Ben Simmons nearly nailed a triple-double but it was team-mate Furkan Korkmaz who was the hero as the Philadelphia 76ers snuck home 129-128 against the Portland Trail Blazers and started their season with five straight wins.
There was less than half a second left in the game when the Turkish shooting guard lined up and drained a three-pointer to give the 76ers the lead.
Earlier, Australia's Simmons had given Philadelphia the lead with a pair of free throws that took them up to 126-125, before Portland's Anfernee Simons nailed his own three-pointer to put the Blazers ahead by two with just 2.6 seconds remaining on the clock.
🚨 FURKAN KORKMAZ FOR THE @SIXERS WIN! 🚨 #PHILAUNITE pic.twitter.com/cyr3xHqF9G — NBA (@NBA) November 3, 2019
Korkmaz's steely nerves and subsequent bucket ensured the 76ers remain the only undefeated team in the league this season.
Giannis Antetokounmpo promised an ill child from Make-A-Wish that the Milwaukee Bucks would win for him, and they got it done by beating the reigning champions the Toronto Raptors 115-105.
The Denver Nuggets beat the Orlando Magic 91-87, the Phoenix Suns finished 114-105 over the Memphis Grizzlies courtesy of 41 points from Aron Baynes and Devin Booker and the Minnesota Timberwolves increased their opening run to 4-1 with a 131-109 victory against the Washington Wizards.
The Golden State Warriors – without star guard Steph Curry due to a hand injury – could not get it done and lost 93-87 to Curry's father's old team, the Charlotte Hornets.
Derrick Rose was not on the court but his Detroit Pistons won 113-109 over the Brooklyn Nets and the Oklahoma Thunder finished 115-104 victors over the New Orleans Pelicans.
