Tuesday night in the NBA can often be a bit slow, but that was not the case this week. There were six games lined up, including multiple highly interesting matchups.
To start the night, Jimmy Butler and the 76ers absolutely destroyed the Timberwolves, scoring 83 points in the first half and going on to win by 42. Later on, the Bucks kept up the blowout trend by beating the Heat by 38 points. Then, the Warriors continued the movement by crushing the Nuggets by 31 points thanks to 21 3-pointers.
To close out the night, the Lakers held on to beat the Bulls in an ugly game in which Chicago shot 40 percent from the field.
Here's everything you need to know about Tuesday night in the NBA, along with Wednesday's schedule.
NBA scores for Tuesday, Jan. 15
- Philadelphia 76ers 149, Minnesota Timberwolves 107 (Box Score)
- Indiana Pacers 131, Phoenix Suns 97 (Box Score)
- Atlanta Hawks 142, Oklahoma City Thunder 126 (Box Score)
- Milwaukee Bucks 124, Miami Heat 86 (Box Score)
- Golden State Warriors 142, Denver Nuggets 111 (Box Score)
- Los Angeles Lakers 107, Chicago Bulls 100 (Box Score)
NBA schedule for Wednesday, Jan. 16
*All times Eastern
- Orlando Magic at Detroit Pistons, 7 p.m. (GameTracker) - Watch on FuboTV with the NBA League Pass extension
- Brooklyn Nets at Houston Rockets, 8 p.m. (GameTracker) - Watch on FuboTV with the NBA League Pass extension
- Toronto Raptors at Boston Celtics, 8 p.m. (GameTracker) -- ESPN
- Milwaukee Bucks at Memphis Grizzlies, 8 p.m. (GameTracker) - Watch on FuboTV with the NBA League Pass extension
- San Antonio Spurs at Dallas Mavericks, 8:30 p.m. (GameTracker) -- Watch on FuboTV with the NBA League Pass extension
- Cleveland Cavaliers at Portland Trail Blazers, 10 p.m. (GameTracker) -- Watch on FuboTV with the NBA League Pass extension
- Utah Jazz at Los Angeles Clippers, 10:30 p.m. (GameTracker) -- Watch on FuboTV with the NBA League Pass extension
- New Orleans Pelicans at Golden State Warriors, 10:30 p.m. (GameTracker) -- ESPN
Lonzo leads Lakers past Bulls
The Lakers haven't been playing well recently, but they got a much-needed win on Tuesday against the lowly Chicago Bulls. Lonzo Ball was a big reason why, tallying 19 points, eight rebounds and six assists to lead the Lakers to victory.
Lonzo Ball chipped in all across the stat sheet with 19 PTS, 3 3PTM, 8 REB, 6 AST & 2 STL in the @Lakers victory tonight! Good for 40.6 fantasy points!#NBAFantasy #LakeShow pic.twitter.com/qnuLpE266Q
— NBA Fantasy (@NBAFantasy) January 16, 2019
Curry, Thompson, Durant combine for 89 points in Warriors' win
The Warriors made easy work of the Nuggets on Tuesday night, cruising to a 31-point win. It was their fifth victory in a row, vaulted them over the Nuggets into first place and served as a reminder of how dominant they can be when they turn things up. It was the usual figures leading the way, as Steph Curry (31 points), Klay Thompson (31) and Kevin Durant (27) combined for 89 points in the victory. The trio also combined for 18 of the Warriors' 21 3-pointers on the night.
Warriors set two franchise records in first quarter
The Warriors got off to a fantastic start against the Nuggets. In the first quarter they knocked down a franchise-record 10 3-pointers on their way to 51 points in the opening frame, which was also a franchise record.
The @warriors drill a franchise record for 3PM in a quarter with 10 3-pointers in the 1st! #DubNation
— NBA (@NBA) January 16, 2019
WATCH FREE: https://t.co/Ody70LeP5E pic.twitter.com/I3ZqjTEI8b
Embiid, Simmons lead Sixers' destruction of Timberwolves
Jimmy Butler playing his first game against the Timberwolves was the main story heading into Tuesday night, but that was quickly usurped by how many points the Sixers were scoring. After putting up 83 in the first half, they cruised to a 149-107 win. Joel Embiid (31 points, 13 rebounds) and Ben Simmons (20 points, 11 rebounds, nine assists) led the way. Butler, meanwhile had a solid 19 points in just 28 minutes.
Young leads Hawks to upset of Thunder
Dennis Schroder was back in Atlanta and received a tribute video from his old team. But the Hawks' new point guard showed out to lead Atlanta to an upset victory. Trae Young went for 24 points, six rebounds and 11 assists in one of his best games of the season.
Kuzma attacks the basket
Kyle Kuzma opened the Lakers' contest with the Bulls in exciting fashion. He scored the first bucket of the game with a thunderous driving dunk.
"KUZMA ATTACKING!" 💥😤#LakeShow x #BullsNation
— NBA (@NBA) January 16, 2019
📺: @NBATV pic.twitter.com/fxOU3n3AjC
Thompson rocks the rim
Klay Thompson usually makes highlight reels for his shooting, but early on against the Nuggets, he showed off his hops with an emphatic slam. Thompson ended up with a career-high four dunks on the night, and was super pumped up about it afterward.
Klay Thompson elevates for the SLAM!
— NBA (@NBA) January 16, 2019
11-2 @warriors start on League Pass.
WATCH FREE: https://t.co/Ody70LeP5E pic.twitter.com/8KBKLVjNYL
Rose gets to 10K career points
The Timberwolves did not have a good night on Tuesday against the Sixers, but Derrick Rose reached an impressive personal milestone. Late in the third quarter he got into the lane and scooped in a layup to reach 10,000 career points.
Derrick Rose scoops it in with the left to get to 10,000 career points! #ThisIsWhyWePlay pic.twitter.com/cGlu6gIzU5
— NBA (@NBA) January 16, 2019
Sixers pour in 83 first half points
Joel Embiid, Ben Simmons and the 76ers absolutely torched the Timberwolves in the first half, scoring 83 points. Embiid put up 21 of them, while Simmons added 13 points, seven rebounds and six assists. Somehow, it was not the most points the team has scored in a half, coming just short of their team record of 86.
Joel Embiid (21 PTS, 9 REB) & Ben Simmons (13 PTS, 7 REB, 6 AST) get the @sixers out to a halftime lead against MIN! #HereTheyCome @NBATV pic.twitter.com/jjFbeiCJZB
— NBA (@NBA) January 16, 2019
Young stops and pops from deep
Trae Young showed off his range against the Thunder, coming down the court and coolly rising up for a deep triple.
Trae buries the LONG range triple!#TrueToAtlanta 35#ThunderUp 31
— NBA (@NBA) January 16, 2019
WATCH FREE on #NBA League Pass: https://t.co/dVwMNfqYaN pic.twitter.com/bUCye8IdJP
Butler faces Timberwolves for first time since trade
It's probably safe to say that Jimmy Butler has had this game circled on his calendar ever since the Timberwolves traded him to the Philadelphia 76ers in November. On Tuesday night, Butler will get to face his old team for the first time when the 76ers host Karl-Anthony Towns, Andrew Wiggins and the Timberwolves. Given how Butler's tenure in Minnesota ended, he should have plenty to prove in this game.