Postponed
Game postponed due to the league's health and safety protocols.
Pacers-Rockets Postponed Saturday
The game between the Indiana Pacers and Houston Rockets scheduled for Saturday night at Toyota Center has been postponed due to inclement winter weather conditions in Houston and will be played at a later date.
Rozier Lifts Hornets With Late-Game Heroics
By Dan Bruno
The Charlotte Hornets defeated the visiting Golden State Warriors, 102-100, at Spectrum Center on Saturday evening.
Stephen Curry (illness) was a late scratch for the Warriors, but they adjusted on the fly and put up a strong fight in Charlotte. The Hornets got out to a good start at home as they took a, 24-15, lead after one quarter. The Warriors rebounded in the second and rallied ahead to hold a two-point lead at halftime. The contest stayed tight through the third and after a couple of lead changes, the score was tied at 69, heading into the final frame. The Warriors came out strong and claimed the edge for most of the fourth, but Terry Rozier closed the contest on a, 7-0, run of his own to lift the Hornets to the home win.
Rozier finished with 36 points, four assists, three rebounds and a steal, in 38 minutes. P.J. Washington followed up with 15 points, five rebounds, two assists and a block, while Gordon Hayward added 13 points, seven rebounds and two steals. The Hornets shot 49 percent from the field, including 20-of-40 from long range.
Meanwhile, Kelly Oubre Jr. led the Warriors with 25 points, six rebounds, two steals and a block, in 36 minutes. Andrew Wiggins followed up with 19 points, five rebounds, four assists and a steal, while Eric Paschall chipped in 16 points and six rebounds. The Warriors shot 44 percent from the field, including 13-of-39 from long range.
The Warriors (16-15) will look to bounce back as they take on the Knicks in New York on Tuesday. The Hornets (14-15) take on the Jazz in Utah on Monday.
Stephen Curry (illness) was a late scratch for the Warriors, but they adjusted on the fly and put up a strong fight in Charlotte. The Hornets got out to a good start at home as they took a, 24-15, lead after one quarter. The Warriors rebounded in the second and rallied ahead to hold a two-point lead at halftime. The contest stayed tight through the third and after a couple of lead changes, the score was tied at 69, heading into the final frame. The Warriors came out strong and claimed the edge for most of the fourth, but Terry Rozier closed the contest on a, 7-0, run of his own to lift the Hornets to the home win.
Rozier finished with 36 points, four assists, three rebounds and a steal, in 38 minutes. P.J. Washington followed up with 15 points, five rebounds, two assists and a block, while Gordon Hayward added 13 points, seven rebounds and two steals. The Hornets shot 49 percent from the field, including 20-of-40 from long range.
Meanwhile, Kelly Oubre Jr. led the Warriors with 25 points, six rebounds, two steals and a block, in 36 minutes. Andrew Wiggins followed up with 19 points, five rebounds, four assists and a steal, while Eric Paschall chipped in 16 points and six rebounds. The Warriors shot 44 percent from the field, including 13-of-39 from long range.
The Warriors (16-15) will look to bounce back as they take on the Knicks in New York on Tuesday. The Hornets (14-15) take on the Jazz in Utah on Monday.
Heat Squeaks By Lakers, 96-94
The Miami Heat defeated the Los Angeles Lakers, 96-94, at Staples Center on Saturday night.
The Heat (13-17) came out of the gates hot against the defending champions, jumping out to a 36-23 lead through the first 12 minutes. The host Lakers (22-9) seemed to shake from their slumber to an extent in the second quarter, but they were only able to shave six points from their deficit prior to halftime. Los Angeles continued to battle and trailed by just four points going into the final period, and they got as close as within two points with just 1:28 remaining. However, Jimmy Butler sunk two critical free throws with 12.4 seconds left, and Alex Caruso's missed 22-foot jumper with under two seconds remaining following a LeBron James steal of an Andre Iguodala pass sealed Miami's narrow victory.
Kendrick Nunn paced the heat with 27 points, complementing them with five rebounds, three assists, two steals and one block. Jimmy Butler supplied 24 points, eight boards, five assists and two steals. Bam Adebayo generated a 16-point, 10-rebound double-double that also included six assists, two steals and one block. Duncan Robinson delivered 11 points, 10 rebounds and one assist.
Kyle Kuzma paced the Lakers with 23 points, supplementing them with four rebounds. LeBron James followed with 19 points, nine rebounds, nine assists, one steal and one block. Montrezl Harrell posted 18 points, 10 boards, one assist and two steals. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope delivered 11 points, four assists, three rebounds, one steal and one block. Wesley Matthews registered 10 points, eight rebounds, one assist, one steal and one block.
The Heat remains on the road and faces the Oklahoma City Thunder on Monday night, while the Lakers remain home to tangle with the Washington Wizards on Monday night as well.
