Celtics Secure Comfortable Win Over Pelicans
The Boston Celtics defeated the New Orleans Pelicans, 107-97, at Smoothie King Center on Saturday night.
The Celtics (26-25) moved over the .500 threshold with a strong win over the Pelicans (18-31) and they didn't waste time to grab the lead following a 27-15 score in the opening 12 minutes. Boston bolstered that advantage following a 25-19 score in the second quarter and were in full control of the matchup by the time the halftime arrived. New Orleans played the second half with a different attitude and shortened the gap following a 36-26 score in the third quarter, but they could not complete the comeback. Boston tightened things up and secured the win following a 29-27 score in the final 12 minutes of action. Boston ended winning the game comfortably.
Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown were the best players for the Celtics once again and both surpassed the 30-point threshold. While Tatum led the way with 38 points, eight rebounds and seven assists, Brown chipped in with 31 points, three dimes and two boards. No other Boston starter scored in double digits in this game, but that was not needed given the fact that the team dominated so much. Jason Richardson had 10 points off the bench, Marcus Smart dished out 12 dimes and Robert Williams grabbed 16 boards.
Surprisingly, rookie Jose Alvarado was the best player for the Pelicans and he ended with 19 points and four rebounds coming off the bench. Willy Hernangomez had 14 points, and Josh Hart had a double-double of 10 points and 13 rebounds. Garrett Temple had 12 points.
The Celtics (26-25) moved over the .500 threshold with a strong win over the Pelicans (18-31) and they didn't waste time to grab the lead following a 27-15 score in the opening 12 minutes. Boston bolstered that advantage following a 25-19 score in the second quarter and were in full control of the matchup by the time the halftime arrived. New Orleans played the second half with a different attitude and shortened the gap following a 36-26 score in the third quarter, but they could not complete the comeback. Boston tightened things up and secured the win following a 29-27 score in the final 12 minutes of action. Boston ended winning the game comfortably.
Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown were the best players for the Celtics once again and both surpassed the 30-point threshold. While Tatum led the way with 38 points, eight rebounds and seven assists, Brown chipped in with 31 points, three dimes and two boards. No other Boston starter scored in double digits in this game, but that was not needed given the fact that the team dominated so much. Jason Richardson had 10 points off the bench, Marcus Smart dished out 12 dimes and Robert Williams grabbed 16 boards.
Surprisingly, rookie Jose Alvarado was the best player for the Pelicans and he ended with 19 points and four rebounds coming off the bench. Willy Hernangomez had 14 points, and Josh Hart had a double-double of 10 points and 13 rebounds. Garrett Temple had 12 points.
Mavs Dominate To Defeat Pacers
The Dallas Mavericks defeated the Indiana Pacers, 132-105, at Gainbridge Life Fieldhouse on Saturday afternoon.
The Mavericks (29-21) had no problems to get past the Pacers (18-33) in what was a dominant one-sided affair. Dallas jumped out to a 34-23 lead in the first quarter and they never looked back after that. Dallas, in fact, continued to bolster their advantage with a 38-37 score in the second quarter. Knowing they had a 12-point lead following the opening 24 minutes, Dallas didn't take the foot off the gas in the third quarter and outscored their rivals once again, this time by a 32-20 score. The game was all but over with 12 minutes left to play and Dallas also won the final quarter, closing things out with ease. It was a game where Dallas won with ease and led from start to finish.
Luka Doncic was the best player for the Mavericks and finished with 30 points, 12 assists and six rebounds, while Maxi Kleber posted a double-double of 15 points and 14 rebounds. Jalen Brunson ended with 13 points and eight dimes, while Kristaps Porzingis had just five points while playing only 11 minutes. Reggie Bullock posted 23 points off the bench, while Josh Green (12 points) and Dwight Powell (10 points) looked good off the bench.
Domantas Sabonis sniffed a triple-double in the loss and finished with 21 points, 15 rebounds and eight assists. Caris LeVert delivered 14 points and four assists, while rookie Chris Duarte ended with 12 points. Duane Washington Jr. notched 22 points, three rebounds and three assists off the bench, and Isaiah Jackson delivered 12 points and six rebounds before fouling out.
