Around the Association: Heat Keep Rolling, CP3 Passes Nash, Cade Cunningham Struggles

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 an exciting five-game slate Tuesday, here is all you need to know: 

Nightly Notables

Heat keep rolling

• The Miami Heat traveled to Dallas and defeated the Mavericks, 125-110. Kyle Lowry has been a major addition to the Heat team and is one of the main reasons they sit at 6-1 to start the season. The veteran guard finished with a season-high 22 points (7-10 FG, 6-9 3Pt, 2-2 FT), nine assists, five rebounds and one turnover in 35 minutes of action.
  • Bam Adebayo and Jimmy Butler were also great in the win. Butler was aggressive throughout and finished with 23 points (4-11 FG, 0-1 3Pt, 15-17 FT), six rebounds, six assists, three steals, one block in 33 minutes. Adebayo recorded 22 points (8-18 FG, 6-7 FT), 12 rebounds, two blocks, one assist and two turnovers in 33 minutes.
• Luka Doncic was just ridiculous on the other side of the ball. The All-Star facilitator finished with 33 points (10-24 FG, 3-9 3Pt, 10-12 FT), five assists, three rebounds and three turnovers in 35 minutes.
  • Jalen Brunson earned his first start of the season as coach Jason Kidd opted to shift things up with Kristaps Porzingis (back) and Maxi Kleber (oblique) both out. The Villanova product showed out once again, scoring 25 points (10-13 FG, 2-2 3Pt, 3-5 FT), seven rebounds, three assists and three turnovers in 30 minutes.

Lakers' stars shine in thriller

• The Lakers came into Tuesday's matchup against the Rockets as heavy favorites, but the game came down to the wire. Despite big showings from the Lakers' big three, the Rockets actually had a lead for most of the game. LeBron James ended up being too much, finishing with 30 points (13-21 FF, 2-4 3Pt, 2-2 FT), 10 assists, four rebounds, two steals and four turnovers in 36 minutes. The 36-year-old looks incredibly fresh and simply overpowered Houston down the stretch, finishing with 14 points in the fourth quarter.
  • Anthony Davis and Russell Westbrook both also impressed during the close win. Davis finished with 27 points (11-18 FG, 0-3 3Pt, 4-8 FT), nine rebounds assists, three blocks, two steals, four turnovers in 32 minutes. Westbrook matched Davis' scoring total with 27 of his own points (10-21 FG, 0-4 3Pt, 7-8 FT) to go with nine rebounds, seven assists, one steal, three turnovers in 37 minutes.
• Christian Wood impressed for the Rockets in the loss. The forward recorded 26 points (11-19 FG, 3-9 3PT, 1-5 FT), 16 rebounds three assists, one steal and one turnover. While Wood's scoring average of 19.2 points per game is nearly two points fewer than last season, his 11.5 rebounds per game would mark a new career-high for the 26-year-old

Paul passes Nash in win

• In what ended up being a competitive game between the Suns and the Pelicans, Phoenix fought back from an early deficit to prevail 112-100. Chris Paul had a monster outing, finishing with 14 points (6-8 FG, 2-2 FT), 18 assists, seven rebounds, one block, one steal and four turnovers in 36 minutes. The veteran point guard passed Steve Nash on the all-time assist leaderboard and Paul now ranks third all-time.
• Despite yet another loss, Jonas Valanciunas will not stop racking up double-doubles. The big finished with 23 points (9-16 FG, 3-4 3Pt, 2-2 FT), 14 rebounds, two assists, two blocks, one steal and five turnovers in 35 minutes. JV has ripped off six straight double-doubles while averaging 22.0 points and 16.0 rebounds in that span. The veteran big ranks as the 10th-best player on a per-game basis in nine-category leagues to start the season.

