Sixers Move To 10-0 At Home
By Dan Bruno
The Philadelphia 76ers defeated the visiting Utah Jazz, 103-94, at Wells Fargo Center on Monday evening.
The Sixers got out to a good start at home, with an eight-point lead after one quarter. They doubled down in the second, as they outscored the Jazz by 10 in the quarter, to take a 60-42 lead into halftime. The Jazz stabilized in the third quarter but could not cut into the lead, as they trailed by 19 points heading into the final frame. The Jazz made a push in the fourth and cut it to a 10-point game with four minutes to go but the 76ers closed it out, earning their fourth straight win and moved to 10-0 at home. This marks the second straight loss for the Jazz and the end of a five-game road trip, where they finished with a 1-4 record.
Tobias Harris led the 76ers with 26 points, nine rebounds, three assists and a steal, in 35 minutes. Joel Embiid addled 16 points and 11 rebounds, while Al Horford tallied 17 points, eight rebounds and five assists. The Sixers shot 41 percent from the field, including 13-of-26 from long range.
Meanwhile, Rudy Gobert led the Jazz with 27 points, 12 rebounds and three blocks, in 36 minutes. Donovan Mitchell added 18 points, while Joe Ingles chipped in 13 points, eight rebounds, eight assists and two steals, off the bench. The Jazz shot 47 percent from the field, but struggled shooting 5-of-22 from long range.
The Jazz (12-9) will look to bounce back as they play host to the Lakers on Wednesday. The 76ers take on the Wizards in Washington on Thursday.
The Sixers got out to a good start at home, with an eight-point lead after one quarter. They doubled down in the second, as they outscored the Jazz by 10 in the quarter, to take a 60-42 lead into halftime. The Jazz stabilized in the third quarter but could not cut into the lead, as they trailed by 19 points heading into the final frame. The Jazz made a push in the fourth and cut it to a 10-point game with four minutes to go but the 76ers closed it out, earning their fourth straight win and moved to 10-0 at home. This marks the second straight loss for the Jazz and the end of a five-game road trip, where they finished with a 1-4 record.
Tobias Harris led the 76ers with 26 points, nine rebounds, three assists and a steal, in 35 minutes. Joel Embiid addled 16 points and 11 rebounds, while Al Horford tallied 17 points, eight rebounds and five assists. The Sixers shot 41 percent from the field, including 13-of-26 from long range.
Meanwhile, Rudy Gobert led the Jazz with 27 points, 12 rebounds and three blocks, in 36 minutes. Donovan Mitchell added 18 points, while Joe Ingles chipped in 13 points, eight rebounds, eight assists and two steals, off the bench. The Jazz shot 47 percent from the field, but struggled shooting 5-of-22 from long range.
The Jazz (12-9) will look to bounce back as they play host to the Lakers on Wednesday. The 76ers take on the Wizards in Washington on Thursday.
Suns Survive, Top Hornets Despite Charlotte's Late Comeback
The Charlotte Hornets defeated the Phoenix Suns, 109-104, at Spectrum Center on Monday night.
The Suns (9-10) and the Hornets (8-14) played a thrilling game on Charlotte on Monday night, but Phoenix ended prevailing on a game that was only decided in the final minutes of the contest. Phoenix jumped to a 28-21 lead after the first quarter, and they extended their lead following a 31-18 second quarter. Charlotte turned things around with a 34-21 third quarter, so it seemed things were going to be decided in the final 12 minutes. Charlotte turned things around and, in fact, the Hornets were up by five points with exactly one minute left on the clock, but then madness ensued. Phoenix scored eight unanswered points late in the final 60 seconds, including a key three pointer from Kelly Oubre Jr. and two clutch free throws from Ricky Rubio to seal the deal. The Hornets couldn’t turn things around, and Phoenix sealed the deal.
Devin Booker and Kelly Oubre Jr. both led the Phoenix offensively as both teams scored 23 points each; while the star shooting guard chipped in with four assists, the former Wizards forward had three boards and two steals. Ricky Rubio only had nine points, but he added 13 assists and four steals. Dario Saric contributed a double-double of 16 points and 10 rebounds. Frank Kaminsky had 12 points and six rebounds. Mikal Bridges had 12 points and eight boards off the bench.
