Take a look back at the week that was in the NBA with a collection of some of the best games, videos, photos, features and more from around the NBA world.
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Games of the Week
Nuggets 115, Celtics 107 — A matchup of two of the early power players in the East and West did not disappoint. Behind a monstrous 48-point game from Denver guard Jamal Murray, the Nuggets improved to 9-1 and continued their surprising start in the West. For Boston, this is one it will remember — particularly guard Kyrie Irving, who was miffed by Murray’s late-game efforts to reach the 50-point mark.
Trail Blazers 118, Bucks 103 — For Portland to replicate last season’s run to the Northwest title, CJ McCollum will need to deliver a few wins for the team. That’s exactly what he did Tuesday at the Moda Center, torching the Bucks for 40 points on a red-hot shooting night. The victory was another solid one for Portland, who have knocked off more than their fair share of playoff-worth squads to open 2018-19.
Heat 95, Spurs 88 — This one obviously doesn’t erase the sting of the 2014 Finals for Heat fans. But thanks to a historic game from Hassan Whiteside, Miami logged its first victory against San Antonio since that series. Whiteside put up a performance that hadn’t been seen since Hakeem Olajuwon in 1989 (more on that below).
Bucks 134, Warriors 111 — Milwaukee belongs in the upper crust of the NBA and made a loud statement in that department with its blowout win in Oakland on Thursday. Proving their offense is more than just Giannis Antetokounmpo doing it all, Eric Bledsoe and others blistered the Warriors to help the Bucks to their biggest win yet of 2018-19.
Sixers 133, Hornets 132 (OT) — Although they go about it in markedly different ways, Kemba Walker and Joel Embiid are two of the NBA’s best scorers this season. They put their sizzling (and varied) scoring talents on display Friday in Philly. Walker got the Hornets to overtime by scoring 19 of his 30 points in the fourth quarter. Embiid delivered at the free throw line, making 14 of his 16 attempts between the fourth quarter and OT to lock up the win.
Lakers 107, Hawks 106 — A LeBron James-led team is expected to beat one whose better days are seemingly in the future. That’s what happened Sunday … but with a heavy dose of drama. After James’ dunk with 15.3 seconds to play gave the Lakers a 107-106 lead, new addition Tyson Chandler swatted away a promising floater from the Hawks’ Trae Young to seal a thrilling victory.
Stat Lines of the Week
Jamal Murray (48 points, 19-30 FG, 5-11 3pt FG, 5 reb, 4 ast in 38 minutes) — Heading into Monday’s showdown with Boston, Murray had scored 25 or more points just once in 2018-19. Overall, his offense was inconsistent and his 3-point percentage was under 30 percent. That all changed against the Celtics, as Murray keyed a huge win and got his overall game a bit more on track, too. | Watch | Video box score
CJ McCollum (40 points, 17-26 FG, 5-10 3pt FG, 5 rebounds, 6 assists, 4 steals in 35 minutes) — Hitting the 40-point mark is no new thing for McCollum, as he had four 40-point games heading into Tuesday’s game against the Bucks. The 40 points he got on that night, though, marked the earliest point in a season he reached that plateau. And, in topping Milwaukee, the win gave Portland additional confidence as it tries to stay in the thick of the West chase. | Watch | Video box score
Hassan Whiteside (29 points, 10-18 FG, 0-1 3pt FG, 20 rebounds, 2 assists, 9 blocks in 32 minutes) — The modern NBA says big men should shoot 3-pointers like a guard and get comfy on the perimeter. Whiteside continues to buck that trend and showed the merits of doing so with his Wednesday effort against the Spurs. His 20-20 game with nine blocks was a stat no one had posted since Hall of Famer Hakeem Olajuwon did it in December of 1989! | Watch | Video box score
Brook Lopez (28 pts, 10-17 FG, 8-13 3pt FG, 4 rebounds, 1 assists, 1 steal, 2 blocks in 36 minutes) — No, you didn’t fall into a time machine and its suddenly 2011 or so. Lopez is on this list after a monstrous showing from deep in Milwaukee’s latest big win, a 121-114 road win against the Denver Nuggets. He left Denver’s defense baffled all night long and is on pace to make an astounding 246 3-pointers this season. | Watch | Video box score
Best plays from Week 4
Photos of the Week
High-jump contest
Nope, not that way
Creating a buzz
Quotes of the Week
“Our offense is anemic. I mean, it’s bad.” — Rockets coach Mike D’Antoni
“They just played hungrier than us. It was just an ugly night at the office.” — Warriors guard Klay Thompson, after Thursday’s loss to the Bucks
“Got to make them. They call me `clutch’ for a reason, so got to make them.” — Sixers center Joel Embiid, on his late-game free throws Friday
“It shows I’ve been playing for a long time. Obviously a lot of that goes to my teammates finding me. It’s not like a bunch of plays have been run for me over the years.” — Raptors guard Danny Green, after reaching 1,000 career 3-pointers made on Saturday
“The starters were really good and the bench was … whoa! They were bad, I mean really, really bad, not competitive in either half. That makes it hard to win in this league. Guys have to be professional and be ready to play. The bench was embarrassing, that’s it.” — Magic coach Steve Clifford
“It’s honestly all love. I love this city the way they love me. … I’ve been on the other side and played the villain. Now it’s great to be on this side and actually rep them.” — Lakers center Tyson Chandler, after his first game with the team
“I liked them, that smoke grey. If that’s what it takes to get the win, I’ll wear them again.” — Mavericks forward Dorian Finney-Smith, after the team wore their City Edition uniforms Saturday vs. the Thunder
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We’re all busy. But there’s lots of great content on NBA.com that you might have missed in the hubbub of your life. Take a moment, slow down and soak up some of our best stories, videos and more.
VIDEOS FROM WEEK 4
GameTime: Who’s best team in East now?
GameTime: How will Butler fit in with Sixers?
GameTime: Can Towns fill Wolves’ leadership void?
On Point With Isiah: Praise for Giannis’ playmaking
Inside The NBA: Who has the hardest punch among the crew?
Story Time With Shaq: Reflecting on his NBA debut
Players Only: Steve Kerr on Warriors’ 3-point ways
Shaqtin’ A Fool | Diesel’s Dunks | Smitty’s Top Plays
STORIES FROM WEEK 4
* Schuhmann: Numbers to know as Butler era begins in Philadelphia
* Powell: Anthony still adjusting to supporting role
* Smith: Q&A with Heat legend Dwyane Wade
* Kia MVP Ladder: Antetokounmpo making his case
* Top Plays Theatre: Time to get 2018-19 underway
* Dunk HQ: Rookie Bridges makes his mark
