Cavaliers Surprise Raptors, 126-101
The Cleveland Cavaliers defeated the Toronto Raptors at Quicken Loans Arena on Monday night.
The Cavaliers (17-50) naturally entered as sizable underdogs, but they surprisingly built a four-point halftime lead. Cleveland then got the best of the Raptors (48-20) on both ends of the floor in the third, adding 10 points to their advantage in the process and never looking back. Some of the home squad's biggest advantages were on the boards and in turnovers. The Cavs outrebounded Toronto by a 51-43 margin, and they forced them into 20 turnovers while only committing 12 of their own.
Kawhi Leonard paced the Raptors with 25 points, adding nine rebounds, two assists and one steal. Pascal Siakam furnished 15 points, four rebounds, three assists and one steal. Kyle Lowry supplied 14 points, six assists, five rebounds, one steal and one block. Danny Green contributed five points, while Marc Gasol totaled just two points but also hauled in seven rebounds, dished out four assists and recorded one steal. Norman Powell led the bench with nine points, while Jeremy Lin, OG Anunoby and Serge Ibaka contributed matching eight-point efforts, with the latter getting ejected in the second half for fighting with Marquese Chriss.
Collin Sexton paced the Cavaliers with 28 points, supplementing them with five assists and four rebounds. Cedi Osman tallied 19 points, seven rebounds, seven assists and one steal. Ante Zizic delivered 17 points and seven boards. Kevin Love generated a 16-point, 18-rebound double-double that also included two assists. Jordan Clarkson led the bench with 14 points, while Brandon Knight managed 12 points, five assists, one rebound and three steals.
The Raptors head back home to take on the Los Angeles Lakers on Thursday evening, while the Cavaliers remain home and face the Philadelphia 76ers on Tuesday night.
The Cavaliers (17-50) naturally entered as sizable underdogs, but they surprisingly built a four-point halftime lead. Cleveland then got the best of the Raptors (48-20) on both ends of the floor in the third, adding 10 points to their advantage in the process and never looking back. Some of the home squad's biggest advantages were on the boards and in turnovers. The Cavs outrebounded Toronto by a 51-43 margin, and they forced them into 20 turnovers while only committing 12 of their own.
Kawhi Leonard paced the Raptors with 25 points, adding nine rebounds, two assists and one steal. Pascal Siakam furnished 15 points, four rebounds, three assists and one steal. Kyle Lowry supplied 14 points, six assists, five rebounds, one steal and one block. Danny Green contributed five points, while Marc Gasol totaled just two points but also hauled in seven rebounds, dished out four assists and recorded one steal. Norman Powell led the bench with nine points, while Jeremy Lin, OG Anunoby and Serge Ibaka contributed matching eight-point efforts, with the latter getting ejected in the second half for fighting with Marquese Chriss.
Collin Sexton paced the Cavaliers with 28 points, supplementing them with five assists and four rebounds. Cedi Osman tallied 19 points, seven rebounds, seven assists and one steal. Ante Zizic delivered 17 points and seven boards. Kevin Love generated a 16-point, 18-rebound double-double that also included two assists. Jordan Clarkson led the bench with 14 points, while Brandon Knight managed 12 points, five assists, one rebound and three steals.
The Raptors head back home to take on the Los Angeles Lakers on Thursday evening, while the Cavaliers remain home and face the Philadelphia 76ers on Tuesday night.
Wizards Defeat Kings, 121-115
The Washington Wizards defeated the visiting Sacramento Kings, 121-115, at Capital One Arena on Monday.
A 28-20 first quarter really set the tone in this game, as the Wizards led for all but a few minutes. Washington did almost all their damage in the first and third quarters, outscoring Sacramento, 58-41. The key for Washington was their three-point shooting, as they connected on 14-of-37 while holding Sacramento to 9-of-27 from long range. The 12 steals recorded by Washington was huge as well, as Sacramento recorded just eight steals while the Wizards won the points off turnover differential, 25-14.
The Kings (33-33) were led by De'Aaron Fox, as he tallied 23 points, four rebounds, eight assists and two steals. Harrison Barnes finished with 15 points, four rebounds and three assists. Buddy Hield went just 6-of-21 from the field to collect 15 points, four rebounds and two assists. Nemanja Bjelica led the bench with 15 points, 12 rebounds and three assists.
