Around the Association: Luka Returns, Knicks Hold On, Heat Storm Back

This article is part of our NBA Daily Recap series.

Welcome to Around the Association!  Five days per week (Monday through Friday), 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 just a four-game slate last night. Here is all you need to know:

Nightly Notables

Heat come back against Detroit

• If you look at the final score of 100-92, you may assume that the Heat held a solid lead over the Pistons throughout the game. However, that was not the case and Detroit actually came into the fourth quarter leading 76-67. Tyler Herro was one of the key reasons Miami was able to come back and win. The early Sixth Man of the Year candidate recorded a season-high 31 points (12-21 FG, 4-8 3Pt, 3-4 FT), eight rebounds and three assists across 33 minutes.
  • Kyle Lowry ended the victory posting 15 points (4-10 FG, 1-6 3Pt, 6-6 FT), six rebounds, eight assists, two blocks and two steals over 35 minutes.
• Jerami Grant was Detroit's main source of offense as he has been for much of the year. The 27-year-old recorded  21 points (6-17 FG, 1-5 3Pt, 8-9 FT), seven rebounds, three assists and three steals over 35 minutes. He was the only Pistons' player to score more than 15 points.
  • With Killian Hayes (thumb) missing his second straight game, Cory Joseph started for Pistons once again. The veteran guard neared a double-double, finishing with nine points (4-7 FG, 0-2 3Pt, 1-1 FT), nine assists, three steals and two rebounds in 34 minutes. Joseph is averaging 7.0 points and 8.0 assists in 36.5 minutes per game over his two appearances starting for Hayes.

Knicks hold on against LeBron-less Lakers

• LeBron James served his one-game suspension while the Lakers headed into NYC to matchup against the Knicks. It was all New York early on as the Knicks led by 25 points in the first half. However, the Lakers were able to pull off a spirited comeback, only to end up losing to New York 106-100. Evan Fournier found his stroke back offensively. The first-year Knick scored his most points since the team's season debut, finishing with 26 points (8-14 FG, 6-9 3Pt, 4-4 FT). This was a big showing for Fournier, as he has scored less than seven points in five of his last seven appearances.
  • Julius Randle helped push the Knicks to victory with 20 points (7-17 FG, 1-5 3Pt, 5-8 FT), 16 rebounds, five assists and one steal in 33 minutes.
• Russell Westbrook was great during the Lakers' comeback bid and finished with his third triple-double over his last nine showings. The veteran point guard ended with 31 points (10-18 FG, 3-6 3Pt, 8-9 FT), 13 rebounds, 10 assists and two steals in 37 minutes.
  • Anthony Davis came into Tuesday night as a game-time decision but ended up playing and finishing with 20 points (7-17 FG, 1-2 3Pt, 5-11 FT), six rebounds and three assists in 33 minutes of play in the loss.

Luka wins return in OT against Clips

• Luka Doncic missed three straight games dealing with leg injuries but was able to come back for Tuesday's battle against the Clippers. Dallas was up late in the contest before Paul George and the Clippers were able to force overtime. The Mavs were able to find their footing in OT and won the game by a margin of 112-104, allowing just one point in the extra period. Doncic was able to come close to a triple-double in his first game back, finishing with 26 points (9-21 FG, 4-11 3Pt, 4-4 FT), nine rebounds, nine assists, two blocks and one steal over 41 minutes.
  • Even with Doncic back in the lineup, Kristaps Porzingis continued his solid play. The big finished Tuesday's contest with 30 points (9-16 FG, 2-5 3Pt, 10-10 FT), seven rebounds, one assist, one block and one steal in 40 minutes. Porzingis has averaged 26.0 points and 9.3 points over his last seven appearances.
• Paul George did his best to help push the Clippers over the Mavericks. The wing scored 11 out of LA's last 12 points in regulation, including a wild three from the corner to send the game to overtime. George ended the contest with 26 points (7-23 FG, 1-6 3Pt, 11-12 FT), nine rebounds, six assists and one block in 48 minutes.
  • Reggie Jackson was also great for the Clippers in the losing effort. The veteran guard recorded a season-high 31 points (12-23 FG, 3-8 3Pt, 4-6 FT), 10 rebounds, three steals and two assists in 42 minutes.

Best and Worst of the Night

• Stud of the Night: CJ McCollum -- 32 points (13-19 FG, 5-9 3Pt, 1-3 FT), three rebounds, three assists and two steals in 34 minutes.
• Dud of the Night: Talen Horton-Tucker -- Zero points (0-8 FG, 0-2 3Pt), four assists, two rebounds, one steal and one block in 28 minutes.

Quick Hitters

• CJ McCollum was able to help push Portland to a 119-100 victory over the Nikola Jokic-less Nuggets. He finished the contest with 32 points (13-19 FG, 5-9 3Pt, 1-3 FT), three rebounds, three assists and two steals in 34 minutes.
  • Damian Lillard also continues to find his stroke for the Trail Blazers. The All-Star guard ended the contest with 25 points (9-13 FG, 5-8 3Pt, 2-2 FT), five assists, three rebounds and one steal in 31 minutes of play. Lillard is shooting 44.4 percent from deep over his last five contests while shooting 9.0 attempts per game.
  • This Greg Brown highlight put the cherry on top for Portland:

• Jeff Green had his best outing for the Nuggets this season as Jokic remained sidelined. The veteran big recorded 24 points (9-16 FG, 3-4 3Pt, 3-3 FT), four rebounds three assists and three blocks in 34 minutes.
  • Monte Morris was efficient for the Nuggets during their loss as well, finishing with 16 points (7-11 FG, 2-3 3Pt), two rebounds and two assists in 30 minutes
• Talen Horton-Tucker started his season on an incredibly hot note, but has since then fallen back down to earth. THT recorded 23.3 points and 7.3 rebounds per game over his first three showings of the year, but has only averaged 3.3 points and 3.3 rebounds over his last three contests.
• Luka Garza made his first career start with Isaiah Stewart (suspension) and Kelly Olynyk (knee) out. The Iowa product finished the contest with seven points (3-5 FG, 1-1 3Pt), three rebounds, two assists and one turnover in 17 minutes of play.

A Look Ahead to Wednesday Night 

• Red-hot Jayson Tatum and the Boston Celtics matchup against the KD and the Nets.
• The Suns look for 14 straight wins when Cleveland comes to town
• The Miami Heat match up against the Timberwolves in their yearly trip to Minnesota.
• Alvin Gentry looks for his first win as the Kings' head coach when the Trail Blazers come to town.