The Mavericks (29-21) had no problems to get past the Pacers (18-33) in what was a dominant one-sided affair. Dallas jumped out to a 34-23 lead in the first quarter and they never looked back after that. Dallas, in fact, continued to bolster their advantage with a 38-37 score in the second quarter. Knowing they had a 12-point lead following the opening 24 minutes, Dallas didn't take the foot off the gas in the third quarter and outscored their rivals once again, this time by a 32-20 score. The game was all but over with 12 minutes left to play and Dallas also won the final quarter, closing things out with ease. It was a game where Dallas won with ease and led from start to finish.
Luka Doncic was the best player for the Mavericks and finished with 30 points, 12 assists and six rebounds, while Maxi Kleber posted a double-double of 15 points and 14 rebounds. Jalen Brunson ended with 13 points and eight dimes, while Kristaps Porzingis had just five points while playing only 11 minutes. Reggie Bullock posted 23 points off the bench, while Josh Green (12 points) and Dwight Powell (10 points) looked good off the bench.
Domantas Sabonis sniffed a triple-double in the loss and finished with 21 points, 15 rebounds and eight assists. Caris LeVert delivered 14 points and four assists, while rookie Chris Duarte ended with 12 points. Duane Washington Jr. notched 22 points, three rebounds and three assists off the bench, and Isaiah Jackson delivered 12 points and six rebounds before fouling out.
Sixers Close Out Fourth Straight Win
By Dan Bruno
The Philadelphia 76ers defeated the visiting Sacramento Kings, 103-101, at Wells Fargo Center on Saturday evening.
The Kings got out to a strong start and held a four-point lead after one quarter, and they kept control in the second to push it to an 11-point game, by halftime. The Sixers came out stronger in the third and outscored the visitors by nine, to cut it to a two-point game heading into the final frame. They kept the momentum going in the fourth and overtook the lead mid way through the quarter. The Sixers stayed a step ahead the rest of the way and held on for their fourth straight win. This marks the sixth straight loss for the Kings.
Joel Embiid led the 76ers with 36 points, 12 rebounds, six assists and a block, in 34 minutes. Tobias Harris followed up with 16 points, eight rebounds, two assists and a steal, while Tyrese Maxey chipped in 13 points, two rebounds, seven assists and a steal. The 76ers shot 51 percent from the field, including 21-of-30 from long range.
Meanwhile, Tyrese Haliburton led the Kings with 38 points, three rebounds, seven assists and three steals, in 40 minutes. Harrison Barnes followed up with 16 points, eight rebounds and five assists, while Davion Mitchell chipped in 15 points, three rebounds, five assists and a steal. The Kings shot 44 percent from the field, including 15-of-35 from long range.
The Kings (18-33) will look to bounce back as they take on the Knicks in New York on Monday. The 76ers (30-19) play host to the Grizzlies on Monday.
The Kings got out to a strong start and held a four-point lead after one quarter, and they kept control in the second to push it to an 11-point game, by halftime. The Sixers came out stronger in the third and outscored the visitors by nine, to cut it to a two-point game heading into the final frame. They kept the momentum going in the fourth and overtook the lead mid way through the quarter. The Sixers stayed a step ahead the rest of the way and held on for their fourth straight win. This marks the sixth straight loss for the Kings.
Joel Embiid led the 76ers with 36 points, 12 rebounds, six assists and a block, in 34 minutes. Tobias Harris followed up with 16 points, eight rebounds, two assists and a steal, while Tyrese Maxey chipped in 13 points, two rebounds, seven assists and a steal. The 76ers shot 51 percent from the field, including 21-of-30 from long range.
Meanwhile, Tyrese Haliburton led the Kings with 38 points, three rebounds, seven assists and three steals, in 40 minutes. Harrison Barnes followed up with 16 points, eight rebounds and five assists, while Davion Mitchell chipped in 15 points, three rebounds, five assists and a steal. The Kings shot 44 percent from the field, including 15-of-35 from long range.
The Kings (18-33) will look to bounce back as they take on the Knicks in New York on Monday. The 76ers (30-19) play host to the Grizzlies on Monday.
Raptors Top Heat In Triple OT
By Dan Bruno
The Toronto Raptors defeated the host Miami Heat, 124-120, at FTX Arena on Saturday night.
