The Detroit Pistons brought an end to their four-game losing streak with a 109-104 win over the Los Angeles Clippers.
Blake Griffin, facing his former team, received a warm reception in his first return to the Staples Center since being traded a year ago, and put up a dominant performance, scoring a total of 44 points.
🏀 FINAL SCORE THREAD 🏀
Blake Griffin guides the @DetroitPistons to victory at Staples Center with 44 PTS (5 3PM), 8 REB, 5 AST!#DetroitBasketball 109#ClipperNation 104
Andre Drummond: 20 PTS, 21 REBReggie Bullock: 17 PTS, 5 3PM pic.twitter.com/PWY3jOPZT4
— NBA (@NBA) January 12, 2019
The forward poured in 26 points in the first half to help gift the Pistons an 11-point lead and pushed them further ahead with a three-pointer at the start of the third, while Andre Drummond provided the back-up with 20 points and 21 rebounds.
In Miami, the Heat escaped with a 112-108 win over the Memphis Grizzlies thanks to a last-gasp block shot from Dwyane Wade.
In the dying seconds, Shelvin Mack's lay-up was denied by Wade, who finished with 10 points, as the Heat improved to 21-20 for the season.
Kelly Oubre Jr sank 26 points to match his career high for the second time in three games as the Phoenix Suns topped the Denver Nuggets 102-93.
The loss puts Denver just half a game ahead of the Golden State Warriors for the best West record.
career-high 27 rebounds27 points on top of it@KarlTowns continued his dominance tonight
get the man to the All-Star game ⬇️
— Timberwolves (@Timberwolves) January 13, 2019
Karl-Anthony Towns had a career-high 27 rebounds to help the Minnesota Timberwolves to a narrow 110-106 win over the New Orleans Pelicans.
Towns added 27 points, including the go-ahead three pointer with 2.55 left on the clock.
The Orlando Magic edged the Boston Celtics 105-103, Aaron Gordon top-scoring with 28 points and 12 rebounds, while Dennis Schroder rallied in the second half to put away 19 points and lead the Oklahoma City Thunder to a 122-112 win over the San Antonio Spurs.
The Chicago Bulls' losing streak hit seven games as the Utah Jazz triumphed 110-102, and Willie Cauley-Stein recorded his second double-double in a row as the Sacramento Kings beat the Charlotte Hornets 104-97.
