Pelicans Rally To Get Past Pistons
The New Orleans Pelicans defeated the Detroit Pistons, 111-101, at Little Ceasars Arena on Tuesday night.
The Pistons (12-38) enjoyed a good start and looked in control early on, but the Pelicans (19-32) managed to mount a comeback and escaped with the victory. Detroit jumped out to a 33-31 lead in the first quarter and bolstered that lead following a 32-26 score in the second period. New Orleans responded with a 27-22 score in the third quarter but were still down with only 12 minutes left on the game. However, New Orleans completed the comeback with a 27-14 score in the final 12 minutes of the game. The second-half comeback saw the Pelicans limit Detroit to just 36 second-half points after they surpassed the 30-point mark in each of the first two quarters.
Brandon Ingram was the best player for the Pelicans and ended with 26 points, four assists and three rebounds, while Jonas Valanciunas recorded a double-double of 13 points and 13 rebounds. No other New Orleans starter scored in double digits but the bench stepped it up as four players recorded 10 or more points. Nickel Alexander-Walker had 14 points and Trey Murphy III had 12 points with five rebounds. Meanwhile, Willy Hernangomez had 11 points and Jose Alvarado had 10 points with six dimes.
Jerami Grant scored 17 points in his return, while Cory Joseph was the leading scorer for Detroit since he delivered 18 points and three assists. Isaiah Stewart had 11 rebounds and also scored eight points. Frank Jackson had 14 points off the bench and Hamidou Diallo also ended with 12 points.
The Pistons (12-38) enjoyed a good start and looked in control early on, but the Pelicans (19-32) managed to mount a comeback and escaped with the victory. Detroit jumped out to a 33-31 lead in the first quarter and bolstered that lead following a 32-26 score in the second period. New Orleans responded with a 27-22 score in the third quarter but were still down with only 12 minutes left on the game. However, New Orleans completed the comeback with a 27-14 score in the final 12 minutes of the game. The second-half comeback saw the Pelicans limit Detroit to just 36 second-half points after they surpassed the 30-point mark in each of the first two quarters.
Brandon Ingram was the best player for the Pelicans and ended with 26 points, four assists and three rebounds, while Jonas Valanciunas recorded a double-double of 13 points and 13 rebounds. No other New Orleans starter scored in double digits but the bench stepped it up as four players recorded 10 or more points. Nickel Alexander-Walker had 14 points and Trey Murphy III had 12 points with five rebounds. Meanwhile, Willy Hernangomez had 11 points and Jose Alvarado had 10 points with six dimes.
Jerami Grant scored 17 points in his return, while Cory Joseph was the leading scorer for Detroit since he delivered 18 points and three assists. Isaiah Stewart had 11 rebounds and also scored eight points. Frank Jackson had 14 points off the bench and Hamidou Diallo also ended with 12 points.
Bucks Dominate In Win Over Wizards
The Milwaukee Bucks defeated the Washington Wizards, 112-98, at Fiserv Forum on Tuesday night.
The Bucks (32-21) had a dominant performance to get past the Wizards (23-27) at home. Milwaukee quickly jumped out to a 24-20 lead in the first quarter and didn't look back the rest of the way after a 29-20 score in the second quarter. Washington showed signs of life following a 33-25 score in the third quarter, but Milwaukee didn't allow them to mount a comeback. They won the final 12 minutes by a 34-25 score and that allowed them to win the game with ease.
Giannis Antetokounmpo lifted the Milwaukee with a triple-double of 33 points, 15 rebounds and 11 assists. Jrue Holiday had 22 points and five rebounds, and Bobby Portis delivered 17 points with seven rebounds. Khris Middleton recorded 13 points and five rebounds while also adding three assists, and Grayson Allen posted 10 points, six rebounds and six assists.
Kyle Kuzma had 25 points and 11 rebounds, but his efforts were not enough. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope had 12 points and two assists. No other Washington starter scored in double digits but Montrezl Harrell stepped his game up from the bench. He ended with 20 points and five rebounds.
The Bucks (32-21) had a dominant performance to get past the Wizards (23-27) at home. Milwaukee quickly jumped out to a 24-20 lead in the first quarter and didn't look back the rest of the way after a 29-20 score in the second quarter. Washington showed signs of life following a 33-25 score in the third quarter, but Milwaukee didn't allow them to mount a comeback. They won the final 12 minutes by a 34-25 score and that allowed them to win the game with ease.
Giannis Antetokounmpo lifted the Milwaukee with a triple-double of 33 points, 15 rebounds and 11 assists. Jrue Holiday had 22 points and five rebounds, and Bobby Portis delivered 17 points with seven rebounds. Khris Middleton recorded 13 points and five rebounds while also adding three assists, and Grayson Allen posted 10 points, six rebounds and six assists.
