Jazz Hold On, Secure Win Over Grizzlies
The Utah Jazz defeated the Memphis Grizzlies, 124-115, on Wednesday at Orlando.
Time seems to be running out for the Grizzlies (32-37) and their chances of reaching the postseason continue to fade away as every night passes. The Jazz (43-25) already clinched a playoff berth, but that didn't stop them from getting to a good start, although Memphis looked better during the first half. The Grizzlies led by as much as 11 midway through the second quarter, but they couldn't hold on to their advantage when it mattered the most. A furious comeback from Utah allowed them to lead by nine at the break, and they wouldn't look behind afterwards. Memphis didn't lead the rest of the way and, even though the game was tied at one point in the fourth, the Jazz closed things out in the final seconds to earn the win. With the loss, Memphis' losing skid at Orlando extended to four games.
Joe Ingles led the way for the Jazz with 25 points, five assists and four rebounds, while Rudy Gobert chipped in with a 21-point, 16-rebound double-double. Mike Conley registered 23 points with seven assists and five boards, while Royce O'Neale ended with 15 points and seven boards. Donovan Mitchell registered 18 points, seven rebounds and six assists. Jordan Clarkson had 14 points and four boards off the bench.
Dillon Brooks was the leading scorer for the Grizzlies with 23 points before fouling out. Ja Morant filled the stat sheet with 20 points, nine assists and six rebounds, and Jonas Valanciunas posted a double-double with 21 points and 14 rebounds. Kyle Anderson notched 12 points, four assists and three rebounds. Brandon Clarke got the start in place of Jaren Jackson Jr. and posted six points with five boards.
Time seems to be running out for the Grizzlies (32-37) and their chances of reaching the postseason continue to fade away as every night passes. The Jazz (43-25) already clinched a playoff berth, but that didn't stop them from getting to a good start, although Memphis looked better during the first half. The Grizzlies led by as much as 11 midway through the second quarter, but they couldn't hold on to their advantage when it mattered the most. A furious comeback from Utah allowed them to lead by nine at the break, and they wouldn't look behind afterwards. Memphis didn't lead the rest of the way and, even though the game was tied at one point in the fourth, the Jazz closed things out in the final seconds to earn the win. With the loss, Memphis' losing skid at Orlando extended to four games.
Joe Ingles led the way for the Jazz with 25 points, five assists and four rebounds, while Rudy Gobert chipped in with a 21-point, 16-rebound double-double. Mike Conley registered 23 points with seven assists and five boards, while Royce O'Neale ended with 15 points and seven boards. Donovan Mitchell registered 18 points, seven rebounds and six assists. Jordan Clarkson had 14 points and four boards off the bench.
Dillon Brooks was the leading scorer for the Grizzlies with 23 points before fouling out. Ja Morant filled the stat sheet with 20 points, nine assists and six rebounds, and Jonas Valanciunas posted a double-double with 21 points and 14 rebounds. Kyle Anderson notched 12 points, four assists and three rebounds. Brandon Clarke got the start in place of Jaren Jackson Jr. and posted six points with five boards.
Nuggets Use Strong Fourth Quarter To Top Spurs
By Dan Bruno
The Denver Nuggets defeated the San Antonio Spurs, 132-126, on Wednesday at Orlando.
The Nuggets got out to a strong start, as they took an early, 16-4, lead, before settling on a four-point advantage at the end of the first quarter. The Nuggets held the edge to start the second and opened up a seven-point lead halfway through the quarter, but the Spurs closed the quarter on a, 25-15, run, to take a three-point lead by halftime. The Spurs stayed on top to start the third, but the Nuggets fought back to tie it up by the end of the quarter. The Nuggets continued to push in the fourth and took control, with an eight-point lead, by the halfway point in the quarter. The Spurs scrapped it out until the end, but the Nuggets were able to keep one step ahead down the stretch.
Michael Porter Jr. followed up an impressive outing in his last contest, with another strong performance, as he led the Nuggets with 30 points and 15 rebounds, in 36 minutes. Nikola Jokic added 25 points, 11 assists, four rebounds and a steal, while Jerami Grant chipped in 22 points, off the bench. The Nuggets shot 55 percent from the field, including 14-of-36 from deep.
