Nets Come From Behind, Defeat Wizards
The Brooklyn Nets defeated the Washington Wizards, 118-110, on Sunday at Orlando.
The Nets (31-35) and the Wizards (24-42) got engaged in a tight contest from start to finish, as neither team was able to register a double-digit advantage until late in the fourth quarter. The Wizards got off to a better start and were up by as much as nine points, but the Nets evened things up and led by three points (24-21) at the end of the first. Brooklyn couldn't hold on to the lead, however, and the first half saw both teams tied at 54. The Wizards kept things close and even led by two at the end of the third quarter, but the Nets pulled a late comeback in the fourth and took control in the final minutes of the contest before running away with the game down the stretch. The Nets ended winning by an eight-point differential in a game where neither team was able to dominate completely.
Caris LeVert led the way for the Nets with a 34-point, four-assist performance, while Joe Harris notched 27 points and seven rebounds while making six of his seven three-point attempts. Jarrett Allen looked impressive and posted a 22-point, 15-rebound double-double in 38 minutes. Chris Chiozza posted 14 points and six assists in 21 minutes coming off the bench. Tyler Johnson only scored two points, but he registered six rebounds and five assists.
Thomas Bryant was the best player for the Wizards thanks to a 30-point, 13-rebound performance, while also adding three assists and two blocks. Troy Brown Jr. posted 22 points, 10 rebounds and eight assists in a team-high 38 minutes, while rookie Rui Hachimura delivered nine points, four rebounds and four assists in 32 minutes. Ish Smith (14 points, five assists, four rebounds) and Jerome Robinson (12 points, five rebounds) looked solid off the bench.
The Nets (31-35) and the Wizards (24-42) got engaged in a tight contest from start to finish, as neither team was able to register a double-digit advantage until late in the fourth quarter. The Wizards got off to a better start and were up by as much as nine points, but the Nets evened things up and led by three points (24-21) at the end of the first. Brooklyn couldn't hold on to the lead, however, and the first half saw both teams tied at 54. The Wizards kept things close and even led by two at the end of the third quarter, but the Nets pulled a late comeback in the fourth and took control in the final minutes of the contest before running away with the game down the stretch. The Nets ended winning by an eight-point differential in a game where neither team was able to dominate completely.
Caris LeVert led the way for the Nets with a 34-point, four-assist performance, while Joe Harris notched 27 points and seven rebounds while making six of his seven three-point attempts. Jarrett Allen looked impressive and posted a 22-point, 15-rebound double-double in 38 minutes. Chris Chiozza posted 14 points and six assists in 21 minutes coming off the bench. Tyler Johnson only scored two points, but he registered six rebounds and five assists.
Thomas Bryant was the best player for the Wizards thanks to a 30-point, 13-rebound performance, while also adding three assists and two blocks. Troy Brown Jr. posted 22 points, 10 rebounds and eight assists in a team-high 38 minutes, while rookie Rui Hachimura delivered nine points, four rebounds and four assists in 32 minutes. Ish Smith (14 points, five assists, four rebounds) and Jerome Robinson (12 points, five rebounds) looked solid off the bench.
Celtics Pull Away Late, Defeat Blazers
The Boston Celtics defeated the Portland Trail Blazers, 128-124, on Sunday at Orlando.
The Celtics (44-21) and the Trail Blazers (29-38) played a tight contest that felt like a playoff matchup during most of the contest, as both teams played with intensity from start to finish. The Blazers started better, but the Celtics didn't need a lot of time to righten the ship and finished the first quarter up by 13 points (37-24). Boston would increase its lead and it was up by as much as 24 points midway through the second quarter, ultimately leading by 19 points at the break. The Blazers mounted a comeback in the second half, though, and won the third quarter by a 38-27 score. They even held a four-point lead in the fourth quarter, but the Celtics tightened things up defensively and managed to execute better in crunch time. That was enough to carry them to a tight 128-124 win.
Jayson Tatum posted a strong performance and delivered 34 points with eight assists, four rebounds, two steals and one block, while Jaylen Brown registered 30 points, six rebounds, and two steals. Gordon Hayward notched 22 points with eight rebounds while shooting 4-of-5 from three-point range, while Kemba Walker registered 14 points with two assists in 23 minutes. Enes Kanter had 11 points with eight rebounds off the bench.
Damian Lillard registered 30 points and a season-high 16 assists in 45 minutes, while Jusuf Nurkic posted 30 points, nine rebounds, five assists, two steals and one block. C.J. McCollum finished with 17 points, eight rebounds, four assists, and two steals, while Carmelo Anthony ended with 13 points, three rebounds and two assists. Gary Trent Jr. was impressive off the bench, as he finished with 21 points while shooting 7-of-12 in 34 minutes off the bench.
