Wizards Hand Cavs Sixth Straight Loss
By Dan Bruno
The Washington Wizards defeated the host Cleveland Cavaliers, 124-112, at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse on Thursday evening.
The Cavs got out to a great start at home with an 18-6 lead early on, but the Wizards rallied ahead to take a 29-24 lead by the end of the first quarter. The pace picked up in the second quarter, where the Wizards outscored the hosts 39-37, to take a seven-point lead into halftime. The Wizards came out strong in the third and charged to an 11-point lead, early in the quarter. They pushed their lead up to 20, late in the third, but the Cavs managed to cut it back to 14, heading into the final frame. The Cavs kept the push going and cut it to a nine-point game early in the fourth, but the Wizards stayed in control and closed out the road win. This marks the sixth straight loss for the Cavaliers.
Bradley Beal led the Wizards with 36 points, eight assists and two rebounds, in 29 minutes. Davis Bertans added 17 points, two rebounds, two assists and a steal, while Ish Smith tallied 17 points, five assists, four rebounds and two steals. The Wizards shot 55 percent from the field, including 16-of-36 from long range.
Meanwhile, Collin Sexton led the Cavs with 29 points, four rebounds, four assists and two steals, in 37 minutes. Larry Nance Jr. added 22 points, 12 rebounds and three assists, while Kevin Love totalled 21 points, five rebounds, two assists and two steals. The Cavaliers shot 46 percent from the field, including 11-of-33 from long range.
The Cavs (13-32) will look to bounce back as they play host to the Bulls on Saturday. The Wizards (15-29) take on the Hawks in Atlanta on Sunday.
The Cavs got out to a great start at home with an 18-6 lead early on, but the Wizards rallied ahead to take a 29-24 lead by the end of the first quarter. The pace picked up in the second quarter, where the Wizards outscored the hosts 39-37, to take a seven-point lead into halftime. The Wizards came out strong in the third and charged to an 11-point lead, early in the quarter. They pushed their lead up to 20, late in the third, but the Cavs managed to cut it back to 14, heading into the final frame. The Cavs kept the push going and cut it to a nine-point game early in the fourth, but the Wizards stayed in control and closed out the road win. This marks the sixth straight loss for the Cavaliers.
Bradley Beal led the Wizards with 36 points, eight assists and two rebounds, in 29 minutes. Davis Bertans added 17 points, two rebounds, two assists and a steal, while Ish Smith tallied 17 points, five assists, four rebounds and two steals. The Wizards shot 55 percent from the field, including 16-of-36 from long range.
Meanwhile, Collin Sexton led the Cavs with 29 points, four rebounds, four assists and two steals, in 37 minutes. Larry Nance Jr. added 22 points, 12 rebounds and three assists, while Kevin Love totalled 21 points, five rebounds, two assists and two steals. The Cavaliers shot 46 percent from the field, including 11-of-33 from long range.
The Cavs (13-32) will look to bounce back as they play host to the Bulls on Saturday. The Wizards (15-29) take on the Hawks in Atlanta on Sunday.
Lakers Topple Nets, 128-113
The Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Brooklyn Nets, 128-113, at Barclays Center on Thursday night.
The Lakers (36-9) got all they could handle from the Nets (18-25) in a frenetic first half, as it took all they had to forge a 75-70 halftime lead. Both defenses then buckled down after intermission, with Los Angeles limiting Brooklyn to 43 points in the second half. That allowed them to add five points to their advantage in final pair of quarters, leading to the double-digit road win.
LeBron James paced the Lakers with 27 points, complementing them with 12 rebounds, 10 assists, one steal and one block. Anthony Davis and Kyle Kuzma generated matching 16-point tallies, with Davis adding 11 rebounds. Dwight Howard generated a 14-point, 12-rebound double-double that also included one assist, two steals and one block. Danny Green matched Howard's scoring and also posted one rebound, two steals and one block. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope poured in 11 points.
Kyrie Irving led the Nets with 20 points, supplementing them with four assists, three rebounds, two steals and one block. Taurean Prince supplying 18 points, four assists, three rebounds and three steals. Caris LeVert registered 16 points, four rebounds, three assists and one steal. Wilson Chandler contributed 15 points, three boards, one assist and one steal. Garrett Temple totaled 11 points, six boards and one steal.
