Feb. 8 Starting 5: Bridges nails big shot in 1.2 seconds, Saturday hoops bonanza in full swing

As an AI language model, I cannot judge the quality of images. However, I can tell you that the provided code snippet is an HTML image tag that displays an image. The 'src' attribute points to the location of the image file. The 'loading' attribute is an optimization technique that determines when the browser should fetch and render the image. The 'height' and 'width' attributes specify the dimensions of the image. Lastly, the 'decoding' attribute instructs the browser on how to handle image decoding and was introduced in HTML5.

Ice veins in the Valley.

In a historic final flurry, Grayson Allen blessed the Phoenix faithful with some free hoops.

5 STORIES IN TODAY’S EDITION

Feb. 8, 2025

Knicks-Celtics: A classic rivalry resumes amid an intensifying East race (8:30 ET, ABC)

Friday Finishes: Book cooks as Allen plays hero, a photo finish in Charlotte & Atlanta’s 21-point rally

Roundup: Chet returns, Cleveland’s All-Star trio shines, Poole & Beasley ball out

AD’s Debut: After Friday’s introductory presser, Davis takes the floor today in Dallas

Surging Squads Collide: Lakers-Pacers on ESPN (4 ET), best in the West battle and more

BUT FIRST … ⏰

All day action…

11 games tip off Saturday, starting with AD’s potential Mavs debut (3 ET, League Pass), and headlined by LeBron and the Lakers hosting the red-hot Pacers (4 ET, ESPN), before the Celtics face the Knicks at MSG (8:30 ET, ABC). Today’s Schedule.

All-Star Announcements: The contestants for both the Kia Skills Challenge and Starry 3-Point Contest were unveiled Friday, along with the judges for the AT&T Slam Dunk Contest. Find them in the All-Star Hub.

Decide The Dunk Contest: NBA ID members can submit their votes for each dunk in real-time via the NBA App. Sign up here.

Today’s Reads: AP on Hall of Famer Hubie Brown calling his final game tomorrow on ABC (76ers-Bucks, 2 ET) and on the Blazers riding high … ClutchPoints on fan votes for the Slam Dunk Contest … ESPN on Dame eyeing a 3-peat in the 3-Point Contest.

1. TONIGHT ON ABC: KNICKS vs. CELTICS ROUND 2

On Oct. 22, the Celtics and Knicks opened the NBA season in Boston, where the C’s raised Banner 18 before raining down 29 3s, matching the NBA single-game record, en route to a 132-109 win.

Ever since then, the Knicks have been chasing the defending champs.

For 55 straight days, since the Knicks leaped over the Magic into 3rd, New York has stood right behind Boston for 2nd place in the East, narrowing once a 5+ game lead to just 1.5.

Tonight (8:30 ET, ABC), at Madison Square Garden, the Knicks can cut Boston’s lead to its smallest margin yet – while avenging their opening night loss.

“It’s the next test,” said Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau on Saturday’s showdown. “Obviously, they’re a dangerous team. They are the defending champion. So we have to be ready to play 48 minutes of really good basketball.”

Since opening night, New York and Boston have emerged as offensive powerhouses, ranking 2nd and 4th in OffRtg, with their All-Star duos – Jalen Brunson & Karl-Anthony Towns (NYK) and Jayson Tatum & Jaylen Brown (BOS) – leading the way.

Both teams also rank in the top 5 in clutch win percentage, where each of their top scorers turn it up.

NY’s Captain: Leading the Knicks with 26.1 ppg, Brunson ranks 6th in total clutch points (89) and 2nd in clutch ppg (4.9) while shooting 52.6% from the fieldBoston’s Closer: Meanwhile, Tatum (26.6 ppg) ranks 7th in total clutch points (82) and 2nd in clutch assists (22)Finishing Touch:

The East leaders in clutch field goals? You guessed it – Brunson & Tatum, tied with 30 apiece

And in the game’s waning moments, both stars level up.

Brunson is one of just three players shooting 50% from both the field and from 3 in the final 10 seconds of a game this season (min. 4 FGA)“He’s not afraid,” said Thibodeau on Monday after Brunson put away Toronto with two daggers. “That’s probably the biggest thing. The confidence is a byproduct of his work.”Tatum, meanwhile, is one of five players to make 3+ field goals in the final 10 seconds of a game this season, including two last-second game-winners“I still think his greatness

gets taken for granted,” said Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla on Tatum earlier this season. “Because it comes relatively easy for him.”

