Top Performers on Nov. 3: Spida Clutch, Dame Historic, Thunder Perfect

A Spida splash for 7-0 and the Cavs’ best start since ‘76.

THE LINEUP

Nov. 3, 2024 | What’s inside today’s edition?

Perfect Streaks: The NBA’s only two remaining unbeaten teams were pushed to the brink last night

A Night To Remember: Vinsanity honored, milestones made and 3-point history written

Saturday Heat: The Suns stay hot, Ja and Jokić shine and the Mexico City Game delivers

Sunday Showcase: A tripleheader on League Pass featuring some standout scorers

Marathon Monday: 30 teams, 15 games and one night full of nonstop hoops

BUT FIRST … ⏰

A Sunday tripleheader…

Three games get underway Sunday on NBA League Pass, beginning with Cam Thomas and the Nets hosting Cade Cunningham and the Pistons (3:30 ET). Then, Trae Young will lead the Hawks against Zion Williamson and the Pelicans (7 ET) before Luka Dončić and the Mavs face the Magic (7:30 ET).

1. THE UNBEATENS: CAVS-BUCKS CLASSIC, LATE THUNDER STRIKE

On Saturday, last season’s No. 3 and No. 4 seeds in the East clashed, with one team looking to make history and the other hoping to avoid it.

The Cavaliers — the No. 4 seed in 2023-24 — entered the night looking to improve to 7-0 for the first time since 1976-77The Bucks

— the No. 3 seed in 2023-24 — entered the night hoping to avoid going 1-5 for the first time since 2000-01

On the court, the two sides went blow-for-blow for a full 48.

In a game featuring 19 lead changes and eight ties, Damian Lillard (41 pts, 9 ast, 10 3s) and Giannis Antetokounmpo (34 pts, 16 reb, 9 ast) combined for 75 points, capped by Lillard’s go-ahead stepback deuce with 9.8 seconds left.

But 9.5 ticks later, Donovan Mitchell (30 pts, 4 ast, 4 3s) called game, splashing a go-ahead jumper with 0.3 remaining to keep the Cavs perfect with a 114-113 win. | Recap | WILD Finish

Cavs’ Complete Effort: Six Cavs scored in double figures, including Jarrett Allen (15 pts, 12 reb) and Darius Garland (11 pts, 10 ast), who each posted double-doublesDeer Duo:

Saturday marked the tenth game where Giannis and Lillard each scored 30+ points together, trailing only Bob Dandridge and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (11 games) for the most as a duo in Bucks franchise history

A Record Rebound: After tying a career-low with four points in Thursday’s loss to Memphis, Lillard tied Ray Allen’s franchise record with 10 made triplesMore History: Dame’s performance marks just the third time a player has recorded 40+ points, 9+ assists, and 10+ 3s in a single NBA gameThe other players to accomplish such a feat?

James Harden (2018-19) and Lillard (2019-20)

Despite Dame’s record performance, it was Cleveland that walked away with the win, as the Cavs rallied from a 16-point 1st-half deficit to improve to 7-0.

Seeking History: The Cavs are now one win shy from matching their best start in franchise history as their ‘76-77 squad opened its season at 8-0Cleveland’s next opponent?

Milwaukee on Monday (7 ET, NBA TV)

Also on the second leg of a back-to-back, the league’s only other remaining undefeated team — the Thunder — stayed perfect to make franchise history.

Thunder 105, Clippers 92: After trailing by double digits in the 2nd quarter, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (25 pts, 9 ast), Chet Holmgren (10 pts, 14 reb) and OKC outscored James Harden (12 pts, 13 reb, 7 ast) and the Clips 52-35 in the 2nd half, and held them to just 14 points in the 4th quarter to pull away and improve to 6-0. | Recap

An OKC First: It’s the Thunder’s first 6-0 start since the franchise moved to Oklahoma City ahead of the 2008-09 seasonEveryone Eats: Luguentz Dort (16 pts, 3 ast) and Jalen Williams (15 pts, 4 ast) added 31 combined points, while Aaron Wiggins and Isaiah Joe (4 3s) notched 12 points apiece as six OKC players finished in double figuresJoe:

“It all started with the defense … when you get stops like that in a hard-fought game, it gives you an energy boost, and we’re able to do more on the offensive end.”

