Two games now separate the Celtics and second-place Miami Heat in the Eastern Conference. Despite having no single player with points stats as high as Beal, Boston had several double-digit scorers to help them to the top.

Kemba Walker (25), Jayson Tatum (23) and Jaylen Brown (22) all put in the work on court to maintain a near faultless opener to the season as the Wizards slip to miserable 2-7 in the stats. 

However, Washington did achieve all-round game-highs as Davis Bertans grabbed ten rebounds and Isaiah Thomas put up seven assists, nevertheless the Wizards have lost six of their most recent seven games and now occupy second to last in the East.  


Rockets 102, Clippers 93

James Harden put on a yet another showstopping performance in Houston last night, hitting a game-high 47 points over the visiting LA Clippers. 

The Rockets took the lead early on and maintained throughout until Leonard handed the Clippers their first lead at 84-80 with a four-point play at the 6:52 mark of the final quarter. Leonard led the Clippers with 26 points, 12 rebounds and seven assists. Lou Williams hit 20 points off the bench and Green delivered a double-double (14 points, 14 boards).

Clippers coach Doc Rivers was ejected immediately after a mini-rally by Harden who made a driving lay-up and a three-pointer to reclaim Houston’s 90-86 advantage only to top of the run with a dagger three at just over 90 seconds to play. 

Russell Westbrook added 17 points for the Rockets while centre Clint Capela posted his third consecutive 20-rebound game, pairing 12 points with 20 boards before colliding with Clippers forward JaMychal Green late in the fourth. Green led in rebounds for Los Angeles with 14, also adding 14 points along the way. 

Houston wrapped up last night at a five-game winning streak as top-scorer Harden put in another all-round performance, shooting 7-of-13 on threes, grabbing six rebounds and adding seven assists.  

Grizzlies 119, Hornets 117

Rookie guard Ja Morant is hailed as the Memphis’ star player this morning, scoring on a drive to the basket with 0.7 seconds left to walk away with the victory over hosts the Hornets. Terry Rozier missed his own attempt at a winning three in Charlotte’s last shot. 

Despite two slow second-half stretches, Morant got back in the game to hit 23 points in total, helping Memphis in its recovery to win the second game in a row on the road. The rookie led in both points and assists with 23 and 11 respectively as Jonas Valanciunas led in rebounds with 13.

Rozier led in points for the Hornets with a game-high 33, as Cody Zeller hit 16 points and eight rebounds with Miles Bridges putting up seven assists. 

Wednesday's NBA:

Timberwolves 129, Spurs 114

Lakers 120, Warriors 94

Raptors 114, Trail Blazers 106

Magic 112, 76ers 97