Cavaliers Dominate, Secure Win Over Pistons
The Cleveland Cavaliers defeated the Detroit Pistons, 115-100, at Little Caesars Arena on Monday evening.
The Pistons (17-31) entering this game having lost six of their last 10 games, and they didn’t do any favors to themselves with another loss here – this time, against a reeling Cavaliers (13-34) team that saw their seven-game losing skid end here. Cleveland got off to a better start thanks to a 24-23 first quarter, and they extended their lead with a 29-22 second quarter. That eight-point halftime lead grew into a 17-point edge following a 36-27 third-quarter score, essentially ending the game with 12 minutes left to be played. The Pistons won the final quarter 28-26, but it was too late, and they couldn’t mount a comeback in front of their fans. With the win, the Cavaliers moved to 7-17 on the road while the Pistons fell to 9-16 at home. Cleveland shot 50 percent from the field and 37.5 percent from deep, while the Pistons shot only 45.2 percent from the field and 34.3 percent from three-point range.
Collin Sexton led the way for the Cavaliers with a 23-point, five-assist performance while Kevin Love delivered 20 points and seven rebounds. Tristan Thompson chipped in with 17 points and 11 boards. Alonzo McKinnie had 15 points in 25 minutes coming off the bench, while Larry Nance Jr. had 10 points. Cedi Osman had seven points in 23 minutes of action. Matthew Dellavedova was the only Cleveland player who didn’t see action.
Only four Detroit players scored in double digits here, and Reggie Jackson led the way for Detroit with 16 points, two rebounds and two assists. Andre Drummond had 15 points, eight rebounds, four assists, three steals and two blocks. Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk chipped in with 13 points. Langston Galloway delivered 11 points off the bench. Thon Maker had nine points while playing 17 minutes.
The Pistons (17-31) entering this game having lost six of their last 10 games, and they didn’t do any favors to themselves with another loss here – this time, against a reeling Cavaliers (13-34) team that saw their seven-game losing skid end here. Cleveland got off to a better start thanks to a 24-23 first quarter, and they extended their lead with a 29-22 second quarter. That eight-point halftime lead grew into a 17-point edge following a 36-27 third-quarter score, essentially ending the game with 12 minutes left to be played. The Pistons won the final quarter 28-26, but it was too late, and they couldn’t mount a comeback in front of their fans. With the win, the Cavaliers moved to 7-17 on the road while the Pistons fell to 9-16 at home. Cleveland shot 50 percent from the field and 37.5 percent from deep, while the Pistons shot only 45.2 percent from the field and 34.3 percent from three-point range.
Collin Sexton led the way for the Cavaliers with a 23-point, five-assist performance while Kevin Love delivered 20 points and seven rebounds. Tristan Thompson chipped in with 17 points and 11 boards. Alonzo McKinnie had 15 points in 25 minutes coming off the bench, while Larry Nance Jr. had 10 points. Cedi Osman had seven points in 23 minutes of action. Matthew Dellavedova was the only Cleveland player who didn’t see action.
Only four Detroit players scored in double digits here, and Reggie Jackson led the way for Detroit with 16 points, two rebounds and two assists. Andre Drummond had 15 points, eight rebounds, four assists, three steals and two blocks. Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk chipped in with 13 points. Langston Galloway delivered 11 points off the bench. Thon Maker had nine points while playing 17 minutes.
Heat Dominates Magic, 113-92
The Miami Heat defeated the Orlando Magic, 113-92, at American Airlines Arena on Monday night.
The Heat (32-14) got off to a start befitting of their stellar home record, as they established a 31-21 lead through the first 12 minutes. The Magic (21-27) managed to put a four-point dent into their deficit heading into intermission, but Miami quickly snuffed out the threat of any comeback by widening their advantage back out to 14 entering the final period. The hosts would add another seven points to their edge in the lopsided home win, one that saw them drain 53.2 percent of their shots (including 50.0 percent from three-point range) while limiting Orlando to a 37.1 percent success rate overall.
Aaron Gordon and Nikola Vucevic co-led the Magic with matching 13-point contributions while pulling down 12 and seven rebounds, respectively. Markelle Fultz provided 12 points, seven assists, four boards and two steals. Terrence Ross delivered 11 points, three rebounds and one block. Mo Bamba supplied 10 points, three boards, one assist and two blocks.
