Around the Association: Holiday Wins It, Jazz Hold On, Thunder Take Down Nuggets

This article is part of our NBA Daily Recap series.

Welcome to Around the Association! Four days per week (Monday through Thursday), this article will serve as a comprehensive recap of the previous night's NBA action, taking you through all of the biggest performances, notable box scores, injury updates and any other fantasy-relevant headlines from around the league.

It was a fun Wednesday night -- here is all you need to know:

Jrue Holiday's heroics 

• Perhaps the best game of the night came in Milwaukee as the Heat traveled to town. Miami was able to take control of the game late and lead by 14 points within the final six minutes. However, the Bucks were able to storm back and Jrue Holiday was able to drill a layup to win the game 120-119. The guard had one of his best games of the season as he ended with  25 points (8-17 FG, 3-8 3Pt, 6-6 FT), six rebounds, 11 assists and two steals over 38 minutes in addition to the game-winner.
  • Giannis Antetokounmpo went off in the win as well. The two-time MVP recorded 28 points (9-20 FG, 1-4 3Pt, 9-11 FT), 17 rebounds, five assists, one block and two steals across 34 minutes. Over his last five appearances, Antetokounmpo is averaging 33.0 points, 14.4 rebounds, 6.0 rebounds. 
  • Khris Middleton: 26 points (8-20 FG, 4-8 3Pt, 6-6 FT), four rebounds, three assists and one steal in 36 minutes
• Tyler Herro kept on shining off the bench despite the rough loss. The Kentucky product ended the game with 30 points (11-21 FG, 6-10 3Pt, 2-2 FT), seven rebounds, five assists and one steal over 35 minutes, though he did commit a costly turnover late in the fourth, leading to a Khris Middleton three-pointer.
  • Herro has been on fire since returning from the All-Star break, averaging 25.5 points, 5.5 rebounds, 3.8 assists and 1.0 steals per game over his first four games back.
  • Bam Adebayo: 18 points (8-17 FG, 2-4 FT), 12 rebounds, four assists and two steals over 37 minutes

Jazz hang on in Houston

• In a surprisingly great game, the Rockets and Jazz found themselves in a thriller. With the game tied in the final seconds, Mike Conley drilled a three-pointer with eight seconds remaining. However, Christian Wood was able to drill a deep three to send the game to overtime. Conley was able to remain clutch throughout overtime and helped push Utah to a 132-127 win. The veteran point guard totaled nine points in overtime to go with 15 points (4-10 FG, 3-6 3Pt, 4-6 FT), four rebounds, eight assists and four steals over 33 minutes.
  • Donovan Mitchell was in attack mode all night long, finishing the contest with 37 points (13-27 FG, 4-14 3Pt, 7-11 FT), two rebounds, 10 assists and three steals over 40 minutes. Mitchell has gone for over 30 points in two out of his first three games back. 
• Jalen Green had one of his most impressive games of the season. The No. 2 overall pick recorded 27 points (11-16 FG, 4-9 3Pt, 1-1 FT), two rebounds, four assists, one steal and one block over 46 minutes. Green recorded some emphatic dunks, tough finishes and one impressive block in the loss.
  • Christian Wood: 24 points (8-13 FG, 4-7 3Pt, 4-8 FT), 10 rebounds, five assists, four steals and one block over 43 minutes.