Kyle Kuzma had 25 points and 11 rebounds, but his efforts were not enough. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope had 12 points and two assists. No other Washington starter scored in double digits but Montrezl Harrell stepped his game up from the bench. He ended with 20 points and five rebounds.
Raptors Close Out Third Straight Win
By Dan Bruno
The Toronto Raptors defeated the visiting Miami Heat, 110-106, at Scotiabank Arena on Tuesday evening.
The Heat jumped out to a strong start and led, 32-22, after one quarter. They kept the upper hand through the second and pushed their lead to 12 points, heading into the break. The Raptors responded in the third, where they outscored the visitors by nine, to cut it to a three-point game heading into the final frame. The Raptors kept the momentum going in the fourth, as they rallied in front and held on the rest of the way to close out their third straight win.
Gary Trent Jr. led the Raptors with 33 points on 11-of-20 shooting, including 5-of-8 from long range, in 41 minutes of action. Fred VanVleet followed up with 21 points, four rebounds, six assists, three steals and a block, while Pascal Siakam totaled 16 points, 14 rebounds, four assists and three steals. The Raptors shot 48 percent from the field, including 12-of-26 from long range.
Meanwhile, Bam Adebayo led the Heat with 32 points, 11 rebounds, two assists, two blocks and a steal, in 35 minutes. Tyler Herro followed up with 18 points, three rebounds and five assists, while Jimmy Butler logged 16 points, eight rebounds, 12 assists and two steals. The Heat shot 49 percent from the field, including 8-of-30 from deep.
The Heat (32-20) will look to bounce back as they take on the Spurs in San Antonio on Thursday. The Raptors (26-23) play host to the Bulls on Thursday.
The Heat jumped out to a strong start and led, 32-22, after one quarter. They kept the upper hand through the second and pushed their lead to 12 points, heading into the break. The Raptors responded in the third, where they outscored the visitors by nine, to cut it to a three-point game heading into the final frame. The Raptors kept the momentum going in the fourth, as they rallied in front and held on the rest of the way to close out their third straight win.
Gary Trent Jr. led the Raptors with 33 points on 11-of-20 shooting, including 5-of-8 from long range, in 41 minutes of action. Fred VanVleet followed up with 21 points, four rebounds, six assists, three steals and a block, while Pascal Siakam totaled 16 points, 14 rebounds, four assists and three steals. The Raptors shot 48 percent from the field, including 12-of-26 from long range.
Meanwhile, Bam Adebayo led the Heat with 32 points, 11 rebounds, two assists, two blocks and a steal, in 35 minutes. Tyler Herro followed up with 18 points, three rebounds and five assists, while Jimmy Butler logged 16 points, eight rebounds, 12 assists and two steals. The Heat shot 49 percent from the field, including 8-of-30 from deep.
The Heat (32-20) will look to bounce back as they take on the Spurs in San Antonio on Thursday. The Raptors (26-23) play host to the Bulls on Thursday.
Bulls Defeat Magic, 126-115
The Chicago Bulls defeated the visiting Orlando Magic, 126-115, at United Center on Tuesday.
While this game was tied with four minutes remaining, Chicago finished on an 11-0 run to complete their win. They actually held the Magic scoreless for the final 5:34, missing their final eight shots. With that said, Chicago won all four individual quarters and held the lead for all but one minute after the opening quarter. The Bulls shot 51 percent from the field and 37 percent from three-point range while holding the Magis below 50 percent from the field and 36 percent from long range. In addition, Chicago out-rebounded Orlando, 49-36.
The Magic (11-41) were led by Wendell Carter Jr, collecting 24 points, eight rebounds and six assists on 11-of-15 from the field. Franz Wagner amassed 22 points, two rebounds and three assists. Cole Anthony compiled 20 points, six rebounds and nine assists, while Jalen Suggs had nine points, five rebounds and seven assists.
The Bulls (32-18) were led by DeMar DeRozan and his 29 points, 10 rebounds, five assists and two steals. Zach LaVine accrued 26 points, five rebounds and three assists. Nikola Vucevic generated 18 points, 13 rebounds, two assists and three blocks. Ayo Dosumnu totaled 13 points and nine assists. All of those guys shot above 50 percent from the field.
On deck for Orlando is a road matchup with the Indiana Pacers on Wednesday. As for Chicago, they return to action on Thursday in a road matchup with the Toronto Raptors.
While this game was tied with four minutes remaining, Chicago finished on an 11-0 run to complete their win. They actually held the Magic scoreless for the final 5:34, missing their final eight shots. With that said, Chicago won all four individual quarters and held the lead for all but one minute after the opening quarter. The Bulls shot 51 percent from the field and 37 percent from three-point range while holding the Magis below 50 percent from the field and 36 percent from long range. In addition, Chicago out-rebounded Orlando, 49-36.
