Around the league: Monday's top highlights, performers and storylines

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Kyle Irving
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• 6 min read
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We had nine NBA games in action on Monday with no shortage of the league's best teams and superstar talent.

If you missed any of the action we had you covered on the best performers, closest games, can't-miss highlights and top storylines.

Top storylines

The undefeated and the defeated in the East

The Toronto Raptors had a commanding 127-106 victory over the Charlotte Hornets to advance to 4-0. Kawhi Leonard was fantastic again scoring 22 points on 14 shots and the Raptors' depth was impressive again with Danny Green, Serge Ibaka, Kyle Lowry and Jonas Valanciunas all joining him in double-figures. They shot 57.5 percent from the field and outscored the Hornets 31-5 on fast break points, essentially running them out of Toronto.

The Milwaukee Bucks also remained undefeated, beating the New York Knicks 124-113 to get to 3-0. Massive games from Giannis Antetokunmpo and Khris Middleton led the charge for the Bucks combining for 61 points and Eric Bledsoe added a double-double with 16 points and 13 assists.

On the opposite end of the spectrum, the Chicago Bulls are still winless, falling to the Dallas Mavericks 115-109. Zach LaVine and Jabari Parker gave it all they could with 34 and 20 points, respectively, but the Mavs' balanced scoring attack got the best of the Bulls. The Bulls had their chance, going on an 8-0 run in 40 seconds in the final two minutes of the game but could not complete the comeback.

Two road upsets

In the Eastern Conference, the Boston Celtics fell to the Orlando Magic at home 93-90 to fall to 2-2. The Magic had four players record double-doubles tonight including Nikola Vucevic (24p, 12r), Jonathan Isaac (18p, 12r),  Evan Fournier (14p, 10a) and D.J. Augustin (10p, 10a).

To sum up Boston's night: Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown and Terry Rozier combined for 17 points total and the Celtics shot 9-for-40 from beyond the arc.

In the Western Conference, the Memphis Grizzlies went into Utah to defeat the Jazz 92-84. Mike Conley Jr. had 23 points, seven rebounds, four assists and three steals and Marc Gasol posted a double-double with 18 points and 13 rebounds.

The Jazz struggled to score all game long, shooting 35.4 percent (29-for-82) from the field. Joe Ingles and Donovan Mitchell each shot 1-for-7 from beyond the arc and Ricky Rubio shot 1-for-5 from deep.

Overtime thriller in Portland

In a game full of back-and-forth play consisting of 29 lead changes and 23 ties, regulation was not going to be enough to decide this one. With the game knotted at 108 with 13 seconds remaining, Nik Stauskas buried a clutch three. The Wizards didn't take long to respond when John Wall fed Bradley Beal for the game-tying three to send it into overtime.

A tough fadeaway three-pointer for C.J. McCollum made it a one point game with six seconds on the clock and Wall missed both free throws giving the Blazers a chance to win the game. Lillard got all the way to the rim but had his shot blocked by Otto Porter Jr. to get the Wizards their first win of the season.

Winless Lakers

The Lakers put themselves in the hole early trailing 40-26 after the first quarter. They battled back and cut the deficit to three going into the final quarter of play. Trailing by eight with one minute remaining, the Lakers looked like they were all but finished. JaVale McGee had a big offensive rebound for a put-back, followed by a Kyle Kuzma three to make it a one possession game with 35 seconds left.

Los Angeles came up with another stop resulting in a long rebound to LeBron James, who took a few steps over half-court then drained a three to send the game into overtime. With a one point lead and 12.8 seconds on the clock James missed both free throws and Patty Mills took advantage, knocking down what would become the game-winning jumper for the Spurs.

Top performers

LaMarcus Aldridge - 37 points (13-22 FG, 11-18 FT), 10 rebounds, five assists, one steal, one block

Giannis Antetokounmpo - 31 points (13-29 FG, 1-3 3FG, 4-6 FT), 15 rebounds, four assists, two blocks

Bradley Beal - 25 points (10-25 FG, 5-9 3FG), eight rebounds, seven assists, one block

DeMar DeRozan - 32 points (11-29 FG, 2-5 3FG, 8-9 FT), 14 assists, eight rebounds, one steal

LeBron James - 32 points (11-25 FG, 2-8 3FG, 8-11 FT), 14 assists, eight rebounds, one steal, one block

Kyle Kuzma - 37 points (15-24 FG, 4-9 3FG, 3-4 FT), eight rebounds, three assists

Zach LaVine - 34 points (11-15 FG, 5-7 3FG, 7-8 FT), three rebounds, two assists, two steals, one block

Can't-miss highlights

Terry Rozier's filthy hesitation dribble gets Mo Bamba off his feet, gliding to the rim of an easy two.


Norm Powell had a warm welcome to the league for Miles Bridges with this dunk.


Luka Doncic went into his bag of tricks on this assist to DeAndre Jordan.


Derrick Rose takes it back to 2011 with this crazy crossover.


Zach LaVine took flight on this double clutch dunk through the lane.


LeBron James' game-tying three was from WAY downtown.


Other NBA nightly antics

Miles Bridges politely thanked Norm Powell for his welcome to the league moment.


The Trail Blazers were ready for Halloween early this year.

Box scores

Orlando Magic at Boston Celtics | Charlotte Hornets at Toronto Raptors

New York Knicks at Milwaukee Bucks | Indiana Pacers at Minnesota Timberwolves

Chicago Bulls at Dallas Mavericks

Memphis Grizzlies at Utah Jazz

Washington Wizards at Portland Trail Blazers

Phoenix Suns at Golden State Warriors | San Antonio Spurs at Los Angeles Lakers

Author(s)
Kyle Irving Photo
Kyle Irving

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