Lakers Defeat Celtics In Thrilling Sunday Contest
The Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Boston Celtics, 114-112, at Staples Center on Sunday afternoon.
The Lakers (43-12) and the Celtics (39-17) played one of the most thrilling games of the 2019-20 NBA regular season to date, and the contest was decided in the final seconds of the contest since both franchises went back and forth all game long. The Lakers, however, closed things out and ended winning by a two-point margin in front of a 18,997 sellout crowd. The California-based franchise quickly jumped to a 29-18 score in the first quarter, but the Celtics turned things around in both the second (35-28) and third (33-31) quarters. The final 12 minutes of action saw the Lakers up by two points, and they managed to close things out with a 27-25 fourth quarter. With the win, the Lakers have moved to 20-7 at home while the Celtics fell to 16-12 playing on the road.
LeBron James was the Lakers' best player in this game, since he ended with 29 points, nine assists and eight rebounds in 35 minutes. Anthony Davis was the team's top scorer, however, with 32 points and 13 rebounds as well as three assists and two blocks. Kyle Kuzma and Dwight Howard both looked impressive off the bench. Kuzma had 16 points, and Howard chipped in with 10 points with seven boards.
Jayson Tatum was the best player for the Celtics here, as he finished with 41 points and five rebounds in 37 minutes of action. Jaylen Brown looked impressive with 20 points, six rebounds, three steals and two assists. Marcus Smart grabbed the start in place of Kemba Walker (knee) and notched 14 points, seven rebounds and three dimes. Daniel Theis registered 16 points with nine rebounds.
The Lakers (43-12) and the Celtics (39-17) played one of the most thrilling games of the 2019-20 NBA regular season to date, and the contest was decided in the final seconds of the contest since both franchises went back and forth all game long. The Lakers, however, closed things out and ended winning by a two-point margin in front of a 18,997 sellout crowd. The California-based franchise quickly jumped to a 29-18 score in the first quarter, but the Celtics turned things around in both the second (35-28) and third (33-31) quarters. The final 12 minutes of action saw the Lakers up by two points, and they managed to close things out with a 27-25 fourth quarter. With the win, the Lakers have moved to 20-7 at home while the Celtics fell to 16-12 playing on the road.
LeBron James was the Lakers' best player in this game, since he ended with 29 points, nine assists and eight rebounds in 35 minutes. Anthony Davis was the team's top scorer, however, with 32 points and 13 rebounds as well as three assists and two blocks. Kyle Kuzma and Dwight Howard both looked impressive off the bench. Kuzma had 16 points, and Howard chipped in with 10 points with seven boards.
Jayson Tatum was the best player for the Celtics here, as he finished with 41 points and five rebounds in 37 minutes of action. Jaylen Brown looked impressive with 20 points, six rebounds, three steals and two assists. Marcus Smart grabbed the start in place of Kemba Walker (knee) and notched 14 points, seven rebounds and three dimes. Daniel Theis registered 16 points with nine rebounds.
Nuggets Top Short-Handed Timberwolves, 128-116
The Denver Nuggets defeated the Minnesota Timberwolves, 128-116, at Pepsi Center on Sunday evening.
The Nuggets (39-18) came into the contest with not only their formidable home-field edge, but a personnel advantage as well. The latter was due to the fact D'Angelo Russell was announced as out for the Timberwolves (16-39) early in the day for the purpose of resting his sore knee, but to its credit, Minnesota remained very competitive during a fast-paced first half that saw Denver take a 73-65 lead into intermission. The home squad was then able to add another two points to that margin during the third quarter, and they were never truly threatened during a final period that saw them get up by as much as 22 points.
Kelan Martin led the Timberwolves with 21 points off the bench, adding four rebounds and one block. Malik Beasley followed with 17 points, eight rebounds, one assist, one steal and one block. Jordan McLaughlin posted a 15-point, 10-assist double-double that also included four rebounds and one steal. Jarrett Culver supplied 14 points, five assists, three rebounds and one steal. Naz Reid and James Johnson provided matching 13-point, five-rebound tallies. Josh Okogie registered 10 points, four boards, three assists and one steal.