The Wizards (28-39) were led by Bradley Beal, as he provided 27 points, nine rebounds, nine assists and four steals. Tomas Satoransky accumulated 17 points, six rebounds, seven assists and two steals. Bobby Portis totaled 17 points, 13 rebounds and three steals while Trevor Ariza accrued 11 points, 10 rebounds and three assists. Jabari Parker led the bench with 18 points, four rebounds and four assists.
On deck for Washington is a home matchup versus the Orlando Magic on Wednesday. As for Sacramento, they return to action on Thursday when they travel to face the Boston Celtics.
A 28-20 first quarter really set the tone in this game, as the Wizards led for all but a few minutes. Washington did almost all their damage in the first and third quarters, outscoring Sacramento, 58-41. The key for Washington was their three-point shooting, as they connected on 14-of-37 while holding Sacramento to 9-of-27 from long range. The 12 steals recorded by Washington was huge as well, as Sacramento recorded just eight steals while the Wizards won the points off turnover differential, 25-14.
The Kings (33-33) were led by De'Aaron Fox, as he tallied 23 points, four rebounds, eight assists and two steals. Harrison Barnes finished with 15 points, four rebounds and three assists. Buddy Hield went just 6-of-21 from the field to collect 15 points, four rebounds and two assists. Nemanja Bjelica led the bench with 15 points, 12 rebounds and three assists.
The Wizards (28-39) were led by Bradley Beal, as he provided 27 points, nine rebounds, nine assists and four steals. Tomas Satoransky accumulated 17 points, six rebounds, seven assists and two steals. Bobby Portis totaled 17 points, 13 rebounds and three steals while Trevor Ariza accrued 11 points, 10 rebounds and three assists. Jabari Parker led the bench with 18 points, four rebounds and four assists.
On deck for Washington is a home matchup versus the Orlando Magic on Wednesday. As for Sacramento, they return to action on Thursday when they travel to face the Boston Celtics.
Nets Destroy Pistons, 103-75
The Brooklyn Nets defeated the visiting Detroit Pistons, 103-75, at Barclay's Center on Monday.
Despite the fact that Detroit was scorching-hot headed into this matchup, Brooklyn thoroughly dominated them here. A 27-19 first quarter really set the tone, as a 34-16 second quarter put the nail in the coffin. In fact, Brooklyn led by at least 18 points for the entirety of the second half. Defensive rebounding was critical, with the Nets winning that battle, 48-32. Brooklyn had their best defensive game of the season, holding Detroit to 28 percent from the field and 24 percent from three-point range.
The Pistons (34-32) were led by Andre Drummond, as he collected 13 points, 20 rebounds and three assists. Blake Griffin accumulated 10 points, seven rebounds and six assists. No other player reached double figures in scoring, five rebounds or four assists. In addition, no player shot higher than 50 percent from the field.
The Nets (36-33) were led by Spencer Dinwiddie, as he provided 19 points, two rebounds and two assists off the bench. Allen Crabbe led the starters with 14 points, 10 rebounds and four assists. Rodions Kurucs amassed 13 points, two rebounds and three steals while D'Angelo Russell finished with 11 points, three rebounds and seven assists.
Both teams return to action on Wednesday, with Detroit traveling to face the Miami Heat and Brooklyn playing the Oklahoma City Thunder on the road as well.
Despite the fact that Detroit was scorching-hot headed into this matchup, Brooklyn thoroughly dominated them here. A 27-19 first quarter really set the tone, as a 34-16 second quarter put the nail in the coffin. In fact, Brooklyn led by at least 18 points for the entirety of the second half. Defensive rebounding was critical, with the Nets winning that battle, 48-32. Brooklyn had their best defensive game of the season, holding Detroit to 28 percent from the field and 24 percent from three-point range.
The Pistons (34-32) were led by Andre Drummond, as he collected 13 points, 20 rebounds and three assists. Blake Griffin accumulated 10 points, seven rebounds and six assists. No other player reached double figures in scoring, five rebounds or four assists. In addition, no player shot higher than 50 percent from the field.
The Nets (36-33) were led by Spencer Dinwiddie, as he provided 19 points, two rebounds and two assists off the bench. Allen Crabbe led the starters with 14 points, 10 rebounds and four assists. Rodions Kurucs amassed 13 points, two rebounds and three steals while D'Angelo Russell finished with 11 points, three rebounds and seven assists.
