Just four games on Friday's slate but there was no shortage of action.
In case you did miss all of the action, don't worry about it. We got you covered with the Friday's top highlights, performers and storylines.
Best Performers
Paul George - 20 points, 11 rebounds, 6 assists, 6 steals.
Kyrie Irving - 39 points (13-28 FG), 7 rebounds, 6 assists, 3 steals.
Giannis Antetokounmpo - 24 points, 9 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals, 2 blocks.
Top Storylines
Bucks back on track
The Milwaukee Bucks had lost two of their last three, including a 15-point loss in Portland, after beginning the season 7-0.
Before any doubt could creep in about their hot start being a result of some luck, the Bucks rebounded with a dominant 23-point win against the Golden State Warriors. They went into halftime with a 64-51 lead and then extended that by another 13 points in the third quarter, a period that has been dominated by the Warriors over the past couple of seasons. They forced Golden State into 18 turnovers and scored 23 points off those extra possessions. And how's this for an interesting stat - the Bucks dominated by only making 9 of their 35 3-point attempts.
It should come as no surprise that Giannis led the way for Milwaukee but he received a lot of help. Starters Khris Middleton, Eric Bledsoe, and Malcolm Brogdon combined for 63 points.
The team now improves to 9-2, second-best in the East and tied for the fourth-best record in the league with the Denver Nuggets.
Thunder extend winning streak to 7
Ever since starting the season 0-4, the Thunder have now extended their winning streak to 7 (the longest active streak in the league after the Warriors loss later in the night) with this win.
On the second night of a back-to-back, the Thunder absolutely dominated this matchup and they took control of the game by going on a 21-6 run to end the half and hold the 59-45 lead. Recording 11 steals for the night, Oklahoma City restricted the Rockets to just 80 points, a season-low. Mind you, this is their second-straight win without the former league MVP Russell Westbrook, who was out with an ankle sprain.
While Paul George led the show for the Thunder by stuffing the stat sheet, they also received key additions from Steven Adams (19 points, 10 rebounds) and Dennis Schroder (14 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists). Already riding a 7-game winning streak, OKC has a few winnable games lying ahead for them against the Phoenix Suns (twice), the Dallas Mavericks and the New York Knicks.
The loss also snaps the Rockets' mini-run of 3 wins in a row. They now fall to 4-6 for the season.
Can't-miss highlights
CLUTCH! Marcus Morris forces OT in Phoenix with this huge 3 at the end of regulation.
Once down 22-points, this @jetblue Play of the Game goes to the clutch triple by @MookMorris2 to force overtime. pic.twitter.com/gBr4aeJwNn
— Boston Celtics (@celtics) November 9, 2018
In the absence of Westbrook, it was George and Adams that took care of business with some two-man game.
Paul George to Steven Adams for the throw down! #ThunderUp @NBAonTNT pic.twitter.com/ezxJYh0V5l
— NBA (@NBA) November 9, 2018
Didn't expect CJ McCollum at the end of an in-bounds lob play, did you?
JUST LIKE THEY DREW IT UP pic.twitter.com/HJqDT5bQRy
— Trail Blazers (@trailblazers) November 9, 2018
Tough to stop a charging Greek Freak!
Giannis bullies Looney and drops the HAMMER!! 🔨 #FearTheDeer pic.twitter.com/DB4Wgnawfb
— Milwaukee Bucks (@Bucks) November 9, 2018
Here's the same dunk in a different angle.
😤🇬🇷💪#FearTheDeer pic.twitter.com/IghmAsMZY0
— Milwaukee Bucks (@Bucks) November 9, 2018
Box Scores
Houston Rockets at Oklahoma City Thunder | Boston Celtics at Phoenix Suns
LA Clippers at Portland Trail Blazers | Milwaukee Bucks at Golden State Warriors
