Kings Defeat Clippers, 112-103
The Sacramento Kings defeated the host Los Angeles Clippers, 112-103, at Staples Center on Saturday.
While there were only two ties and four lead changes in this game, it came down to the wire. In fact, Los Angeles led 101-99 with six minutes remaining but Sacramento finished the game on a 13-2 run to prevail. In fact, the Kings forced the Clippers to miss 11 of their final 12 shots. That's no surprise when you see that Sacramento held Los Angeles to just 39 percent from the field and 33 percent from three-point range. In addition, the Kings won the turnover battle, 19-13.
The Kings (23-33) were led by Bogdan Bogdanovic, who tallied 20 points, five rebounds and two assists. De'Aaron Fox matched those 20 points, adding four rebounds and eight assists to his stat line. Harry Giles III amassed 14 points and 12 boards. Kent Bazemore led the bench with 23 points, six rebounds and four steals. Harrison Barnes had 13 points, four rebounds, six assists and two steals.
The Clippers (37-19) had only one starter reach double figures in scoring, with Kawhi Leonard leading the way with 31 points, eight rebounds, five assists and two steals. Lou Williams led the bench with 24 points, four rebounds and two assists. Montrezl Harrrell totaled 16 points, 10 rebounds, two assists and two steals. Ivica Zubac led the team with 15 rebounds.
On deck for Los Angeles is a home game against the Memphis Grizzlies on Monday. As for Sacramento, they return to action on Tuesday in a road matchup with the Golden State Warriors.
While there were only two ties and four lead changes in this game, it came down to the wire. In fact, Los Angeles led 101-99 with six minutes remaining but Sacramento finished the game on a 13-2 run to prevail. In fact, the Kings forced the Clippers to miss 11 of their final 12 shots. That's no surprise when you see that Sacramento held Los Angeles to just 39 percent from the field and 33 percent from three-point range. In addition, the Kings won the turnover battle, 19-13.
The Kings (23-33) were led by Bogdan Bogdanovic, who tallied 20 points, five rebounds and two assists. De'Aaron Fox matched those 20 points, adding four rebounds and eight assists to his stat line. Harry Giles III amassed 14 points and 12 boards. Kent Bazemore led the bench with 23 points, six rebounds and four steals. Harrison Barnes had 13 points, four rebounds, six assists and two steals.
The Clippers (37-19) had only one starter reach double figures in scoring, with Kawhi Leonard leading the way with 31 points, eight rebounds, five assists and two steals. Lou Williams led the bench with 24 points, four rebounds and two assists. Montrezl Harrrell totaled 16 points, 10 rebounds, two assists and two steals. Ivica Zubac led the team with 15 rebounds.
On deck for Los Angeles is a home game against the Memphis Grizzlies on Monday. As for Sacramento, they return to action on Tuesday in a road matchup with the Golden State Warriors.
Nets Dispose of Hornets, 115-86
The Brooklyn Nets defeated the Charlotte Hornets, 115-86, at Spectrum Center on Saturday night.
The Nets (26-29) got plenty of fight from the Hornets (19-37) early, but by staying a couple of buckets ahead of them in the first two quarters, Brooklyn forged a 10-point halftime lead. However, it was a third quarter during which the visitors dominated on both ends of the floor that sealed the victory, as they outscored Charlotte by a 33-18 margin during the period. The Nets' biggest advantages came in shooting and rebounding; they drained 48.3 percent of their attempts while limiting their hosts to a 35.2 percent success rate, and they won the battle of the boards by a 54-45 margin.
Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot paced the Nets with 21 points, complementing them with four rebounds. Caris LeVert finished with 17 points, three rebounds, two assists and six steals. Garrett Temple generated a 15-point, 11-rebound double-double that also included three assists and one steal. Taurean Prince supplied 14 points, four rebounds, one assist, two blocks and one steal. Jarrett Allen posted a 12-point, 11-rebound double-double that also included three assists and two blocks. Joe Harris and DeAndre Jordan matched Allen's scoring total, while Spencer Dinwiddie turned in 10 points, nine assists and six rebounds.