Both teams return to action on Wednesday, with Detroit traveling to face the Miami Heat and Brooklyn playing the Oklahoma City Thunder on the road as well.
Rockets Earn Ninth Straight Win
By Dan Bruno
The Houston Rockets defeated the visiting Charlotte Hornets, 118-106, at Toyota Center on Monday evening.
The Rockets got out to a great start at home, as they jumped out to a 38-19 lead through one quarter. They stayed in control for the length of the second and pushed their lead to lead to 27 by halftime. The Hornets came out strong in the third quarter, and began chipping away at the lead. They outscored the Rockets by 14 in the quarter, to cut the deficit to 13 by the start of the final frame. However, the Rockets maintained their composure down the stretch, and kept their hot streak alive, as they held on for their ninth straight win. This marks the second straight loss for the Hornets.
James Harden led the Rockets with 28 points, 10 assists, six rebounds and three steals, in 35 minutes. Eric Gordon followed up with 22 points, three assists, two rebounds and one block, while Clint Capela finished with 19 points, 15 rebounds and two assists. The Rockets shot 42 percent from the field, including 17-of-43 from long range.
Meanwhile, Kemba Walker led the Hornets with 40 points, 10 rebounds, seven assists and one block, in 40 minutes. Frank Kaminsky followed up with 15 points, two rebounds and two assists, while Dwayne Bacon chipped in 13 points, three rebounds, two assists and one steal. The Hornets shot 43 percent from the field, including 16-of-41 from deep.
The Hornets (30-37) will look to bounce back as they take on the Wizards in Washington on Friday. The Rockets (42-25) play host to the Warriors on Wednesday.
The Rockets got out to a great start at home, as they jumped out to a 38-19 lead through one quarter. They stayed in control for the length of the second and pushed their lead to lead to 27 by halftime. The Hornets came out strong in the third quarter, and began chipping away at the lead. They outscored the Rockets by 14 in the quarter, to cut the deficit to 13 by the start of the final frame. However, the Rockets maintained their composure down the stretch, and kept their hot streak alive, as they held on for their ninth straight win. This marks the second straight loss for the Hornets.
James Harden led the Rockets with 28 points, 10 assists, six rebounds and three steals, in 35 minutes. Eric Gordon followed up with 22 points, three assists, two rebounds and one block, while Clint Capela finished with 19 points, 15 rebounds and two assists. The Rockets shot 42 percent from the field, including 17-of-43 from long range.
Meanwhile, Kemba Walker led the Hornets with 40 points, 10 rebounds, seven assists and one block, in 40 minutes. Frank Kaminsky followed up with 15 points, two rebounds and two assists, while Dwayne Bacon chipped in 13 points, three rebounds, two assists and one steal. The Hornets shot 43 percent from the field, including 16-of-41 from deep.
The Hornets (30-37) will look to bounce back as they take on the Wizards in Washington on Friday. The Rockets (42-25) play host to the Warriors on Wednesday.
Thunder End Road Trip With Win Over Jazz
The Oklahoma City Thunder defeated the Utah Jazz, 98-89, on Monday at Vivint Smart Home Arena
The Thunder (41-26) were simply not going to be denied on the final game of their four-game road trip Monday night. They threw punches early in one of the hardest arena to earn a win, and the team never looked back after opening up a 13-point lead in the first 24 minutes. And on a night where Oklahoma City wasn't getting much going offensively, it turned to its defense to carry them through all 48 minutes. MVP candidate Paul George optimized that, as while he shot just 2-of-8 from the field and failed to hit a three, he recorded three steals and a blocked shot. George finished with 14 points and 11 rebounds, but it was the point guards who shined offensively for the Thunder on Monday night. Russell Westbrook score 23 points to go along with 11 rebounds and eight assists, while Dennis Schroder came off the bench to score a team-high 24 points on top of seven rebounds and three assists.
As for the Jazz (37-29), with Monday's loss, they have now dropped two straight home games after rattling five wins in a row on their home floor. They still hold an impressive 21-12 record at Vivint Smart Home Arena, but it was the first time since Oct. 22, the second and third games of the regular season, that Utah dropped two games in a row at home. It was just an overall forgettable night for the Jazz, who shot a miserable 36.4 percent from the field. Donovan Mitchell scored a game-high 25 points but shot just 8-of-22 from the floor. Royce O'Neal added 17 points and eight rebounds, while Rudy Gobert posted a double-double of 15 points and 12 rebounds to go along with two blocks. Utah's bench accounted for just 22 points Monday night.
