NBA news and highlights: Griffin drops 30, Raptors complete comeback, Nuggets win big over Lakers

Benyam Kidane

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NBA news and highlights: Griffin drops 30, Raptors complete comeback, Nuggets win big over Lakers image

Wednesday saw just five games on the slate, but there was no shortage of action, with plenty of intriguing matchups.

If you missed any of the games, we've got you covered with all the top storylines, best fantasy performers, can't-miss highlights and box scores from everything around the Association.

Top Storylines

Nuggets dominate Lakers for fourth-straight W

Jamal Murray, Paul Millsap and Malik Beasley each scored 20 points as the Nuggets cruised to a big 117-85 win over the Lakers at home.


LeBron James came into today's game as the league's fourth-leading scorer and it looked like he was set for another big night, scoring 10 in the first quarter, but the Nuggets quickly adapted on the defensive end, holding James to a season-low 14 points. 

Again, the Lakers struggled with their three-point shooting, connecting on just 5-of-35 from deep as they fell to 11-9 on the season.


The Nuggets held a 58-50 lead at the half, before Nikola Jokic came to life knocking down back-to-back triples, combining with Murray to stretch the lead to 89-71 after three quarters.

Jokic finished with 14 points, seven rebounds and seven assists on the night as he, Paul Millsap and Mason Plumlee dominated inside, giving Denver a 60-39 advantage in the rebound count, 16 of them coming on the offensive end.

On a quiet night for James, Kyle Kuzma led the Lakers with 21 points, while Brandon Ingram added 14. An ankle sprain forced point guard Lonzo Ball out of the game in the second quarter. He briefly returned, but was done for the night with 9:36 to play in the third quarter.


Hawks survive Heat comeback

The Atlanta Hawks snapped their seven-game losing streak with a win over the Miami Heat, with the game going right down to the wire, 115-113.

Atlanta led by 13 points with 8:50 remaining in the fourth quarter, before the Heat reeled off a 14-0 run to take a one-point lead with 5:04 on the clock.

Atlanta responded with a 7-0 run themselves as the Heat went cold down the stretch missing six straight shots until a Kelly Olynyk three and a bucket from Josh Richardson got them back in the game. Richardson got off a potential game-winning three-point attempt, with the shot bouncing off the rim.

Miami outscored Atlanta 27-15 in the fourth, with the Hawks hanging on to beat the Heat for the second time this season.

Taurean Prince led Atlanta with 18 points, while Trae Young finished with 17 points and 10 assists.

For Miami, Josh Richardson had 22 points, with Dwyane Wade coming off the bench with an energetic 18 points in 26 minutes.

Raptors roar home against Grizzlies

The Raptors overcame a 17-point deficit to upend the Memphis Grizzlies 122-114 on the road.

Fred VanVleet was the heartbeat of the comeback, scoring 10 of his 18 points in the fourth quarter, including 3-of-3 from beyond the arc.


Toronto trailed 76-59 in the third, before unloading a barrage of three-pointers to win the second-half 63-43, finishing with a season-high 18 triples on the night.

Memphis looked in control early, piling on 71 points in the first half, but the Raptors turned up the heat on defence in the third quarter, getting th Grizzlies out of rhythm as they kick-started the comeback .

Kyle Lowry led all scorers with 24 points, with all five starters scoring in double figures. Marc Gasol led the way for Memphis with 27 points, while Mike Conley Jr. added 20 points, five rebounds and six assists.

Best fantasy performers

Allonzo Trier: 24 points (7-of-11 FG), 10 rebounds and seven assists

Blake Griffin: 30 points (9-of-21 FG), four rebounds and five assists

Marc Gasol: 27 points (10-of-14 FG), four rebounds, four assists, two steals and two blocks

Paul Millsap: 20 points, (9-of-14 FG) 11 rebounds, two assists, two blocks and one steal

Domatas Sabonis: 21 points (7-of-14 FG), 16 rebounds, three assists and one steal

TJ Warren: 25 points (7-of-20 FG), seven rebounds, one steal and one block

Kyle Lowry: 24 points (8-of-14 FG), six assists and two rebounds

Can't-miss highlights

Jeremy Lin no-look

B-Easy....too easy


Kuz with the quick dish


Collison got the moves


Vintage D-Wade


Get up Josh!


Showtime in Denver!


Box scores

Knicks at Pistons | Hawks at Heat | Raptors at Grizzlies

Lakers at Nuggets | Pacers at Suns

 

Benyam Kidane

Benyam Kidane Photo

Benyam Kidane is a senior NBA editor and has been covering the league for The Sporting News since 2016. In his spare time you can find him watching Allen Iverson highlights on repeat.