The Lakers remain on the road and tangle with the 76ers on Saturday night, while the Nets visit the Detroit Pistons on Saturday night as well.
The Lakers (36-9) got all they could handle from the Nets (18-25) in a frenetic first half, as it took all they had to forge a 75-70 halftime lead. Both defenses then buckled down after intermission, with Los Angeles limiting Brooklyn to 43 points in the second half. That allowed them to add five points to their advantage in final pair of quarters, leading to the double-digit road win.
LeBron James paced the Lakers with 27 points, complementing them with 12 rebounds, 10 assists, one steal and one block. Anthony Davis and Kyle Kuzma generated matching 16-point tallies, with Davis adding 11 rebounds. Dwight Howard generated a 14-point, 12-rebound double-double that also included one assist, two steals and one block. Danny Green matched Howard's scoring and also posted one rebound, two steals and one block. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope poured in 11 points.
Kyrie Irving led the Nets with 20 points, supplementing them with four assists, three rebounds, two steals and one block. Taurean Prince supplying 18 points, four assists, three rebounds and three steals. Caris LeVert registered 16 points, four rebounds, three assists and one steal. Wilson Chandler contributed 15 points, three boards, one assist and one steal. Garrett Temple totaled 11 points, six boards and one steal.
The Lakers remain on the road and tangle with the 76ers on Saturday night, while the Nets visit the Detroit Pistons on Saturday night as well.
Mavericks Defeat Trail Blazers, 133-125
The Dallas Mavericks defeated the host Portland Trail Blazers, 133-125, at Moda Center on Thursday.
A 45-37 first quarter really set the tone for Dallas in this game, leading by at least seven points for the final three quarters. In fact, a 33-26 second quarter allowed them gave them a 15-point halftime lead and it stayed at a double-figure margin for most of the second half. Ball movement was the difference in the game, with the Mavericks recording 27 assists to eight turnovers while Portland had 20 assisted to 12 turnovers. The Mavericks shot 52 percent from the field and 47 percent from three-point range while the Trail Blazers shot 51 percent from the field and 54 percent from long range. They combined for 43 three-pointers between the two teams.
The Mavericks (28-16) were led by Luka Doncic, who tallied 27 points, six rebounds, nine assists and two steals. Jalen Brunson was a huge spark off the bench, providing 17 points and three boards. Kristaps Porzingis accrued 20 points and five rebounds while Dorian Finney-Smith amassed 11 points and 10 boards.
The Trail Blazers (19-27) were led by Damian Lillard, who totaled 47 points, six rebounds and eight assists. Trevor Ariza made his Portland debut to provide 21 points, seven rebounds, two assists and two steals. Carmelo Anthony collected 16 points, 11 rebounds and five assists while Hassan Whiteside finished with 14 points and 10 boards.
On deck for Dallas is a road matchup against one of the hottest teams in the NBA, the Utah Jazz. As for Portland, they return to action on Sunday against the Indiana Pacers at home.
A 45-37 first quarter really set the tone for Dallas in this game, leading by at least seven points for the final three quarters. In fact, a 33-26 second quarter allowed them gave them a 15-point halftime lead and it stayed at a double-figure margin for most of the second half. Ball movement was the difference in the game, with the Mavericks recording 27 assists to eight turnovers while Portland had 20 assisted to 12 turnovers. The Mavericks shot 52 percent from the field and 47 percent from three-point range while the Trail Blazers shot 51 percent from the field and 54 percent from long range. They combined for 43 three-pointers between the two teams.
The Mavericks (28-16) were led by Luka Doncic, who tallied 27 points, six rebounds, nine assists and two steals. Jalen Brunson was a huge spark off the bench, providing 17 points and three boards. Kristaps Porzingis accrued 20 points and five rebounds while Dorian Finney-Smith amassed 11 points and 10 boards.
The Trail Blazers (19-27) were led by Damian Lillard, who totaled 47 points, six rebounds and eight assists. Trevor Ariza made his Portland debut to provide 21 points, seven rebounds, two assists and two steals. Carmelo Anthony collected 16 points, 11 rebounds and five assists while Hassan Whiteside finished with 14 points and 10 boards.
On deck for Dallas is a road matchup against one of the hottest teams in the NBA, the Utah Jazz. As for Portland, they return to action on Sunday against the Indiana Pacers at home.