The contest got out to a competitive start as the Raptors led, 28-27, after one quarter. The Raptors turned it up in the second and outscored the hosts by five points in the quarter, to take a six-point lead by halftime. The visitors stayed in control in the third and rallied to a game-high 16-point lead, before the Heat cut it to a 10-point game, heading into the fourth. The Heat started chipping away in the fourth and tied it up at 94, with 4:24 left in quarter. The score stayed tight the rest of the way and was tied at 100 at the end of regulation time. Neither team could break away in the first overtime period and the score was tied at 105, after the five minutes of action. The Heat jumped ahead early in the second OT period, but the Raptors rallied back to force triple overtime. The Heat scored the first bucket in the third OT period, but the Raptors took over the rest of the way and hung on for the hard-fought road win.
Gary Trent led the Raptors with 33 points, five rebounds and five steals, in 55 minutes. Pascal Siakam followed up with 21 points, 13 rebounds, six assists, four steals and four blocks, while OG Anunoby tallied 20 points, 14 rebounds, six assists, three steals and a block.
Jimmy Butler led the Heat with 37 points, 14 rebounds, 10 rebounds, three steals and two blocks, in 52 minutes. Gabe Vincent followed up with 17 points, three rebounds, four assists and a steal, while Bam Adebayo tallied 14 points, 16 rebounds, three steals and two blocks.
The Heat (32-18) will look to bounce back as they take on the Celtics on Monday. The Raptors (24-23) take on the Hawks in Atlanta on Monday.
The contest got out to a competitive start as the Raptors led, 28-27, after one quarter. The Raptors turned it up in the second and outscored the hosts by five points in the quarter, to take a six-point lead by halftime. The visitors stayed in control in the third and rallied to a game-high 16-point lead, before the Heat cut it to a 10-point game, heading into the fourth. The Heat started chipping away in the fourth and tied it up at 94, with 4:24 left in quarter. The score stayed tight the rest of the way and was tied at 100 at the end of regulation time. Neither team could break away in the first overtime period and the score was tied at 105, after the five minutes of action. The Heat jumped ahead early in the second OT period, but the Raptors rallied back to force triple overtime. The Heat scored the first bucket in the third OT period, but the Raptors took over the rest of the way and hung on for the hard-fought road win.
Gary Trent led the Raptors with 33 points, five rebounds and five steals, in 55 minutes. Pascal Siakam followed up with 21 points, 13 rebounds, six assists, four steals and four blocks, while OG Anunoby tallied 20 points, 14 rebounds, six assists, three steals and a block.
Jimmy Butler led the Heat with 37 points, 14 rebounds, 10 rebounds, three steals and two blocks, in 52 minutes. Gabe Vincent followed up with 17 points, three rebounds, four assists and a steal, while Bam Adebayo tallied 14 points, 16 rebounds, three steals and two blocks.
The Heat (32-18) will look to bounce back as they take on the Celtics on Monday. The Raptors (24-23) take on the Hawks in Atlanta on Monday.
Grizzlies Defeat Wizards, 115-95
The Memphis Grizzlies defeated the visiting Washington Wizards, 115-95, at FedEx Forum on Saturday.
Memphis started this game on a 14-3 run through the first four minutes, carrying them to a wire-to-wire win. That actually led to a 30-15 first quarter, with the Grizzlies leading by at least 11 points for the final three quarters. Memphis ended up out-rebounding Washington, 60-37, winning the offensive rebounding battle, 21-7. That allowed them to outscore the Wizards in the paint, 60-46, and in second-chance points, 36-7. The Grizzlies shot 46 percent from the field, 42 percent from three-point range and 83 percent from the free-throw line while holding the Wizards to 42 percent from the field, 35 percent from long range and 71 percent from the charity stripe.
The Wizards (23-26) were led by Kyle Kuzma, collecting 30 points, eight rebounds, three assists and three steals. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope compiled 15 points and two rebounds. Spencer Dinwiddie had 10 points, three rebounds and four assists, while Bradley Beal collected nine points and 12 assists on 2-of-11 shooting.
The Grizzlies (35-17) were led by Ja Morant, tallying 34 points, three rebounds and two assists. Desmond Bane totaled 19 points and four assists. Steven Adams amassed 10 points, 15 rebounds, four assists and three blocks, while Jaren Jackson Jr generated 10 points, seven rebounds, two assists, two steals and two blocks. De'Anthony Melton led the bench with 13 points and seven rebounds.
On deck for Memphis is a road matchup with the Philadelphia 76ers on Monday. As for Washington, they return to action on Tuesday in a road matchup with the Milwaukee Bucks.
