Lakers Get Off To Strong Start, Defeat Lakers
The Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Indiana Pacers, 122-115, at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on Saturday afternoon.
The Lakers (41-30) and the Pacers (33-38) played a tight contest where Los Angeles enjoyed a strong start -- that was enough to give the Lakers the victory. The Lakers jumped out to a 36-28 lead following the first quarter and that was enough to settle a differential that was never changed. Both the second and third quarter ended in a tie (28-28 and 32-32, respectively), so the Pacers did a good job of keeping the game close with only 12 minutes left on the clock. The Pacers actually won the final quarter by a one-point differential, but that was not enough to mount a comeback. The Lakers ended winning comfortably.
LeBron James and Anthony Davis dazzled for the Lakers in this contest -- James finished with 24 points, eight assists and seven rebounds, while Davis chipped in with a team-high 28 points to go along with 10 rebounds, five assists and two steals. Andre Drummond contributed 11 points and 15 rebounds, while Dennis Schroder contributed 14 points. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope chipped in with 13 points and two steals, while Talen Horton-Tucker had 11 points off the bench.
Caris LeVert led the Pacers with 28 points and 12 assists, while also adding five rebounds and two steals. Doug McDermott notched 17 points with four rebounds, and Justin Holiday had 12 points. Goga Bitadze posted 10 points with seven rebounds, and JaKarr Sampson contributed 20 points off the bench. Kelan Martin had 15 points while coming off the bench.
The Lakers (41-30) and the Pacers (33-38) played a tight contest where Los Angeles enjoyed a strong start -- that was enough to give the Lakers the victory. The Lakers jumped out to a 36-28 lead following the first quarter and that was enough to settle a differential that was never changed. Both the second and third quarter ended in a tie (28-28 and 32-32, respectively), so the Pacers did a good job of keeping the game close with only 12 minutes left on the clock. The Pacers actually won the final quarter by a one-point differential, but that was not enough to mount a comeback. The Lakers ended winning comfortably.
LeBron James and Anthony Davis dazzled for the Lakers in this contest -- James finished with 24 points, eight assists and seven rebounds, while Davis chipped in with a team-high 28 points to go along with 10 rebounds, five assists and two steals. Andre Drummond contributed 11 points and 15 rebounds, while Dennis Schroder contributed 14 points. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope chipped in with 13 points and two steals, while Talen Horton-Tucker had 11 points off the bench.
Caris LeVert led the Pacers with 28 points and 12 assists, while also adding five rebounds and two steals. Doug McDermott notched 17 points with four rebounds, and Justin Holiday had 12 points. Goga Bitadze posted 10 points with seven rebounds, and JaKarr Sampson contributed 20 points off the bench. Kelan Martin had 15 points while coming off the bench.
Nets Hold On For Fourth Straight Win
By Dan Bruno
The Brooklyn Nets defeated the visiting Chicago Bulls, 105-91, at Barclays Center on Saturday afternoon.
The contest got out to a competitive start as the Bulls led, 29-28, after one quarter. The Nets picked up the pace in the second and outscored the visitors by 11 points in the quarter, to grab a 10-point lead by halftime. The Bulls tightened up the defense in the third and held the Nets to just 18 points in the quarter, but they could only manage to trim the deficit by two. The Nets bounced back again the fourth and closed the contest with confidence, to earn their fourth straight win.
Kyrie Irving led the Nets with 22 points on 9-of-16 shooting, in 29 minutes. Bruce Brown totaled 16 points, 12 rebounds, three assists, two steals and a block, while Jeff Green chipped in 19 points, off the bench. The Nets shot 47 percent from the field, including 14-of-34 from deep.
Meanwhile, Patrick Williams led the Bulls with 24 points, five rebounds and two steals, in 32 minutes. Thaddeus Young followed up with 19 points, 13 rebounds, four assists and a steal, while Nikola Vucevic added 10 points, 11 rebounds, three assists and a block. The Bulls shot 34 percent from the field, including 11-of-41 from long range.
The Bulls (30-41) will look to close their season on a high note, as they play host to the Bucks on Sunday. The Nets (47-24) will close out their season as they play host to the Cavs on Sunday.