Meanwhile, Rudy Gay was the high-point man for the Spurs, with 24 points on 9-of-18 shooting, in 26 minutes off the bench. Derrick White followed up with 23 points, seven assists, three rebounds, two steals and a block, while Keldon Johnson totaled 20 points, six rebounds, two assists and a steal, off the bench. The Spurs shot 50 percent from the field, including 11-of-30 from long range.
The Spurs will look to bounce back as they take on the Jazz on Friday. The Nuggets will face the second night of a back-to-back, as they play the Trail Blazers on Thursday.
The Nuggets got out to a strong start, as they took an early, 16-4, lead, before settling on a four-point advantage at the end of the first quarter. The Nuggets held the edge to start the second and opened up a seven-point lead halfway through the quarter, but the Spurs closed the quarter on a, 25-15, run, to take a three-point lead by halftime. The Spurs stayed on top to start the third, but the Nuggets fought back to tie it up by the end of the quarter. The Nuggets continued to push in the fourth and took control, with an eight-point lead, by the halfway point in the quarter. The Spurs scrapped it out until the end, but the Nuggets were able to keep one step ahead down the stretch.
Michael Porter Jr. followed up an impressive outing in his last contest, with another strong performance, as he led the Nuggets with 30 points and 15 rebounds, in 36 minutes. Nikola Jokic added 25 points, 11 assists, four rebounds and a steal, while Jerami Grant chipped in 22 points, off the bench. The Nuggets shot 55 percent from the field, including 14-of-36 from deep.
Meanwhile, Rudy Gay was the high-point man for the Spurs, with 24 points on 9-of-18 shooting, in 26 minutes off the bench. Derrick White followed up with 23 points, seven assists, three rebounds, two steals and a block, while Keldon Johnson totaled 20 points, six rebounds, two assists and a steal, off the bench. The Spurs shot 50 percent from the field, including 11-of-30 from long range.
The Spurs will look to bounce back as they take on the Jazz on Friday. The Nuggets will face the second night of a back-to-back, as they play the Trail Blazers on Thursday.
76ers Get Past Wizards, 107-98
The Philadelphia 76ers defeated the Washington Wizards, 107-98, in an NBA seeding game in Orlando on Wednesday afternoon.
The 76ers (41-27) entered the game as heavy favorites against a Wizards (24-44) squad that had yet to win a game in Orlando with a short-handed roster. Philadelphia had established a seven-point lead by halftime, but Washington managed to knock four points off its deficit heading into the final period. The Wizards then got as close as 97-93 with 2:49 left following a Thomas Bryant jumper, but Philly finished on a 10-5 run the rest of the way to secure the victory.
Joel Embiid led the way for the 76ers with a 30-point, 11-rebound double-double that also included three assists, three steals and two blocks. Tobias Harris provided 17 points, six rebounds, two assists, one steal and one block. Josh Richardson poured in 15 points, while Shake Milton finished with 14 points, four assists, two rebounds, one steal and one block. Furkan Korkmaz totaled 10 points, four rebounds and two assists off the bench.
Bryant paced the Wizards with a 19-point, 10-rebound double-double that also included one assist, four blocks and two steals. Jerome Robinson matched Bryant's scoring total and added three rebounds, three assists and two steals. Troy Brown, Jr. collected 17 points, eight rebounds and four assists. Ish Smith managed 12 points, six assists, five rebounds and one block. Rui Hachimura and Isaac Bonga went for eight and six points, respectively, while each also pulled down eight rebounds.
The 76ers return to the floor Friday evening against the Orlando Magic, while the Wizards face off with the New Orleans Pelicans on Friday night.
The 76ers (41-27) entered the game as heavy favorites against a Wizards (24-44) squad that had yet to win a game in Orlando with a short-handed roster. Philadelphia had established a seven-point lead by halftime, but Washington managed to knock four points off its deficit heading into the final period. The Wizards then got as close as 97-93 with 2:49 left following a Thomas Bryant jumper, but Philly finished on a 10-5 run the rest of the way to secure the victory.
Joel Embiid led the way for the 76ers with a 30-point, 11-rebound double-double that also included three assists, three steals and two blocks. Tobias Harris provided 17 points, six rebounds, two assists, one steal and one block. Josh Richardson poured in 15 points, while Shake Milton finished with 14 points, four assists, two rebounds, one steal and one block. Furkan Korkmaz totaled 10 points, four rebounds and two assists off the bench.
