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A thrilling night across the NBA featured standout performances, record-breaking feats, and dramatic overtime finishes. Nikola Jokic surpassed Kareem Abdul-Jabbar in career assists by a center, while the Pelicans tied a franchise record with a furious comeback against the Rockets. The Thunder remained unbeaten at home, and multiple games went to overtime, delivering high drama for fans and NBA bettors.
From triple-doubles to buzzer-beaters, Thursday’s NBA slate had it all. With stars rising and playoff positioning tightening, staying up to date on NBA expert picks and betting strategies is more crucial than ever.
Nuggets 126, Magic 115
Nikola Jokic recorded a triple-double (23 points, 13 assists, 11 rebounds) and passed Kareem Abdul-Jabbar for the most assists by a center in NBA history. Jamal Murray led all scorers with 32 points as Denver won its sixth straight. Cameron Johnson had 19 points and 11 boards.
For the Magic, Paolo Banchero posted his third career triple-double with 26 points, 16 rebounds and 10 assists. Orlando has now lost three of its last four, making them a team to monitor on the SportsHub leaderboard.
Pelicans 133, Rockets 128 (OT)
New Orleans erased a 25-point deficit to stun Houston in overtime. Saddiq Bey scored 29, Trey Murphy III had 27, and Derik Queen hit two clutch free throws to send the game to OT. Queen finished with 16 points and 12 rebounds.
Houston got 32 points from Kevin Durant and a near triple-double from Alperen Sengun (28 points, 11 boards, 8 assists). Check out the computer picks section for similar underdog comebacks and momentum-shifting plays.
Thunder 122, Clippers 101
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led Oklahoma City with 32 points, seven rebounds, and six assists as the Thunder improved to 13-0 at home. Chet Holmgren added 22 points, continuing the team’s hot streak.
The Clippers, without James Harden, lost their fifth straight and 10th in 11 games. For more trend tracking, visit SportsHub’s NBA betting strategies.
Knicks 114, Pacers 113
Jalen Brunson nailed a game-winning 3-pointer with 5.6 seconds left, lifting New York past Indiana. Jordan Clarkson added 18 points and Tyler Kolek had a career-high 16 points and 11 assists.
Andrew Nembhard scored 31 points for the Pacers, who’ve now dropped three in a row. For live betting analysis on close games like this, explore the live betting guide.
Handicapper Recap
It was a strong night for SportsHub experts as several tight spreads and totals hit in dramatic fashion. Bettors following premium picks cashed in on comeback wins by the Pelicans and Knicks, as well as overs in Lakers-Jazz and Hornets-Hawks.
Sharp plays using computer picks and free insights also highlighted teams like OKC and Toronto. You can register for expert analysis and daily selections on SportsHub, and check support resources or join their team for even more betting tools.
Mavericks 116, Pistons 114 (OT)
Cooper Flagg tallied 23 points and 10 rebounds, while Anthony Davis added two key baskets in OT for Dallas. Naji Marshall and Davis combined for 31 points.
Cade Cunningham led Detroit with 29 points and 10 boards, but the Pistons fell short after erasing an 18-point deficit. Stay informed on similar underdog pushes via free picks.
Lakers 143, Jazz 135
Luka Doncic delivered a monstrous 45-point triple-double with five steals as the Lakers topped Utah. LeBron James added 28 points and 10 assists.
Keyonte George scored 34 points for the Jazz, who were without Lauri Markkanen. For high-scoring affairs and overs, see NBA totals strategies on SportsHub.
Trail Blazers 134, Kings 133 (OT)
Deni Avdija’s free throws with 1.5 seconds left sealed Portland’s overtime win. He finished with 35 points, while Shaedon Sharpe had 26.
DeMar DeRozan scored 33 points for Sacramento, including 14 in OT. Rookie Maxime Raynaud added a double-double. Sacramento’s recent slump may interest those following basketball betting patterns.
Heat 106, Nets 95
Norman Powell scored 24 and Kel’el Ware added 22 points with 12 rebounds as the Heat snapped a five-game skid. Bam Adebayo grabbed 17 rebounds.
Michael Porter Jr. led Brooklyn with 28 points, but the Nets struggled from deep (11-of-49 from 3). For similar shooting trend analysis, explore the Basketball Picks Hub.
Hornets 133, Hawks 126
LaMelo Ball returned with a 28-point, 13-assist performance, leading Charlotte to a high-scoring win over Atlanta. Kon Knueppel and Brandon Miller combined for 54 points.
Jalen Johnson posted a monster game with 43 points, 11 boards and nine assists for the Hawks. For advice on betting fast-paced matchups, check NBA over/under strategies applied across sports.
Raptors 111, Bucks 105
Brandon Ingram scored 29 points and Scottie Barnes had 24 points and 11 rebounds to lead Toronto past a depleted Bucks squad. Milwaukee played without Giannis and Kuzma.
Bobby Portis posted 24 points and 12 boards, and Kevin Porter Jr. dished 13 assists. See how these injury-affected games play into basketball model predictions.
Spurs 119, Wizards 94
Dylan Harper poured in a career-high 24 points off the bench and Victor Wembanyama returned with a 15-point performance in just 17 minutes.
The Wizards were led by Alex Sarr with 18 points. For rookie performance tracking and development bets, follow the NBA rookie blog.
Suns 99, Warriors 98
Devin Booker erupted in the second half to lift Phoenix past Golden State. He finished with 25 points, while Jordan Goodwin sank the game-winning free throw with 0.4 seconds left.
Jimmy Butler III led the Warriors with 31 points. Stephen Curry struggled, shooting 3-of-13. For more on betting cold streaks and superstar slumps, visit the Bettor’s Handbook.
FAQ
Who broke Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s assist record for centers?
Nikola Jokic passed him with his 5,667th assist, now ranking 50th all-time in NBA history.
What was the biggest comeback of the night?
The Pelicans came back from 25 points down to beat the Rockets, tying a franchise record.
Who had the top individual performance?
Luka Doncic: 45 points, 14 assists, 11 rebounds, and five steals in a dominant all-around game.
What team is undefeated at home?
The Thunder are 13-0 at home this season, one of the NBA’s most consistent home teams.
Where can I get daily NBA betting picks?
Visit SportsHub’s basketball picks page or check the free picks section.
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