The Thunder (41-26) were simply not going to be denied on the final game of their four-game road trip Monday night. They threw punches early in one of the hardest arena to earn a win, and the team never looked back after opening up a 13-point lead in the first 24 minutes. And on a night where Oklahoma City wasn't getting much going offensively, it turned to its defense to carry them through all 48 minutes. MVP candidate Paul George optimized that, as while he shot just 2-of-8 from the field and failed to hit a three, he recorded three steals and a blocked shot. George finished with 14 points and 11 rebounds, but it was the point guards who shined offensively for the Thunder on Monday night. Russell Westbrook score 23 points to go along with 11 rebounds and eight assists, while Dennis Schroder came off the bench to score a team-high 24 points on top of seven rebounds and three assists.
As for the Jazz (37-29), with Monday's loss, they have now dropped two straight home games after rattling five wins in a row on their home floor. They still hold an impressive 21-12 record at Vivint Smart Home Arena, but it was the first time since Oct. 22, the second and third games of the regular season, that Utah dropped two games in a row at home. It was just an overall forgettable night for the Jazz, who shot a miserable 36.4 percent from the field. Donovan Mitchell scored a game-high 25 points but shot just 8-of-22 from the floor. Royce O'Neal added 17 points and eight rebounds, while Rudy Gobert posted a double-double of 15 points and 12 rebounds to go along with two blocks. Utah's bench accounted for just 22 points Monday night.
Clippers Crush Celtics, 140-115
By Oscar Heanue
The Los Angeles Clippers blew out the Boston Celtics, 140-115, at Staples Center on Monday evening.
Boston (41-27) entered Monday's tilt on the heels of three straight wins, but quickly fell behind against the Clippers (39-29). Los Angeles had one of its best offensive nights of the season, knocking down seemingly everything from every spot on the floor. The Clippers shot over 60 percent from the floor and saw seven double-digit scoring performances en route to the win. LA's big night was headlined by 34 points off the bench for sixth man Lou Williams. With his 29th point, Williams passed Dell Curry as the all-time leader in bench points in NBA history. Williams finished the historic night shooting 14-of-21 and added five assists.
The Clippers saw another 25 points from Danilo Gallinari, who shot 9-of-12 from the floor and 4-of-5 from three-point range. As a team, LA went an impressive 13-of-28 from beyond the arc.
Boston, meanwhile, had a relatively strong offensive performance itself. Terry Rozier led the team with 23 points off the bench, while Jaylen Brown pitched in 22. Nine of Brown's points came in the third quarter, where he knocked down three consecutive three-pointers. Overall, though, Boston could not keep up with LA's up-tempo offense, as the Celtics shot just 48.4 percent from the floor.
Los Angeles will host the Portland Trail Blazers on Tuesday, while Boston will return home to face off with the Sacramento Kings on Thursday.
Boston (41-27) entered Monday's tilt on the heels of three straight wins, but quickly fell behind against the Clippers (39-29). Los Angeles had one of its best offensive nights of the season, knocking down seemingly everything from every spot on the floor. The Clippers shot over 60 percent from the floor and saw seven double-digit scoring performances en route to the win. LA's big night was headlined by 34 points off the bench for sixth man Lou Williams. With his 29th point, Williams passed Dell Curry as the all-time leader in bench points in NBA history. Williams finished the historic night shooting 14-of-21 and added five assists.
The Clippers saw another 25 points from Danilo Gallinari, who shot 9-of-12 from the floor and 4-of-5 from three-point range. As a team, LA went an impressive 13-of-28 from beyond the arc.
Boston, meanwhile, had a relatively strong offensive performance itself. Terry Rozier led the team with 23 points off the bench, while Jaylen Brown pitched in 22. Nine of Brown's points came in the third quarter, where he knocked down three consecutive three-pointers. Overall, though, Boston could not keep up with LA's up-tempo offense, as the Celtics shot just 48.4 percent from the floor.
Los Angeles will host the Portland Trail Blazers on Tuesday, while Boston will return home to face off with the Sacramento Kings on Thursday.