Duncan Robinson paced the Heat with 21 points, complementing them with five rebounds and one assist. Bam Adebayo stepped up with a 20-point, 10-rebound, 10-assist triple-double. Jimmy Butler collected 19 points, seven assists, three rebounds, one steal and one block. Goran Dragic registered 14 points and five assists. Tyler Herro poured in 13 points and added four rebounds, one assist and three blocks.
The Magic and Heat reconvene in Orlando on Saturday night for the second game of a home-and-home series.
The Heat (32-14) got off to a start befitting of their stellar home record, as they established a 31-21 lead through the first 12 minutes. The Magic (21-27) managed to put a four-point dent into their deficit heading into intermission, but Miami quickly snuffed out the threat of any comeback by widening their advantage back out to 14 entering the final period. The hosts would add another seven points to their edge in the lopsided home win, one that saw them drain 53.2 percent of their shots (including 50.0 percent from three-point range) while limiting Orlando to a 37.1 percent success rate overall.
Aaron Gordon and Nikola Vucevic co-led the Magic with matching 13-point contributions while pulling down 12 and seven rebounds, respectively. Markelle Fultz provided 12 points, seven assists, four boards and two steals. Terrence Ross delivered 11 points, three rebounds and one block. Mo Bamba supplied 10 points, three boards, one assist and two blocks.
Duncan Robinson paced the Heat with 21 points, complementing them with five rebounds and one assist. Bam Adebayo stepped up with a 20-point, 10-rebound, 10-assist triple-double. Jimmy Butler collected 19 points, seven assists, three rebounds, one steal and one block. Goran Dragic registered 14 points and five assists. Tyler Herro poured in 13 points and added four rebounds, one assist and three blocks.
The Magic and Heat reconvene in Orlando on Saturday night for the second game of a home-and-home series.
Bulls Hang On For Second Straight Win
By Dan Bruno
The Chicago Bulls defeated the visiting San Antonio Spurs, 110-109, at United Center on Monday evening.
The Spurs got out to a good start on the road, with a 28-21 lead after one quarter. The Spurs led for most of the second, but the Bulls chipped away and pulled ahead with a two-point lead by halftime. The Spurs came out refocussed in the third quarter, as they outscored the hosts, 37-25, to take an 85-75 lead into the final frame. The Bulls came out strong in the fourth and rallied back to take a one-point lead half way through the quarter. The score stayed tight, as DeMar DeRozan tied it at 108, with eight seconds left, before Zach LaVine came up clutch at the foul line, with two free throws to put the Bulls up by two, with two seconds to go. The Spurs caught a break, as DeRozan was fouled and sent to the line, with 0.2 seconds left on the clock, however he hit one and missed the second free throw, allowing the Bulls to escape with their second straight win, while this marks the third straight loss for the Spurs.
Zach LaVine led the Bulls with 23 points, six rebounds, two assists and a steal, in 35 minutes. Tomas Satoransky added 13 points, six assists, three rebounds and two steals, while Thaddeus Young tallied 13 points, nine rebounds and two assists. The Bulls shot 45 percent from the field, including 14-of-37 from long range.
Meanwhile, DeRozan led the Spurs with 36 points, 10 rebounds and three assists, in 35 minutes. Jakob Poeltl added 16 points, 13 rebounds and three blocks, while Patty Mills chipped in 25 points, off the bench. The Spurs shot 46 percent from the field, including 10-of-25 from long range.
The Spurs (20-26) will look to bounce back as they play host to the Jazz on Wednesday. The Bulls (19-30) take on the Pacers in Indiana on Wednesday.
The Spurs got out to a good start on the road, with a 28-21 lead after one quarter. The Spurs led for most of the second, but the Bulls chipped away and pulled ahead with a two-point lead by halftime. The Spurs came out refocussed in the third quarter, as they outscored the hosts, 37-25, to take an 85-75 lead into the final frame. The Bulls came out strong in the fourth and rallied back to take a one-point lead half way through the quarter. The score stayed tight, as DeMar DeRozan tied it at 108, with eight seconds left, before Zach LaVine came up clutch at the foul line, with two free throws to put the Bulls up by two, with two seconds to go. The Spurs caught a break, as DeRozan was fouled and sent to the line, with 0.2 seconds left on the clock, however he hit one and missed the second free throw, allowing the Bulls to escape with their second straight win, while this marks the third straight loss for the Spurs.
Zach LaVine led the Bulls with 23 points, six rebounds, two assists and a steal, in 35 minutes. Tomas Satoransky added 13 points, six assists, three rebounds and two steals, while Thaddeus Young tallied 13 points, nine rebounds and two assists. The Bulls shot 45 percent from the field, including 14-of-37 from long range.