P.J. Washington led the Hornets with 16 points, seven rebounds, four assists and one steal. Malik Monk registered 15 points, four rebounds and two assists. Cody Zeller collected 14 points and nine boards, while Miles Bridges furnished 13 points, five rebounds and five assists. Terry Rozier delivered 10 points, three rebounds, two assists and one steal.
The Nets head back home to tangle with the Orlando Magic on Monday night, while the Hornets visit the Indiana Pacers on Tuesday night.
The Nets (26-29) got plenty of fight from the Hornets (19-37) early, but by staying a couple of buckets ahead of them in the first two quarters, Brooklyn forged a 10-point halftime lead. However, it was a third quarter during which the visitors dominated on both ends of the floor that sealed the victory, as they outscored Charlotte by a 33-18 margin during the period. The Nets' biggest advantages came in shooting and rebounding; they drained 48.3 percent of their attempts while limiting their hosts to a 35.2 percent success rate, and they won the battle of the boards by a 54-45 margin.
Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot paced the Nets with 21 points, complementing them with four rebounds. Caris LeVert finished with 17 points, three rebounds, two assists and six steals. Garrett Temple generated a 15-point, 11-rebound double-double that also included three assists and one steal. Taurean Prince supplied 14 points, four rebounds, one assist, two blocks and one steal. Jarrett Allen posted a 12-point, 11-rebound double-double that also included three assists and two blocks. Joe Harris and DeAndre Jordan matched Allen's scoring total, while Spencer Dinwiddie turned in 10 points, nine assists and six rebounds.
P.J. Washington led the Hornets with 16 points, seven rebounds, four assists and one steal. Malik Monk registered 15 points, four rebounds and two assists. Cody Zeller collected 14 points and nine boards, while Miles Bridges furnished 13 points, five rebounds and five assists. Terry Rozier delivered 10 points, three rebounds, two assists and one steal.
The Nets head back home to tangle with the Orlando Magic on Monday night, while the Hornets visit the Indiana Pacers on Tuesday night.
Hawks Rally To Top Mavs
By Dan Bruno
The Atlanta Hawks defeated the visiting Dallas Mavericks, 111-107, at State Farm Arena on Saturday evening.
The Mavs got out to a great start on the road and held a 35-21 lead after one quarter. The Hawks picked it up in the second and outscored the Mavs 37-31 in the quarter, to cut it to an eight-point game by halftime. They carried the momentum into the third and cut it to a four-point game early in the quarter, but the Mavs retaliated and took a nine-point lead heading into the final frame. They pushed their lead to 11 early in the fourth, but the Hawks came out hot and cut it to a one-point game. The Mavs held the edge for a few more minutes, but the Hawks kept attacking and took a one-point lead, with just under two minutes to go. The Hawks came up clutch in crunch time and held on for their second straight win after the all-star break.
John Collins led the Hawks with 35 points, 17 rebounds, two assists, two blocks and a steal, in 37 minutes. Trae Young followed up with 25 points, 10 assists and six rebounds, while Cam Reddish chipped in 20 points, six rebounds, three assists and three steals. The Hawks shot 44 percent from the field, including 8-of-37 from long range.
Meanwhile, Tim Hardaway Jr. led the Mavs with 33 points, five assists and four rebounds, in 35 minutes. Seth Curry added 22 points, six rebounds, five assists and two steals, while Delon Wright chipped in 14 points, four rebounds, two assists and a steal. The Mavericks shot 45 percent from the field, including 14-of-44 from long range.
The Mavs (34-23) will look to bounce back as they play host to the Timberwolves on Monday. The Hawks (17-41) take on the 76ers in Philly on Monday.