The Heat (13-17) came out of the gates hot against the defending champions, jumping out to a 36-23 lead through the first 12 minutes. The host Lakers (22-9) seemed to shake from their slumber to an extent in the second quarter, but they were only able to shave six points from their deficit prior to halftime. Los Angeles continued to battle and trailed by just four points going into the final period, and they got as close as within two points with just 1:28 remaining. However, Jimmy Butler sunk two critical free throws with 12.4 seconds left, and Alex Caruso's missed 22-foot jumper with under two seconds remaining following a LeBron James steal of an Andre Iguodala pass sealed Miami's narrow victory.
Kendrick Nunn paced the heat with 27 points, complementing them with five rebounds, three assists, two steals and one block. Jimmy Butler supplied 24 points, eight boards, five assists and two steals. Bam Adebayo generated a 16-point, 10-rebound double-double that also included six assists, two steals and one block. Duncan Robinson delivered 11 points, 10 rebounds and one assist.
Kyle Kuzma paced the Lakers with 23 points, supplementing them with four rebounds. LeBron James followed with 19 points, nine rebounds, nine assists, one steal and one block. Montrezl Harrell posted 18 points, 10 boards, one assist and two steals. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope delivered 11 points, four assists, three rebounds, one steal and one block. Wesley Matthews registered 10 points, eight rebounds, one assist, one steal and one block.
The Heat remains on the road and faces the Oklahoma City Thunder on Monday night, while the Lakers remain home to tangle with the Washington Wizards on Monday night as well.
Bulls Hang On At Home
By Dan Bruno
The Chicago Bulls defeated the visiting Sacramento Kings, 122-114, at United Center on Saturday evening.
The Bulls got out to a strong start at home and held a seven-point lead after one quarter. The pace picked up in the second, but the Bulls stayed in control as they outscored the visitors, 40-37, in the quarter and took a 10-point lead into halftime. They kept it going in the third and pushed their lead to a game-high 14 points, before the Kings cut it back to a 12-point game heading into the final frame. The Kings came out strong in the fourth and cut it to a two-point game with eight minutes to go, but the Bulls reclaimed control and pushed their lead back to double digits, on their way to the home win. This marks the sixth straight loss for the Kings.
Zach LaVine led the Bulls with 38 points, four rebounds and three assists, in 35 minutes. Coby White followed up with 19 points, three rebounds, two assists, a steal and a block, while Patrick Williams totaled 11 points, 11 rebounds and three assists. The Bulls shot 60 percent from the field, including 11-of-23 from long range.
Meanwhile, Marvin Bagley III led the Kings with 26 points, 11 rebounds, two assists and two steals, in 35 minutes. Buddy Hield added 23 points, four rebounds, three assists and a steal, while De'Aaron Fox totaled 20 points, nine assists, three rebounds and two steals. The Kings shot 45 percent from the field, including 8-of-29 from deep.
The Kings (12-17) will look to bounce back as they take on the Bucks in Milwaukee on Sunday. The Bulls (13-16) take on the Rockets in Houston on Monday.
The Bulls got out to a strong start at home and held a seven-point lead after one quarter. The pace picked up in the second, but the Bulls stayed in control as they outscored the visitors, 40-37, in the quarter and took a 10-point lead into halftime. They kept it going in the third and pushed their lead to a game-high 14 points, before the Kings cut it back to a 12-point game heading into the final frame. The Kings came out strong in the fourth and cut it to a two-point game with eight minutes to go, but the Bulls reclaimed control and pushed their lead back to double digits, on their way to the home win. This marks the sixth straight loss for the Kings.
Zach LaVine led the Bulls with 38 points, four rebounds and three assists, in 35 minutes. Coby White followed up with 19 points, three rebounds, two assists, a steal and a block, while Patrick Williams totaled 11 points, 11 rebounds and three assists. The Bulls shot 60 percent from the field, including 11-of-23 from long range.
Meanwhile, Marvin Bagley III led the Kings with 26 points, 11 rebounds, two assists and two steals, in 35 minutes. Buddy Hield added 23 points, four rebounds, three assists and a steal, while De'Aaron Fox totaled 20 points, nine assists, three rebounds and two steals. The Kings shot 45 percent from the field, including 8-of-29 from deep.
The Kings (12-17) will look to bounce back as they take on the Bucks in Milwaukee on Sunday. The Bulls (13-16) take on the Rockets in Houston on Monday.
Suns Slaughter Grizzlies, 128-97
The Phoenix Suns defeated the hist Memphis Grizzlies, 128-97, at FedEx Forum on Saturday.
A 28-15 first quarter really set the tone for Phoenix in this game, riding a 37-19 second quarter to a 31-point halftime lead. That allowed the Suns to hold a double-digit lead for the final three quarters while leading by at least 25 points for the entirety of the second half. Three-point shooting was key, with Phoenix hitting 24-of-46 and Memphis connecting on just 5-of-33. The Suns also shot 54 percent from the field while holding the Grizzlies to 39 percent shooting. In addition, Phoenix out-assisted Memphis, 35-19.