Meanwhile, DeRozan led the Spurs with 36 points, 10 rebounds and three assists, in 35 minutes. Jakob Poeltl added 16 points, 13 rebounds and three blocks, while Patty Mills chipped in 25 points, off the bench. The Spurs shot 46 percent from the field, including 10-of-25 from long range.
The Spurs (20-26) will look to bounce back as they play host to the Jazz on Wednesday. The Bulls (19-30) take on the Pacers in Indiana on Wednesday.
Kings Come Back to Defeat T'Wolves in OT, 133-129
The Sacramento Kings defeated the host Minnesota Timberwolves in OT, 133-129, at Target Center on Monday.
Minnesota led this game 115-98 with 2:49 left in the fourth quarter and proceeded to have one of the worst collapses of the season. In fact, Sacramento went on a 21-4 across the final 2:49 to send the game into overtime, capping off a 41-22 fourth quarter. Minnesota led by 27 points late in the third quarter too but Sacramento rode a 14-10 OT to victory, scoring the final four points in the final minute of overtime to prevail. There were three ties and three lead changes in the overtime session, as Minnesota missed a game-tying three with four seconds remaining. Turnovers killed the Timberwolves, losing that battle, 20-15. In addition, Sacramento went 27-of-34 from the free-throw line while Minnesota connected on just 20-of-33.
The Kings (16-29) got a near triple-double from Nemanja Bjelica, who tallied 20 points, nine rebounds, eight assists, two steals and three blocks. De'Aaron Fox accrued 22 points, seven rebounds and eight assists. Buddy Hield was the team's leading scorer, providing 42 points, five rebounds and three assists off the bench.
The Timberwolves (15-31) nearly got a triple-double from Andrew Wiggins as well, collecting 36 points, nine rebounds and eight assists. Karl-Anthony Towns amassed 23 points, eight rebounds and three assists. Robert Covington totaled 24 points and seven boards while Shabazz Napier generated 10 points, six rebounds and eight assists.
On deck for Sacramento is a home game against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Wednesday. As for Minnesota, they're off until Saturday when they play the Los Angeles Clippers on the road.
Minnesota led this game 115-98 with 2:49 left in the fourth quarter and proceeded to have one of the worst collapses of the season. In fact, Sacramento went on a 21-4 across the final 2:49 to send the game into overtime, capping off a 41-22 fourth quarter. Minnesota led by 27 points late in the third quarter too but Sacramento rode a 14-10 OT to victory, scoring the final four points in the final minute of overtime to prevail. There were three ties and three lead changes in the overtime session, as Minnesota missed a game-tying three with four seconds remaining. Turnovers killed the Timberwolves, losing that battle, 20-15. In addition, Sacramento went 27-of-34 from the free-throw line while Minnesota connected on just 20-of-33.
The Kings (16-29) got a near triple-double from Nemanja Bjelica, who tallied 20 points, nine rebounds, eight assists, two steals and three blocks. De'Aaron Fox accrued 22 points, seven rebounds and eight assists. Buddy Hield was the team's leading scorer, providing 42 points, five rebounds and three assists off the bench.
The Timberwolves (15-31) nearly got a triple-double from Andrew Wiggins as well, collecting 36 points, nine rebounds and eight assists. Karl-Anthony Towns amassed 23 points, eight rebounds and three assists. Robert Covington totaled 24 points and seven boards while Shabazz Napier generated 10 points, six rebounds and eight assists.
On deck for Sacramento is a home game against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Wednesday. As for Minnesota, they're off until Saturday when they play the Los Angeles Clippers on the road.
Mavericks Get Past Thunder, 107-97
The Dallas Mavericks defeated the Oklahoma City Thunder, 107-97, at Chesapeake Energy Arena on Monday night.
The Mavericks (29-17) managed to separate from the short-handed Thunder (28-20), which were playing without Chris Paul (personal), in the second quarter. After establishing a modest three-point advantage through the first 12 minutes, Dallas owned a much more commanding 12-point lead at intermission. Oklahoma City ultimately wasn't able to put much of a dent into its deficit in the second half, leading to the 10-point road win for the visitors.