The Magic (11-41) were led by Wendell Carter Jr, collecting 24 points, eight rebounds and six assists on 11-of-15 from the field. Franz Wagner amassed 22 points, two rebounds and three assists. Cole Anthony compiled 20 points, six rebounds and nine assists, while Jalen Suggs had nine points, five rebounds and seven assists.
The Bulls (32-18) were led by DeMar DeRozan and his 29 points, 10 rebounds, five assists and two steals. Zach LaVine accrued 26 points, five rebounds and three assists. Nikola Vucevic generated 18 points, 13 rebounds, two assists and three blocks. Ayo Dosumnu totaled 13 points and nine assists. All of those guys shot above 50 percent from the field.
On deck for Orlando is a road matchup with the Indiana Pacers on Wednesday. As for Chicago, they return to action on Thursday in a road matchup with the Toronto Raptors.
Timberwolves Roll Past Nuggets
By Dan Bruno
The Minnesota Timberwolves defeated the visiting Denver Nuggets, 130-115, at Target Center on Tuesday evening.
The contest got out to a tight start as the Timberwolves led, 30-28, after one quarter. The hosts picked up momentum in the second, where they outscored the Nuggets by 16 points, to take an 18-point lead into the break. The visitors had no answers in the third, as the Timberwolves added another four points to their advantage, to take a 22-point lead into the final frame. The Nuggets put up a fight in the fourth, but it was too little, too late, as the Timberwolves cruised to their second straight win.
Karl-Anthony Towns led the Timberwolves with 24 points, 10 rebounds, seven assists, two steals and a block, in 28 minutes. Taurean Prince followed up with 23 points, nine rebounds, two assists, two steals and a block, while Jarred Vanderbilt totaled 18 points, nine rebounds, two assists and a steal. The Timberwolves shot 49.5 percent from the field, including 19-of-45 from deep.
Meanwhile, Nikola Jokic led the Nuggets with 21 points, 16 rebounds, eight assists and a steal, in 30 minutes. Will Barton logged 13 points, three rebounds, three assists and a steal, while Monte Morris chipped in 13 points, two rebounds, three assists and two steals. The Nuggets shot 43 percent from the field, including 14-of-44 from long range.
The Nuggets (28-22) will look to bounce back as they take on the Jazz in Utah on Wednesday. The Timberwolves (26-25) take on the Pistons in Detroit on Thursday.
The contest got out to a tight start as the Timberwolves led, 30-28, after one quarter. The hosts picked up momentum in the second, where they outscored the Nuggets by 16 points, to take an 18-point lead into the break. The visitors had no answers in the third, as the Timberwolves added another four points to their advantage, to take a 22-point lead into the final frame. The Nuggets put up a fight in the fourth, but it was too little, too late, as the Timberwolves cruised to their second straight win.
Karl-Anthony Towns led the Timberwolves with 24 points, 10 rebounds, seven assists, two steals and a block, in 28 minutes. Taurean Prince followed up with 23 points, nine rebounds, two assists, two steals and a block, while Jarred Vanderbilt totaled 18 points, nine rebounds, two assists and a steal. The Timberwolves shot 49.5 percent from the field, including 19-of-45 from deep.
Meanwhile, Nikola Jokic led the Nuggets with 21 points, 16 rebounds, eight assists and a steal, in 30 minutes. Will Barton logged 13 points, three rebounds, three assists and a steal, while Monte Morris chipped in 13 points, two rebounds, three assists and two steals. The Nuggets shot 43 percent from the field, including 14-of-44 from long range.
The Nuggets (28-22) will look to bounce back as they take on the Jazz in Utah on Wednesday. The Timberwolves (26-25) take on the Pistons in Detroit on Thursday.
Short-handed Warriors Edge Spurs, 124-120
The Golden State Warriors defeated the San Antonio Spurs at AT & T Center on Tuesday night.
The Warriors (39-13) had just endured a wire-to-wire battle against the Rockets on Monday night and were playing without Stephen Curry (toe), Klay Thompson (rest), Andrew Wiggins (knee) and Draymond Green (back) , so it wasn't a major surprise when the Spurs (19-33) appeared to be the crisper team in the first half. San Antonio racked up 69 points over the first two quarters to take an eight-point advantage into intermission, and when the hosts added another seven points to their edge in the third, it appeared Golden State was headed to its 10th road loss of the season. However, a 22-8 run over the final 6:55 would end up sealing the hard-fought win for the visitors, with a Jordan Poole three-pointer and a pair of Damion Lee free throws in the last 17.9 seconds finally putting away the Spurs.
Poole led the Warriors with 31 points, complementing them with six rebounds, five assists, one steal and one block. Lee furnished 21 points, five boards, two assists and two steals. Moses Moody delivered 20 points, seven rebounds and one assist. Jonathan Kuminga turned in 19 points, three rebounds, three assists and one block.
