It was a busy night in the NBA on Friday.
Many teams lined up their new-look rosters for the first time following the frenzy that was the NBA trade deadline on Thursday. Things got a little interesting at the beginning of the night as Kevin Love made his return to the Cleveland Cavaliers' lineup after being sidelined for 50 games due to a toe injury. He played just six minutes, as was the plan, and finished with four points, one rebound and one assist.
Then the revamped Philadelphia 76ers pulled out a victory over the Denver Nuggets in the first game for Tobias Harris, thanks to a big night from JJ Redick.
Later on in the night, the Golden State Warriors avoided an upset by pulling away to beat the Phoenix Suns.
Here's everything you need to know about Friday's NBA action, along with Saturday's schedule.
NBA scores for Friday, Feb. 8
- Detroit Pistons 120, New York Knicks 103 (Box Score)
- Philadelphia 76ers 117, Denver Nuggets 110 (Box Score)
- Washington Wizards 119, Cleveland Cavaliers 106 (Box Score)
- Chicago Bulls 125, Brooklyn Nets 106 (Box Score)
- Milwaukee Bucks 122, Dallas Mavericks 107 (Box Score)
- Golden State Warriors 117, Phoenix Suns 107 (Box Score)
- New Orleans Pelicans 122, Minnesota Timberwolves 117 (Box Score)
- Sacramento Kings 102, Miami Heat 96 (Box Score)
NBA schedule for Saturday, Feb. 8
*All times Eastern
- San Antonio Spurs at Utah Jazz, 5 p.m. (GameTracker) -- Watch on fuboTV with NBA League Pass extension
- Cleveland Cavaliers at Indiana Pacers, 7 p.m. (GameTracker) -- Watch on fuboTV with NBA League Pass extension
- Charlotte Hornets at Atlanta Hawks, 7:30 p.m. (GameTracker) -- Watch on fuboTV with NBA League Pass extension
- Toronto Raptors at New York Knicks, 7:30 p.m. (GameTracker) -- Watch on fuboTV with NBA League Pass extension
- Los Angeles Clippers at Boston Celtics, 8 p.m. (GameTracker) -- Watch on fuboTV with NBA League Pass extension
- Washington Wizards at Chicago Bulls, 8 p.m. (GameTracker) -- Watch on fuboTV with NBA League Pass extension
- New Orleans Pelicans at Memphis Grizzlies, 8 p.m. (GameTracker) -- Watch on fuboTV with NBA League Pass extension
- Oklahoma City Thunder at Houston Rockets, 8:30 p.m. (GameTracker) -- TV: ABC
- Orlando Magic at Milwaukee Bucks, 9 p.m. (GameTracker) -- Watch on fuboTV with NBA League Pass extension
AD booed, benched in return
Anthony Davis played in his first game since demanding a trade from the Pelicans, and the New Orleans crowd let their displeasure be heard when Davis took the court for pregame introductions. He was phenomenal during the game, scoring 32 points in just 24 minutes, but was noticeably benched during the fourth quarter in a close Pelicans win. Davis spoke after the game, but didn't comment on being benched.
“My teammates came to me and said they wanted me to play. I just love being back on the floor ...”
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) February 9, 2019
—Anthony Davis after returning to the court for the first time since demanding a trade pic.twitter.com/dGusx0d4PZ
Giannis with another monster game
We're becoming spoiled by the exploits of Giannis Antetokounmpo, and on Friday he put up another monster stat line with 29 points, 17 rebounds and five assists in 31 minutes as the Bucks won their sixth straight game.
The Greek Freak continues to put up MVP numbers:
— Milwaukee Bucks (@Bucks) February 9, 2019
29 PTS | 17 REB | 5 AST | 68% FG | 31 MIN #FearTheDeer | #Giannis pic.twitter.com/KKR1X064lJ
Redick catches fire in Sixers win
Tobias Harris made his debut for the 76ers on Friday, but it was JJ Redick who stole the spotlight. The sharpshooter scored 34 points, going 6-of-7 from the 3-point line in the win over the Nuggets.
JJ Redick dropped 34 PTS (6 3PM) to lead the Sixers to a big win at home! 🔥 pic.twitter.com/PpJ6Kc89dk
— NBA TV (@NBATV) February 9, 2019
LeVert welcomed back in Brooklyn
Caris LeVert hadn't played since suffering a gruesome ankle injury in November, but he received a standing ovation as he made his return on Friday night in front of the Nets' home crowd. LeVert finished with 11 points, four assists and five steals in 14 minutes.
🗣 WELCOME BACK, CARIS pic.twitter.com/PP8GIDM384
— Brooklyn Nets (@BrooklynNets) February 9, 2019
Simmons, Butler connect on alley-oop
It looks like Jimmy Butler and Ben Simmons have already developed some pretty good chemistry in Philadelphia. Simmons motioned for Butler to cut, threw him a lob and Butler used his athleticism for the one-handed finish.
Ben leads Jimmy in for the @sixers oop!#HereTheyCome 50#MileHighBasketball 34
— NBA (@NBA) February 9, 2019
5:10 left in the half on ESPN pic.twitter.com/frxn9wpMhI
Embiid starts against Nuggets
In what could have been a downer for Sixers fans, Joel Embiid was questionable for Friday's matchup against the Nuggets due to an illness. Fortunately for Philly, he suited up and took his normal spot at starting center.
.@joelembiid is questionable for tonight’s game.
— Keith Pompey (@PompeyOnSixers) February 8, 2019