You’ve probably seen plenty of impressive light displays this holiday season. But in terms of lighting up the scoreboard, the Bulls and Hawks are tough to beat.

Today’s Lineup

🎉 Happy birthday Dave Robisch and Aleem Ford! 🎉

Game Recaps

Bulls beat Hawks 152-150 in season’s highest-scoring game

What do you get when two of the league’s fastest-paced teams face off? Evidently, scoring.

On Sunday night, the Bulls won a barnburner over the Hawks that saw the squads combine for 302 PTS, the most in any game so far this season. The three-ball was the main driver in the big-time bucketfest, with both teams hitting 20+ triples and shooting over 48% from beyond the arc. But in the end, it was a defensive stop that made the difference— the Bulls forced a miss on Trae Young’s potential game-tying jumper with 1.4 seconds to go, wrapping up a wild win.

Matas Buzelis led the way for Chicago with 28 PTS on 10/11 shooting, but just about every Bull got in on the party— of the team’s 11 players that logged minutes, 9 scored in double figures. Atlanta’s production was more concentrated, with Jalen Johnson and Trae each scoring 35+, but the Hawks also got 23 PTS from Onyeka Okongwu, 20 from Vit Krejci, and 17 from Zaccharie Risacher.

All in all, a fun one in ATL!

Minnesota caps 2-0 weekend with wins over OKC and Milwaukee

Trying to win a game against OKC is like a 12-round boxing match. Lucky for the Timberwolves, they have a heavyweight of their own.

Minnesota has now won 9 out of their last 11 games after a weekend that saw them earn wins over the Thunder and Bucks. First, Anthony Edwards announced his return from a three-game injury absence with a 26-point, 12-rebound gem against OKC, a performance that also saw him dominate the reigning champs down the stretch with a go-ahead three and game-sealing steal in the final 40 seconds. It was the Thunder’s third loss of the season.

Then, on Sunday, Edwards again keyed Minny’s victory with 24 PTS against the Giannis-less Bucks. In a game where both teams struggled to find a rhythm (they shot a combined 17/90 from three), Ant’s ability to get to the line (12 FTA) helped rescue a 7/24 shooting night and give the Wolves over the finish line.

At 19-10, Minnesota is currently sixth in a tough Western conference. But as the season draws on, don’t be surprised if a team with legit stars and playoff experience sneaks into the upper tier.

Elsewhere around the NBA:

• Jalen Brunson’s heater isn’t ending any time soon. After leading the Knicks to an NBA Cup title earlier in the week and bringing home MVP honors, JB kept his dominant ways going with a 47-point masterclass in New York’s 132-125 win over Miami. It also marked a new career-high for Brunson at the Garden. Kel’el Ware had 28 PTS and 19 REB for the Heat, but it was no use against an elite scorer at the peak of his powers.

• In a matchup between two of the league’s most highly-touted rookies, VJ Edgecombe’s Sixers got the better of Cooper Flagg’s Mavs 121-114. Edgecombe had 26 PTS to Flagg’s 24, but it was one of Philly’s vets who made the biggest mark— Tyrese Maxey dropped 38 PTS, his 10th 35+ game this season, to lead all scorers.

• Rockets vs. Thunder feels like the kind of series you’d see in the later rounds of the postseason. Luckily for us, we get to watch it in December. KD scored 31 PTS to lead a 115-101 Houston win, while former #3 overall pick Reed Sheppard had 28 including a run of 11 straight points to close the third quarter. Denver, which saw a six-game win streak come to a close, was led by 25 PTS from the Joker.

• Victor Wembanyama is still coming off the bench for San Antonio, but it hasn’t made much of a difference for the rolling Spurs. Mitch Johnson’s squad has won four of five since Wemby’s return, with the lone loss coming to the Knicks in the NBA Cup Final. On Sunday, that hot stretch continued with a 124-113 win over Washington that saw De’Aaron Fox lead all scorers with 27 PTS. Luke Kornet also added 20 PTS and 6 offensive rebounds.

Record Retrospective

In honor of Jalen Brunson’s new MSG career-high, let’s look back on the most points ever scored at the Garden: Carmelo Anthony’s legendary 62-point game on January 24, 2014.

Melo entered the 2014 season as one of the league’s undisputed top dogs. After winning the scoring title and finishing third in MVP voting the year before, the Knicks star was already a legend in his native city of New York.

But on one winter night, Melo cemented his NYC legacy in a way few have done before. With the Bobcats in town, Melo went to work from the opening tip, bumping, shooting, and half-court buzzer-beating his way to 62 PTS.

Shooting 66% from the field and adding 13 REB, Melo led the Knicks to a 125-96 win while securing the franchise and MSG scoring records along the way. Remember, always stay Me7o!

Three in the Key

Signing Off

And we out! Thanks for spending a portion of your day with us. This week, try to keep yourself grounded during the hustle and bustle of the holidays. Regardless of what your season looks like, we hope it’s full of peace and gratitude. See you soon!

Walker Carnathan