NBA scores 2016: Kristaps Porzingis and Karl-Anthony Towns are too big to be this good

The two combined for 76 points in a seriously tall talent showcasing.

Dec 1, 2016, 1:00 PM UTC

NBA: New York Knicks at Minnesota Timberwolves

Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports

The big man has become somewhat of an anomaly in the NBA. In this small-ball era of basketball, teams either boast a traditional back-to-the-basket big, an athletic rim protector or a facilitator who can do a bit of both.

But for the T’Wolves and Knicks, their respective big men are far from traditional. Karl-Anthony Towns and Kristaps Porzingis, who finished first and second in last season’s Rookie of the Year award voting, put their unique talents on full display as New York survived a late Minnesota comeback attempt, 106-104, on Wednesday night.

With a dazzling array of inside-outside tools, Towns punished the Knicks for a career-high 47 points, 20 in the first quarter, on a ridiculously efficient 15-for-22 shooting. He grabbed 18 boards and rejected three shots, including this futile Derrick Rose lay-up.

Towns couldn’t nail a triple — he shot 0-for-3 from downtown — but drained 17 of his 20 free throw attempts. Porzingis, on the other hand, drilled three of his seven three-point attempts as part of his 29 points on the night. Even better, he had two amazing blocks to help keep the momentum swinging New York’s way.

One from the weak side on Shabazz Muhammad:

And one on Towns, who was hunting for a poster:

Porzingis and Towns are good friends, and in their second year in the NBA, they’re doing things no human beings their size should be doing. It will be incredible to watch them continue to develop.

Here are some other highlights around the NBA if you missed last night’s basketball festivities:

Dwight Howard failed miserably at being point guard

In certain circumstances, big men bring the ball up. That big man, clearly, should never be Dwight Howard.

Howard sent the rock careening off the backboard after a left-handed lead pass to Mike Muscala went awry. He should leave the point guard duties to Dennis Schröder.

Sixers-Kings game postponed due to wet floor

Some awesome investigative work here by The Philadelphia Inquirer’s Keith Pompey revealed the Wells Fargo Center’s floors were entirely too wet for basketball activity. The NBA ended up postponing the game to a later date. But not before Boogie Cousins had a bit of fun at the arena’s expense.

Russell Westbrook recorded his ninth triple-double

It’s almost becoming a daily occurrence. Russell Westbrook is going to get his as the Thunder continue their quest for a playoff appearance. He even knocked down the clutch three to send the game into overtime.

He’s staring down Oscar Robertson and there’s nothing anyone can do to stop him.

Wednesday’s top five performances

Karl-Anthony Towns: 47 points, 15-for-22 shooting, 18 rebounds

Towns did some amazing things against the Knicks, including a sweet post move on Kristaps Porzingis. He became the youngest player in Minnesota Timberwolves history to score 40 points and the ninth player in the past 30 years to put up 47 points and 18 rebounds.

Russell Westbrook: 35 points, 12-for-35 shooting, 14 rebounds, 11 assists

Westbrook’s triple-double against the Wizards was his fourth in as many games. You can question the efficiency, but you can’t question his heart.

Julius Randle: 13 points, 4-for-13 shooting, 20 rebounds

Randle was one of many bright spots on a Lakers team that had five players in double-digits in a win over the Bulls. Los Angeles is now 10-10 and looking to sneak into the Western Conference playoffs.