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The NBA’s Friday night slate brought drama, fireworks, and dominant individual performances as playoff contenders continued to jockey for position and stars stepped into the spotlight. The Minnesota Timberwolves showed off their depth by stunning Golden State without Anthony Edwards, Donovan Mitchell led a furious Cleveland comeback with a 48-point outburst, and Joel Embiid returned to MVP form with a season-best 39 points. Bettors, fans, and fantasy players alike had plenty to celebrate as multiple teams surged and others stumbled.
From clutch runs to statistical fireworks, here’s your complete Friday night breakdown.
Timberwolves 127, Warriors 120
Minnesota delivered a gutsy performance on the road, overcoming the absence of Anthony Edwards and Mike Conley to shock the Golden State Warriors. Julius Randle led the charge with 27 points, while Rudy Gobert anchored the paint with 24 points and 14 rebounds. A 17-0 fourth-quarter run turned the tide as the Timberwolves clamped down defensively and found their offensive rhythm.
Stephen Curry returned to action for the Warriors with a 39-point explosion, but the Warriors couldn’t sustain their early fourth-quarter lead, undone by a cold shooting stretch and turnovers in crunch time.
Cavaliers 130, Wizards 126
Donovan Mitchell turned in one of the season’s top performances, erupting for 48 points, including eight three-pointers, to lift Cleveland to a come-from-behind win over Washington. The Cavaliers trailed by 17 late in the third before outscoring the Wizards 45-26 in the final frame.
Evan Mobley contributed 23 points and 13 boards, while Darius Garland added 18. Washington got 27 apiece from CJ McCollum and Bub Carrington but collapsed late in their fourth straight loss.
Mavericks 119, Nets 111
Dallas leaned on Anthony Davis’ all-around brilliance (24 points, 14 rebounds, three steals, two blocks) to power past Brooklyn. Cooper Flagg added 22 points and eight assists as the Mavericks kept pace in the West playoff hunt.
Michael Porter Jr. stayed red-hot for the Nets, dropping 34 points for his fourth consecutive 30-point game. Brooklyn, however, couldn’t make up for defensive lapses and poor rebounding.
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Pistons 142, Hawks 115
The Pistons put together their most complete performance of the season, torching Atlanta with balanced scoring and ball movement. Isaiah Stewart led the charge with 17 points, and 10 different players scored at least nine.
Cade Cunningham and Duncan Robinson chipped in 15 each, while Jalen Duren controlled the paint with 14 points and seven rebounds. Jalen Johnson notched a triple-double for Atlanta, but the Hawks had no defensive answers.
Handicapper Recap: Bettors Cash Big on Underdogs, Favorites Come Through Late
Spread bettors who stuck with Minnesota were rewarded handsomely as the Timberwolves pulled off the upset in San Francisco. Cleveland’s late rally turned a potential loss into a solid cover, and the 76ers proved too strong for Indiana, cashing on the spread and under props. Totals bettors hit on overs in several high-scoring matchups like Pistons-Hawks and Jazz-Grizzlies. Want more winning angles? Check out the NBA leaderboard and explore our expert basketball service plays.
Jazz 130, Grizzlies 126
Keyonte George exploded for a career-high 39 points, carrying Utah past Memphis in a thrilling back-and-forth battle. Lauri Markkanen added 26, and Kevin Love had his best night of the year with 20.
Ja Morant returned from injury with 21 points and 10 assists, but Utah’s late-game execution proved superior. George dominated the first half, cooled in the third, then closed strong in the fourth with 12 points.
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Bulls 129, Hornets 126
Chicago finally snapped its seven-game skid thanks to a late surge from Josh Giddey, who finished with 26 points, 11 assists, and seven boards. Coby White added 20 and Patrick Williams chipped in 16 off the bench.
Charlotte was led by Kon Knueppel’s 33-point, nine-assist outing. Miles Bridges scored 32, but the Hornets faded late, again playing without LaMelo Ball.
76ers 115, Pacers 105
Joel Embiid returned to MVP form with a dominant 39-point performance, helping the 76ers pull away late from a stubborn Pacers squad. Paul George added 23 points, and rookie VJ Edgecombe chipped in 22.
Pascal Siakam paced Indiana with 20, and T.J. McConnell added 15 off the bench. The Pacers tied the game at 102 late, but Philadelphia closed on a 13-3 run to seal the win.
NBA Friday FAQ
Who had the top scoring performance Friday night?
Donovan Mitchell led all scorers with 48 points in Cleveland’s comeback win over Washington.
Which underdog pulled off the biggest upset?
Minnesota shocked Golden State despite missing two starters and erased a fourth-quarter deficit with a 17-0 run.
Any notable player returns?
Stephen Curry returned from injury with 39 points, and Ja Morant made his comeback with a double-double (21 points, 10 assists).
Which game had the most scoring?
Pistons vs. Hawks combined for 257 points, with Detroit posting a season-high 142.
Where can I find expert NBA picks?
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