Best and Worst of the Night

• Stud of the Night: Donovan Mitchell -- 32 points (14-30 FG, 5-12 3Pt, 3-4 FT), eight rebounds, six assists, one steal and three turnovers in 32 minutes
• Dud of the Night: Cade Cunningham -- Six points (2-14 FG, 0-9 3Pt, 2-2 FT), three assists, two rebounds and two turnovers in 29 minutes
• Rookie of the Night: Jalen Green --  24 points (9-15 FG, 5-10 3Pt, 1-2 FT), five assists, two rebounds and seven turnovers in 38 minutes

Quick Hitters

• Giannis Antetokounmpo was dominant, as usual, against Detroit during Milwaukee's 117-89 win. The Greek Freak finished with 28 points (9-16 FG, 3-7 3Pt, 7-7 FT), nine assists, eight rebounds, four blocks and three turnovers in just 26 minutes. With Milwaukee dealing with several key injuries, the two-time MVP has averaged 30.2 points, 10.8 rebounds and 6.8 assists per game over his last five contests
  • Pat Connaughton was sharp in the win, as well. The Notre Dame product recorded 16 points (6-8 FG, 4-5 3Pt), three rebounds, two assists and two steals in 25 minutes.
  • Milwaukee was again without three starters in Khris Middleton, Jrue Holiday and Brook Lopez
• Jerami Grant was the only Pistons' player to get anything going in the loss. The wing scored 21 points (8-13 FG, 4-8 3Pt, 1-2 FT) to go with two rebounds, one assist, one steal and a block in 23 minutes. After scoring a career-high 22.3 points per game last season, Grant is down to just 16.8 points per game this year.
  • Making his second NBA appearance, Cade Cunningham had a tough night. More on that below.
• The Jazz and Kings ended up playing in a decently competitive matchup that ended with Utah winning 119-113 behind an incredible performance from Donovan Mitchell. The star guard, who briefly exited the game with an ankle injury, finished with 32 points (14-30 FG, 5-12 3Pt, 3-4 FT), eight rebounds, six assists, one steal and three turnovers in 32 minutes of action. Mitchell is finding his stride as of late, averaging 31.3 points per game over his las three showings.
• Mike Conley was also really sharp in the Jazz's victory. The smooth operator recorded a season-high 30 points (11-19 FG, 6-9 3Pt, 2-2 FT), three rebounds, two assists, one steal and four turnovers in 30 minutes. Conley was on fire throughout and a huge key in Utah's victory.
• Harrison Barnes continued his career season with a team-high 23 points (7-14 FG, 2-5 3Pt, 7-9 FT) to go with six rebounds and two turnovers in 35 minutes. The veteran ranks as the 18th-best nine-category player on a per-game basis to start the season.
• It was yet another rough night from the field for De'Aaron Fox. The speed demon finished with 13 points (4-15 FG, 0-4 3Pt, 5-7 FT), nine assists, three steals, two rebounds, one block and three turnovers before fouling out in 35 minutes. Fox's 17.7 points per game is nearly eight points less than last season, and he is shooting just 36.4 percent from the field to start the season. It really has not been pretty to start the year, but this might be the best time to buy low on the Kentucky product, who's down to 63.2 percent at the line and 15.4 percent from three -- obviously both horrific figures for a point guard.
  • Tyrese Haliburton really did not shoot the ball well either, but I was impressed with his game Tuesday night. The second-year pro scored 14 points (6-16 FG, 1-3 3Pt, 1-2 FT) to go with three rebounds, three assists, two blocks, one steal and one turnover in 31 minutes. The young guard looks more composed in Year 2.
• Tyler Herro continues to light it up off the bench for the Heat. The Kentucky product scored a team-high 25 points (11-20 FG, 3-6 3Pt) while also recording four assists and three rebounds 35 minutes. The third-year-pro is averaging a career-high 22.4 points per game to start the year and is making a strong early case to be the Sixth Man of the Year.
• Mikal Bridges had one his best showings of the season during Phoenix's win. The two-way wing scored a season-best 22 points (9-15 FG, 2-4 3Pt, 2-2 FT) to go with one rebound, one assist and one turnover in 41 minutes.
• The Suns were without Deandre Ayton during the win, but JaVale McGee stepped up in his absence. The Olympic gold-medalist ended the game with 18 points (7-10 FG, 4-5 FT), five rebounds, one block and four turnovers in 19 minutes.
  • Frank Kaminsky also put up his best showing of the season with 17 points (5-8 FG, 1-2 3Pt, 6-6 FT), three rebounds, three assists, four steals, one block and one turnover in 28 minutes. The Wisconsin product is an interesting DFS value play whenever Ayton sits.
• Josh Hart neared a double-double in the loss. The veteran wing recorded 16 points (6-11 FG, 2-5 3Pt, 2-2 FT), nine rebounds, three assists, one block and one turnover in 30 minutes of action. Hart has started the last two games without Brandon Ingram (hip), averaging 16.0 points and 8.5 rebounds in 30.0 minutes during that span.