Paul Millsap paced the Nuggets with 25 points, complementing them with seven rebounds, two blocks and one steal. Nikola Jokic turned in 24 points, seven rebounds, six assists, two steals and two blocks. Jamal Murray compiled 19 points, six assists, one rebound and one steal. Gary Harris and Monte Morris poured in 13 points apiece, with Morris also recording six rebounds, six assists and two steals. Jerami Grant netted 12 points.
The Timberwolves remain on the road and face the Dallas Mavericks on Monday night, while the Nuggets remain home and await the Detroit Pistons on Tuesday night.
The Nuggets (39-18) came into the contest with not only their formidable home-field edge, but a personnel advantage as well. The latter was due to the fact D'Angelo Russell was announced as out for the Timberwolves (16-39) early in the day for the purpose of resting his sore knee, but to its credit, Minnesota remained very competitive during a fast-paced first half that saw Denver take a 73-65 lead into intermission. The home squad was then able to add another two points to that margin during the third quarter, and they were never truly threatened during a final period that saw them get up by as much as 22 points.
Kelan Martin led the Timberwolves with 21 points off the bench, adding four rebounds and one block. Malik Beasley followed with 17 points, eight rebounds, one assist, one steal and one block. Jordan McLaughlin posted a 15-point, 10-assist double-double that also included four rebounds and one steal. Jarrett Culver supplied 14 points, five assists, three rebounds and one steal. Naz Reid and James Johnson provided matching 13-point, five-rebound tallies. Josh Okogie registered 10 points, four boards, three assists and one steal.
Paul Millsap paced the Nuggets with 25 points, complementing them with seven rebounds, two blocks and one steal. Nikola Jokic turned in 24 points, seven rebounds, six assists, two steals and two blocks. Jamal Murray compiled 19 points, six assists, one rebound and one steal. Gary Harris and Monte Morris poured in 13 points apiece, with Morris also recording six rebounds, six assists and two steals. Jerami Grant netted 12 points.
The Timberwolves remain on the road and face the Dallas Mavericks on Monday night, while the Nuggets remain home and await the Detroit Pistons on Tuesday night.
Raptors Dominate Pacers
By Dan Bruno
The Toronto Raptors defeated the visiting Indiana Pacers, 127-81, at Scotiabank Arena on Sunday evening.
The Raptors got out to a great start at home and held a 34-12 lead after one quarter. They stayed in control through the second and pushed their lead to 31, by halftime. The Pacers came out more focused in the third quarter, but they could hardly make a dent in the deficits, as they trailed by 30, heading into the final frame. The Raptors did not take any chances, as they kept their intensity up in the fourth, where they pushed their lead as high as 49, on their way to their second straight win.
Pascal Siakam was the high-point man for Toronto with 21 points on 8-of-12 shooting. Kyle Lowry came up large with 16 points, 11 assists, seven rebounds, five steals and a block, while Serge Ibaka totaled 15 points, 15 rebounds and a block. The Raptors shot 50 percent from the field, including 17-of-44 from long range.
Meanwhile, Domantas Sabonis led the Pacers with 14 points, 11 rebounds, five assists and a steal, in 31 minutes. Aaron Holiday added 14 points, six assists, four rebounds and a steal, while Justin Holiday chipped in 12 points, off the bench. The Pacers shot 33 percent from the field, including 8-of-33 from long range.
The Pacers (33-24) will look to bounce back as they play host to the Hornets on Tuesday. The Raptors (42-15) host the Bucks on Tuesday.
The Raptors got out to a great start at home and held a 34-12 lead after one quarter. They stayed in control through the second and pushed their lead to 31, by halftime. The Pacers came out more focused in the third quarter, but they could hardly make a dent in the deficits, as they trailed by 30, heading into the final frame. The Raptors did not take any chances, as they kept their intensity up in the fourth, where they pushed their lead as high as 49, on their way to their second straight win.
