November 22, 2018

Karl Anthony-Towns with no regard for Paul Millsap