Despite coming off the bench, Marvin Williams was the best player for the Hornets since he ended with 22 points, five rebounds and three assists in 31 minutes of action. Terry Rozier had 13 points with seven boards, while Devonte Graham chipped in with 15 points and 13 assists in 39 minutes. P.J. Washington had 11 points in only 18 minutes. Cody Zeller contributed 11 points and eight rebounds in only 18 minutes off the bench.
The Suns (9-10) and the Hornets (8-14) played a thrilling game on Charlotte on Monday night, but Phoenix ended prevailing on a game that was only decided in the final minutes of the contest. Phoenix jumped to a 28-21 lead after the first quarter, and they extended their lead following a 31-18 second quarter. Charlotte turned things around with a 34-21 third quarter, so it seemed things were going to be decided in the final 12 minutes. Charlotte turned things around and, in fact, the Hornets were up by five points with exactly one minute left on the clock, but then madness ensued. Phoenix scored eight unanswered points late in the final 60 seconds, including a key three pointer from Kelly Oubre Jr. and two clutch free throws from Ricky Rubio to seal the deal. The Hornets couldn’t turn things around, and Phoenix sealed the deal.
Devin Booker and Kelly Oubre Jr. both led the Phoenix offensively as both teams scored 23 points each; while the star shooting guard chipped in with four assists, the former Wizards forward had three boards and two steals. Ricky Rubio only had nine points, but he added 13 assists and four steals. Dario Saric contributed a double-double of 16 points and 10 rebounds. Frank Kaminsky had 12 points and six rebounds. Mikal Bridges had 12 points and eight boards off the bench.
Despite coming off the bench, Marvin Williams was the best player for the Hornets since he ended with 22 points, five rebounds and three assists in 31 minutes of action. Terry Rozier had 13 points with seven boards, while Devonte Graham chipped in with 15 points and 13 assists in 39 minutes. P.J. Washington had 11 points in only 18 minutes. Cody Zeller contributed 11 points and eight rebounds in only 18 minutes off the bench.
Hawks Snap 10-Game Slide
By Dan Bruno
The Atlanta Hawks defeated the visiting Golden State Warriors, 104-79, at State Farm Arena on Monday evening.
The Warriors got out to a good start on the road, as they led for most of the first quarter and took a 23-20 lead after one quarter. The Hawks took over in the second quarter, as they jumped ahead early and held the lead for the rest of the quarter, earning a nine-point lead by halftime. They Hawks kept their foot on the gas through the third, where they outscored Warriors 27-13, to take a 23-point lead into the final frame. They stayed solid through the fourth and held on for the home win and snapped their 10-game losing streak.
Trae Young led the Hawks with 24 points and seven assists, in 34 minutes. De'Andre Hunter added 18 points, four rebounds and a steal, while Damian Jones tallied 16 points and eight rebounds. The Hawks shot 46 percent from the field, including 8-of-29 from long range.
Meanwhile, Eric Paschall led the Warriors with 24 points, nine rebounds and six assists, in 36 minutes. Alec Burks chipped in 15 points, three rebounds and three assists, while Ky Bowman added 10 points, eight rebounds, three assists and three steals. The Warriors shot 40 percent from the field, including just 3-of-17 from long range.
The Warriors (4-17) will look to avoid a fourth consecutive loss as they take on the Hornets in Charlotte on Wednesday. The Hawks (5-16) play host to the Nets on Wednesday.
The Warriors got out to a good start on the road, as they led for most of the first quarter and took a 23-20 lead after one quarter. The Hawks took over in the second quarter, as they jumped ahead early and held the lead for the rest of the quarter, earning a nine-point lead by halftime. They Hawks kept their foot on the gas through the third, where they outscored Warriors 27-13, to take a 23-point lead into the final frame. They stayed solid through the fourth and held on for the home win and snapped their 10-game losing streak.
Trae Young led the Hawks with 24 points and seven assists, in 34 minutes. De'Andre Hunter added 18 points, four rebounds and a steal, while Damian Jones tallied 16 points and eight rebounds. The Hawks shot 46 percent from the field, including 8-of-29 from long range.