Harden and Embiid keep rolling

• The 76ers are looking strong as they continued their strong play since the addition of James Harden with a 123-108 win over the Knicks. In his first game playing in Philadelphia as a Sixer, Harden totaled 26 points (8-13 FG, 2-6 3Pt, 8-10 FT), nine rebounds and nine assists over 36 minutes. The All-Star is averaging 27.3 points, 9.0 rebounds, 12.3 assists and 1.7 steals per game over his first three games since joining the team.
  • Joel Embiid also continues to shine since Harden has entered the lineup. The MVP candidate finished with a team-high 27 points (7-15 FG, 2-4 3Pt, 11-13 FT), 12 rebounds, four assists, one steal and two blocks over 34 minutes. Embiid is posting 32.7 points and 10.3 rebounds per game in his first three appearances with Harden.
  • Tyrese Maxey: 25 points (7-12 FG, 4-6 3Pt, 7-8 FT), four rebounds and three assists over 35 minutes. 
• Despite coming up short in the game, RJ Barrett continues to impress in the latter half of the season. The Duke product ended the game with 30 points (10-23 FG, 3-8 3Pt, 7-8 FT), six rebounds and seven assists over 40 minutes. Barrett is on fire since returning from the All-Star break, averaging 33.3 points, 6.7 rebounds and 5.0 assists per game over his first three outings back.
  • Cam Reddish did not have the best game, but he still saw the most amount of playing time he has seen yet as a Knick. The recently acquired forward ended with seven points (3-6 FG, 1-3 3Pt, 0-1 FT), two rebounds, two assists and two steals over 23 minutes.
  • Julius Randle: 24 points (9-21 FG, 0-2 3Pt, 6-8 FT), six rebounds, three assists and one steal over 32 minutes.

Pacers rally back on Magic

• The Magic were leading the Pacers by 15 points entering the fourth quarter, but Malcolm Brogdon and company were able to come back to send the game into overtime. Indiana was able to prevail late and ended up winning the contest 122-114.
• Brogdon was fantastic in the victory, ending with 31 points (8-18 FG, 3-5 3Pt, 12-15 FT), 11 rebounds, eight assists, two steals and one block over 41 minutes. In his first three appearances since returning from a lengthy injury absence, Brogdon is averaging 22.0 points, 7.0 rebounds, 5.7 assists and 1.7 steals across 33.7 minutes per game.
  • Tyrese Haliburton put up one of his signature impressive efforts on both sides of the floor in the win. The recently acquired guard finished with 21 points (7-16 FG, 3-10 3Pt, 4-6 FT), three rebounds, six assists, three steals and two blocks over 40 minutes. Haliburton has recorded at least one steal in 11 straight games.
  • Jalen Smith: 15 points (4-7 FG, 1-3 3Pt, 6-6 FT), 15 rebounds, one steal and one block over 37 minutes.
• Franz Wagner once again shined in the loss to Indiana. The rookie out of Michigan dropped a team-best 28 points (10-18 FG, 4-6 3Pt, 4-4 FT), six rebounds, one assist and two steals over 36 minutes. This marked Wagner's seventh time scoring 25 or more points this season.
  • Wendell Carter Jr: 13 points (5-12 FG, 0-2 3Pt, 3-5 FT), 18 rebounds, five assists, one steal and one block over 40 minutes. 

Thunder surprise Denver

• The Nuggets had been one of the hottest teams in the league post-All-Star break, winning their first three contests with ease. However, the Thunder were able to upset Denver after a 119-107 win on the road.
• Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has been deep in his bag since returning to OKC's lineup, posting  29 points (10-23 FG, 3-5 3Pt, 6-8 FT), seven rebounds, five assists, one block and two steals in 37 minutes in the win. SGA is averaging 33.5 points per game since the All-Star break.
  • Isaiah Roby popped off for a career-high 26 points (9-13 FG, 4-5 3Pt, 4-7 FT), seven rebounds, five assists, two blocks and two steals over 34 minutes. This was his first time scoring more than 17 points all season long, so this outing does seem like a bit of an outlier.
• The Nuggets' starters were ice-cold from deep, shooting a combined 1-25 from three points range. Nikola Jokic still had quite an efficient outing in the loss as he totaled 22 points (10-17 FG, 0-4 3Pt, 2-2 FT), 16 rebounds, four assists and two steals across 33 minutes. The Joker still ranks as the No. 1 overall nine-category fantasy player this season.
  • While the starters were off from long-distance, Bones Hyland did his best to make up for it off of the bench. The rookie out of VCU recorded 19 points (6-8 FG, 5-6 3Pt, 2-2 FT), two rebounds, four assists and one steal over 22 minutes. This was Hyland's fourth time hitting at least five three-pointers. 

