Three top-notch NBA teams suffered upset losses on Friday night, failing to get things done on the road against teams that, on paper, they should take care of. First, Kawhi Leonard's 32 points went to waste in the Toronto Raptors' 106-105 overtime loss to the Brooklyn Nets. D'Angelo Russell led the Nets on the night with 29 points, including six in the extra period, lifting the struggling Brooklyn team to just their ninth win of the season. The win snaps the Nets' eight-game losing streak, as they earned their first win over their division rivals in the past three seasons.
Brooklyn's last win over the Raptors came on April 3rd, 2015, which started a 12-game losing streak against Toronto. Jarrett Allen had the official go-ahead basket for the Nets, and the only other basket made other than Russell in overtime. Fred Van Vleet missed a three-pointer as time expired, sealing the Raptors' sixth loss of the season. Spencer Dinwiddie added 17 points for the Nets, who finally pulled off a close win after dropping five games by single digits during their skid, including three two-point losses.
The second of three upsets took place in Chicago, where the Bulls, under a new head coach, slipped past the Oklahoma City Thunder, 114-112., They were led by a star that recently returned in Lauri Markkanen, who had 24 points and the go-ahead layup in the final seconds of the fourth quarter. That came right after Russell Westbrook's layup tied the game, as Paul George missed a three-pointer as time expired to seal the Thunder's eighth loss. It was just the Bulls' sixth win, four of which have come at home, as they have dealt with a struggling season marred by injuries and a coaching change.
Markkanen missed the first 23 games of the season with a sprained left elbow, but he hit four three-pointers in just his second game back. Zach LaVine led the Bulls with 25 points, while Justin Holiday scored 20 points, including a 4-for-6 mark from beyond the arc. Jabari Parker chipped in 16 points, helping the Bulls get their first win since Fred Hoiberg was fired. Oklahoma City had won 16 of 19 games since starting the season 0-4, and they were 13-0 against teams under .500 this season. Russell Westbrook had 24 points, 17 rebounds, and 13 assists in the loss for OKC.
And the top team and the hottest team in the NBA, the Denver Nuggets, saw their run come to an end on Friday night. Kemba Walker had 21 points, eight assists, and six rebounds in the Charlotte Hornets' 113-107 win at home over Denver. Their win snaps the Nuggets' seven-game winning streak, doing so in front of Michael Jordan, who was watching his team from the sidelines. Walker's backup, Tony Parker, came off the bench with a spark, scoring 19 points in easily his best game since coming over from the San Antonio Spurs this past off-season.
Jamal Murray had 20 points for the Nuggets, who fell in to a tie for the top spot in the Western Conference with the Golden State Warriors, who beat the Milwaukee Bucks on Friday night. The Nuggets also lost a key contributor in Paul Millsap, who reportedly suffered a broken toe in the loss. He left the game in the second quarter and the timetable for his return is uncertain. For the Hornets, Marvin Williams added a double-double of 14 points and 10 rebounds, helping his team earn their first win of the season against a Western Conference opponent. They also remain in the Eastern Conference playoff picture at 12-13, improving to 9-5 on their home floor.
Brooklyn's last win over the Raptors came on April 3rd, 2015, which started a 12-game losing streak against Toronto. Jarrett Allen had the official go-ahead basket for the Nets, and the only other basket made other than Russell in overtime. Fred Van Vleet missed a three-pointer as time expired, sealing the Raptors' sixth loss of the season. Spencer Dinwiddie added 17 points for the Nets, who finally pulled off a close win after dropping five games by single digits during their skid, including three two-point losses.
The second of three upsets took place in Chicago, where the Bulls, under a new head coach, slipped past the Oklahoma City Thunder, 114-112., They were led by a star that recently returned in Lauri Markkanen, who had 24 points and the go-ahead layup in the final seconds of the fourth quarter. That came right after Russell Westbrook's layup tied the game, as Paul George missed a three-pointer as time expired to seal the Thunder's eighth loss. It was just the Bulls' sixth win, four of which have come at home, as they have dealt with a struggling season marred by injuries and a coaching change.
Markkanen missed the first 23 games of the season with a sprained left elbow, but he hit four three-pointers in just his second game back. Zach LaVine led the Bulls with 25 points, while Justin Holiday scored 20 points, including a 4-for-6 mark from beyond the arc. Jabari Parker chipped in 16 points, helping the Bulls get their first win since Fred Hoiberg was fired. Oklahoma City had won 16 of 19 games since starting the season 0-4, and they were 13-0 against teams under .500 this season. Russell Westbrook had 24 points, 17 rebounds, and 13 assists in the loss for OKC.
And the top team and the hottest team in the NBA, the Denver Nuggets, saw their run come to an end on Friday night. Kemba Walker had 21 points, eight assists, and six rebounds in the Charlotte Hornets' 113-107 win at home over Denver. Their win snaps the Nuggets' seven-game winning streak, doing so in front of Michael Jordan, who was watching his team from the sidelines. Walker's backup, Tony Parker, came off the bench with a spark, scoring 19 points in easily his best game since coming over from the San Antonio Spurs this past off-season.
Jamal Murray had 20 points for the Nuggets, who fell in to a tie for the top spot in the Western Conference with the Golden State Warriors, who beat the Milwaukee Bucks on Friday night. The Nuggets also lost a key contributor in Paul Millsap, who reportedly suffered a broken toe in the loss. He left the game in the second quarter and the timetable for his return is uncertain. For the Hornets, Marvin Williams added a double-double of 14 points and 10 rebounds, helping his team earn their first win of the season against a Western Conference opponent. They also remain in the Eastern Conference playoff picture at 12-13, improving to 9-5 on their home floor.