Meanwhile, Eric Paschall led the Warriors with 24 points, nine rebounds and six assists, in 36 minutes. Alec Burks chipped in 15 points, three rebounds and three assists, while Ky Bowman added 10 points, eight rebounds, three assists and three steals. The Warriors shot 40 percent from the field, including just 3-of-17 from long range.
The Warriors (4-17) will look to avoid a fourth consecutive loss as they take on the Hornets in Charlotte on Wednesday. The Hawks (5-16) play host to the Nets on Wednesday.
Bucks Throttle Knicks, 132-88
The Milwaukee Bucks defeated the New York Knicks, 132-88, at Fiserv Forum on Monday night.
The Bucks (18-3) were sizable favorites coming into the contest for a number of obvious reasons, but there was never a feeling they took the floor with too much confidence. That's because Milwaukee quickly established a 33-15 lead over the Knicks (4-17) through the first 12 minutes and owned a 72-45 edge by halftime. The second half was essentially more of the same, and the hosts finished the contest with 55.8 percent shooting, including 45.7 percent from three-point range.
Julius Randle led the way for the Knicks with 19 points, adding five rebounds, one assist and one steal. Dewayne Dotson added 15 off the bench. Allonzo Trier compiled 10 points, one rebound and one assist. No other New York player scored in double digits, although Taj Gibson was able to add nine rebounds to his seven points.
Giannis Antetokounmpo paced the Bucks with a 29-point, 15-rebound double-double that also included three assists. D.J. Wilson totaled 19 points and five boards, Khris Middleton reentered the starting lineup and supplied 16 points, seven rebounds, three assists and one steal. George Hill provided 14 points and four assists, while Donte DiVincenzo poured in 11 points.
The Knicks head back home to face the Denver Nuggets on Thursday night, while the Bucks pay a visit to the Detroit Pistons on Wednesday night.
The Bucks (18-3) were sizable favorites coming into the contest for a number of obvious reasons, but there was never a feeling they took the floor with too much confidence. That's because Milwaukee quickly established a 33-15 lead over the Knicks (4-17) through the first 12 minutes and owned a 72-45 edge by halftime. The second half was essentially more of the same, and the hosts finished the contest with 55.8 percent shooting, including 45.7 percent from three-point range.
Julius Randle led the way for the Knicks with 19 points, adding five rebounds, one assist and one steal. Dewayne Dotson added 15 off the bench. Allonzo Trier compiled 10 points, one rebound and one assist. No other New York player scored in double digits, although Taj Gibson was able to add nine rebounds to his seven points.
Giannis Antetokounmpo paced the Bucks with a 29-point, 15-rebound double-double that also included three assists. D.J. Wilson totaled 19 points and five boards, Khris Middleton reentered the starting lineup and supplied 16 points, seven rebounds, three assists and one steal. George Hill provided 14 points and four assists, while Donte DiVincenzo poured in 11 points.
The Knicks head back home to face the Denver Nuggets on Thursday night, while the Bucks pay a visit to the Detroit Pistons on Wednesday night.
Pacers Handle Road Business, Topple Grizzlies, 117-104
The Indiana Pacers defeated the Memphis Grizzlies, 117-104, at FedEx Forum on Monday night.
The Pacers (13-7) opened the road contest against the injury-hampered Grizzlies (6-14) not taking the task at hand lightly, building a solid 57-47 halftime lead. They found the need to keep their foot on the gas throughout the third quarter, with Memphis putting up a valiant fight thanks to some strong efforts from their starting five. However, Indiana ultimately clamped down in the final period and never let their hosts get closer than 10 points on their way to the road win.
Malcolm Brogdon led the way for the Pacers with 19 points, adding nine assists and six rebounds. Domantas Sabonis generated an 18-point, 14-rebound double-double that also included eight assists. Myles Turner provided 17 points, six rebounds, two assists, one steal and one block. Jeremy Lamb contributed 15 points, seven boards, three assists and two steals, while Justin Holiday matched Lamb's scoring tally off the bench. T.J. Warren poured in 14 points to round out a strong night for the first unit.
Jaren Jackson, Jr. paced the Grizzlies with 31 points, complementing them with four rebounds, two assists, two blocks and one steal. Solomon Hill pitched in 22 points, six rebounds, two assists and three steals. Dillon Brooks registered 19 points, seven rebounds, two assists and one steal, while DeAnthony Melton managed 16 points, nine rebounds and four assists off the bench.