Bryant paced the Wizards with a 19-point, 10-rebound double-double that also included one assist, four blocks and two steals. Jerome Robinson matched Bryant's scoring total and added three rebounds, three assists and two steals. Troy Brown, Jr. collected 17 points, eight rebounds and four assists. Ish Smith managed 12 points, six assists, five rebounds and one block. Rui Hachimura and Isaac Bonga went for eight and six points, respectively, while each also pulled down eight rebounds.
The 76ers return to the floor Friday evening against the Orlando Magic, while the Wizards face off with the New Orleans Pelicans on Friday night.
Thunder Earn Convincing Win Over Lakers
By Dan Bruno
The Oklahoma City Thunder defeated the Los Angeles Lakers, 105-86, on Wednesday at Orlando.
The Thunder jumped out to a strong start and took a, 26-18, lead after one quarter. They held the upper hand through the second, where they briefly pushed their lead to double digits, but the Lakers managed to trim it to a seven-point game by halftime. The Thunder kept their focus in the second half and maintained control through the third quarter, as they increased their lead to 15, heading into the final frame. The Lakers had no answers in the fourth, as the Thunder kept up the pace and completed the impressive win.
Chris Paul led the Thunder with 21 points, seven rebounds, six assists and a steal, in 31 minutes. Danilo Gallinari added 19 points, seven rebounds and a steal, while Steven Adams totaled 18 points, seven rebounds and two assists. The Thunder shot 43 percent from the field, including 5-of-21 from long range.
Meanwhile, the Lakers had a tough night, as they shot just 35 percent from the field, including 5-of-37 from long range. LeBron James led the way with 19 points, 11 rebounds, four assists and a steal, while Dion Waiters added 14 points on 5-of-13 shooting, off the bench. Anthony Davis was quiet, as he finished with nine points, eight rebounds and five assists, in 29 minutes.
The Lakers will be right back in action on Thursday, as they take on the Rockets. The Thunder take on the Grizzlies on Friday.
The Thunder jumped out to a strong start and took a, 26-18, lead after one quarter. They held the upper hand through the second, where they briefly pushed their lead to double digits, but the Lakers managed to trim it to a seven-point game by halftime. The Thunder kept their focus in the second half and maintained control through the third quarter, as they increased their lead to 15, heading into the final frame. The Lakers had no answers in the fourth, as the Thunder kept up the pace and completed the impressive win.
Chris Paul led the Thunder with 21 points, seven rebounds, six assists and a steal, in 31 minutes. Danilo Gallinari added 19 points, seven rebounds and a steal, while Steven Adams totaled 18 points, seven rebounds and two assists. The Thunder shot 43 percent from the field, including 5-of-21 from long range.
Meanwhile, the Lakers had a tough night, as they shot just 35 percent from the field, including 5-of-37 from long range. LeBron James led the way with 19 points, 11 rebounds, four assists and a steal, while Dion Waiters added 14 points on 5-of-13 shooting, off the bench. Anthony Davis was quiet, as he finished with nine points, eight rebounds and five assists, in 29 minutes.
The Lakers will be right back in action on Thursday, as they take on the Rockets. The Thunder take on the Grizzlies on Friday.
Raptors Defeat Magic, 109-99
The Toronto Raptors defeated the Orlando Magic, 109-99, in Orlando on Wednesday.
Toronto got out to a 26-11 lead after the first quarter and that allowed them to win in wire-to-wire fashion. In fact, Orlando never got the game within a seven-point margin after that first quarter. The Raptors ended up shooting 49 percent from the field and 36 percent from three-point range while holding the Magic to 40 percent from the field and 27 percent from long range. Toronto also ended up outscoring Orlando in fastbreak points, 18-11, and in points in the paint, 52-40.
The Magic (32-37) had no player score more than 15 points, with Evan Fournier leading the way with 15 points, two rebounds and three assists. Nikola Vucevic totaled 12 points, nine rebounds, three assists and two steals. Aaron Gordon provided nine points, 11 rebounds, five assists and three steals but suffered an injury. Terrence Ross dropped 15 points to lead the bench too.
The Raptors (49-18) were led by Fred VanVleet, who tallied 21 points, four rebounds and 10 assists. Pascal Siakam amassed 15 points and six rebounds but committed seven turnovers. Kyle Lowry finished with eight points, nine rebounds and 10 assists. Norman Powell and Serge Ibaka both reached double figures in scoring off the bench.