The contest got out to a competitive start as the Bulls led, 29-28, after one quarter. The Nets picked up the pace in the second and outscored the visitors by 11 points in the quarter, to grab a 10-point lead by halftime. The Bulls tightened up the defense in the third and held the Nets to just 18 points in the quarter, but they could only manage to trim the deficit by two. The Nets bounced back again the fourth and closed the contest with confidence, to earn their fourth straight win.
Kyrie Irving led the Nets with 22 points on 9-of-16 shooting, in 29 minutes. Bruce Brown totaled 16 points, 12 rebounds, three assists, two steals and a block, while Jeff Green chipped in 19 points, off the bench. The Nets shot 47 percent from the field, including 14-of-34 from deep.
Meanwhile, Patrick Williams led the Bulls with 24 points, five rebounds and two steals, in 32 minutes. Thaddeus Young followed up with 19 points, 13 rebounds, four assists and a steal, while Nikola Vucevic added 10 points, 11 rebounds, three assists and a block. The Bulls shot 34 percent from the field, including 11-of-41 from long range.
The Bulls (30-41) will look to close their season on a high note, as they play host to the Bucks on Sunday. The Nets (47-24) will close out their season as they play host to the Cavs on Sunday.
Knicks Get Past Hornets in OT, 118-109
The New York Knicks defeated the Charlotte Hornets, 118-109, in overtime at Madison Square Garden on Saturday afternoon.
The Knicks (40-31) came into the game with an outside chance of improving their No. 6 position by one slot, and they got off to a hot start with a nine-point advantage through one quarter. New York still held the same lead at halftime, However, the Hornets (33-38) made a six-point dent into their deficit during the third quarter, and they were ultimately able to force overtime following a topsy-turvy final period during which they missed multiple opportunities to win in the final seconds of regulation. However, the hosts roared back in the extra period, outscoring Charlotte by a 14-5 margin for an expansive margin of victory for an overtime contest.
Miles Bridges paced the Hornets with 30 points, complementing them with five rebounds, four assists and one steal. Devonte' Graham furnished 25 points, eight assists and three rebounds. Jalen McDaniels generated a 15-point, 10-rebound double-double that also included three assists, one steal and one block. Terry Rozier totaled 13 points, eight boards, four assists and two steals. Cody Zeller finished with 10 points, 11 rebounds and three assists.
Julius Randle led the Knicks with a 33-point, 13-assist, 10-rebound triple-double that also included one steal. Reggie Bullock supplied 17 points and six rebounds. Derrick Rose registered 15 points, three assists and one rebound. Alec Burks tallied 14 points, nine rebounds and five assists. Immanuel Quickley netted 13 points.
The Hornets visit the Washington Wizards on Sunday afternoon to wrap up their regular season, while the Knicks host the Boston Celtics on Sunday afternoon for their regular-season finale.
The Knicks (40-31) came into the game with an outside chance of improving their No. 6 position by one slot, and they got off to a hot start with a nine-point advantage through one quarter. New York still held the same lead at halftime, However, the Hornets (33-38) made a six-point dent into their deficit during the third quarter, and they were ultimately able to force overtime following a topsy-turvy final period during which they missed multiple opportunities to win in the final seconds of regulation. However, the hosts roared back in the extra period, outscoring Charlotte by a 14-5 margin for an expansive margin of victory for an overtime contest.
Miles Bridges paced the Hornets with 30 points, complementing them with five rebounds, four assists and one steal. Devonte' Graham furnished 25 points, eight assists and three rebounds. Jalen McDaniels generated a 15-point, 10-rebound double-double that also included three assists, one steal and one block. Terry Rozier totaled 13 points, eight boards, four assists and two steals. Cody Zeller finished with 10 points, 11 rebounds and three assists.
Julius Randle led the Knicks with a 33-point, 13-assist, 10-rebound triple-double that also included one steal. Reggie Bullock supplied 17 points and six rebounds. Derrick Rose registered 15 points, three assists and one rebound. Alec Burks tallied 14 points, nine rebounds and five assists. Immanuel Quickley netted 13 points.
The Hornets visit the Washington Wizards on Sunday afternoon to wrap up their regular season, while the Knicks host the Boston Celtics on Sunday afternoon for their regular-season finale.