The Mavs got out to a great start on the road and held a 35-21 lead after one quarter. The Hawks picked it up in the second and outscored the Mavs 37-31 in the quarter, to cut it to an eight-point game by halftime. They carried the momentum into the third and cut it to a four-point game early in the quarter, but the Mavs retaliated and took a nine-point lead heading into the final frame. They pushed their lead to 11 early in the fourth, but the Hawks came out hot and cut it to a one-point game. The Mavs held the edge for a few more minutes, but the Hawks kept attacking and took a one-point lead, with just under two minutes to go. The Hawks came up clutch in crunch time and held on for their second straight win after the all-star break.
John Collins led the Hawks with 35 points, 17 rebounds, two assists, two blocks and a steal, in 37 minutes. Trae Young followed up with 25 points, 10 assists and six rebounds, while Cam Reddish chipped in 20 points, six rebounds, three assists and three steals. The Hawks shot 44 percent from the field, including 8-of-37 from long range.
Meanwhile, Tim Hardaway Jr. led the Mavs with 33 points, five assists and four rebounds, in 35 minutes. Seth Curry added 22 points, six rebounds, five assists and two steals, while Delon Wright chipped in 14 points, four rebounds, two assists and a steal. The Mavericks shot 45 percent from the field, including 14-of-44 from long range.
The Mavs (34-23) will look to bounce back as they play host to the Timberwolves on Monday. The Hawks (17-41) take on the 76ers in Philly on Monday.
Suns Defeat Bulls, 112-104
The Phoenix Suns defeated the host Chicago Bulls, 112-104, at United Center on Saturday.
There were seven ties and 13 lead changes in this game but Phoenix made the run that mattered most. In fact, the Bulls led 96-95 with 6:42 remaining but the Suns ended the game on a 17-8 run to prevail. That allowed the Suns to overcome a 17-point deficit in this comeback victory. Phoenix ended up recording 26 assists to 19 turnovers while Chicago had 18 assists to 25 turnovers. In addition, the Suns out-rebounded the Bulls, 47-38.
The Suns (23-34) were led by Deandre Ayton, who tallied 28 points, 19 rebounds and three blocks. Devin Booker collected 29 points, five rebounds and five assists. Ricky Rubio generated 18 points, seven rebounds, 11 assists and two steals. Kelly Oubre Jr totaled 14 points, five rebounds, three assists and two steals.
The Bulls (19-38) leading scorer came off the bench, with Coby White providing 33 points, three rebounds and two assists. Zach LaVine led the starters with 20 points, four rebounds and five assists. Thaddeus Young accumulated 13 points, five rebounds, two assists, four steals and two blocks. Ryan Arcidiacono had 13 points, five rebounds and three assists.
Chicago has to play again on Sunday, remaining home to face the Washington Wizards. As for Phoenix, they return to action on Monday against the Utah Jazz.
There were seven ties and 13 lead changes in this game but Phoenix made the run that mattered most. In fact, the Bulls led 96-95 with 6:42 remaining but the Suns ended the game on a 17-8 run to prevail. That allowed the Suns to overcome a 17-point deficit in this comeback victory. Phoenix ended up recording 26 assists to 19 turnovers while Chicago had 18 assists to 25 turnovers. In addition, the Suns out-rebounded the Bulls, 47-38.
The Suns (23-34) were led by Deandre Ayton, who tallied 28 points, 19 rebounds and three blocks. Devin Booker collected 29 points, five rebounds and five assists. Ricky Rubio generated 18 points, seven rebounds, 11 assists and two steals. Kelly Oubre Jr totaled 14 points, five rebounds, three assists and two steals.
The Bulls (19-38) leading scorer came off the bench, with Coby White providing 33 points, three rebounds and two assists. Zach LaVine led the starters with 20 points, four rebounds and five assists. Thaddeus Young accumulated 13 points, five rebounds, two assists, four steals and two blocks. Ryan Arcidiacono had 13 points, five rebounds and three assists.
Chicago has to play again on Sunday, remaining home to face the Washington Wizards. As for Phoenix, they return to action on Monday against the Utah Jazz.
