The Morning Dunk is here to deliver you another daily dose of NBA content from around the Association with the best news, betting updates, and highlights you'll find anywhere on the web.
Early Scuffle Inspires Suns In Latest Victory
Lesson learned, Dallas Mavericks: Don't poke the bear.
Not that the Phoenix Suns needed more inspiration after losing their last matchup with Dallas on Christmas Day, but some early physicality in the first quarter of Wednesday's game likely did the trick. Grant Williams knocked Kevin Durant to the hardwood as the two got tangled up working around a screen, with Williams then appearing to attempt to step over Durant, resulting in Jusuf Nurkic stepping in to shove Williams away.
Things are getting chippy between the Phoenix Suns and Dallas Mavericks 👀
— The Athletic (@TheAthletic) January 25, 2024
🎥 @BallySportsSW | #NBARivalsWeek pic.twitter.com/hHOxfBndgg
Williams, Durant, and Nurkic were all assessed technical fouls for their involvement. Phoenix trailed 34-25 against the Kyrie Irving-less Mavericks at the end of the first quarter before outscoring Dallas 107-75 the rest of the way in an eventual 132-109 victory. Devin Booker led all scorers with 46 points, while Durant toyed with a triple-double with 12 points, 10 rebounds, and seven assists.
The win was the Suns' seventh in a row SU and just their sixth win against the spread in their last 21 outings.
Wembanyama, Holmgren Clash Delivers In Round 2
The first meeting of the regular season between the two heavy NBA Rookie of the Year contenders on Nov. 14 underdelivered to say the least. The rematch on Wednesday, however, did anything but.
Victor Wembanyama led the San Antonio Spurs with a line of 24 points, 12 rebounds, four assists, a steal, and four blocks, but it was the Oklahoma City Thunder who got the last laugh in the end. Chet Holmgren finished with 17 points, nine boards, four dimes, and three rejections of his own in a convincing 140-114 win for Oklahoma City.
This was *only* the first six minutes of the 4th quarter of Chet vs. Wemby tonight. pic.twitter.com/ciErBeoxVH
— Rob Perez (@WorldWideWob) January 25, 2024
The latest Rookie of the Year odds have Wembanyama in the lead at -180 with Holmgren right behind at +150. No other first-year player has greater than +30000 odds.
Bucks Snap Cavaliers' Streak After Firing Head Coach
Nothing like picking up a victory over a red-hot team to get yourselves back on the right path.
Just one day removed from firing head coach Adrian Griffin, the Milwaukee Bucks responded with one of their strongest wins of the campaign by defeating the Cleveland Cavaliers 126-116 at the Fiserv Forum to end Cleveland's eight-game winning streak.
Giannis Antetokounmpo notched his seventh triple-double of 2023-24 (fourth in NBA) with 35 points, 18 rebounds, and 10 assists across 35 minutes of playing time.
Giannis Antetokounmpo vs Cleveland Cavaliers
— A Walking Highlight (@11AWH) January 25, 2024
35 PTS
18 REB
10 AST
2 BLK
16/24 FG#FearTheDeer W pic.twitter.com/BcgcdxrEEI
Milwaukee began as the 6.5-point favorites despite Cleveland's recent success. It was the first time the Bucks have covered the spread in six games.