2. OT THRILLERS, ALL-TIME LISTS & 3-POINT COMPANY

Raptors 131, Kings 128 (OT): On the night Vince Carter saw his No. 15 Raptors jersey retired and raised into the Scotiabank Arena rafters, Toronto added to the celebration with an OT win thanks to RJ Barrett’s third-straight 30-point game (31 pts, 9 reb, 6 ast) and a lead-extending floater from Gradey Dick (22 pts, 5 reb) with 19.1 seconds left. | Recap | Watch The OT Ending

Sabonis Bird: Domantas Sabonis, who forced OT with a game-tying tip-in with 2.8 seconds left in regulation, tallied his 60th career triple-double (17 pts, 20 reb, 10 ast), passing Larry Bird for 10th all-timeToronto Legends: The Raptors’ all-time leading scorer, DeMar DeRozan, led the Kings with 33 points and shared a pregame embrace with Carter, who was full of emotion throughout the nightDeRozan On Carter:

“He meant everything. That was one of my favorite players growing up.”

Warriors 127, Rockets 121 (OT): In what could have been the fourth-largest comeback in the play-by-play era (1997-98), Jabari Smith Jr. (21 pts, 7 reb) and the Rockets outscored the Warriors 76-48 in the 2nd half to overcome a 31-point deficit. But Buddy Hield (27 pts, 7 reb, 6 3s) and Golden State held on in the extra frame to survive. | Recap

Hield Makes History: With six triples, Hield (1,954) passed JJ Redick (1,950) for the 20th spot on the all-time 3-point listHe also joined Steph Curry

(5x) as the only players to total 30+ 3s in the first six games of a season, with 30. But their company grew as the night went on

Spurs 113, Timberwolves 103: In a must-see matchup between two young superstars, Anthony Edwards (21 pts, 5 reb, 3 3s, 1 do-it-all bucket) and Victor Wembanyama (17 pts, 6 reb, 3 ast, 2 blk, 1 slick stepback) put on a show. And Wemby got help from Keldon Johnson (25 pts, 8 reb) and Chris Paul (15 pts, 13 ast) to lead the Spurs (3-3) to victory. | Recap

Ant Joins Hield & Steph: On the same night Hield accomplished the feat, Edwards joined him and Curry as the only players to total 30+ 3s in the first six games of the season, with 32 made triples

Celtics 113, Hornets 103: LaMelo Ball dropped a game-high 36 points with six 3s and six dimes, and Brandon Miller (16 pts, 6 ast) returned from injury with a bang, but the reigning champs were too much as Jayson Tatum (29 pts, 7 reb) and Payton Pritchard (22 pts, 6 3s) led Boston to its second win in two days over Charlotte (2-4) to improve to 6-1. | Recap

3-Point Pritchard: It’s Pritchard’s fourth game this season with 5+ made triples (trailing only Anthony Edwards’ five) and he’s knocked down 29 3s this season as a reserveThe only player with more 3s

through the first seven games of a season while coming off the bench? You guessed it — Buddy Hield, with 30 in 2021-22

3. SUNS STAY HOT, JOKIĆ & JA SHINE + MEXICO CITY GAME

Suns 103, Trail Blazers 97: Make that four in a row for the Suns (5-1). After trailing 47-43 at the half, Devin Booker (28 pts, 9 reb, 9 ast) and Kevin Durant (21 pts, 9 reb) fueled Phoenix as they outscored Portland 44-18 in the 3rd and ultimately held on to beat Anfernee Simons (20 pts, 8 reb, 6 ast) and the Blazers (2-5) to keep their win streak alive. | Recap

Nuggets 129, Jazz 103: Nikola Jokić stuffed the stat sheet (27 pts, 16 reb, 9 ast) to finish an assist shy of a triple-double (although he was dishing the rock across the entire floor) and Michael Porter Jr. added 20 points with four 3s, as Denver (3-3) notched a near wire-to-wire win over Walker Kessler (18 pts, 14 reb) and the Jazz (0-6)  | Recap

Grizzlies 124, 76ers 107: One game after recording a 26-point triple-double, Ja Morant (18 pts, 6 reb, 12 ast, 2 stl) dazzled again, while Jaren Jackson Jr. (27 pts, 6 reb) and Jay Huff (career-high 20 pts, 5 3s) added 47 combined points to help Memphis (4-3) pull away from Tyrese Maxey (23 pts, 6 ast, 3 stl) and the Sixers (1-4) for its second straight win. | Recap