The Suns (19-10) were led by Devin Booker, who tallied 23 points, five rebounds and three assists. Mikal Bridges amassed 19 points and six rebounds. Chris Paul generated 16 points, two rebounds and six assists. None of those guys stepped on the floor in the fourth quarter. Dario Saric led the bench with 19 points while Cameron Payne had 16 points and seven assists.
The Grizzlies (13-13) had no starter score more than 12 points, with Ja Morant leading the way with 12 points, five rebounds and five assists. Jonas Valanciunas totaled 10 points and 12 rebounds. De'Anthony Melton collected 11 points, six rebounds and four assists. Gorgui Dieng led the bench with 15 points, four rebounds and two assists.
Both teams return to action on Monday against Western Conference foes, with Phoenix flying home to face the Portland Trail Blazers and Memphis traveling to play the Dallas Mavericks.
A 28-15 first quarter really set the tone for Phoenix in this game, riding a 37-19 second quarter to a 31-point halftime lead. That allowed the Suns to hold a double-digit lead for the final three quarters while leading by at least 25 points for the entirety of the second half. Three-point shooting was key, with Phoenix hitting 24-of-46 and Memphis connecting on just 5-of-33. The Suns also shot 54 percent from the field while holding the Grizzlies to 39 percent shooting. In addition, Phoenix out-assisted Memphis, 35-19.
The Suns (19-10) were led by Devin Booker, who tallied 23 points, five rebounds and three assists. Mikal Bridges amassed 19 points and six rebounds. Chris Paul generated 16 points, two rebounds and six assists. None of those guys stepped on the floor in the fourth quarter. Dario Saric led the bench with 19 points while Cameron Payne had 16 points and seven assists.
The Grizzlies (13-13) had no starter score more than 12 points, with Ja Morant leading the way with 12 points, five rebounds and five assists. Jonas Valanciunas totaled 10 points and 12 rebounds. De'Anthony Melton collected 11 points, six rebounds and four assists. Gorgui Dieng led the bench with 15 points, four rebounds and two assists.
Both teams return to action on Monday against Western Conference foes, with Phoenix flying home to face the Portland Trail Blazers and Memphis traveling to play the Dallas Mavericks.
Wizards Defeat Trail Blazers, 118-111
The Washington Wizards defeated the host Portland Trail Blazers, 118-111, at Moda Center on Saturday.
While Portland led 43-31 after the first quarter, Washington buckled down after that thanks to a 30-12 second quarter. Portland fought back with a 37-28 third quarter but the Wizards closed the game behind a 29-19 fourth quarter. Those swings led to nine ties and 12 lead changes in this closely-fought battle. Washington ended up shooting 51 percent from the field while holding Portland to just 36 percent shooting. In addition, the Wizards out-rebounded the Trail Blazers, 54-50, while out-assisting them, 23-19. Those stats allowed them to outscore Portland in the paint, 56-36.
The Wizards (10-17) were led by Bradley Beal and his 37 points, seven rebounds, three assists and two steals. Russell Westbrook collected 27 points, 11 rebounds and 13 assists. Those two combined to shoot 27-of-44 from the field. Rui Hachimura amassed 17 points, seven rebounds and three steals. Robin Lopez led the bench with 10 points, 11 rebounds, two assists and two steals.
The Trail Blazers (18-11) were led by Damian Lillard, tallying 35 points, six rebounds and 12 assists on 10-of-30 from the field. Enes Kanter totaled 19 points and 13 rebounds. Gary Trent Jr had 16 points, three rebounds and two assists while Robert Covington compiled 11 points, 11 rebounds and four blocks.
Both teams are off until Monday against tough Western Conference opponents, with Washington staying on the West Coast to face the Los Angeles Lakers and Portland traveling to face the Phoenix Suns.
While Portland led 43-31 after the first quarter, Washington buckled down after that thanks to a 30-12 second quarter. Portland fought back with a 37-28 third quarter but the Wizards closed the game behind a 29-19 fourth quarter. Those swings led to nine ties and 12 lead changes in this closely-fought battle. Washington ended up shooting 51 percent from the field while holding Portland to just 36 percent shooting. In addition, the Wizards out-rebounded the Trail Blazers, 54-50, while out-assisting them, 23-19. Those stats allowed them to outscore Portland in the paint, 56-36.
The Wizards (10-17) were led by Bradley Beal and his 37 points, seven rebounds, three assists and two steals. Russell Westbrook collected 27 points, 11 rebounds and 13 assists. Those two combined to shoot 27-of-44 from the field. Rui Hachimura amassed 17 points, seven rebounds and three steals. Robin Lopez led the bench with 10 points, 11 rebounds, two assists and two steals.
The Trail Blazers (18-11) were led by Damian Lillard, tallying 35 points, six rebounds and 12 assists on 10-of-30 from the field. Enes Kanter totaled 19 points and 13 rebounds. Gary Trent Jr had 16 points, three rebounds and two assists while Robert Covington compiled 11 points, 11 rebounds and four blocks.
Both teams are off until Monday against tough Western Conference opponents, with Washington staying on the West Coast to face the Los Angeles Lakers and Portland traveling to face the Phoenix Suns.