A chaotic ending to a Pacific Division matchup and a pair of former Toronto Raptors thriving in their new environments highlight today's edition of The Morning Dunk, which always brings the heat with the best NBA news, betting updates, and highlights.
Kings Outlast Warriors Despite Missed Free Throws
For the third time in a row, a game between the Sacramento Kings and Golden State Warriors was determined by a single point.
Kings sharpshooter Kevin Huerter missed two free throws with 15 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter and his side up by one. Golden State had a chance to win the game with a final bucket, but a double-team by Huerter and De'Aaron Fox on Stephen Curry helped force Curry into a turnover which sealed the Warriors' fate and a 134-133 win for Sacramento.
KINGS SURVIVE VS. WARRIORS DESPITE HUERTER'S MISSED FTS 🤯
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) January 26, 2024
WILD ENDING 🍿 pic.twitter.com/sC5jLAdi13
The Kings improve to 25-18 SU with the victory while the Warriors fall to 19-23, remaining out of the play-in tournament in the Western Conference. The one-point difference actually benefited bettors who banked on Golden State as Sacramento was merely the 1.5-point favorites, likely based on their two prior encounters.
Siakam Secures Triple-Double In First Win With Pacers
It took some time, but Pascal Siakam's first victory in an Indiana Pacers uniform couldn't have been sweeter.
Siakam registered the sixth triple-double of his career on Thursday, finishing with 26 points, 13 rebounds, and 10 assists to lead the Pacers past the visiting Philadelphia 76ers, 134-122.
Pascal Siakam dropped a TRIPLE-DOUBLE in the Pacers' win against the Sixers!
— NBA (@NBA) January 26, 2024
26 PTS
13 REB
10 AST pic.twitter.com/ppeB8gmL2K
Afterwards, Siakam strongly hinted at potentially staying with the franchise once he hits unrestricted free agency this summer.
"I want to make this home."
— Indiana Pacers (@Pacers) January 26, 2024
Pascal Siakam after tonight's win. pic.twitter.com/dTOar3SdcX
Indiana easily covered as the five-point underdogs, with the win being the team's second in its last seven attempts SU.
Anunoby Anchors Knicks' Defense Vs. Nuggets
Is there a new king of New York City? Perhaps.
O.G. Anunoby continues to win the hearts of Knicks faithful with his effort on both ends of the hardwood, with his latest effort of 26 points and six steals in just 29 minutes of action being a key factory in New York's dominant 122-84 blowout win over the reigning champion Denver Nuggets at Madison Square Garden.
The Knicks are 11-2 SU since Anunoby came aboard in a trade with the Raptors and possess the league's strongest defense by far during this stretch, allowing just 103.3 points per 100 possessions.OG Anunoby is the first player in NBA History with at least a +175 +/- through 13 games with a new team.
— KnicksMuse (@KnicksMuse) January 26, 2024
He’s a +239. pic.twitter.com/K1tNDWabfM