Pascal Siakam was the high-point man for Toronto with 21 points on 8-of-12 shooting. Kyle Lowry came up large with 16 points, 11 assists, seven rebounds, five steals and a block, while Serge Ibaka totaled 15 points, 15 rebounds and a block. The Raptors shot 50 percent from the field, including 17-of-44 from long range.
Meanwhile, Domantas Sabonis led the Pacers with 14 points, 11 rebounds, five assists and a steal, in 31 minutes. Aaron Holiday added 14 points, six assists, four rebounds and a steal, while Justin Holiday chipped in 12 points, off the bench. The Pacers shot 33 percent from the field, including 8-of-33 from long range.
The Pacers (33-24) will look to bounce back as they play host to the Hornets on Tuesday. The Raptors (42-15) host the Bucks on Tuesday.
Bulls Topple Wizards, 126-117
The Chicago Bulls defeated the Washington Wizards, 126-117, at United Center on Sunday night.
The Bulls (19-38) aren't exactly known for high-powered offense this season, especially given how decimated by injury their roster currently is. However, Chicago played an ultra-efficient first half, jumping out to a 15-point advantage over the Wizards (20-35). Washington was far from done, with Bradley Beal, who scored a career-high 53 points, leading the second-half charge. After making a modest one-point dent in their deficit during the third, the visitors would get to within seven points on multiple occasions in the final period before succumbing.
Beal complemented his aforementioned scoring tally with five rebounds, four assists, two steals and one block. Davis Bertans followed with 22 points, eight boards, four assists and one steal. Rui Hachimura and Ish Smith generated matching 10-point tallies while recording eight rebounds and five assists, respectively.
Coby White led the Bulls with 33 points, supplementing them with six boards, two assists, two steals and one block. Zach LaVine followed with 32 points, supplementing them with four rebounds, three assists, three steals and one block. Thaddeus Young delivered 25 points, six boards, two assists and three steals. Tomas Satoransky generated a 15-point, 13-assist double-double that also included three rebounds and four steals.
The Wizards head back home to face the Milwaukee Bucks on Monday night, while the Bulls remain home and tangle with the Oklahoma City Thunder on Tuesday night.
The Bulls (19-38) aren't exactly known for high-powered offense this season, especially given how decimated by injury their roster currently is. However, Chicago played an ultra-efficient first half, jumping out to a 15-point advantage over the Wizards (20-35). Washington was far from done, with Bradley Beal, who scored a career-high 53 points, leading the second-half charge. After making a modest one-point dent in their deficit during the third, the visitors would get to within seven points on multiple occasions in the final period before succumbing.
Beal complemented his aforementioned scoring tally with five rebounds, four assists, two steals and one block. Davis Bertans followed with 22 points, eight boards, four assists and one steal. Rui Hachimura and Ish Smith generated matching 10-point tallies while recording eight rebounds and five assists, respectively.
Coby White led the Bulls with 33 points, supplementing them with six boards, two assists, two steals and one block. Zach LaVine followed with 32 points, supplementing them with four rebounds, three assists, three steals and one block. Thaddeus Young delivered 25 points, six boards, two assists and three steals. Tomas Satoransky generated a 15-point, 13-assist double-double that also included three rebounds and four steals.
The Wizards head back home to face the Milwaukee Bucks on Monday night, while the Bulls remain home and tangle with the Oklahoma City Thunder on Tuesday night.
Thunder Score Third Straight Win
By Dan Bruno
The Oklahoma City Thunder defeated the visiting San Antonio Spurs, 131-103, at Chesapeake Energy Arena on Sunday evening.
