Last night in the NBA featured marquee matchups as the top-seeded teams in the East and West faced off. The Cleveland Cavaliers hosted the Boston Celtics, while the Oklahoma City Thunder took on the Houston Rockets.
The Cavaliers handed the Celtics a 115-111 defeat, snapping Boston’s seven-game winning streak. Donovan Mitchell led Cleveland with a game-high 35 points, scoring 11 straight in the final minutes to seal the win. Darius Garland added 22 points and eight assists for the Cavaliers. On the Celtics’ side, Jayson Tatum stood out with 33 points, Payton Pritchard contributed 24 points off the bench, and Kristaps Porzingis, playing his third game since returning from injury, added 21 points and eight rebounds.
Goodnight, CLE. 😌💤 #LetEmKnow pic.twitter.com/Eojj5TilNI
— Cleveland Cavaliers (@cavs) December 2, 2024
In the Western Conference, the Rockets pulled out a 119-116 victory over the Thunder in a thrilling contest. Fred VanVleet inspired Houston with 38 points, including clutch free throws in the final moments. Dillon Brooks hit a key jumper with just over 30 seconds left to give the Rockets the lead. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander spearheaded the Thunder with 32 points, while Jalen Williams contributed 22. The game saw seven ties in the fourth quarter before Houston prevailed. Alperen Sengun and Jabari Smith Jr. both recorded double-doubles, showcasing the Rockets’ roster depth.