Heat Dominate Visiting Cavs
By Dan Bruno
The Miami Heat defeated the visiting Cleveland Cavaliers, 124-105, at American Airlines Arena on Saturday evening.
The Heat got out to a great start at home, with a 15-6 lead early on, and they held on to lead 38-32 after one quarter. They turned it up a notch in the second, where they outscored the Cavs 44-20, to take an 82-52 lead into halftime. The Heat stayed in control through the third, maintaining a 30-point lead most of the way, before the Cavs cut it to a 28-point game, by the start of the fourth. The Cavs put up a better fight in the fourth, but it was too little, too late.
Seven players scored in double digits for the Heat, led by Kendrick Nunn, who finished with 24 points, eight assists, two rebounds, two steals and a block, in 35 minutes. Kelly Olynyk added 17 points, two rebounds, two assists, two steals and a block, while Bam Adebayo added 15 points, nine assists, three rebounds, a steal and a block. The Heat shot 57 percent from the field, including 19-of-40 from long range.
Meanwhile, Cedi Osman led the Cavs with 19 points, seven rebounds and seven assists, in 38 minutes. Collin Sexton finished with 17 points, nine assists, two rebounds and an assist, while Tristan Thompson added 16 points and seven rebounds. The Cavs shot 48 percent from the field, including 13-of-36 from long range.
The Cavs (15-41) and the Heat (36-20) will clash again on Monday, in the second half of a home-and-home.
The Heat got out to a great start at home, with a 15-6 lead early on, and they held on to lead 38-32 after one quarter. They turned it up a notch in the second, where they outscored the Cavs 44-20, to take an 82-52 lead into halftime. The Heat stayed in control through the third, maintaining a 30-point lead most of the way, before the Cavs cut it to a 28-point game, by the start of the fourth. The Cavs put up a better fight in the fourth, but it was too little, too late.
Seven players scored in double digits for the Heat, led by Kendrick Nunn, who finished with 24 points, eight assists, two rebounds, two steals and a block, in 35 minutes. Kelly Olynyk added 17 points, two rebounds, two assists, two steals and a block, while Bam Adebayo added 15 points, nine assists, three rebounds, a steal and a block. The Heat shot 57 percent from the field, including 19-of-40 from long range.
Meanwhile, Cedi Osman led the Cavs with 19 points, seven rebounds and seven assists, in 38 minutes. Collin Sexton finished with 17 points, nine assists, two rebounds and an assist, while Tristan Thompson added 16 points and seven rebounds. The Cavs shot 48 percent from the field, including 13-of-36 from long range.
The Cavs (15-41) and the Heat (36-20) will clash again on Monday, in the second half of a home-and-home.
Bucks Bludgeon Sixers, 119-98
The Milwaukee Bucks defeated the visiting Philadelphia 76ers, 119-98, at Fiserv Forum on Saturday.
A 31-21 first quarter really set the tone for Milwaukee in this game, winning in wire-to-wire fashion. In addition, they rode a 37-23 third quarter to a 20-point lead and led by at least 18 points for the entirety of the fourth quarter. The Bucks shot 53 percent from the field and 34 percent from three-point range while holding the Sixers to 35 percent from the field and 34 percent from long range. Milwaukee also out-assisted Philadelphia, 35-17, while out-rebounding them, 57-43.
The Sixers (35-22) were led by Joel Embiid, who tallied 17 points, 11 rebounds and four assists on just 5-of-18 from the field. Tobias Harris amassed 11 points and five rebounds. Ben Simmons played just four minutes after re-aggravating a back issue. Furknan Korkmaz led the bench with 17 points and five rebounds.
The Bucks (48-8) were led by Giannis Antetokounmpo and his 31 points, 17 rebounds and eight assists. Khris Middleton amassed 25 points, nine rebounds and two assists. Those two combined to go 22 of-32 from the field. Eric Bledsoe collected 12 points, four rebounds and eight assists. Brook Lopez generated nine points, seven rebounds and five assists.
Both teams return to action on Monday against bad defenses, with Milwaukee traveling to face the Washington Wizards and Philly returning home to play the Atlanta Hawks.