Luka Doncic led the Mavericks with 29 points, adding 11 rebounds and five assists. Tim Hardaway, Jr. delivered 15 points and three boards. Kristaps Porzingis and Delon Wright generated matching 14-point tallies while pulling down 10 and 12 rebounds, respectively. Maxi Kleber supplied 11 points, three rebounds, one steal and one block.
Dennis Schroder paced the Thunder with 21 points, complementing them with seven rebounds, six assists, one steal and one block. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander posted 16 points, 11 rebounds, four assists and one block. Danilo Gallinari finished with 14 points, six assists, five rebounds and one steal. Deonte Burton poured in 11 points.
The Mavericks head back home to take on the Phoenix Suns on Tuesday night, while the Thunder visit the Sacramento Kings on Wednesday night.
The Mavericks (29-17) managed to separate from the short-handed Thunder (28-20), which were playing without Chris Paul (personal), in the second quarter. After establishing a modest three-point advantage through the first 12 minutes, Dallas owned a much more commanding 12-point lead at intermission. Oklahoma City ultimately wasn't able to put much of a dent into its deficit in the second half, leading to the 10-point road win for the visitors.
Luka Doncic led the Mavericks with 29 points, adding 11 rebounds and five assists. Tim Hardaway, Jr. delivered 15 points and three boards. Kristaps Porzingis and Delon Wright generated matching 14-point tallies while pulling down 10 and 12 rebounds, respectively. Maxi Kleber supplied 11 points, three rebounds, one steal and one block.
Dennis Schroder paced the Thunder with 21 points, complementing them with seven rebounds, six assists, one steal and one block. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander posted 16 points, 11 rebounds, four assists and one block. Danilo Gallinari finished with 14 points, six assists, five rebounds and one steal. Deonte Burton poured in 11 points.
The Mavericks head back home to take on the Phoenix Suns on Tuesday night, while the Thunder visit the Sacramento Kings on Wednesday night.
Rockets Shock Jazz, 126-117
The Houston Rockets defeated the host Utah Jazz, 126-117, at Vivint Smart Home Arena on Monday.
While Houston was extremely shorthanded in this game, they dominated throughout. In fact, they took control with a 28-20 first quarter and then took a 13-point lead into the half thanks to a 31-26 second quarter. Utah never got the game within a six-point margin after that. Getting to the free-throw line was the only major difference in the stat sheet, with the Rockets hitting 35-of-49 and the Jazz connecting on 19-of-26.
The Rockets (29-17) played this game without Russell Westbrook, James Harden and Clint Capela but still somehow won. Eric Gordon dropping a career-high was a major reason why, collecting 50 points, six rebounds, three assists and two steals. Austin Rivers generated 21 points, four rebounds and two blocks. Danuel House amassed 21 points, 11 rebounds and five steals while P.J. Tucker totaled nine points, 10 rebounds and five assists.
The Jazz (32-14) were led by Donovan Mitchell and his 36 points, three rebounds, four assists and three steals. Bojan Bogdanovic dropped 30 points. Rudy Gobert finished with 12 points, 14 rebounds and two blocks. Mike Conley led the bench with 10 points, three rebounds and four assists. Joe Ingles had seven points and six assists.
Both teams return to action on Wednesday, with Houston staying on the road to face the Portland Trail Blazers and Utah traveling to play the San Antonio Spurs.
While Houston was extremely shorthanded in this game, they dominated throughout. In fact, they took control with a 28-20 first quarter and then took a 13-point lead into the half thanks to a 31-26 second quarter. Utah never got the game within a six-point margin after that. Getting to the free-throw line was the only major difference in the stat sheet, with the Rockets hitting 35-of-49 and the Jazz connecting on 19-of-26.
The Rockets (29-17) played this game without Russell Westbrook, James Harden and Clint Capela but still somehow won. Eric Gordon dropping a career-high was a major reason why, collecting 50 points, six rebounds, three assists and two steals. Austin Rivers generated 21 points, four rebounds and two blocks. Danuel House amassed 21 points, 11 rebounds and five steals while P.J. Tucker totaled nine points, 10 rebounds and five assists.
The Jazz (32-14) were led by Donovan Mitchell and his 36 points, three rebounds, four assists and three steals. Bojan Bogdanovic dropped 30 points. Rudy Gobert finished with 12 points, 14 rebounds and two blocks. Mike Conley led the bench with 10 points, three rebounds and four assists. Joe Ingles had seven points and six assists.
Both teams return to action on Wednesday, with Houston staying on the road to face the Portland Trail Blazers and Utah traveling to play the San Antonio Spurs.