Nightly Pulse: NBA News & Highlights - Jan. 5 Edition

Gilgeous-Alexander showcases his defensive skills with a clutch block on Tatum, leading to a perfect lob to Isaiah Hartenstein who unleashes a powerful dunk, sending the Thunder crowd into a frenzy.

Sunday’s slate of games

Celtics vs. Thunder (

Live on NBA TV

)

Pelicans vs. Wizards (

6 ET, Live on NBA League Pass

)

Hornets vs. Cavaliers (

6 ET, Live on NBA League Pass

)

Jazz vs. Magic (

6:30 ET, Live on NBA League Pass

)

Lakers vs. Rockets (

7 ET, Live on NBA League Pass

)

Kings vs. Warriors (

8:30 ET, Live on NBA League Pass

)

Defense▶️Offense

Oklahoma City has completely clamped down on the Celtics in the second half, holding them to just 23 points since the break, and less than three minutes are remaining in the game. The Thunder have a 94-88 lead.

Hot one in Oklahoma City ️

The Celtics and Thunder are in a close one, with Boston holding an 80-76 lead going into the final frame, after a Kristaps Porziņģis bucket for the corner

. Boston had a strong start offensively, scoring 65 first-half points, but were held to just 15 in the third quarter.

Jaylen Brown has poured in 21 points, which leads all Boston scorers, but Porziņģis isn’t far behind with 19 points, followed closely by Jayson Tatum with 17. 

Shai Gilgeous Alexander leads all scorers with 26, as he carries the load for the Thunder. Aaron Wiggins is the only other player in double digits for Oklahoma City with 15 off the bench.

Top3️⃣Stories

It’s a battle of streaks when the Cavaliers host the Hornets on Sunday evening. Cleveland comes into the matchup as a winner of nine straight, while Charlotte has struggled as the loser of nine in a row. The Cavaliers’ run has been dominant, with all victories over this stretch coming by double-digits, which hasn’t been done since the 2017-18 76ers squad.  LaMelo Ball (ankle, wrist) and Brandon Miller (ankle) are questionable for the contest, and their absences have been a significant part of the Hornets’ struggling run. Their potential returns would be key in Charlotte being able to slow down Cleveland and ending their impressive run as well as their own nine-game skid. 

The Lakers are 8-3 over their last 11 games, including winning two in a row, and are surging up the Western Conference standings. They’ll put their recent run to the test against the No. 2 team in the West when they visit Houston this evening. The Rockets though are on a slight downturn, losers of three of their last four games, and have lost Jabari Smith to a broken hand for at least the next four weeks. Earning a win here could be key as a statement-maker for the Lakers, while Houston will be working to get back to their winning ways. 

The Kings are winners of three straight, including victories over the Grizzlies and red-hot 76ers, and appear to be amid a turnaround after the recent firing of head coach Mike Brown. Sitting at 16-19, a win over the 18-16 Warriors would be key as they work to move up the Western Conference standings. However, with De’Aaron Fox (glute) and Keegan Murray (ankle) both ruled out it may put Sacramento at a serious disadvantage when they enter the Chase Center to square off with Golden State. The Warriors also have injury concerns of their own, with Jonathan Kuminga set to miss time with an ankle sprain.