Best and Worst of the Night

• Best of the Night: Donovan Mitchell - 37 points (13-27 FG, 4-14 3Pt, 7-11 FT), two rebounds, 10 assists and three steals over 40 minutes.
• Worst of the Night: LaMelo Ball - Two points (0-3 FG, 0-1 3Pt, 2-2 FT), zero rebounds, four assists and two steals in seven minutes
• Rookie of the Night: Franz Wagner - 28 points (10-18 FG, 4-6 3Pt, 4-4 FT), six rebounds, one assist and two steals over 36 minutes.

Quick Hitters

• The Hornets smacked the Cavaliers by a score of 119-98. Terry Rozier led the way for the Hornets, totaling 29 points (9-19 FG, 5-9 3Pt, 6-6 FT), seven rebounds, seven assists, two steals and one block. 
  • Isaiah Thomas made his Hornets' debut in the win, finishing with 10 points (4-11 FG, 2-7 3Pt), five rebounds, three assist and two steals over 14 minutes. 
  • LaMelo Ball only saw seven minutes of action during the win as he struggled with four fouls
• Darius Garland made his return to the Cavaliers after missing three straight games due to a back injury. The All-Star showed no signs of rust as he totaled 33 points (13-22 FG, 5-10 3Pt, 2-4 FT), three rebounds, four assists and one steal in 33 minutes during the loss to Charlotte.
  • Jarrett Allen: 18 points (7-9 FG, 4-5 FT), 11 rebounds, one block and two steals across 33 minutes.
• Even without both Chris Paul and Devin Booker, the Phoenix Suns crushed the Trail Blazers by a score of 120-90. It was a very balanced effort for the Suns with six players reaching double-figures. Cameron Johnson scored a team-high 20 points (6-8 FG, 4-5 3Pt, 4-4 FT), four rebounds, four assists and one steal over 24 minutes.
  • Jae Crowder: 15 points (3-6 FG, 2-4 3Pt, 7-9 FT), five rebounds, four assists and five steals over 25 minutes.
  • Booker's status remains up in the air after he entered COVID-19 protocols Wednesday. 
• Portland really struggled in the blowout loss to Phoenix. Trendon Watford had a solid outing, recording 13 points (5-12 FG, 2-2 3Pt, 1-2 FT), seven rebounds, six assists and one block across 30 minutes.
• The Pelicans were able to pull away from the Kings and defeated Sacramento by a score of 125-95. Brandon Ingram carried New Orleans to victory as he ended with 33 points (15-19 FG, 2-3 3Pt, 1-2 FT), five rebounds and six assists over 31 minutes during the win. The Pelicans are 3-0 since the All-Star break.
  • CJ McCollum: 17 points (7-16 FG, 2-7 3Pt, 1-1 FT), six rebounds, nine assists and one steal across 34 minutes. 
• De'Aaron Fox had a solid outing in the loss to the Pelicans, totaling 25 points (9-18 FG, 1-6 3Pt, 6-9 FT), two rebounds and three assists over 37 minutes. 
  • Domantas Sabonis: 15 points (6-16 FG, 0-2 3Pt, 3-3 FT), 14 rebounds, seven assists and one steal over 33 minutes. 

A Look Ahead to a loaded Thursday Night 

• Kevin Durant (knee) makes his return to the lineup as Miami comes to Brooklyn
• The Bulls and Hawks square off in Atlanta
• Ja Morant looks to stay scorching hot against Jayson Tatum and the Celtics in Boston
• Luka Doncic and Stephen Curry duel it out in Dallas
• The struggling Lakers look for revenge against the Clippers