The Celtics (44-21) and the Trail Blazers (29-38) played a tight contest that felt like a playoff matchup during most of the contest, as both teams played with intensity from start to finish. The Blazers started better, but the Celtics didn't need a lot of time to righten the ship and finished the first quarter up by 13 points (37-24). Boston would increase its lead and it was up by as much as 24 points midway through the second quarter, ultimately leading by 19 points at the break. The Blazers mounted a comeback in the second half, though, and won the third quarter by a 38-27 score. They even held a four-point lead in the fourth quarter, but the Celtics tightened things up defensively and managed to execute better in crunch time. That was enough to carry them to a tight 128-124 win.
Jayson Tatum posted a strong performance and delivered 34 points with eight assists, four rebounds, two steals and one block, while Jaylen Brown registered 30 points, six rebounds, and two steals. Gordon Hayward notched 22 points with eight rebounds while shooting 4-of-5 from three-point range, while Kemba Walker registered 14 points with two assists in 23 minutes. Enes Kanter had 11 points with eight rebounds off the bench.
Damian Lillard registered 30 points and a season-high 16 assists in 45 minutes, while Jusuf Nurkic posted 30 points, nine rebounds, five assists, two steals and one block. C.J. McCollum finished with 17 points, eight rebounds, four assists, and two steals, while Carmelo Anthony ended with 13 points, three rebounds and two assists. Gary Trent Jr. was impressive off the bench, as he finished with 21 points while shooting 7-of-12 in 34 minutes off the bench.
Spurs Edge Grizzlies, 108-106
The San Antonio Spurs defeated the Memphis Grizzlies, 108-106, in an NBA seeding game in Orlando on Sunday afternoon.
The Spurs (29-36), winners of their first restart game Friday night, headed into Sunday's contest knowing they had a direct shot at the team they're chasing for the No. 8 seed in the Grizzlies (32-35). San Antonio got off on the right foot by building a six-point lead through the first 12 minutes and carrying a five-point advantage into halftime. When Gregg Popovich's squad added another four points to their edge going into the fourth quarter, it appeared they had the situation well in hand. However, Memphis roared back to knot the game at 106 with a clutch Jaren Jackson three-pointer that found the net with 10.6 seconds left before DeMar DeRozan sunk a pair of free throws with a second remaining to seal the Spurs' win.
Dejounte Murray led the way for the Spurs with 21 points, adding 10 rebounds, three assists and two steals. Derrick White provided 16 points, seven assists and six rebounds. DeRozan finished with 14 points, seven assists, four rebounds, one steal and one block. Rudy Gay contributed 12 points, seven rebounds, one assist, one steal and one block off the bench, while Patty Mills poured in 10 points in 13 minutes.
Ja Morant paced the Grizzlies with 25 points, supplementing them with nine rebounds and nine assists. Jackson totaled 21 points, three rebounds, two steals and two blocks. Dillon Brooks supplied 16 points, three assists and two rebounds. Grayson Allen turned in 15 points to lead the bench, while Jonas Valanciunas churned out a 13-point, 11-rebound double-double that also included two assists and one block.
The Spurs return to the court Monday night to tangle with the Philadelphia 76ers, while the Grizzlies face the New Orleans Pelicans in a key conference battle Monday evening as well.
The Spurs (29-36), winners of their first restart game Friday night, headed into Sunday's contest knowing they had a direct shot at the team they're chasing for the No. 8 seed in the Grizzlies (32-35). San Antonio got off on the right foot by building a six-point lead through the first 12 minutes and carrying a five-point advantage into halftime. When Gregg Popovich's squad added another four points to their edge going into the fourth quarter, it appeared they had the situation well in hand. However, Memphis roared back to knot the game at 106 with a clutch Jaren Jackson three-pointer that found the net with 10.6 seconds left before DeMar DeRozan sunk a pair of free throws with a second remaining to seal the Spurs' win.
Dejounte Murray led the way for the Spurs with 21 points, adding 10 rebounds, three assists and two steals. Derrick White provided 16 points, seven assists and six rebounds. DeRozan finished with 14 points, seven assists, four rebounds, one steal and one block. Rudy Gay contributed 12 points, seven rebounds, one assist, one steal and one block off the bench, while Patty Mills poured in 10 points in 13 minutes.
