PASCAL Siakam scored a career-high 52 points Wednesday night (Thursday in Manila) and sank the go-ahead free throw with 2:01 left for the visiting Toronto Raptors, who snapped a six-game losing streak and ended the New York Knicks’ winning streak with a 113-106 victory.
Siakam produced the eighth 50-point effort in the NBA this season. He was also the first player to score at least 50 points at Madison Square Garden since James Harden had 61 points for the Houston Rockets on Jan. 23, 2019.
Siakam also added nine rebounds and seven assists in helping the Raptors snap the NBA’s longest active losing streak. Fred VanVleet had 28 points, including a 3-pointer on the possession following Siakam’s go-ahead free throw. OG Anunoby scored 15 points and had the block that led to VanVleet’s 3-pointer.
Julius Randle and RJ Barrett scored 30 points apiece for the Knicks, whose eight-game winning streak was the longest active run in the NBA.
In other games, it was the Bulls 110, Hawks 108; Clippers 126, Hornets 105; Sixers 113, Pistons 93; Cavs 114, Bucks 106; Nets 143, Warriors 113; Pacers 117, Celtics 112; Magic 116, Rockets 110; Mavs 104, Wolves 99; Kings 134, Lakers 120; and Thunder 101, Blazers 98.
Bulls 110, Hawks 108
Ayo Dosunmu rebounded a missed shot and scored at the buzzer to give visiting Chicago a win over Atlanta, the Bulls’ second victory in as many nights.
The game was tied 108-108 with four seconds left. DeMar DeRozan shot an airball, but Dosunmu fielded the rebound and stuck it back for the winning points. DeRozan scored 28 points to lead Chicago, with Zach LaVine adding 22 and Nikola Vucevic getting 20 points and seven rebounds. Dosunmu scored nine.
Atlanta’s Trae Young scored 34 points, his third straight game with 30-plus points. The Hawks also got 18 points and 11 rebounds from Onyeka Okongwu, who tied the game with a basket with four seconds left. Dejounte Murray had 15 points and 10 assists.
Clippers 126, Hornets 105
Paul George scored 22 points to lead seven Los Angeles players in double figures as the Clippers dominated the first half en route to a win over visiting Charlotte.
Nicolas Batum scored 21 points on seven 3-pointers for Los Angeles, which led by as many as 36 in the first half. The Clippers were at full strength for the first time all season with several players returning to action, including Ivica Zubac, who had four points and eight rebounds.
LaMelo Ball led Charlotte with a triple-double — 25 points, 11 rebounds and 12 assists. Mason Plumlee added 18 points and Jalen McDaniels finished with 16 as the Hornets lost for the ninth time in 10 games. — Field Level Media