Both teams return to action on Friday, with Orlando facing the Philadelphia 76ers and Toronto playing the Boston Celtics.
Toronto got out to a 26-11 lead after the first quarter and that allowed them to win in wire-to-wire fashion. In fact, Orlando never got the game within a seven-point margin after that first quarter. The Raptors ended up shooting 49 percent from the field and 36 percent from three-point range while holding the Magic to 40 percent from the field and 27 percent from long range. Toronto also ended up outscoring Orlando in fastbreak points, 18-11, and in points in the paint, 52-40.
The Magic (32-37) had no player score more than 15 points, with Evan Fournier leading the way with 15 points, two rebounds and three assists. Nikola Vucevic totaled 12 points, nine rebounds, three assists and two steals. Aaron Gordon provided nine points, 11 rebounds, five assists and three steals but suffered an injury. Terrence Ross dropped 15 points to lead the bench too.
The Raptors (49-18) were led by Fred VanVleet, who tallied 21 points, four rebounds and 10 assists. Pascal Siakam amassed 15 points and six rebounds but committed seven turnovers. Kyle Lowry finished with eight points, nine rebounds and 10 assists. Norman Powell and Serge Ibaka both reached double figures in scoring off the bench.
Both teams return to action on Friday, with Orlando facing the Philadelphia 76ers and Toronto playing the Boston Celtics.
Celtics Roll Nets, 149-115
The Boston Celtics defeated the Brooklyn Nets, 149-115, in Orlando on Wednesday.
While there were nine lead changes in the first 10 minutes of this game, Boston dominated the final three quarters. In fact, they led by nine points after the first, by 19 points at the half and by 29 points going into the fourth quarter. The Celtics shot 57 percent from the field and 51 percent from three-point range while holding the Nets to 47 percent from the field and 25 percent from long range. Boston also out-assisted Brooklyn, 29-23, while out-rebounding them, 42-34. The Celtics recorded nine blocks to the Nets two while winning the points in the paint battle, 70-44.
The Nets (32-36) highest-scoring starter was Joe Harris, who finished with 14 points, six rebounds, two assists and two steals. Caris LeVert tallied 13 points, five rebounds, two steals and two blocks. Jarrett Allen totaled 11 points, eight rebounds and four assists while Jeremiah Martin led the bench with 20 points and four assists across just 15 minutes of action.
The Celtics (45-23) were led by Jaylen Brown, who tallied 21 points, four rebounds and two assists. Robert Williams went 7-of-7 off the bench to provide 18 points, five rebounds and three blocks. Jayson Tatum amassed 19 points, two rebounds and two assists. Gordon Hayward generated 18 points, seven rebounds and three assists while Marcus Smart accumulated 12 points, five rebounds, six assists and three steals.
On deck for Brooklyn is a matchup with the Sacramento Kings on Friday. Boston also returns to action on Friday, facing the Toronto Raptors
While there were nine lead changes in the first 10 minutes of this game, Boston dominated the final three quarters. In fact, they led by nine points after the first, by 19 points at the half and by 29 points going into the fourth quarter. The Celtics shot 57 percent from the field and 51 percent from three-point range while holding the Nets to 47 percent from the field and 25 percent from long range. Boston also out-assisted Brooklyn, 29-23, while out-rebounding them, 42-34. The Celtics recorded nine blocks to the Nets two while winning the points in the paint battle, 70-44.
The Nets (32-36) highest-scoring starter was Joe Harris, who finished with 14 points, six rebounds, two assists and two steals. Caris LeVert tallied 13 points, five rebounds, two steals and two blocks. Jarrett Allen totaled 11 points, eight rebounds and four assists while Jeremiah Martin led the bench with 20 points and four assists across just 15 minutes of action.
The Celtics (45-23) were led by Jaylen Brown, who tallied 21 points, four rebounds and two assists. Robert Williams went 7-of-7 off the bench to provide 18 points, five rebounds and three blocks. Jayson Tatum amassed 19 points, two rebounds and two assists. Gordon Hayward generated 18 points, seven rebounds and three assists while Marcus Smart accumulated 12 points, five rebounds, six assists and three steals.
On deck for Brooklyn is a matchup with the Sacramento Kings on Friday. Boston also returns to action on Friday, facing the Toronto Raptors