Ja Morant paced the Grizzlies with 25 points, supplementing them with nine rebounds and nine assists. Jackson totaled 21 points, three rebounds, two steals and two blocks. Dillon Brooks supplied 16 points, three assists and two rebounds. Grayson Allen turned in 15 points to lead the bench, while Jonas Valanciunas churned out a 13-point, 11-rebound double-double that also included two assists and one block.
The Spurs return to the court Monday night to tangle with the Philadelphia 76ers, while the Grizzlies face the New Orleans Pelicans in a key conference battle Monday evening as well.
Magic Dominate Kings For Second Straight Win
By Dan Bruno
The Orlando Magic defeated the Sacramento Kings, 132-116, on Sunday evening, at Orlando.
The Magic came out on fire, taking control early and building a, 44-26, lead after one quarter. They kept the pressure on in the second and pushed their lead to 21, early in the quarter. They held the upper hand through the quarter and took a, 78-54, lead into halftime. The Kings had no answers in the third, as they were outscored by 11 points in the quarter and entered the final frame trailing by 35 points. Despite seeming down and out, the Kings came out with some fight in the fourth quarter, however, it was hardly enough to give the Magic any concerns, as they held on for their second win in the bubble.
Six players scored in double digits for Orlando, led by Terrence Ross, who finished with 25 points on 6-of-10 shooting, in 22 minutes off the bench. Nikola Vucevic added 23 points, 11 rebounds, two assists and two steals, while Aaron Gordon totaled 22 points, five rebounds and three assists. The Magic shot 52 percent from the field, including 18-of-38 from long range.
Meanwhile, seven players scored in double digits for the Kings, led by Harry Giles III, who tallied 23 points and eight rebounds, in 19 minutes off the bench. De'Aaron Fox added 13 points, three assists, two rebounds and a steal, while Buddy Hield, Bogdan Bogdanovic, Harrison Barnes, DaQuan Jeffries and Richaun Holmes chipped in 12 points each. The Kings shot 50 percent from the field, including 8-of-28 from long range.
The Kings look ahead to Tuesday, when they take on the Mavericks, while the Magic take on the Pacers on Tuesday.
The Magic came out on fire, taking control early and building a, 44-26, lead after one quarter. They kept the pressure on in the second and pushed their lead to 21, early in the quarter. They held the upper hand through the quarter and took a, 78-54, lead into halftime. The Kings had no answers in the third, as they were outscored by 11 points in the quarter and entered the final frame trailing by 35 points. Despite seeming down and out, the Kings came out with some fight in the fourth quarter, however, it was hardly enough to give the Magic any concerns, as they held on for their second win in the bubble.
Six players scored in double digits for Orlando, led by Terrence Ross, who finished with 25 points on 6-of-10 shooting, in 22 minutes off the bench. Nikola Vucevic added 23 points, 11 rebounds, two assists and two steals, while Aaron Gordon totaled 22 points, five rebounds and three assists. The Magic shot 52 percent from the field, including 18-of-38 from long range.
Meanwhile, seven players scored in double digits for the Kings, led by Harry Giles III, who tallied 23 points and eight rebounds, in 19 minutes off the bench. De'Aaron Fox added 13 points, three assists, two rebounds and a steal, while Buddy Hield, Bogdan Bogdanovic, Harrison Barnes, DaQuan Jeffries and Richaun Holmes chipped in 12 points each. The Kings shot 50 percent from the field, including 8-of-28 from long range.
The Kings look ahead to Tuesday, when they take on the Mavericks, while the Magic take on the Pacers on Tuesday.
Rockets Defeat Bucks, 120-116
The Houston Rockets defeated the Milwaukee Bucks, 120-116, in Orlando on Sunday.
There were four lead changes in the final minute of this game, with Houston finishing on a 16-4 run across the final three minutes to pull off the comeback win. In total, there were six ties and 11 lead changes with neither club leading by more than 13 points. Houston ended up recording 15 steals, winning the turnover battle, 22-9. They were able to win despite getting out-rebounded, 65-36. In addition, the Rockets went 21-of-61 from three-point range and 27-of-31 from the free-throw line while the Bucks hit just 9-of-35 from long range and 17-of-23 from the charity stripe. Milwaukee also shot 49 percent from the field while Houston shot below 40 percent.
The Bucks (54-13) were led by Giannis Antetokounmpo, who tallied 36 points, 18 rebounds and eight assists. Khris Middleton collected 27 points. 12 rebounds and four assists. Brook Lopez totaled 23 points. 12 rebounds, two assists and two blocks. No other player had more than nine points and the seven bench players combined for just 18 points and six assists.