Celtics Strong In Road Win
By Dan Bruno
The Bostons Celtics defeated the host Minnesota Timberwolves, 124-108, at Target Center on Saturday afternoon.
The Celtics got out to a great start with a, 37-26, lead after one quarter. They stayed in control through the second, where they managed to add another eight points to their lead, to take a 19-point advantage into the break. The Timberwolves came out stronger in the third and trimmed four points off the deficit, to make it a 15-point game heading into the final frame. The pace picked up in the fourth, but the Celtics maintained the advantage down the stretch and closed out the road win, to end a four-game slide.
Jayson Tatum led the Celtics with 26 points, 11 rebounds, two assists and a steal, in 26 minutes. Evan Fournier followed up with 18 points and six assists, while Tremont Waters added 14 points and seven assists. The Celtics shot 48 percent from the field, including 18-of-42 from long range.
Meanwhile, Karl-Anthony Towns led the Timberwolves with 24 points, 14 rebounds and two assists, in 27 minutes. Anthony Edwards followed up with 23 points, six assists, four rebounds and three steals, while Naz Reid totaled 12 points, five rebounds, two assists, three blocks and a steal. The Timberwolves shot 41 percent from the field, including 5-of-37 from deep.
The Celtics (36-35) will look to close out their season with a second straight win, as they take on the Knicks in New York on Sunday. The Timberwolves (22-49) close out their season on Sunday, as they take on the Magic in Orlando on Sunday.
The Celtics got out to a great start with a, 37-26, lead after one quarter. They stayed in control through the second, where they managed to add another eight points to their lead, to take a 19-point advantage into the break. The Timberwolves came out stronger in the third and trimmed four points off the deficit, to make it a 15-point game heading into the final frame. The pace picked up in the fourth, but the Celtics maintained the advantage down the stretch and closed out the road win, to end a four-game slide.
Jayson Tatum led the Celtics with 26 points, 11 rebounds, two assists and a steal, in 26 minutes. Evan Fournier followed up with 18 points and six assists, while Tremont Waters added 14 points and seven assists. The Celtics shot 48 percent from the field, including 18-of-42 from long range.
Meanwhile, Karl-Anthony Towns led the Timberwolves with 24 points, 14 rebounds and two assists, in 27 minutes. Anthony Edwards followed up with 23 points, six assists, four rebounds and three steals, while Naz Reid totaled 12 points, five rebounds, two assists, three blocks and a steal. The Timberwolves shot 41 percent from the field, including 5-of-37 from deep.
The Celtics (36-35) will look to close out their season with a second straight win, as they take on the Knicks in New York on Sunday. The Timberwolves (22-49) close out their season on Sunday, as they take on the Magic in Orlando on Sunday.
Suns Blast Spurs, 140-103
The Phoenix Suns defeated the San Antonio Spurs, 140-103, at AT & T Center on Saturday afternoon.
The Spurs (33-38), already locked into their play-in spot, treated the game as a glorified exhibition of sorts, as DeMar DeRozan and Jakob Poeltl were held out, while Rudy Gay and Dejounte Murray were also given the afternoon off to heal nagging injuries. As such, it wasn't surprising to see the Suns (50-21) jump out to a 17-point lead through one and expand that advantage to 21 by halftime. Phoenix then piled on with 41 third-quarter points while limiting San Antonio to 23, making the final period a complete formality.
Devin Booker led the Suns with 27 points, adding four assists and two rebounds. Mikal Bridges furnished 18 points, four boards and three steals. Chris Paul generated a 16-point, 10-assist double-double that also included five rebounds and one steal. Dario Saric supplied 13 points, six boards, one assist and two steals. Cameron Payne finished with 12 points, six assists and two rebounds, while Torrey Craig contributed 11 points, nine rebounds, one assist and two steals.
Gorgui Dieng and Keldon Johnson co-led the Spurs with matching 18-point tallies, with Dieng also pulling down seven rebounds. Drew Eubanks posted a 15-point, 11-rebound double-double that also included one assist and one steal. Devin Vassell registered 14 points, seven boards, four assists, one steal and one block. Quinndary Witherspoon managed 13 points, four rebounds and one steal.
The Suns and Spurs wrap up the regular season with a rematch at AT & T Center on Sunday afternoon.
