Sixers Come From Behind, Top Clippers
The Philadelphia 76ers defeated the Los Angeles Clippers, 110-103, at Wells Fargo Center on Tuesday evening.
The 76ers (34-21) and the Clippers (37-17) have been top teams in their respective Conferences, but the Sixers had no problems to come away with the win in front of their fans. Philadelphia quickly jumped to a 30-21 lead following the first quarter, but the Clippers made things closer with a 32-24 second quarter. Philly was up by one at half time, but they would pull away for good in the third quarter with a 27-23 score. They also won 29-26 in the final 12 minutes of action. It was an impressive effort from the Sixers on both ends of the court.
Four of the Sixers starters topped the 20-point plateau in this game, although no other Philadelphia player scored in double digits here. Ben Simmons paced the way with an impressive triple-double of 26 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists. Tobias Harris also had a double-double of 17 points and 12 boards, to go along with five dimes. Joel Embiid finished with 26 points and nine rebounds. Josh Richardson contributed 21 points and five boards.
Kawhi Leonard led the way for the Clippers with 30 points, nine assists and four rebounds. Marcus Morris had 13 points, five boards and three assists. Paul George also chipped in with 13 points while adding 12 boards and five dimes. Lou Williams added 13 points while playing as a starter. Landry Shamet added 19 points while coming off the bench.
The 76ers (34-21) and the Clippers (37-17) have been top teams in their respective Conferences, but the Sixers had no problems to come away with the win in front of their fans. Philadelphia quickly jumped to a 30-21 lead following the first quarter, but the Clippers made things closer with a 32-24 second quarter. Philly was up by one at half time, but they would pull away for good in the third quarter with a 27-23 score. They also won 29-26 in the final 12 minutes of action. It was an impressive effort from the Sixers on both ends of the court.
Four of the Sixers starters topped the 20-point plateau in this game, although no other Philadelphia player scored in double digits here. Ben Simmons paced the way with an impressive triple-double of 26 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists. Tobias Harris also had a double-double of 17 points and 12 boards, to go along with five dimes. Joel Embiid finished with 26 points and nine rebounds. Josh Richardson contributed 21 points and five boards.
Kawhi Leonard led the way for the Clippers with 30 points, nine assists and four rebounds. Marcus Morris had 13 points, five boards and three assists. Paul George also chipped in with 13 points while adding 12 boards and five dimes. Lou Williams added 13 points while playing as a starter. Landry Shamet added 19 points while coming off the bench.
Wizards Topple Bulls, 126-114
The Washington Wizards defeated the Chicago Bulls, 126-114, at Capital One Arena on Tuesday night.
The Wizards (19-33) got the faster start of the two struggling squads, taking a 36-26 lead over the Bulls (19-36) through the first 12 minutes. Chicago would manage to put a three-point dent into their deficit during the second quarter, but Washington regained control for good by adding 11 points to their advantage with a strong third-quarter effort on both ends of the floor. The home squad enjoyed an especially efficient night from in front of the arc, draining 53.9 percent of their attempts.
Zach LaVine led the way for the Bulls with 41 points, complementing them with nine rebounds, four assists and two steals. Tomas Satoransky followed with 19 points, adding eight assists and two rebounds. Coby White delivered 14 points, seven assists, five rebounds and four steals. Thaddeus Young managed 10 points, five boards, one assist, two blocks and one steal.
Bradley Beal paced the Wizards with 30 points, supplementing them with seven assists, four rebounds and one steal. Rui Hachimura registered 20 points, four boards, three assists, two steals and two blocks. Ian Mahinmi and Shabazz Napier each posted 15 points, with Mahinmi also pulling in six rebounds. Moritz Wagner turned in 12 points, three boards, two assists, one steal and one block. Ish Smith delivered 10 points, nine assists, five rebounds, one steal and one block. Davis Bertans matched Smith's scoring tally.
The Bulls are now off until a week from Thursday, when they'll kick off post-All-Star-break play at home against the Charlotte Hornets. The Wizards make the short trip to take on the New York Knicks on Wednesday night.
The Wizards (19-33) got the faster start of the two struggling squads, taking a 36-26 lead over the Bulls (19-36) through the first 12 minutes. Chicago would manage to put a three-point dent into their deficit during the second quarter, but Washington regained control for good by adding 11 points to their advantage with a strong third-quarter effort on both ends of the floor. The home squad enjoyed an especially efficient night from in front of the arc, draining 53.9 percent of their attempts.
Zach LaVine led the way for the Bulls with 41 points, complementing them with nine rebounds, four assists and two steals. Tomas Satoransky followed with 19 points, adding eight assists and two rebounds. Coby White delivered 14 points, seven assists, five rebounds and four steals. Thaddeus Young managed 10 points, five boards, one assist, two blocks and one steal.