Memphis started this game on a 14-3 run through the first four minutes, carrying them to a wire-to-wire win. That actually led to a 30-15 first quarter, with the Grizzlies leading by at least 11 points for the final three quarters. Memphis ended up out-rebounding Washington, 60-37, winning the offensive rebounding battle, 21-7. That allowed them to outscore the Wizards in the paint, 60-46, and in second-chance points, 36-7. The Grizzlies shot 46 percent from the field, 42 percent from three-point range and 83 percent from the free-throw line while holding the Wizards to 42 percent from the field, 35 percent from long range and 71 percent from the charity stripe.
The Wizards (23-26) were led by Kyle Kuzma, collecting 30 points, eight rebounds, three assists and three steals. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope compiled 15 points and two rebounds. Spencer Dinwiddie had 10 points, three rebounds and four assists, while Bradley Beal collected nine points and 12 assists on 2-of-11 shooting.
The Grizzlies (35-17) were led by Ja Morant, tallying 34 points, three rebounds and two assists. Desmond Bane totaled 19 points and four assists. Steven Adams amassed 10 points, 15 rebounds, four assists and three blocks, while Jaren Jackson Jr generated 10 points, seven rebounds, two assists, two steals and two blocks. De'Anthony Melton led the bench with 13 points and seven rebounds.
On deck for Memphis is a road matchup with the Philadelphia 76ers on Monday. As for Washington, they return to action on Tuesday in a road matchup with the Milwaukee Bucks.
Warriors Defeat Nets, 110-106
The Golden State Warriors defeated the visiting Brooklyn Nets, 110-106, at Chase Center on Saturday.
There were 12 ties and seven lead changes in this game, with six ties and four lead changes coming in the fourth quarter. Golden State actually had a game-high 19-point lead midway through the third quarter but a 25-4 run by Brooklyn made the final quarter a competitive one. With that said, Golden State finished the game on a 12-9 run across the closing three minutes to complete their win. The Warriors ended up out-rebounding the Nets, 55-51, while out-assisting them, 23-21. Golden State also has four starters score at least 16 points, while Brooklyn had just two starters reach double figures in scoring.
The Nets (29-20) were led by Kyrie Irving, collecting 32 points, seven rebounds, seven assists and three steals. Patty Mills provided 24 points, four rebounds, four assists, two steals and two blocks. Nicolas Claxton amassed nine points and eight rebounds. James Johnson led the bench with 14 points, four rebounds and two assists.
The Warriors (37-13) were led by Andrew Wiggins, accruing 24 points, eight rebounds, two assists, three steals and three blocks. Stephen Curry compiled 19 points, seven rebounds, eight assists and three steals. Klay Thompson totaled 16 points, six rebounds and two assists, while Otto Porter generated 16 points, six rebounds and four blocks. Jordan Poole led the bench with 17 points, three rebounds and six assists, while Kevon Looney snatched 15 rebounds to lead the team.
On deck for Golden State is a road matchup with the Houston Rockets on Monday. As for Brooklyn, they return to action on Tuesday in a road matchup with the Phoenix Suns.
There were 12 ties and seven lead changes in this game, with six ties and four lead changes coming in the fourth quarter. Golden State actually had a game-high 19-point lead midway through the third quarter but a 25-4 run by Brooklyn made the final quarter a competitive one. With that said, Golden State finished the game on a 12-9 run across the closing three minutes to complete their win. The Warriors ended up out-rebounding the Nets, 55-51, while out-assisting them, 23-21. Golden State also has four starters score at least 16 points, while Brooklyn had just two starters reach double figures in scoring.
The Nets (29-20) were led by Kyrie Irving, collecting 32 points, seven rebounds, seven assists and three steals. Patty Mills provided 24 points, four rebounds, four assists, two steals and two blocks. Nicolas Claxton amassed nine points and eight rebounds. James Johnson led the bench with 14 points, four rebounds and two assists.
The Warriors (37-13) were led by Andrew Wiggins, accruing 24 points, eight rebounds, two assists, three steals and three blocks. Stephen Curry compiled 19 points, seven rebounds, eight assists and three steals. Klay Thompson totaled 16 points, six rebounds and two assists, while Otto Porter generated 16 points, six rebounds and four blocks. Jordan Poole led the bench with 17 points, three rebounds and six assists, while Kevon Looney snatched 15 rebounds to lead the team.
On deck for Golden State is a road matchup with the Houston Rockets on Monday. As for Brooklyn, they return to action on Tuesday in a road matchup with the Phoenix Suns.