Double Trouble: Led by Morant, Memphis had four players notch double-doubles for just the third time in franchise history

Heat 118, Wizards 98: In the Mexico City Game 2024 — the NBA’s 33rd matchup in Mexico which also coincided with Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) celebrations locally — Bam Adebayo dropped a game-high 32 points, while Mexican-American Jaime Jaquez Jr. tallied eight points and 10 boards to help the Heat past Bilal Coulibaly (22 pts, 8 reb, 1 acrobatic oop) and the Wiz. | Recap

Jaime On His Mexico City Experience: “I couldn’t imagine this much love shown to myself and my family.”

4. SUNDAY SHOWCASE: LEAGUE PASS TRIPLEHEADER

All three of Sunday’s matchups take place on League Pass, beginning with a pair of young scorers going head-to-head before two West Playoff contenders host a pair of East Playoff contenders.

Pistons at Nets (3:30 ET): Coming off two consecutive wins, Cam Thomas and the Nets (3-3) will look to notch their third straight dub as they host Cade Cunningham and the Pistons (1-5).

Brooklyn Backcourt: Thomas (28.2 ppg) ranks 10th in the NBA in scoring, while Dennis Schröder ranks seventh in assists per game (8.0)Cade Cooks: Cunningham has averaged 28.7 points and 6.0 assists in six career games against the Nets, his highest career scoring average against any teamDetroit’s Number:

The Nets are seeking their fifth win in their last six games against Detroit and their 14th win in their last 17 matchups

Hawks at Pelicans (7 ET): After combining for 60 points in Friday’s win over Indiana, will Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram lead New Orleans (3-3) to another home victory against Trae Young and the 2-4 Hawks?

Pels Soaring: On Friday, Williamson (34 pts, 10 ast) recorded his first career 30+ point, 10+ assist game, while Ingram added 26 points, six boards and seven dimesTrae vs. NOLA:

Young has dished out 10+ assists in seven of his eight career outings against the Pelicans, averaging 11.1 assists and 24.6 points per game

Magic at Mavericks (7:30 ET): Following a 108-102 loss to the Rockets on Thursday, will Luka Dončić, Kyrie Irving and the Mavs (3-2) get back on track versus Franz Wagner and the Paolo Banchero-less Magic?

Dallas Duo: Dončić (27.2 ppg, 6.0 apg) and Irving (24.6 ppg, 5.6 apg) lead the Mavs in both points and assists, while Klay Thompson is adding 15.6 pts and 3.8 3s a gameSuggs Steps Up:

In their first outing without Banchero (torn right oblique) on Friday, Jalen Suggs scored a career-high 28 points while adding eight boards, seven assists and three steals in a loss to the Cavs

5. MONDAY MADNESS: 30 TEAMS, 15 GAMES, 1 NIGHT OF HOOPS

While three games get underway Sunday, Monday brings a full-court frenzy with 15 matchups.

All 30 teams will take the floor ahead of Election Day (Tuesday, Nov. 5), when the league takes a break to encourage fans to get out and vote.

Starting at 7 ET, fans can dive into nonstop action with a game tipping off every 15 minutes, including two matchups on NBA TV and 13 on League Pass. You can also bounce around from game to game or catch all the top moments on CrunchTime, which delivers whiparound coverage throughout the night.

7 ET: Bucks at Cavaliers (NBA TV)7:15 ET: Warriors at Wizards (LP)7:30 ET: Lakers at Pistons (LP)7:45 ET: Celtics at Hawks (LP)8 ET: Grizzlies at Nets (LP)8:15 ET: Kings at Heat (LP)8:30 ET: Jazz at Bulls (LP)8:45 ET:

Knicks at Rockets (LP)

9 ET: Hornets at Timberwolves (LP)9:15 ET: Magic at Thunder (LP)9:30 ET: Trail Blazers at Pelicans (LP)9:45 ET: Pacers at Mavericks (LP)10 ET: Raptors at Nuggets (LP)10:15 ET: 76ers at Suns (NBA TV)10:30 ET:

Spurs at Clippers (LP)