Bradley Beal paced the Wizards with 30 points, supplementing them with seven assists, four rebounds and one steal. Rui Hachimura registered 20 points, four boards, three assists, two steals and two blocks. Ian Mahinmi and Shabazz Napier each posted 15 points, with Mahinmi also pulling in six rebounds. Moritz Wagner turned in 12 points, three boards, two assists, one steal and one block. Ish Smith delivered 10 points, nine assists, five rebounds, one steal and one block. Davis Bertans matched Smith's scoring tally.
The Bulls are now off until a week from Thursday, when they'll kick off post-All-Star-break play at home against the Charlotte Hornets. The Wizards make the short trip to take on the New York Knicks on Wednesday night.
Pelicans Run Away With Third Straight Win
By Dan Bruno
The New Orleans Pelicans defeated the visiting Portland Trail Blazers, 138-117, at Smoothie King Center on Tuesday evening.
The Trail Blazers got out to a great start on the road, with a 36-27 lead after one quarter. The Trail Blazers led by 14, mid way through the second, but the Pelicans rallied to cut it to a two-point game by halftime. The Pelicans came out on fire in the third, where they outscored the visitors 41-21 through the quarter, to take an 18-point into the final frame. The Pelicans kept the pressure on and pushed their lead to 26, early in the fourth. They held control the rest of the way to earn their third straight win.
Zion Williamson led the Pelicans with 31 points, nine rebounds, five assists and a steal, in 28 minutes. J.J. Redick added 20 points, two rebounds and two assists, while Jrue Holiday finished with 16 points, 10 assists, four rebounds, two steals and two assists. The Pelicans shot 54 percent from the field, including 14-of-33 from long range.
Meanwhile, Damian Lillard led the Trail Blazers with 20 points, six assists and five rebounds, in 29 minutes. C.J. McCollum added 20 points and three assists, while Hassan Whiteside totaled 17 points, 14 rebounds, three assists and a block. The Blazers shot 47 percent from the field, including 7-of-29 from long range.
The Trail Blazers (25-30) will look to bounce back as they take on the Grizzlies in Memphis on Wednesday. The Pelicans (23-31) play host to the Thunder on Thursday.
The Trail Blazers got out to a great start on the road, with a 36-27 lead after one quarter. The Trail Blazers led by 14, mid way through the second, but the Pelicans rallied to cut it to a two-point game by halftime. The Pelicans came out on fire in the third, where they outscored the visitors 41-21 through the quarter, to take an 18-point into the final frame. The Pelicans kept the pressure on and pushed their lead to 26, early in the fourth. They held control the rest of the way to earn their third straight win.
Zion Williamson led the Pelicans with 31 points, nine rebounds, five assists and a steal, in 28 minutes. J.J. Redick added 20 points, two rebounds and two assists, while Jrue Holiday finished with 16 points, 10 assists, four rebounds, two steals and two assists. The Pelicans shot 54 percent from the field, including 14-of-33 from long range.
Meanwhile, Damian Lillard led the Trail Blazers with 20 points, six assists and five rebounds, in 29 minutes. C.J. McCollum added 20 points and three assists, while Hassan Whiteside totaled 17 points, 14 rebounds, three assists and a block. The Blazers shot 47 percent from the field, including 7-of-29 from long range.
The Trail Blazers (25-30) will look to bounce back as they take on the Grizzlies in Memphis on Wednesday. The Pelicans (23-31) play host to the Thunder on Thursday.
Spurs Topple Thunder, 114-106
The San Antonio Spurs defeated the Oklahoma City Thunder, 114-106, at Chesapeake Energy Arena on Tuesday night.
The Spurs (23-31) checked into Tuesday's contest short-handed, as DeMar DeRozan (back) was sidelined for a second straight game. That didn't prevent a fast start on both ends of the floor, with San Antonio taking a 25-14 lead over the Thunder (32-22) through the first 12 minutes. Oklahoma City then bounced back over the middle periods, shaving nine points from their deficit heading into the fourth quarter. The visitors' 9-0 run over the first 3:26 of the period snuffed out any hopes of a comeback, however, even as OKC got within as close as four and six points down the stretch.
LaMarcus Aldridge and Dejounte Murray co-led the Spurs with 25 points, complementing them with 14 and nine rebounds, respectively. Patty Mills poured in 20 points. Derrick White provided 17 points, eight assists, four rebounds, one steal and one block. Trey Lyles and Bryn Forbes posted eight points apiece.