Now, with the race atop the East intensifying, two of the league’s best closers will lead their squads into a heavyweight bout. Will it come down to crunch time?

2. FRIDAY THRILLERS: DRAMA AT THE BUZZER & A HUGE HAWKS RALLY

On Monday, Devin Booker broke the Suns’ all-time scoring record.

On Friday, he reminded everyone why – and got some help for an epic win.

Suns 135, Jazz 127 (OT): With Kevin Durant out, Booker stepped up and went off for a season-high 47 points in 49 minutes, only to find Phoenix down four with five seconds left.

Then, Grayson Allen happened. After Allen hit a quick 3 to cut the deficit to one, Lauri Markkanen’s two free throws pushed Utah’s lead back up to three with 0.9 ticks left.

But it was too much time for Allen, who received a cross-court inbound pass and splashed a fadeaway 3 at the buzzer to force OT, where Phoenix prevailed 13-5 for an electric win. | Recap

Historic Heroics: Allen finished with 21 points, including 6 in the final 1.2 seconds of the 4th, becoming just the second player to hit multiple 3s in the final 3 seconds of regulation (Ersan Ilyasova, 2016)Book Cooks: Booker added 11 assists and went 18-of-33 from the field (54.5%), notching his third 40-point game this season“The 11 assists stand out to me,”

said Suns coach Mike Budenholzer. “High-level passes, high-level reads … it’s impressive. He wanted this game.” 

“Corner 3 … YESSSSS!”

Hornets 117, Spurs 116: After trailing by as many as 19, Stephon Castle sparked a 35-point Spurs 4th quarter, and De’Aaron Fox’s pull-up jumper gave them a 2-point lead with 8 seconds left.

But Miles Bridges responded with a go-ahead 3 to send the Spectrum Center into a frenzy, and Fox’s potential buzzer-beating 3 at the other end was waived off, as he didn’t get it off in time, giving Charlotte a thrilling win to snap its 6-game skid. | Recap

Bridges & Ball: Bridges led the way for the Hornets with 25 points, while Ball added 24 and 10 dimes, including the game-winning dishRook Cooks:

Castle finished with a career-high 33 points, and Fox added 22 in his second outing with San Antonio

Hawks 115, Bucks 110: Down 21 early in the 3rd, Atlanta flipped a switch, winning the quarter 37-17 to seize control and storm past Damian Lillard (23 pts, 10 ast) and the Bucks for a massive win after a 1-9 stretch. | Recap

Scoring Flock: Trae Young (24 pts, 7 ast) and Dyson Daniels (15 pts, 10 ast) led seven Hawks in double-figuresHawks’ Heart: It’s Atlanta’s second 20+ point comeback this season, tying Chicago and Orlando for the most in the NBABobby Portis

stuffed the stat sheet for Milwaukee (26 pts, 15 reb, 6 ast), who went without Giannis for a third straight game

3. ROUNDUP: CHET RETURNS, CAVS ROLL, BEASLEY SHINES & NETS DUB

Thunder 121, Raptors 109: In his first game since fracturing his pelvis on Nov. 10, Chet Holmgren logged 22 minutes for 4 points, 4 blocks and a game-high +22 plus-minus.

Meanwhile, his co-stars Jalen Williams (27) and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (25) combined for 52 points as OKC earned its fourth straight win. | Recap

Shai’s Tear: Fresh off his most recent 50-piece on Wednesday, SGA has now tallied 19 straight 25+ point games, matching the longest such streak of his career

Cavaliers 134, Wizards 124: In a game featuring 17 ties and 19 lead changes, Jordan Poole popped off for a career-high 45 points on 16-of-32 shooting. But the Cavs outscored the Wiz 40-31 in the 4th to pull away for the win. | Recap

All-Star Trio: Donovan Mitchell (33), Evan Mobley (27) and Darius Garland (23) combined for 83 points, improving Cleveland to 6-1 in its last 7 games

Pistons 125, 76ers 112: In another career outburst, Malik Beasley splashed nine 3s en route to a personal-high 36 points, leading Detroit past Tyrese Maxey (27 pts, 7 ast), Joel Embiid (23 pts, 6 ast) and Philly, despite being without Cade Cunningham. | Recap

Nets 102, Heat 86: Down six entering the 4th quarter, Brooklyn outscored Miami 31-9 in the final frame to pick up its fourth W in five games. Cam Johnson (18 pts) and D’Angelo Russell (17 pts) led the way. | Recap

4. AD WELCOMED TO DALLAS BEFORE HIS MAVS DEBUT TODAY

Seven days ago, the basketball world stood still as news broke of a landmark trade: The Mavs had agreed to send Luka Dončić to the Lakers in exchange for Anthony Davis.