Eight players scored in double digits to help lift the Thunder to their third straight win. The contest got out to a tight start, with the score tied at 29, after one quarter. The Spurs pulled ahead early in the second, but the Thunder rallied back and took a six-point lead by halftime. The Thunder carried the momentum into the third, where they outscored the visitors 37-18, to take a 25-point lead into the final frame. The Spurs had no answers in the fourth, as the Thunder outscored them by three in the quarter, and they fell for their second straight loss.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the Thunder with 22 points, 13 rebounds and four assists, in 32 minutes. Steven Adams added 21 points, 14 rebounds and a block, while Chris Paul tallied 12 points, 10 assists, nine rebounds and a steal. The Thunder shot 58 percent from the field, including 10-of-22 from long range.
Meanwhile, Rudy Gay led the Spurs with 14 points, six rebounds, two assists and a steal, in 18 minutes off the bench. Marco Belinelli added 13 points on 5-of-10 shooting, while DeMar DeRozan tallied 11 points, five rebounds and three assists. The Spurs shot 37 percent from the field, including 11-of-38 from long range.
The Spurs (24-32) will look to bounce back as they play host to the Mavericks on Wednesday. The Thunder (35-22) take on the Bulls in Chicago on Tuesday.
Eight players scored in double digits to help lift the Thunder to their third straight win. The contest got out to a tight start, with the score tied at 29, after one quarter. The Spurs pulled ahead early in the second, but the Thunder rallied back and took a six-point lead by halftime. The Thunder carried the momentum into the third, where they outscored the visitors 37-18, to take a 25-point lead into the final frame. The Spurs had no answers in the fourth, as the Thunder outscored them by three in the quarter, and they fell for their second straight loss.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the Thunder with 22 points, 13 rebounds and four assists, in 32 minutes. Steven Adams added 21 points, 14 rebounds and a block, while Chris Paul tallied 12 points, 10 assists, nine rebounds and a steal. The Thunder shot 58 percent from the field, including 10-of-22 from long range.
Meanwhile, Rudy Gay led the Spurs with 14 points, six rebounds, two assists and a steal, in 18 minutes off the bench. Marco Belinelli added 13 points on 5-of-10 shooting, while DeMar DeRozan tallied 11 points, five rebounds and three assists. The Spurs shot 37 percent from the field, including 11-of-38 from long range.
The Spurs (24-32) will look to bounce back as they play host to the Mavericks on Wednesday. The Thunder (35-22) take on the Bulls in Chicago on Tuesday.
Pelicans Roll Warriors, 115-101
The New Orleans Pelicans defeated the host Golden State Warriors, 115-101, at Chase Center on Sunday,
While this game was tied 77-77 at the end of the third quarter, New Orleans rode a 38-24 fourth quarter to a dominating win. Prior to that lopsided quarter, there were four ties and eight lead changes in total. The Pelicans shot 47 percent from the field and 41 percent from three-point range while holding the Warriors to 44 percent from the field and 31 percent from long range. In addition. New Orleans out-assisted Golden State, 34-28, while out-rebounding them, 52-48.
The Pelicans (25-32) were led by Zion Williamson and his 28 points, seven rebounds and two assists. Jrue Holiday collected 23 points, seven rebounds and 15 assists. Brandon Ingram amassed 17 points, four rebounds, five assists and two steals. Lonzo Ball accumulated six rebounds, nine assists and four steals while Nicolo Melli led the bench with 20 points and five boards.
The Warriors (12-45) were led by Damion Lee, who tallied 22 points, four rebounds and four assists. Jordan Poole collected 19 points, five rebounds and five assists. Andrew Wiggins went just 3-of-16 from the field to generate eight points, nine rebounds and four assists. Juan Toscano-Anderson led the bench with 16 points, eight rebounds and three assists while Ky Bowman provided 15 points, six rebounds and seven assists.
Both teams return to action on Tuesday, with Golden State remaining home to face the Sacramento Kings and New Orleans staying on the road to play the Los Angeles Lakers.
