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

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#irving

With eight games on deck Tuesday, we've got plenty of NBA action to cover.

From stat sheet-stuffing performances to highlight reel plays, there was no shortage of excitement. If you missed any of the night's action, catch up right here!

Box Scores

Charlotte Hornets 125, Miami Heat 113 | Cleveland Cavaliers 136, Atlanta Hawks 114

Sacramento Kings 107, Orlando Magic 99 | Boston Celtics 108, Detroit Pistons 105

Toronto Raptors 129, Philadelphia 76ers 112 | Portland Trail Blazers 105, Houston Rockets 85

Memphis Grizzlies 107, Washington Wizards 95 | Oklahoma City Thunder 128, Los Angeles Clippers 110

Top Storylines

New haircut, who dis?

Kyrie Irving emerged at the TD Garden minus the afro and went straight back to being Uncle Drew, with his best game of the young season.

Irving finished with 31 points on 10-of-16 shooting, including 4-of-7 from long range, adding five assists and five rebounds. 

We're used to seeing Irving come up big late in games and while he had 13 points in the fourth, he also came up with a huge play on the other side of the ball, gaining possession after Marcus Smart intercepted Blake Griffin's inbounds pass with 7.3 seconds remaining and Boston in front 105-102.

Irving was fouled and buried the free throws to ice the game.


OKC's monster third quarter

Oklahoma City trailed 67-54 at halftime against the Clippers, but whatever coach Billy Donovan said to them in the locker room worked a treat as they exploded on a 20-0 run to open the third quarter.

You read that right — 20-0!

They went on to win the quarter 39-10 to completely tip the game on its head.

 

Russell Westbrook finished with 32 points, eight assists and four rebounds, while Paul George added 32 points and 12 rebounds. Big man Steven Adams finished with an 18-point, 12-rebound double-double.

The entire roster seemed possessed by Westbrook's spirit as they chased down loose balls, pressed on defence and got out in transition at warp speed. They had 16 steals on the night and forced 24 turnovers, which they turned into 38 points.

Rockets fail to launch ... again

Six games in and the Houston Rockets are 1-5 and bottom of the Western Conference.

It's obviously still early and they have had their share of hurdles, from Chris Paul's suspension to James Harden's injury, but the early signs in Houston raise more questions than answers.

Against the Blazers, they couldn't buy a bucket, shooting 32 percent from the field (31-of-96) and 23 percent from the 3-point line (10-of-43).


The Trail Blazers led by as many as 28 points in the third quarter, with Houston visibly missing the offensive punch of Harden. Chris Paul, Carmelo Anthony and Eric Gordon combined to shoot 12-of-49 in a game to forget.

Who brought the time machine?

Tony Parker and Dwyane Wade had us feeling like it was 2009, with both veterans leading their teams in scoring.

Parker finished with 24 points and 11 assists in 25 minutes, while Wade led the Heat with 19 points and four assists in 24 minutes of action. 


Best Performances

Kawhi Leonard - 31 points (10-of-19 FG), seven rebounds, four assists, four steals

Joel Embiid - 31 points (11-of-21 FG), 11 rebounds, four assists

Tony Parker - 24 points (8-of-15 FG), 11 assists in 25 minutes

Buddy Hield - 25 points (9-of-15 FG), 11 rebounds

Blake Griffin - 24 points (8-of-17 FG), 15 rebounds

Paul George - 32 points (9-of-18 FG), 12 rebounds, four assists

Russell Westbrook - 32 points (13-of-25 FG), eight assists

Top Plays

Joel Embiid taking out his anger on the Toronto rims. Sheesh.


How did Reggie Jackson get this to go?!


Bam Adebayo rocks the rim with the reverse finish!


Uncle Drew is BACK!

Rodney Hood catches Alex Len at the rim.


The steal leads to the SLAM for Hamidou Diallo.


Kawhi Leonard with the spin move on Markelle Fultz.


Great to see Gordon Hayward back and throwing it down.


Author(s)
Benyam Kidane Photo

Benyam Kidane is a senior NBA editor for The Sporting News.