“It was a shock to all,” said Davis on the deal in Friday’s introductory presser. “But my job is to come in and play basketball and win basketball games.”

Now in his 10th All-Star campaign, Davis has done just that – win.

In 6.5 seasons with Los Angeles, AD compiled a 213-146 record (59.3%), including a 27-20 mark in the postseason, highlighted by leading the Lakers to an NBA championship in 2020.

Double-Davis: This season, AD is on pace to tally the ninth 20+ point, 10+ rebound campaign of his career, averaging 25.7 ppg and 11.9 rpgElite Company: Only 11 other players in NBA history have accomplished such a feat – all Hall of Famers – with the last being Kevin GarnettInterior Anchor:

Davis has also made five NBA All-Defensive teams and led the NBA in blocks per game in three different seasons (2014, 2015, 2018)

What can Mavs fans expect? A veteran leader, hungry for more titles, according to Davis.

“You’ve got a guy who’s going to compete every night,” said Davis on himself. “And bring that championship experience to the organization, try to help lead this team to some championships.”

New-Look Mavs: Dallas also acquired Max Christie in the Luka-AD deal before landing Caleb Martin in a trade with the 76ers.

Together, they’ll serve as two versatile wings, while AD joins Kyrie Irving as one of the league’s most dynamic duos.

AD On Kyrie: “He can do it all. There’s no flaw in his game, and I don’t think he’s played with a guy like me … I think we complement each other very well.”

Today on League Pass (3 ET), fans will get a first look at Davis with his new squad as Dallas hosts Houston to tip off a full day of hoops.

5. SURGING SQUADS TAKE CENTER STAGE SATURDAY

One season after their first trip to the East Finals in 10 years, the Pacers opened 2024-25 with a 10-15 record, leaving them in 10th in the East.

Since then, Indy has gone 19-6 to jump to 5th, including a 13-3 record since the New Year – the best win percentage of any NBA team (81.3%).

The Lakers have 12 victories since the calendar flipped, including a season-best 10-2 record in their last dozen games.

Today, two of the hottest teams in hoops will clash on ESPN (4 ET).

Indy Intensity: The Pacers boast the 10th-best scoring offense in the NBA (115.7 ppg), but their defense has fueled their turnaround, jumping from the 23rd-best DefRtg to the 4th (110.8) since Jan. 1Lockdown Lakers: Meanwhile, the Lakers rank 2nd in DefRtg (107.6) amid their 10-2 run while ranking 7th in OffRtg (119.2)LeBuckets:

In that span, LeBron James (26.7 ppg, 9.7 apg) is one of just three players averaging 24+ pts and 9+ ast, joining Nikola Jokić and Cade Cunningham

The top two teams out West meet tonight in Memphis (8 ET, LP) for their second matchup this season. But this time, both teams are at full strength, and the Grizzlies are roaring.

Rewind: On Dec. 29 in OKC, SGA dropped 35 points to lead the Thunder to a 130-106 win over Memphis, who was without Ja MorantTonight, both Ja Morant and Chet Holmgren are expected to suit up, with Holmgren fresh off his Friday returnCollision Course:

Riding a 4-game win streak, the Grizz are 10-1 in their last 11, while the Thunder have found their footing since a 3-3 stretch with four straight wins themselves

Best vs. Best: The duel doesn’t just pit Memphis’ league-leading offense against OKC’s NBA-best defense, it also features a matchup between two of the game’s craftiest scorers.

SGA is on a tear for the ages, with three 50-pieces in his last eight games thanks to ridiculous buckets like this one.

Morant is coming off back-to-back 25+ point games where he’s shot 53.8% from 3. But he does his best work inside.

Also on League Pass, the Blazers seek their seventh straight win as they face Anthony Edwards – coming off back-to-back 40-pieces – and the Wolves (8 ET), while the Nuggets aim for their sixth win in a row against the Suns (9 ET).

Spurs at Magic (7 ET)Hawks at Wizards (7 ET)Warriors at Bulls (8 ET)Pelicans at Kings (10 ET)Jazz at Clippers

(10:30 ET)

Want to share Starting 5 with a friend? Send them this link.