The first day of play in 2021 in the US was loaded, with ten games on the schedule.
Jimmy Butler vs. Luka Doncic, Trae Young vs. Kyrie Irving and Damian Lillard vs. Steph Curry were just a few of the primetime matchups, with LeBron James, Giannis Antetokounmpo and Luka all posting monster lines in helping their squads to big wins.
If you missed any of the action we have got you covered with scores, highlights and stats from around the association.
Memphis Grizzlies 108, Charlotte Hornets 93 - FINAL
A 30-20 third quarter helped the Grizzlies to a road win over Charlotte without Ja Morant.
Dillon Brooks led scoring for Memphis with 21 points while Bismack Biyombo has a 16-point, 12-rebound double-double for Charlotte.
get em a floatie 🎈 pic.twitter.com/6iSUqWjuwY
— Memphis Grizzlies (@memgrizz) January 2, 2021
Boston Celtics 93, Detroit Pistons 96 - FINAL
A Derrick Rose go-ahead lay-up with 1:20 left in the game has helped the Pistons to a big win over the Celtics at home, 96-93.
Jaylen Brown missed a potential game tying three with 1.2 seconds left.
Jerami Grant finished with 24 points for Detroit, while Jayson Tatum led the Celtics with 28.
😱 JERAMI GRANT, HOW DO YOU DO?? 😱 pic.twitter.com/ONnIaA8aJt
— NBA (@NBA) January 2, 2021
Miami Heat 83, Dallas Mavericks 93 - FINAL
27 points, 15 rebounds and seven assists for Luka Doncic was enough to help Dallas to a win over Miami.
A 30-20 last quarter for the Heat wasn't enough to erase the deficit and the Mavericks now move to 2-3 on the season.
JRich x Luka = 💰 pic.twitter.com/z5o2hxN1nA
— Dallas Mavericks (@dallasmavs) January 2, 2021
Atlanta Hawks 114, Brooklyn Nets 96 - FINAL
Atlanta avenge their loss to Brooklyn two nights earlier to blow out the Nets on the road.
De'Andre Hunter led the Hawks with 23 points, while Kevin Durant finished with 28 points for the Nets.
New year, same range 🥶 pic.twitter.com/pxtPDxKOBe
— Atlanta Hawks (@ATLHawks) January 2, 2021
Chicago Bulls 96, Milwaukee Bucks 126 - FINAL
The Bucks improve to 3-3 on the season with a dominant win over the Bulls.
Giannis finished with 29 points, 12 rebounds, eights assists, two steals and two blocks in just 27 minutes.
First day of 2021...and the MEAN MUG IS HERE!!#FearTheDeer pic.twitter.com/x1aBWH4Gvm
— Milwaukee Bucks (@Bucks) January 2, 2021
Washington Wizards 130, Minnesota Timberwolves 109 - FINAL
A blistering third quarter from Washington leads to a 21-point win over the T-Wolves. The 40-14 third period ensures the Wizards walk away with their first win of the season.
Bradley Beal led all scorers with 31 points.
The Laser is ACTIVATED. 🇱🇻👌#WizWolves | @DBertans_42 pic.twitter.com/yiT5cakCx9
— Washington Wizards (@WashWizards) January 2, 2021
Los Angeles Lakers 109, San Antonio Spurs 103 - FINAL
A 6-0 run to finish the game capped off a 28-18 fourth quarter for the Lakers in their come-from-behind win on the road.
Anthony Davis poured in 34 points while LeBron James recorded a 26-point, 11-rebound, 10-assist triple-double in the win.
K3LDON 👌 pic.twitter.com/2jgyXOgRe0
— San Antonio Spurs (@spurs) January 2, 2021
Phoenix Suns 106 vs. Denver Nuggets 103 - FINAL
31 points from Jamal Murray wasn't enough as the Nuggets fail to slow down the red hot Suns.
Chris Paul sunk two free-throws with 2.9 seconds left to extend the Phoenix lead to three, before Murray missed a potential game tying triple in the final second.
Paul, Devin Booker and Deandre Ayton combined for 63 points in the win that improves the Suns to 5-1 on the season.
We call this the "CP Shuffle" pic.twitter.com/GhPWSa8znj
— Phoenix Suns (@Suns) January 2, 2021
LA Clippers 100, Utah Jazz 106 - FINAL
Mike Conley's 33-point effort helped the Jazz withstand a 35-22 fourth quarter from the Clippers to pick up the win.
Paul George and Kawhi Leonard combined for 35 points for LA but it wasn't enough as they now slide to 4-2 while Utah improve to 3-2 on the season.
we resolve to never get tired of donovan dunks pic.twitter.com/gXNsld1oaE
— utahjazz (@utahjazz) January 2, 2021
Portland Trailblazers 123, Golden State Warriors 98 - FINAL
Damian Lillard had 34 points and CJ McCollum had 28 in a blow out win for the Blazers in San Francisco.
Steph Curry led the Warriors with 26 points but struggled to finish 4-for-12 from 3-point range.
Lillard crossed 15,000 career points with a 3-point make during the third quarter.
1️⃣5️⃣,0️⃣0️⃣0️⃣ career points!
— Portland Trail Blazers (@trailblazers) January 2, 2021
Congrats, @dame_lillard pic.twitter.com/pCff7v2npr
Fantasy lines of the night
Luka Doncic - 27 points, 15 rebounds, seven assists and one block.
Kevin Durant - 28 points, eight rebounds, four assists and two blocks.
Giannis Antetokounmpo - 29 points, 12 rebounds, eight assists, two steals and two blocks.
LeBron James - 26 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists.
Deandre Ayton - 22 points, 11 rebounds, 10-for-13 FG
Damian Lillard - 34 points, four rebounds, eight assists, 6-for- 3P
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