The Rockets (42-24) were led by Russell Westbrook, who tallied 31 points, six rebounds and eight assists. James Harden amassed 24 points, seven rebounds, seven assists and six steals. Danuel House Jr had 16 points and four boards while Robert Covington generated 15 points, seven rebounds and three steals. Seven of the eight players who played for Houston scored at least nine points.
Both teams return to action on Tuesday, with Milwaukee playing the Brooklyn Nets and Houston facing the Portland Trail Blazers.
There were four lead changes in the final minute of this game, with Houston finishing on a 16-4 run across the final three minutes to pull off the comeback win. In total, there were six ties and 11 lead changes with neither club leading by more than 13 points. Houston ended up recording 15 steals, winning the turnover battle, 22-9. They were able to win despite getting out-rebounded, 65-36. In addition, the Rockets went 21-of-61 from three-point range and 27-of-31 from the free-throw line while the Bucks hit just 9-of-35 from long range and 17-of-23 from the charity stripe. Milwaukee also shot 49 percent from the field while Houston shot below 40 percent.
The Bucks (54-13) were led by Giannis Antetokounmpo, who tallied 36 points, 18 rebounds and eight assists. Khris Middleton collected 27 points. 12 rebounds and four assists. Brook Lopez totaled 23 points. 12 rebounds, two assists and two blocks. No other player had more than nine points and the seven bench players combined for just 18 points and six assists.
The Rockets (42-24) were led by Russell Westbrook, who tallied 31 points, six rebounds and eight assists. James Harden amassed 24 points, seven rebounds, seven assists and six steals. Danuel House Jr had 16 points and four boards while Robert Covington generated 15 points, seven rebounds and three steals. Seven of the eight players who played for Houston scored at least nine points.
Both teams return to action on Tuesday, with Milwaukee playing the Brooklyn Nets and Houston facing the Portland Trail Blazers.
Suns Defeat Mavericks, 117-115
The Phoenix Suns defeated the Dallas Mavericks, 117-115, in Orlando on Sunday.
While Dallas led 35-23 after the first quarter, Phoenix rode a 36-19 third quarter to their comeback victory. In fact, they turned a 15-point halftime deficit into a four-point lead going into the fourth quarter. Even with the big swing, there were still seven ties and six lead changes in total. Phoenix held Dallas to 41 percent from the field and 19 percent from three-point range. The Suns ended up shooting 45 percent from the field and 36 percent from long range. The teams actually tied in rebounds (49-49) and assists (22-22).
The Suns (28-39) were led by Devin Booker, who tallied 30 points, three rebounds and four assists before fouling out with a few minutes remaining. Ricky Rubio generated 20 points, nine rebounds and seven assists. Cameron Johnson collected 19 points, 12 rebounds and four assists. Dario Saric led the bench with 13 points and eight boards. Deandre Ayton had just seven points and eight boards in 21 foul-filled minutes.
The Mavericks (40-29) were led by Luka Doncic and his 40 points, eight rebounds and 11 assists. Kristaps Porzingis totaled 30 points, eight rebounds and four blocks. Seth Curry provided 16 points, two rebounds and two assists. Tim Hardaway Jr accumulated two points, 10 rebounds and three assists on 1-of-12 from the field while missing a game-winning three at the buzzer.
Both teams return to action on Tuesday, with Dallas facing the Sacramento Kings and Phoenix playing the Los Angeles Clippers.
While Dallas led 35-23 after the first quarter, Phoenix rode a 36-19 third quarter to their comeback victory. In fact, they turned a 15-point halftime deficit into a four-point lead going into the fourth quarter. Even with the big swing, there were still seven ties and six lead changes in total. Phoenix held Dallas to 41 percent from the field and 19 percent from three-point range. The Suns ended up shooting 45 percent from the field and 36 percent from long range. The teams actually tied in rebounds (49-49) and assists (22-22).
The Suns (28-39) were led by Devin Booker, who tallied 30 points, three rebounds and four assists before fouling out with a few minutes remaining. Ricky Rubio generated 20 points, nine rebounds and seven assists. Cameron Johnson collected 19 points, 12 rebounds and four assists. Dario Saric led the bench with 13 points and eight boards. Deandre Ayton had just seven points and eight boards in 21 foul-filled minutes.
The Mavericks (40-29) were led by Luka Doncic and his 40 points, eight rebounds and 11 assists. Kristaps Porzingis totaled 30 points, eight rebounds and four blocks. Seth Curry provided 16 points, two rebounds and two assists. Tim Hardaway Jr accumulated two points, 10 rebounds and three assists on 1-of-12 from the field while missing a game-winning three at the buzzer.
Both teams return to action on Tuesday, with Dallas facing the Sacramento Kings and Phoenix playing the Los Angeles Clippers.