A 31-21 first quarter really set the tone for Milwaukee in this game, winning in wire-to-wire fashion. In addition, they rode a 37-23 third quarter to a 20-point lead and led by at least 18 points for the entirety of the fourth quarter. The Bucks shot 53 percent from the field and 34 percent from three-point range while holding the Sixers to 35 percent from the field and 34 percent from long range. Milwaukee also out-assisted Philadelphia, 35-17, while out-rebounding them, 57-43.
The Sixers (35-22) were led by Joel Embiid, who tallied 17 points, 11 rebounds and four assists on just 5-of-18 from the field. Tobias Harris amassed 11 points and five rebounds. Ben Simmons played just four minutes after re-aggravating a back issue. Furknan Korkmaz led the bench with 17 points and five rebounds.
The Bucks (48-8) were led by Giannis Antetokounmpo and his 31 points, 17 rebounds and eight assists. Khris Middleton amassed 25 points, nine rebounds and two assists. Those two combined to go 22 of-32 from the field. Eric Bledsoe collected 12 points, four rebounds and eight assists. Brook Lopez generated nine points, seven rebounds and five assists.
Both teams return to action on Monday against bad defenses, with Milwaukee traveling to face the Washington Wizards and Philly returning home to play the Atlanta Hawks.
Rockets Topple Jazz, 120-110
The Houston Rockets defeated the Utah Jazz, 120-110, at Vivint Smart Home Arena on Saturday night.
The Rockets (36-20) took their brand of fast-paced "small ball" to the typically deliberate Jazz (36-20) early, which led to an entertaining first quarter that Houston emerged from with a narrow 38-36 lead. Utah then bounced back in the second quarter to erase its deficit and take a four-point lead into halftime. However, the visitors would change the dynamic of the game in the third, outscoring the home squad by a 38-19 margin to build a lead they wouldn't relinquish.
James Harden led the way for the Rockets with 38 points, adding seven assists, five rebounds, two steals and one block. Russell Westbrook furnished 34 points, six boards, four assists and one steal. Ben McLemore and Eric Gordon mustered matching 12-point contributions while pulling down four and three rebounds, respectively. Robert Covington delivered eight points, 12 boards, two assists and three blocks.
Donovan Mitchell paced the Jazz with 31 points, supplementing them with seven rebounds and three assists. Jordan Clarkson registered 22 points, seven board, one assist and one steal. Mike Conley contributed 13 points, seven rebounds and seven assists. Rudy Gobert and Bojan Bogdanovic posted matching 12-point, six-rebound tallies.
The Rockets head back home to face the New York Knicks on Monday night, while the Jazz are home versus the Phoenix Suns on Monday night as well.
The Rockets (36-20) took their brand of fast-paced "small ball" to the typically deliberate Jazz (36-20) early, which led to an entertaining first quarter that Houston emerged from with a narrow 38-36 lead. Utah then bounced back in the second quarter to erase its deficit and take a four-point lead into halftime. However, the visitors would change the dynamic of the game in the third, outscoring the home squad by a 38-19 margin to build a lead they wouldn't relinquish.
James Harden led the way for the Rockets with 38 points, adding seven assists, five rebounds, two steals and one block. Russell Westbrook furnished 34 points, six boards, four assists and one steal. Ben McLemore and Eric Gordon mustered matching 12-point contributions while pulling down four and three rebounds, respectively. Robert Covington delivered eight points, 12 boards, two assists and three blocks.
Donovan Mitchell paced the Jazz with 31 points, supplementing them with seven rebounds and three assists. Jordan Clarkson registered 22 points, seven board, one assist and one steal. Mike Conley contributed 13 points, seven rebounds and seven assists. Rudy Gobert and Bojan Bogdanovic posted matching 12-point, six-rebound tallies.
The Rockets head back home to face the New York Knicks on Monday night, while the Jazz are home versus the Phoenix Suns on Monday night as well.