The Pacers remain on the road and tangle with the Oklahoma City Thunder on Wednesday night, while the Grizzlies face off with the Chicago Bulls on Wednesday night as well.
The Pacers (13-7) opened the road contest against the injury-hampered Grizzlies (6-14) not taking the task at hand lightly, building a solid 57-47 halftime lead. They found the need to keep their foot on the gas throughout the third quarter, with Memphis putting up a valiant fight thanks to some strong efforts from their starting five. However, Indiana ultimately clamped down in the final period and never let their hosts get closer than 10 points on their way to the road win.
Malcolm Brogdon led the way for the Pacers with 19 points, adding nine assists and six rebounds. Domantas Sabonis generated an 18-point, 14-rebound double-double that also included eight assists. Myles Turner provided 17 points, six rebounds, two assists, one steal and one block. Jeremy Lamb contributed 15 points, seven boards, three assists and two steals, while Justin Holiday matched Lamb's scoring tally off the bench. T.J. Warren poured in 14 points to round out a strong night for the first unit.
Jaren Jackson, Jr. paced the Grizzlies with 31 points, complementing them with four rebounds, two assists, two blocks and one steal. Solomon Hill pitched in 22 points, six rebounds, two assists and three steals. Dillon Brooks registered 19 points, seven rebounds, two assists and one steal, while DeAnthony Melton managed 16 points, nine rebounds and four assists off the bench.
The Pacers remain on the road and tangle with the Oklahoma City Thunder on Wednesday night, while the Grizzlies face off with the Chicago Bulls on Wednesday night as well.
Bulls Defeat Kings, 113-106
The Chicago Bulls defeated the host Sacramento Kings, 113-106, at Golden 1 Center on Monday.
While Sacramento led for the entirety of the first quarter, that was the only lead they had. In fact, Chicago rode a 33-21 second quarter to a big lead and never surrendered it in the second half. The only major difference in the stat sheet was the shooting, with Chicago hitting 43 percent from three-point range while going 25-of-29 from the free-throw line and Chicago connecting on 27 percent from long range and 17-of-20 from the charity stripe.
The Bulls (7-14) were led by Zach LaVine, as he tallied 28 points, one rebound and three assists. Lauri Markkanen amassed 20 points and seven boards while Wendell Carter totaled 10 points, 10 rebounds and two steals. Tomas Satoransky accrued 14 points, two rebounds and five assists while Coby White led the bench with 11 points, three rebounds and three assists.
The Kings (8-11) were led by Buddy Hield, who generated 26 points, five rebounds and four assists. Richaun Holmes finished with 20 points and nine boards. Nemanja Bjelica accumulated 18 points, eight rebounds, two assists and two blocks while Bogdan Bogdanovic led the bench with 11 points, two rebounds and three assists.
Both teams return to action on Wednesday, with Sacramento traveling to face the Portland Trail Blazers and Chicago returning home to face the Memphis Grizzlies.
While Sacramento led for the entirety of the first quarter, that was the only lead they had. In fact, Chicago rode a 33-21 second quarter to a big lead and never surrendered it in the second half. The only major difference in the stat sheet was the shooting, with Chicago hitting 43 percent from three-point range while going 25-of-29 from the free-throw line and Chicago connecting on 27 percent from long range and 17-of-20 from the charity stripe.
The Bulls (7-14) were led by Zach LaVine, as he tallied 28 points, one rebound and three assists. Lauri Markkanen amassed 20 points and seven boards while Wendell Carter totaled 10 points, 10 rebounds and two steals. Tomas Satoransky accrued 14 points, two rebounds and five assists while Coby White led the bench with 11 points, three rebounds and three assists.
The Kings (8-11) were led by Buddy Hield, who generated 26 points, five rebounds and four assists. Richaun Holmes finished with 20 points and nine boards. Nemanja Bjelica accumulated 18 points, eight rebounds, two assists and two blocks while Bogdan Bogdanovic led the bench with 11 points, two rebounds and three assists.
Both teams return to action on Wednesday, with Sacramento traveling to face the Portland Trail Blazers and Chicago returning home to face the Memphis Grizzlies.