Welcome back to another busy night of NBA action. There were eight games in store for Wednesday night, including two big showdowns on national TV.
We started the night with an interesting contest between the upstart Nets and the James Harden-led Rockets. Harden went off for 58 points, but the Rockets still took the loss. Then, two of the top teams in the East took stage when Kyrie Irving and the Celtics beat the Raptors in Boston.
Finally, to close out the night, the red-hot Warriors continued their winning ways, coming back to beat the Pelicans in a wild game.
Here's everything you need to know about Wednesday night in the NBA:
NBA scores for Wednesday, Jan. 16
- Detroit Pistons 120, Orlando Magic 115 (Box Score) -- OT
- Brooklyn Nets 145, Houston Rockets 142 -- OT (Box Score)
- Boston Celtics 117, Toronto Raptors 108 (Box Score) -- ESPN
- Milwaukee Bucks 111, Memphis Grizzlies 101 (Box Score)
- San Antonio Spurs 105, Dallas Mavericks 101 (Box Score)
- Portland Trail Blazers 129, Cleveland Cavaliers 112 (Box Score)
- Utah Jazz 129, Los Angeles Clippers 109 (Box Score)
- Golden State Warriors 147, New Orleans Pelicans 140 (Box Score)
Warriors, Pelicans combine for 43 3-pointers
The Warriors and Kings set the record for the most combined made 3-pointers in NBA history just 10 days ago, but the Warriors passed that total on Wednesday, combining with the Pelicans to make 43 3-pointers.
The @warriors (24) and @PelicansNBA (19) combine for an NBA record 43 3PM in Oakland! #DubNation #DoItBig pic.twitter.com/xv5JhpoGuy
— NBA (@NBA) January 17, 2019
Harden extends 30-point streak to 18 games, ties Elgin Baylor
James Harden cannot be contained right now. Even if he struggles shooting, his ability to get to the line makes him extremely difficult to slow down. Against the Nets on Wednesday night, he had extended his 30-point streak to 18 games before the third quarter even came to a close. That ties Elgin Baylor for second-place on the all-time list. Only Wilt Chamberlain has had longer streaks.
James Harden (36 PTS) goes for a quarter season high 22 PTS in the 3rd on NBALP! #Rockets
— NBA (@NBA) January 17, 2019
18 consecutive games with 30+ PTS for The Beard. Only Wilt Chamberlain has had a longer streak of 30 point games. pic.twitter.com/uaY3bvALm0
Horford throws it down on Ibaka
Al Horford isn't usually an above the rim player, but when he does get up, he does so with authority. Serge Ibaka found that out the hard way, as Horford threw one down right on his head.
Al Horford with authority for the @celtics! #CUsRise @ESPNNBA pic.twitter.com/jPHrfAoyiT
— NBA (@NBA) January 17, 2019
Doncic goes strong to the rack
Luka Doncic added another highlight to his ever-growing rookie reel. This time, he drove inside for an emphatic slam right over Pau Gasol.
Luka to the RACK! 🔨#MFFL pic.twitter.com/xQm7KdrwVr
— NBA TV (@NBATV) January 17, 2019
Allen adds Harden to list of blocked stars
Jarrett Allen is a shot-blocking machine, especially when it comes to the league's superstars. He's gotten LeBron James, Giannis Antetokounmpo and Anthony Davis already this season, among others. And on Wednesday he added James Harden to the list.
Rim protector... Jarrett Allen! #WeGoHard
— NBA (@NBA) January 17, 2019
🖥️📱: https://t.co/dVwMNfqYaN pic.twitter.com/jwwRmAmDkK
Hayward has strong first half
Gordon Hayward had one of his best halves of the season on Wednesday against the Raptors. Highlighted by a smooth step-back 3-pointer, he put up 16 points in the first half -- more points than he scored in the Celtics' last two games combined.
Gordon Hayward (16 PTS, 7-8 FGM) creates space with the step-back!
— NBA (@NBA) January 17, 2019
Halftime on @ESPNNBA:#CUsRise 64#WeTheNorth 53
Kyrie Irving: 14 PTS, 8 AST
Kawhi Leonard: 16 PTS pic.twitter.com/WsHckR3s8B
Green puts Ilyasova on a poster
Ersan Ilyasova leads the league in charges drawn, but he should have gotten out of the way on this one. JaMychal Green drove inside and rose up to put Ilyasova on a poster with an incredible slam.
.@Jmyke1, why you do that man like that??????? pic.twitter.com/RnQYDfsiIi
— Memphis Grizzlies (@memgrizz) January 17, 2019
Giannis extends for a crazy slam
No one in the league can do the things Giannis Antetokounmpo can do. Which include crazy drives and dunks like this one on the Grizzlies.
😱H. MY. GIANNIS.#FearTheDeer pic.twitter.com/Eb3kIT0Evd
— Milwaukee Bucks (@Bucks) January 17, 2019
Gordon returns, rocks the rim
Eric Gordon is back in the lineup for the Rockets, and it didn't take him long to make an impact. In the first quarter, he drove inside and rocked the rim.
.@TheofficialEG10 means business! 💼#Rockets pic.twitter.com/gAj1WT9Nsf
— NBA TV (@NBATV) January 17, 2019
Irving spins and dishes to Horford
Kyrie Irving showed off his dribbling and passing skills early on against the Raptors. Driving inside, he used a nice spin move, then dropped off a pass to Al Horford for a bucket.
Kyrie spins and drops it off to Horford!#CUsRise x #WeTheNorth
— NBA (@NBA) January 17, 2019
📺: @ESPNNBA pic.twitter.com/AdceaHWYnQ
Celtics, Raptors square off in Boston
Two of the Eastern Conference's best teams will meet on Wednesday night in Boston for a big-time showdown. The Raptors boast the best record in the league and have won five games in a row. At this point, they look like the class of the East. As for the Celtics, this season hasn't gone to plan. They're still a good team, but they haven't been the dominant side that everyone expected coming into the season. This game will be a big test for each side, but especially the Celtics, who enter on a three-game losing streak.