NBA scores 2017: 5 things you need to know from the NBA on Christmas Day

Christmas Day was stacked with five back-to-back games featuring three MVP winners, and a ton of promising young talent. None was more high-stakes than the afternoon matinee between the reigning champs and the runner-up.

A controversial ending saw the Warriors edge out the Cavaliers in the final few minutes, 99-92, without Steph Curry, who sat with a sprained ankle. LeBron James was fouled by Kevin Durant three times on two possessions (though Durant doesn’t think they were fouls) in the final minute, and Golden State cruised through what was an otherwise quiet game.

Here’s the first foul:

And here are the second and third:

James had 20 points, six rebounds and six assists, while Kevin Love went off for Cleveland with 31 points and 18 rebounds. Draymond Green triple-doubled with 12 points, 12 rebounds and 11 assists, and Durant had 25 points and seven rebounds.

Redick scored 24 points on 10 shots and Embiid had 25 points and 16 rebounds to beat the Knicks, 105-98. The Sixers played far from a complete game, but it was enough to outlast Enes Kanter’s 31 points and 22 rebounds, and Kristaps Porzingis’ 22.

T.J. McConnell was a bench spark as well with 15 points, five rebounds and four assists.

These aren’t the same blackout funeral game Washington and Boston teams since the Celtics let go of Jae Crowder, Isaiah Thomas and Avery Bradley, and added a Morris twin. But these teams still played close — with some slight trash talking to go along.

Bradley Beal’s 25 points lifted Washington, 111-103, and John Wall added 21 points and 14 assists. Wall didn’t hear the end of it from Kyrie Irving, though, when he missed a highlight dunk.

Irving’s 20 points were matched by Jayson Tatum in the loss.

The Thunder’s offense is on the ups in the month of December, and because of it, they’re 11-3 in the month, including a 112-107 Christmas Day win over Houston.

Russell Westbrook, Carmelo Anthony and Paul George combined for 75 points on 51 shots for OKC, and the MVP’s 31 led all scorers. It was another clutch win for Oklahoma City, which won its eighth game within five points.

James Harden had 29 points, 14 assists and eight rebounds, Eric Gordon and Trevor Ariza each had 20, and Clint Capela had 19, but it wasn’t enough to overcome the absence of Chris Paul.

With both Lonzo Ball and Brandon Ingram sidelined, it was time for Lakers’ rookie Kyle Kuzma to take over, and that is exactly what he did. Kuzma’s 31 points led all scorers in the game and he had the best Christmas Day outing for a rookie since LeBron James scored 34 points in 2003.

Kuzma finished the night with six three-pointers, but the rookie can do more than just score. He can play defense and is a willing passer.

The Timberwolves should have won this game, and they did, but Kyle Kuzma stole the show.

76ers 105, Knicks 98 (Liberty Ballers recap | Posting & Toasting recap | SB Nation recap)

Warriors 99, Cavaliers 92 (Golden State of Mind recap | SB Nation recap)

Wizards 111, Celtics 103 (Bullets Forever recap | Celtics Blog recap | SB Nation recap)

Thunder 112, Rockets 107 (WTLC recap | The Dream Shake recap)

Timberwolves 121, Lakers 104 (Canis Hoopus recap | Silver Screen and Roll recap)