Two of the NBA's best players put on a show on Friday as Kyrie Irving and Kawhi Leonard matched each other play for play, the Boston Celtics beating the Toronto Raptors 123-116 in overtime.
The Celtics had lost four of their past six and they entered the night 24th in the NBA for scoring (105.6 points per game) and 28th in shooting percentage (.429).
But the shots fell for the Celtics, who are now 9-6 for the season, as the team hit 52.8 percent from the field.
Irving shot 18 of 26 from the floor to finish with 43 points, including 19 points in the fourth quarter as the two teams battled back and forth. He also dished out 11 assists.
The 26-year-old then contributed to every Celtics basket in overtime, scoring four and handing out four assists.
Kyrie Irving steps through for the @celtics!#CUsRise 115#WeTheNorth 110
— NBA (@NBA) November 17, 2018
3:09 to go in OT on @ESPNNBA pic.twitter.com/jXWSiutKpT
Jayson Tatum chipped in 21 for the Celtics and Gordon Hayward, who has struggled to find his shot so far after missing all of last season to an injury, landed a big basket in OT and ended with 15 points.
The Celtics' effort spoiled a great night by Leonardhad 31 points, 15 rebounds, four assists and three steals for the Raptors, who fall to 12-4 but still lead the Eastern Conference.
"He's one of the greatest playing our game right now, obviously," Irving told ESPN when asked about Leonard.
Anthony Davis had 43 points and 17 rebounds to rally the Pelicans from a 19-point deficit in a 129-124 win against the Knicks.
Jimmy Butler had 28 points (on 12-of-15 shooting) and seven assists in his home debut for the 76ers as they topped the Jazz 113-107.
Rookie Jaren Jackson Jr. had a career-high 27 for the Grizzlies in their 112-104 win against the Kings.
The Washington Wizards made only three of 17 three-point attempts in a 115-104 loss to the Brooklyn Nets.
It didn't look like there was any way Anthony Davis could finish an acrobatic attempted alley-oop, until he did, registering one of the highlights of the Pelicans' victory against the Knicks.
Anthony Davis climbs the ladder! #doitBIG 38#NewYorkForever 48
— NBA (@NBA) November 17, 2018
WATCH on #NBA League Pass: https://t.co/L3VurkatG8 pic.twitter.com/Zvb1glESfy
Thon Maker, meanwhile, hammered the basketball into the stands in an eye-catching defensive play for the Milwaukee Bucks in their win over Chicago Bulls.
Thon Maker denies it at the bucket!
— NBA (@NBA) November 17, 2018
MIL takes the 3rd quarter 46-17.#FearTheDeer 91#BullsNation 80
WATCH on @ESPNNBA pic.twitter.com/7QNVRSaBvU
Boston Celtics 123-116 Toronto Raptors
Indiana Pacers 99-91 Miami Heat
Philadelphia 76ers 113-107 Utah Jazz
Brooklyn Nets 115-104 Washington Wizards
Memphis Grizzlies 112-104 Sacramento Kings
Minnesota Timberwolves 112-96 Portland Trail Blazers
New Orleans Pelicans 129-124 New York Knicks
Milwaukee Bucks 123-104 Chicago Bulls
The Kings, who were 27-55 a year ago, have been transformed in the early season thanks to their high-scoring backcourt of De'Aaron Fox and Buddy Hield, who are both averaging around 19 points per game. The Rockets have also looked like a different team this season and are currently 7-7 after last season's run to the Western Conference finals.
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