Chris Paul paced the Thunder with 31 points,, supplementing them with seven assists, two rebounds, one steal and one block. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander delivered 17 points, five rebounds, two assists and one steal. Danilo Gallinari supplied 15 points, eight boards, three assists and one steal. Dennis Schroder totaled 14 points and three assists. Steven Adams generated a 10-point, 10-rebound double-double that included two assists, four steals and one block.
The Spurs are now off until a week from Friday, when they'll resume play after the All-Star break against the Utah Jazz. The Thunder hit the road and face the New Orleans Pelicans on Thursday night.
The Spurs (23-31) checked into Tuesday's contest short-handed, as DeMar DeRozan (back) was sidelined for a second straight game. That didn't prevent a fast start on both ends of the floor, with San Antonio taking a 25-14 lead over the Thunder (32-22) through the first 12 minutes. Oklahoma City then bounced back over the middle periods, shaving nine points from their deficit heading into the fourth quarter. The visitors' 9-0 run over the first 3:26 of the period snuffed out any hopes of a comeback, however, even as OKC got within as close as four and six points down the stretch.
LaMarcus Aldridge and Dejounte Murray co-led the Spurs with 25 points, complementing them with 14 and nine rebounds, respectively. Patty Mills poured in 20 points. Derrick White provided 17 points, eight assists, four rebounds, one steal and one block. Trey Lyles and Bryn Forbes posted eight points apiece.
Chris Paul paced the Thunder with 31 points,, supplementing them with seven assists, two rebounds, one steal and one block. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander delivered 17 points, five rebounds, two assists and one steal. Danilo Gallinari supplied 15 points, eight boards, three assists and one steal. Dennis Schroder totaled 14 points and three assists. Steven Adams generated a 10-point, 10-rebound double-double that included two assists, four steals and one block.
The Spurs are now off until a week from Friday, when they'll resume play after the All-Star break against the Utah Jazz. The Thunder hit the road and face the New Orleans Pelicans on Thursday night.
Rockets Defeat Celtics, 116-105
The Houston Rockets defeated the visiting Boston Celtics, 116-105, at Toyota Center on Tuesday.
This game was 96-94 with six minutes remaining but Houston finished the game on a 20-11 run to prevail. In fact, they rode a 69-56 second half to their victory, holding the lead for the final 23 minutes of play. With that said, there were five ties and five lead changes across the first 25 minutes. Free-throw shooting was the only major advantage for the Rockets, connecting on 37-of-42 and the Celtics hitting 20-of-25. In addition, Houston's starters outscored Boston's starters, 111-79. They also won the turnover differential, 18-14.
The Celtics (37-16) were led by Gordon Hayward, who tallied 20 points, eight rebounds and six assists. Jaylen Brown accrued 19 points and three rebounds. Jayson Tatum went just 5-of-15 from the field to generate 15 points, nine rebounds, four assists and four steals while Kemba Walker went 5-of-17 from the field to collect 14 points, four rebounds and four assists.
The Rockets (34-20) were led by James Harden and his 42 points, eight rebounds and seven assists, going 17-of-18 from the free-throw line. Russell Westbrook tallied 36 points, 10 rebounds, five assists and two steals. Robert Covington totaled 12 points, seven rebounds, three assists, three steals and four blocks while Danuel House provided 17 points and eight rebounds.
This is the final game before the All-Star break for the Rockets. The Celtics finish their first half on Thursday, playing host to the Los Angeles Clippers. Houston's next game will be on February 20 in a road matchup with the Golden State Warriors.
This game was 96-94 with six minutes remaining but Houston finished the game on a 20-11 run to prevail. In fact, they rode a 69-56 second half to their victory, holding the lead for the final 23 minutes of play. With that said, there were five ties and five lead changes across the first 25 minutes. Free-throw shooting was the only major advantage for the Rockets, connecting on 37-of-42 and the Celtics hitting 20-of-25. In addition, Houston's starters outscored Boston's starters, 111-79. They also won the turnover differential, 18-14.
The Celtics (37-16) were led by Gordon Hayward, who tallied 20 points, eight rebounds and six assists. Jaylen Brown accrued 19 points and three rebounds. Jayson Tatum went just 5-of-15 from the field to generate 15 points, nine rebounds, four assists and four steals while Kemba Walker went 5-of-17 from the field to collect 14 points, four rebounds and four assists.
The Rockets (34-20) were led by James Harden and his 42 points, eight rebounds and seven assists, going 17-of-18 from the free-throw line. Russell Westbrook tallied 36 points, 10 rebounds, five assists and two steals. Robert Covington totaled 12 points, seven rebounds, three assists, three steals and four blocks while Danuel House provided 17 points and eight rebounds.
This is the final game before the All-Star break for the Rockets. The Celtics finish their first half on Thursday, playing host to the Los Angeles Clippers. Houston's next game will be on February 20 in a road matchup with the Golden State Warriors.