Around the League: Sunday's top highlights, performers and storylines

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Sunday's NBA schedule only featured six games but there was no shortage of action!

If you missed any of the games, check below for can't-miss highlights, top performers and the biggest storylines.

Top storylines

Rockets get first home win

One of the most shocking stats from the Houston Rockets' slow start was that they had yet to win a home game. On Sunday, they finally snapped their three-game home losing streak. The Rockets defeated the Pacers 115-103 on a big night from the reigning MVP James Harden. Harden had 40 points, nine assists and seven rebounds with help from Clint Capela's 18 points and seven boards and Chris Paul's 26 points and five assists.

The game was tight through the first quarter until the Rockets exploded for 44 points in the second quarter to take a 22-point lead into halftime. The Pacers continued to battle through as much as a 24-point deficit, starting the fourth quarter on an 18-7 run to cut the Rockets' lead to 10. They got as close as down eight points, holding Houston to just 13 points in the fourth, but their comeback ran out of time.

Victor Oladipo finished with 22 points, 10 rebounds and seven assists. The Rockets are now 5-7 and the Pacers fall to 8-6.

Another impressive road win for the Bucks

Just a few days ago, the Milwaukee Bucks went into Oracle Arena and destroyed the defending champion Golden State Warriors. Tonight it was a different top Western Conference team falling at home to the Bucks - the Denver Nuggets.

The Nuggets got 23 first-half points from Paul Millsap who knocked down five threes but still trailed by four going into halftime. The Bucks extended their lead in the third quarter when Brook Lopez erupted for 18 points knocking down six of his seven three-point attempts to take a commanding 11-point lead going into the fourth quarter.

To start the final quarter, the Nuggets went on a quick 13-2 run to tie the game with nine minutes remaining. In a tied game with 1:50 on the clock, Malcolm Brogdon came up with a big steal followed by a clutch three that would eventually decide the outcome of the game.


There were six ties and four lead changes in the fourth quarter alone as the Bucks edged the Nuggets 121-114 to advance to 10-3; the Nuggets fall to 9-4.

Milwaukee had four players score 20-plus points in the victory. Millsap finished with 25 points and Nikola Jokic had 20 points, six rebounds and six assists.

Lakers win third straight

The Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Atlanta Hawks 107-106 in a crazy game at the STAPLES Center.

Trae Young had the Hawks in a good spot late in the fourth quarter knocking down a deep three to give Atlanta a four-point lead with five minutes remaining. The Lakers didn't panick and were persistent in attacking the basket, getting to the free throw line late in the game. With a minute and a half left to play Tyson Chandler came up with a steal leading to a Kyle Kuzma fast break finish to tie the game.

Kent Bazemore was given a technical foul for arguing the call on the other end of the floor and Kuzma knocked down the technical free throw to take a one-point lead. Young set up Vince Carter for a big time dunk to regain the lead with 1:21 on the clock. Both teams came up with a stop, leading to LeBron James attacking the basket to get to the free throw line with 19 seconds on the clock down by one. After missing the both free throws, this madness took place:


With 15 seconds remaining, Young elected to hold for the last shot but Chandler came up huge to seal the victory for the Lakers:


James led the way for the Lakers with 26 points and Young had 20 points for the Hawks. Los Angeles is now above .500 (7-6) for the first time this season and Atlanta falls to 3-10.

Best fantasy performers

Giannis Antetokounmpo - 22 points (11-16 FG), nine rebounds, eight assists, two steals, one block

Andre Drummond - 23 points (9-16 FG), 22 rebounds, three assists, three steals, two blocks

James Harden - 40 points (9-20 FG, 8 3PM, 14-15 FT), nine assists, seven rebounds, one steal, one block

LeBron James - 276points (10-20 FG), seven rebounds, four assists, two steals

Paul Millsap - 28 points (6-14 FG, 5-8 3PT), eight rebounds, six assists, two blocks

Tony Parker - 24 points (11-18 FG), four assists, three rebounds

Jayson Tatum - 27 points (9-18 FG, 5-9 3PT), eight rebounds, two blocks

Trae Young - 20 points (4-8 3PT), 12 assists, two rebounds, one steal, one block

Can't-miss highlights

Another day another big dunk from Miles Bridges.


Cory-Jo with a sleek two-handed bounce pass to find an open Victor Oladipo!


Clint Capela was dunking all over the Pacers in the first half.


Giannis drives, cross then finishes with the left... how do you stop that?


Why move closer to the basket when you can just shoot it from out here?


Kevin Knox's ankle seems just fine.


Alley-oop at the buzzer... Horford says nah.


Trae Young nutmegs JaVale McGee, Alex Len flushes it down.


Vince Carter turning back the clocks in the clutch!


Box scores

Pistons vs. Hornets  |  Pacers vs. Rockets  | Knicks vs. Magic

Nuggets vs. Bucks | Trail Blazers vs. Celtics | Lakers vs. Hawks

Author(s)
Kyle Irving Photo

Kyle Irving is an NBA content producer for The Sporting News.