Rookie Report

• Cade Cunningham: Six points (2-14 FG, 0-9 3Pt, 2-2 FT), three assists, two rebounds and two turnovers in 29 minutes.
  • Well, game No. 2 for the Oklahoma State product was ugly, to say the least. Cunningham has shot just 3-of-33 from the field to start his career, including a ghastly 0-of-14 from three. However, it has only been two games, and he didn't play a single minute during the preseason. It is still way too early to be worried about him, but Pistons fans will be watching closely as the team enters a Thursday/Friday back-to-back against Philly and Brooklyn.
• Jalen Green: 24 points (9-15 FG, 5-10 3Pt, 1-2 FT), five assists, two rebounds and seven turnovers in 38 minutes
  • While Cunningham struggled from the field Tuesday, Green had one of his better outings of the season. Despite the seven turnovers, the G League Ignite product was able to drop in 24 points during the loss. Green almost even led the Rockets to an improbable comeback with this unbelievable shot:

• Davion Mitchell: 18 points (7-15 FG, 2-7 3Pt, 2-4 FT), four rebounds, two assists, one block and two turnovers in 29 minutes
  • The Baylor product had one of his best games of the season during Tuesday's loss. This was just Mitchell's second time scoring double-digits for the Kings, so it is still hard to trust the young guard in most fantasy formats at this time.
• Alperen Sengun: Six points (3-7 FG, 0-1 3Pt), four rebounds, four assists, one steal and five turnovers in 26 minutes
  • With Daniel Theis (foot) ruled out, the Turkish big made his first career start Tuesday night. It was not exactly pretty, but it is encouraging to see Sengun finally get over 25 minutes this early on his career. If Theis is forced to remain out, Sengun does emerge as an interesting fantasy option if he is going to continue to see 25-plus minutes. Already, he's emerged as a surprisingly strong source of steals.
• Trey Murphy: Eight points (3-11 FG, 2-6 3Pt), five rebounds, one assist, one steal and one turnover in 24 minutes.
  • Eight games into Murphy's career and the sharpshooting wing is still looking for the first double-digit scoring effort of his season. Murphy also continues to come off the bench while fellow rookie Herbert Jones starts for New Orleans. Murphy looked great in the preseason, and he's shot the three well thus far, but his role hasn't been quite big enough to warrant starting consideration in most leagues.
• Herbert Jones: Eight points (4-5 FG), two rebounds, one assist and one steal in 19 minutes
  • As mentioned, Jones is continuing to start for New Orleans as the Pelicans deal with injuries. The Alabama product actually added to the team's mounting injury report as he exited the game with a concussion. His absence may lead to more minutes for Murphy going forward.
• Austin Reaves: Two points (1-3 FG, 0-2 3Pt), two rebounds one steal, one block, one turnover in 21 minutes
  • The rookie out of Oklahoma continues to see regular minutes for the banged- up Lakers. It really is a jarring sight to see him out there running alongside LeBron James, Russell Westbrook and Anthony Davis. Despite the 23-year-old seeing 20.0 minutes per game, Reeves is not being used enough to warrant any fantasy attention. Once Kendrick Nunn, Wayne Ellington and Talen Horton-Tucker return, Reaves could be phased out of the rotation altogether.

Looking ahead to Wednesday night

• The 6-1 Bulls travel to Philly to take on the 5-2 Sixers, who will be without Tobias Harris.
• Trae Young and the Hawks battle with the Nets in an Eastern Conference matchup
• LaMelo Ball gets to face off against Stephen Curry for the first time this season
• The Mavericks and Spurs tango in the Lone Star State