The Spurs (33-38), already locked into their play-in spot, treated the game as a glorified exhibition of sorts, as DeMar DeRozan and Jakob Poeltl were held out, while Rudy Gay and Dejounte Murray were also given the afternoon off to heal nagging injuries. As such, it wasn't surprising to see the Suns (50-21) jump out to a 17-point lead through one and expand that advantage to 21 by halftime. Phoenix then piled on with 41 third-quarter points while limiting San Antonio to 23, making the final period a complete formality.
Devin Booker led the Suns with 27 points, adding four assists and two rebounds. Mikal Bridges furnished 18 points, four boards and three steals. Chris Paul generated a 16-point, 10-assist double-double that also included five rebounds and one steal. Dario Saric supplied 13 points, six boards, one assist and two steals. Cameron Payne finished with 12 points, six assists and two rebounds, while Torrey Craig contributed 11 points, nine rebounds, one assist and two steals.
Gorgui Dieng and Keldon Johnson co-led the Spurs with matching 18-point tallies, with Dieng also pulling down seven rebounds. Drew Eubanks posted a 15-point, 11-rebound double-double that also included one assist and one steal. Devin Vassell registered 14 points, seven boards, four assists, one steal and one block. Quinndary Witherspoon managed 13 points, four rebounds and one steal.
The Suns and Spurs wrap up the regular season with a rematch at AT & T Center on Sunday afternoon.
Bucks Defeat Heat, 122-108
The Milwaukee Bucks defeated the visiting Miami Heat, 122-108, at Fiserv Forum on Saturday.
While there were four lead changes in the first five minutes of this game, Milwaukee never relinquished the lead after a 44-28 first quarter. In fact, the Bucks carried a 19-point lead into the half and held a double-digit lead for the final three quarters. The Bucks ended up out-rebounding the Heat, 48-38, while out-assisting them, 29-25. In addition, Milwaukee shot 54 percent from the field while holding Miami to 42 percent shooting. They also outscored them in the paint, 50-34.
The Heat (39-32) were led by Kendrick Nunn, tallying 31 points, six rebounds and three assists on 13-of-18 from the field. Duncan Robinson amassed 17 points and two assists. Bam Adebayo collected five points, eight rebounds, eight assists and two steals. Goran Dragic led the bench with 17 points while Trevor Ariza and Nemanja Bjelica had 11 points apiece.
The Bucks (46-25) were led by Khris Middleton and his 21 points, seven rebounds and seven assists. Jrue Holiday accrued 20 points, five rebounds and 10 assists. Brook Lopez totaled 18 points and six rebounds. Giannis Antetokounpo finished with 15 points, nine rebounds and four assists while Donte DiVincenzo had 11 points, nine rebounds and four assists.
Both teams play their final game of the season on Sunday, with Milwaukee traveling to face the Chicago Bulls and Miami staying on the road to play the Detroit Pistons.
While there were four lead changes in the first five minutes of this game, Milwaukee never relinquished the lead after a 44-28 first quarter. In fact, the Bucks carried a 19-point lead into the half and held a double-digit lead for the final three quarters. The Bucks ended up out-rebounding the Heat, 48-38, while out-assisting them, 29-25. In addition, Milwaukee shot 54 percent from the field while holding Miami to 42 percent shooting. They also outscored them in the paint, 50-34.
The Heat (39-32) were led by Kendrick Nunn, tallying 31 points, six rebounds and three assists on 13-of-18 from the field. Duncan Robinson amassed 17 points and two assists. Bam Adebayo collected five points, eight rebounds, eight assists and two steals. Goran Dragic led the bench with 17 points while Trevor Ariza and Nemanja Bjelica had 11 points apiece.
The Bucks (46-25) were led by Khris Middleton and his 21 points, seven rebounds and seven assists. Jrue Holiday accrued 20 points, five rebounds and 10 assists. Brook Lopez totaled 18 points and six rebounds. Giannis Antetokounpo finished with 15 points, nine rebounds and four assists while Donte DiVincenzo had 11 points, nine rebounds and four assists.
Both teams play their final game of the season on Sunday, with Milwaukee traveling to face the Chicago Bulls and Miami staying on the road to play the Detroit Pistons.