Tuesday night across the NBA felt like a theater of contrasts. Joel Embiid summoned his very best when Philadelphia needed it most, the Pistons dismantled a Lakers squad that looked strangely lost, and the Celtics cruised through Utah with the kind of clinical efficiency that makes them so hard to beat.
Embiid carries Philly through overtime heartbreak
In Memphis, the 76ers and Grizzlies traded blows for 48 minutes before overtime settled nothing — until Embiid decided otherwise. The big man finished with 34 points, 10 rebounds, and 8 assists, including a game-winning three that silenced FedExForum.
Paul George entered the game after Embiid needed a breather, but it was the MVP candidate who closed things out. Memphis got 28 points and 16 rebounds from Cedric Coward, yet couldn't find the answers when it mattered most.
Final: Philadelphia 117, Memphis 114 (OT)
Detroit runs through LA with alarming ease
Something is off with the Lakers right now. Cade Cunningham orchestrated a masterclass at Crypto.com Arena, posting 27 points, 5 rebounds, and 11 assists while Detroit's ball movement left Los Angeles grasping at shadows.
Luka Dončić put up 30 points, 5 rebounds, and 11 assists in the loss, but he looked increasingly isolated as the game wore on. The Pistons built their lead early and never relinquished control.
This Pistons team is beginning to feel dangerous. They're now 24-8 and playing with a confidence that belies their youth.
Final: Detroit 121, LA Lakers 104
Boston handles Utah without breaking a sweat
The Celtics didn't need any drama in Salt Lake City. Derrick White led with 27 points, 7 rebounds, and 6 assists as Boston built a comfortable halftime lead and never looked back.
Keyonte George did his best for Utah, finishing with 23 points, but the Jazz simply couldn't match Boston's depth and defensive intensity. At 19-12, the Celtics continue to lurk near the top of the Eastern Conference standings.
Final: Boston 122, Utah 103
Clippers cruise past struggling Kings
Kawhi Leonard showed flashes of his vintage self as the Clippers handled Sacramento at Intuit Dome. The Kings, now sitting at a dismal 8-24, couldn't generate any offensive rhythm against LA's suffocating defense.
Maxime Raynaud contributed 12 points and 12 rebounds for Sacramento, but it wasn't nearly enough. The Clippers' roster might be aging, but nights like this remind everyone what Leonard can still do when healthy.
Final: LA Clippers 109, Sacramento 88
A quiet night in some ways, but one that reinforced what we already suspected: the Pistons are for real, Embiid remains capable of dragging teams across finish lines, and the bottom of the Western Conference has some serious rebuilding to do.