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Max Strus (Stagg) is getting his footing back after starting the season on the sidelines.

He missed the first 27 games for the Cleveland Cavaliers due to a right ankle injury. He scored nine points in his season debut on Dec. 20 and has now played in back-to-back games.

Despite starting in all 70 of his 2023-24 games, Cavs head coach Kenny Atkinson is easing Strus into the lineup by having him come off the bench and be on a minutes restriction (about 20).

On Friday, Strus made his 600th career three-point field goal. It came on an assist from Donovan Mitchell with 8:56 left in the fourth quarter to extend the Cavs lead 127-110.

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NBA Games

• New York Knicks defeated Orlando Magic, 108-85.
  • Jalen Brunson (Stevenson) and the Knicks have won six straight games are 9-2 in December.
    • Brunson had 26 points (11-21 FG, 0-2 3PT, 4-6 FT) with three rebounds (one offensive), nine assists, two steals, a turnover, and a +19 plus-minus in 37 minutes.
    • His 11 made field goals were a game-high.
    • His 21 field goal attempts were a game-high.
    • His nine assists were a game-high.
    • His two steals were a game-high tied with two others.
    • Brunson has gone three straight games without a made three.
• Boston Celtics defeated Indiana Pacers, 142-105.
  • Drew Peterson (Libertyville) is 5-for-14 from beyond the arc in limited minutes. He only has 16 total field goal attempts this season.
    • Peterson had three points (1-1 FG, 1-1 3PT) with two rebounds (one offensive), an assist, a turnover, and a +9 plus-minus in eight minutes.
• Minnesota Timberwolves defeated Houston Rockets, 113-112.
  • Terrence Shannon Jr. (Lincoln Park) did not play due to a coach’s decision.
  • Fred VanVleet (Auburn) has fallen an assist shy of a double-double three times this season (twice in recent days).
    • VanVleet had 18 points (6-16 FG 5-10 3PT, 1-3 FT) with six rebounds, seven assists, a block, three turnovers, and a zero plus-minus in 39 minutes.
    • His five made three pointers were a team-high.
    • His 10 three point attempts were a game-high tied with Minnesota’s Nickeil Alexander-Walker.
    • His seven assists were a team-high.
    • His one block were a team-high.
    • His three turnovers were a team-worst with Amen Thompson.
• Memphis Grizzlies defeated New Orleans Pelicans, 132-124.
  • Antonio Reeves (Simeon) did not play due to a coach’s decision.
  • John Konchar (West Chicago) has not scored in back-to-back games since the first the first two Grizzlies games.
    • Konchar had zero points (0-3 FG, 0-2 3PT) with three rebounds (one offensive), an assists, a turnover, and a +1 plus-minus in six minutes off the bench.
• Cleveland Cavaliers defeated Denver Nuggets, 149-135.
  • Max Strus (Stagg) has played back-to-back games for the first time this season.
    • Strus had five points (2-5 FG, 1-4 3PT) with four rebounds, an assist, a steal, a turnover, and a -5 plus-minus in 24 minutes off the bench.
    • His -5 plus-minus was a team-worst.
• Dallas Mavericks defeated Phoenix Suns, 98-89.
  • Oliver-Maxence Prosper (Lake Forest) has scored in six of his nine December games.
    • Prosper had two points (1-2 FG, 0-1 3PT) with a rebound, a steal, and a -1 plus-minus in six minutes off the bench.

G League Games

• Birmingham Squadron defeated Raptors 905, 108.
  • Frank Kaminsky (Benet) had 12 ponts (5-11 FG, 0-4 3PT, 1-2 FT) with three rebounds (one offensive), two assists, two steals, a turnover, and a -16 plus-minus in 22 minutes.
  • Evan Gilyard II (Simeon) had seven points (3-9 FG, 1-3 3PT) with two rebounds (one offensive), three assists, a turnover, and a -17 plus-minus in 16 minutes off the bench.
• Indiana Mad Ants defeated Salt Lake City Stars, 127-116.
  • Justin Harmon (Curie) had four points (2-5 FG) with a rebound, two assists, and a -2 plus-minus in 12 minutes off the bench.
  • Jahlil Okafor (Whitney Young) had nine points (3-6 FG, 3-3 FT) with 17 rebounds (seven offensive), six assists, a block, two turnovers, and a +14 plus-minus in 33 minutes.
• Delaware Blue Coats defeated Windy City Bulls, 116-97.
  • E.J. Liddell (Belleville West) had 29 points (10-21 FG, 3-12 3PT, 3-3 FT) with four rebounds (three offensive), three blocks, two turnovers, and a -24 plus-minus in 32 minutes.
  • Ben Coupet Jr. (Simeon) had 11 points (5-18 FG, 1-8 3PT, 0-1 FT) with eight rebounds (four offensive), two steals, and a -9 plus-minus in 36 minutes.
• Mexico City Capitanes defeated Iowa Wolves, 105-94.
  • Nojel Eastern (Evanston) had 10 points (4-8 FG, 1-2 FT) with nine rebounds (one offensive), four assists, three steals, two turnovers, and a -9 plus-minus in 35 minutes.
  • Chasson Randle (Rock Island) had seven points (3-10 FG, 1-3 3PT, 0-1 FT) with a rebound, four assists, a steal, two turnovers, and a -16 plus-minus.
• San Diego Clippers defeated Memphis Hustle, 124-117.
  • Lucas Williamson (Whitney Young) had 18 points (5-15 FG, 2-10 3PT, 1-2 FT) with seven rebounds, an assist, five steals, two turnovers, and a +19 plus-minus in 30 minutes.
  • Malachi Smith (Belleville West) had six points (2-6 FG, 0-3 3PT, 1-2 FT) with four rebounds, an assist, three turnovers, and a -22 plus-minus in 24 minutes off the bench.
  • Cam Christie (Rolling Meadows) had 16 points (7-12 FG, 0-5 3PT, 1-2 FT) with four rebounds (one offensive), five assists, three steals, a block, and a +13 plus-minus in 35 minutes.
  • RayJ Dennis (Oswego East) had 15 points (7-19 FG, 1-9 3PT, 0-2 FT) with three rebounds, four assists, three steals, a block, four turnovers, and a +9 plus-minus in 36 minutes.