Dejounte Murray paced the Spurs with 27 points, nine boards, nine assists, two steals and one block. Keldon Johnson registered 21 points, four assists and three rebounds. Derrick White managed 16 points, seven assists and three rebounds. Devin Vassell posted 14 points, eight boards, four assists and two steals. Lonnie Walker and Doug McDermott contributed 11 and 10 points, respectively.
The Warriors head back home to host the Sacramento Kings on Thursday night, while the Spurs remain home and host the Miami Heat on Thursday night as well.
The Warriors (39-13) had just endured a wire-to-wire battle against the Rockets on Monday night and were playing without Stephen Curry (toe), Klay Thompson (rest), Andrew Wiggins (knee) and Draymond Green (back) , so it wasn't a major surprise when the Spurs (19-33) appeared to be the crisper team in the first half. San Antonio racked up 69 points over the first two quarters to take an eight-point advantage into intermission, and when the hosts added another seven points to their edge in the third, it appeared Golden State was headed to its 10th road loss of the season. However, a 22-8 run over the final 6:55 would end up sealing the hard-fought win for the visitors, with a Jordan Poole three-pointer and a pair of Damion Lee free throws in the last 17.9 seconds finally putting away the Spurs.
Poole led the Warriors with 31 points, complementing them with six rebounds, five assists, one steal and one block. Lee furnished 21 points, five boards, two assists and two steals. Moses Moody delivered 20 points, seven rebounds and one assist. Jonathan Kuminga turned in 19 points, three rebounds, three assists and one block.
Dejounte Murray paced the Spurs with 27 points, nine boards, nine assists, two steals and one block. Keldon Johnson registered 21 points, four assists and three rebounds. Derrick White managed 16 points, seven assists and three rebounds. Devin Vassell posted 14 points, eight boards, four assists and two steals. Lonnie Walker and Doug McDermott contributed 11 and 10 points, respectively.
The Warriors head back home to host the Sacramento Kings on Thursday night, while the Spurs remain home and host the Miami Heat on Thursday night as well.
Suns Topple Nets, 121-111
The Phoenix Suns defeated the Brooklyn Nets, 121-111, at Footprint Center on Tuesday night.
The Nets (29-21) came into the contest knowing they'd have James Harden back in action after a one-game absence due to a hand injury, but even The Beard and Kyrie Irving weren't enough to prevent a 10-point deficit for Brooklyn after one quarter. The Suns (41-9) followed up their 39-point opening period with a less prolific 26-point second quarter, but they still held a seven-point lead at halftime. Phoenix added another two points to its advantage in the third, and although the visitors got as close as three on a couple of occasions in the fourth quarter, the hosts won going away.
Irving led the Nets with 26 points, adding four rebounds, three assists and one steal. Harden generated a 22-point, 10-assist double-double that included five rebounds and one steal. Blake Griffin totaled 17 points, six boards, two assists and one steal Kessler Edwards produced 13 points, five rebounds and one steal.
Devin Booker paced the Suns with 35 points, complementing them with six rebounds, two assists and one steal. Mikal Bridges supplied 27 points, eight boards, four assists, two steals and one block. Chris Paul generated a 20-point, 14-assist double-double that included four rebounds and two steals. Cameron Johnson totaled 16 points and three rebounds. Deandre Ayton posted 12 points, six rebounds and one steal.
The Nets remain on the road and visit the Sacramento Kings on Wednesday night, while the Suns hit the road and visit the Atlanta Hawks on Thursday night.
The Nets (29-21) came into the contest knowing they'd have James Harden back in action after a one-game absence due to a hand injury, but even The Beard and Kyrie Irving weren't enough to prevent a 10-point deficit for Brooklyn after one quarter. The Suns (41-9) followed up their 39-point opening period with a less prolific 26-point second quarter, but they still held a seven-point lead at halftime. Phoenix added another two points to its advantage in the third, and although the visitors got as close as three on a couple of occasions in the fourth quarter, the hosts won going away.
Irving led the Nets with 26 points, adding four rebounds, three assists and one steal. Harden generated a 22-point, 10-assist double-double that included five rebounds and one steal. Blake Griffin totaled 17 points, six boards, two assists and one steal Kessler Edwards produced 13 points, five rebounds and one steal.
Devin Booker paced the Suns with 35 points, complementing them with six rebounds, two assists and one steal. Mikal Bridges supplied 27 points, eight boards, four assists, two steals and one block. Chris Paul generated a 20-point, 14-assist double-double that included four rebounds and two steals. Cameron Johnson totaled 16 points and three rebounds. Deandre Ayton posted 12 points, six rebounds and one steal.
The Nets remain on the road and visit the Sacramento Kings on Wednesday night, while the Suns hit the road and visit the Atlanta Hawks on Thursday night.