In the early NBA Monday games, the Cavaliers won their 12th straight, while the Grizzlies ended their 11-game losing streak. Devin Booker went off against the 76ers, and Kevin Durant and DeMarcus Cousins exchanged words before getting tossed. The late games featured the Jazz and Mavericks dominating, and the Spurs coming back versus Detroit.
Spurs (16-8) defeat Pistons (14-9) - 96-93
The Pistons had lost two games in a row coming into this matchup, falling from second to fourth in the Eastern Conference standings. But Detroit put themselves up one after the first quarter and extended that number to three by halftime.
Reggie Jackson had 20 first half points to lead Detroit, but Rudy Gay had this poster dunk over Andre Drummond.
The Pistons maintained their lead in the third quarter, nudging it up another point. But an 8-0 run to start the fourth jetted the Spurs ahead. Detroit reclaimed the lead halfway through the quarter, but a Rudy Gay basket and free throw put San Antonio up two at the 3:39 mark. With 23 seconds left, Andre Drummond made it a one-point game, but LaMarcus Aldridge knocked down two free throws to secure the win. Aldridge led the Spurs with 17 points and 10 rebounds. Jackson had a game-high 27 points for Detroit.
Mavericks (7-17) defeat Nuggets (13-10) - 122-105
It's been a rough season so far for the Mavericks, but they blew the Clippers out on Saturday (Dec. 2) and just about skunked Denver in the first quarter.
Dallas raced out to a 33-12 lead and were up 16 after one. While the lead reached 25 points in the second quarter, it was 17 at halftime.
A Will Barton three-point shot reduced the deficit to eight with 2:13 remaining in the third quarter, but the Mavericks were able to push the lead back do 11 heading into the fourth. The Nuggets would never again get the game back into single digits.
Harrison Barnes had 22 points and 10 rebounds to lead Dallas.
Jazz (13-11) defeat Wizards (12-11) - 116-69
This was never a game. Rookie Donovan Mitchell continued his scoring tear by dropping nine points in the first quarter and 15 in the half to boost the Jazz to a 64-30 halftime lead. Utah outscored the Wizards 52-29 in the second half to complete the rout.
Alec Burks came off-the-bench to score 27 points on 9-13 shooting. While All-Star John Wall remains out for Washington, the Jazz got center Rudy Gobert back after missing the previous 11 games with an injury. Gobert finished with four points and 10 rebounds in 21 minutes.
