Phoenix star Kevin Durant scored 39 points and beat Utah Jazz’s Lauri Markkanen at the final buzzer as the Suns defeated 140-137 in double overtime in the NBA on Sunday Jazz.
Durant contributed 8 rebounds and 10 assists, and Devin Booker scored 26 points for the Suns.
Markkanen scored 38 points and grabbed 17 rebounds for the Jazz.
With 43.2 seconds left in the second overtime, Durant scored 8 points and the Suns led 138-135.
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Markkanen’s layup cut the deficit to one point, but Booker hit two free throws to give Phoenix a 140-137 lead with nine-tenths of a second left.
Markkanen had one last chance when the referee initially ruled he was fouled by Durant on a failed 3-point attempt. But the decision was overturned after review and the Suns emerged victorious.
The Jazz trailed for most of the night until Markkanen’s layup with 20.3 seconds left in regulation sent the team into the first overtime.
Phoenix led 123-118 in the first overtime quarter, but Utah State came back and Collin Sexton scored on a layup to send the game into the second overtime.
Durant scored 25 or more points for the 12th consecutive game, the longest streak in Suns history.
“I’m just trying to be ready on my days off and before the game, just trying to follow the game plan as best as I can and play with a calm and free spirit,” Durant said.
Butler leads Heat to seventh straight win | 00:52
LeBron comes on fire in critical moments
The Los Angeles Lakers, powered by superstar LeBron James’ season-high 37 points, beat the Houston Rockets 105-104.
With 24.2 seconds left in the game, Austin Reeves, assisted by James, hit a three-pointer and the Lakers led 103-100. But with 4 seconds left, Alperen Sengun’s layup tied the score at 104-104.
James fouled under the basket and made one of two free throws to seal the victory. James contributed 6 rebounds and 8 assists, and Anthony Davis scored 27 points and 10 rebounds. Reeves scored 17 points off the bench, a key contribution on a night when the Lakers’ offense struggled with starters Cam Reddish, Taurean Prince and D’Angelo Russell.
Celtics escape with wild ending
The Boston Celtics also defeated the Grizzlies 102-100 in Memphis, extending their winning streak to six games.
In a game that saw both teams lead 18 times, Kristaps Porzingis dunked the go-ahead dunk with a minute left and then blocked Ziaire Williams’ shot. At the buzzer, the Celtics secured the victory.
Porzingis led the Celtics with 26 points, 8 rebounds and 6 blocks.
Jokic struggles with shock
Elsewhere, the short-handed Cleveland Cavaliers defeated the NBA champion Denver Nuggets 121-109, with frustrated Nuggets star Nikola Jokic battling foul trouble and watching the game end from the bench .
Darius Garland scored a Cleveland-high 26 points and rookie Craig Porter scored a career-high 21 points to help the Cavs add star guard Donovan Mitchell and top reserve Caris ·Winning three consecutive games without LeVert.
Jokic, the two-time NBA Most Valuable Player, shouldered the load with star teammate Jamal Murray still sidelined with a strained hamstring, finishing with 18 points, 10 rebounds and seven assists.
Embiid misses triple-double
Reigning NBA MVP Joel Embiid scored 32 points, 12 rebounds and nine assists in just three quarters to help the Philadelphia 76ers defeat the Nets 121-99 in Brooklyn.
Tyrese Maxey scored 25 points and 10 assists for the 76ers, who led 61-49 at halftime and never trailed in the game.
As the game progressed, Embiid missed the entire fourth quarter. His nine assists were his season high, and he wasn’t worried about missing out on his sixth career triple-double.
“I was told I was three assists short, but that’s not what I thought,” Embiid said. “We’re just trying to play the right way.”
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Thunder beat Warriors away | 01:04
In Toronto, the Raptors defeated the Detroit Pistons 142-113, leading by as many as 40 points.
The Raptors set a franchise record with 44 assists, handing the Pistons their 11th straight loss.