While this game was tied 77-77 at the end of the third quarter, New Orleans rode a 38-24 fourth quarter to a dominating win. Prior to that lopsided quarter, there were four ties and eight lead changes in total. The Pelicans shot 47 percent from the field and 41 percent from three-point range while holding the Warriors to 44 percent from the field and 31 percent from long range. In addition. New Orleans out-assisted Golden State, 34-28, while out-rebounding them, 52-48.
The Pelicans (25-32) were led by Zion Williamson and his 28 points, seven rebounds and two assists. Jrue Holiday collected 23 points, seven rebounds and 15 assists. Brandon Ingram amassed 17 points, four rebounds, five assists and two steals. Lonzo Ball accumulated six rebounds, nine assists and four steals while Nicolo Melli led the bench with 20 points and five boards.
The Warriors (12-45) were led by Damion Lee, who tallied 22 points, four rebounds and four assists. Jordan Poole collected 19 points, five rebounds and five assists. Andrew Wiggins went just 3-of-16 from the field to generate eight points, nine rebounds and four assists. Juan Toscano-Anderson led the bench with 16 points, eight rebounds and three assists while Ky Bowman provided 15 points, six rebounds and seven assists.
Both teams return to action on Tuesday, with Golden State remaining home to face the Sacramento Kings and New Orleans staying on the road to play the Los Angeles Lakers.
Trail Blazers Defeat Pistons, 107-104
The Portland Trail Blazers defeated the visiting Detroit Pistons, 107-104, at Moda Center on Sunday.
This game was full of swings, with all four quarters being decided by seven points or more. Portland got out to a 40-24 first quarter lead but then Detroit responded with a 27-13 second quarter and a 34-27 third quarter. The Trail Blazers then rode a 27-19 fourth quarter to their comeback victory, as it took 11 ties and 11 lead changes to determine a winner. Portland ended up shooting 49 percent from the field and 43 percent from three-point range while holding Detroit to 43 percent from the floor and 31 percent from long range. The assists, rebounds, steals, blocks and turnovers were all decided within three in each category.
The Pistons (19-40) were led by Christian Wood, who provided 26 points, nine rebounds and two blocks off the bench. Derrick Rose led the starters with 15 points, two rebounds and three assists. No other starter had more than seven points, three rebounds or two steals. Brandon Knight also tallied 15 points, two rebounds and three assists off the bench as well.
The Trail Blazers (26-32) got a gem from C.J. McCollum, who finished with 41 points, nine rebounds and 12 assists. Carmelo Anthony amassed 32 points and four boards. Hassan Whiteside accumulated 16 points, 17 rebounds, three assists and four blocks. No other player had more than six points, four rebounds or two assists.
Both teams play again on Tuesday against tough competition, with Portland remaining home to face the Boston Celtics and Detroit staying on the road to face the Denver Nuggets.
This game was full of swings, with all four quarters being decided by seven points or more. Portland got out to a 40-24 first quarter lead but then Detroit responded with a 27-13 second quarter and a 34-27 third quarter. The Trail Blazers then rode a 27-19 fourth quarter to their comeback victory, as it took 11 ties and 11 lead changes to determine a winner. Portland ended up shooting 49 percent from the field and 43 percent from three-point range while holding Detroit to 43 percent from the floor and 31 percent from long range. The assists, rebounds, steals, blocks and turnovers were all decided within three in each category.
The Pistons (19-40) were led by Christian Wood, who provided 26 points, nine rebounds and two blocks off the bench. Derrick Rose led the starters with 15 points, two rebounds and three assists. No other starter had more than seven points, three rebounds or two steals. Brandon Knight also tallied 15 points, two rebounds and three assists off the bench as well.
The Trail Blazers (26-32) got a gem from C.J. McCollum, who finished with 41 points, nine rebounds and 12 assists. Carmelo Anthony amassed 32 points and four boards. Hassan Whiteside accumulated 16 points, 17 rebounds, three assists and four blocks. No other player had more than six points, four rebounds or two assists.
Both teams play again on Tuesday against tough competition, with Portland remaining home to face the Boston Celtics and Detroit staying on the road to face the Denver Nuggets.