Pelicans Need OT To Get Past Suns
The New Orleans Pelicans defeated the Phoenix Suns, 129-124, at Smoothie King Center on Sunday afternoon.
The Suns (16-11) enjoyed a strong start and grabbed the lead following the first quarter by a 36-29 score, but the Pelicans (18-8) were not ready to be thrashed in their own court and responded with a 28-22 score in the second 12-minute period, reducing the deficit to just one point. New Orleans kept the momentum going and also won the third quarter by a 41-35 score, meaning they grabbed a five-point lead entering the final minutes, but they could not sustain it. The Suns woke up just before it was too late, and they forced overtime after winning the fourth quarter by a 24-19 score. The overtime was tight, but in the end, the Pelicans were in control and managed to grab the win after tightening things up defensively. They won overtime by a 12-7 score.
Zion Williamson showed the way for the Pelicans after scoring a team-high 35 points with eight rebounds, while C.J. McCollum ended with 29 points and seven assists. Dyson Daniels made a spot start and finished with 11 points and eight assists, while Jonas Valanciunas grabbed 10 points to go along with eight boards. Naji Marshall had 16 points, five boards and five assists off the bench, while Larry Nance Jr. had 15 points with seven boards.
Deandre Ayton was the best player for Phoenix after posting 28 points and 12 boards, while Mikal Bridges delivered 27 points and five boards. Torrey Craig ended with 14 points and seven rebounds, while Chris Paul dished out 11 assists to go along with six points. Cameron Payne notched 17 points and three assists.
The Suns (16-11) enjoyed a strong start and grabbed the lead following the first quarter by a 36-29 score, but the Pelicans (18-8) were not ready to be thrashed in their own court and responded with a 28-22 score in the second 12-minute period, reducing the deficit to just one point. New Orleans kept the momentum going and also won the third quarter by a 41-35 score, meaning they grabbed a five-point lead entering the final minutes, but they could not sustain it. The Suns woke up just before it was too late, and they forced overtime after winning the fourth quarter by a 24-19 score. The overtime was tight, but in the end, the Pelicans were in control and managed to grab the win after tightening things up defensively. They won overtime by a 12-7 score.
Zion Williamson showed the way for the Pelicans after scoring a team-high 35 points with eight rebounds, while C.J. McCollum ended with 29 points and seven assists. Dyson Daniels made a spot start and finished with 11 points and eight assists, while Jonas Valanciunas grabbed 10 points to go along with eight boards. Naji Marshall had 16 points, five boards and five assists off the bench, while Larry Nance Jr. had 15 points with seven boards.
Deandre Ayton was the best player for Phoenix after posting 28 points and 12 boards, while Mikal Bridges delivered 27 points and five boards. Torrey Craig ended with 14 points and seven rebounds, while Chris Paul dished out 11 assists to go along with six points. Cameron Payne notched 17 points and three assists.
Lakers Hold On, Defeat Pistons
The Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Detroit Pistons, 124-117, at Little Caesars arena on Sunday evening.
The Lakers (11-15) enjoyed a good start against the Pistons (7-22) and they jumped out to a 32-26 lead following the first quarter. The Lakers didn't step the foot off the gas and they bolstered the lead to 12 points after winning the second quarter by a 29-23 score. Even though the Pistons woke up in the second half and reduced the deficit by just one point following a 41-30 third-quarter score, the Lakers managed to bounce back and they ended up winning the game after securing 33-27 score in the final 12 minutes of action. With the win, the Lakers improved to 5-9 on the road but while the Pistons fell to 4-9 at home.
LeBron James led the Lakers after scoring 35 points, five rebounds and five assists. Anthony Davis posted 34 points, but he also added 15 rebounds, seven assists and two steals. Lonnie Walker had 18 points and two rebounds, and while no other Lakers starter scored in double digits, it’s worth noting that Russell Westbrook finished with 11 points, nine assists and four rebounds across 21 minutes off the bench.
Bojan Bogdanovic had 38 points, four rebounds and two assists for the Pistons, while Jaden Ivey had 16 points and two assists. No other Detroit starter had more than eight points, though Jalen Duren had 13 rebounds but only scored three points. Saddiq Bey had 14 points off the bench, while Alec Burks (11 points) and Marvin Bagley III (10 points) also scored in double digits.
The Lakers (11-15) enjoyed a good start against the Pistons (7-22) and they jumped out to a 32-26 lead following the first quarter. The Lakers didn't step the foot off the gas and they bolstered the lead to 12 points after winning the second quarter by a 29-23 score. Even though the Pistons woke up in the second half and reduced the deficit by just one point following a 41-30 third-quarter score, the Lakers managed to bounce back and they ended up winning the game after securing 33-27 score in the final 12 minutes of action. With the win, the Lakers improved to 5-9 on the road but while the Pistons fell to 4-9 at home.
LeBron James led the Lakers after scoring 35 points, five rebounds and five assists. Anthony Davis posted 34 points, but he also added 15 rebounds, seven assists and two steals. Lonnie Walker had 18 points and two rebounds, and while no other Lakers starter scored in double digits, it’s worth noting that Russell Westbrook finished with 11 points, nine assists and four rebounds across 21 minutes off the bench.
Bojan Bogdanovic had 38 points, four rebounds and two assists for the Pistons, while Jaden Ivey had 16 points and two assists. No other Detroit starter had more than eight points, though Jalen Duren had 13 rebounds but only scored three points. Saddiq Bey had 14 points off the bench, while Alec Burks (11 points) and Marvin Bagley III (10 points) also scored in double digits.
Knicks Top Kings, 112-99
The New York Knicks defeated the Sacramento Kings, 112-99, at Madison Square Garden on Sunday evening.
The Knicks (14-13) came out of the gates hot, forging a 36-22 lead through one and adding another two points to their advantage by halftime. The Kings (14-11), which were missing De'Aaron Fox (foot) for a second straight contest, only managed to make a three-point dent in their deficit the rest of the way, with both offenses shutting down during a fourth quarter in which only 36 total points were scored.
Domantas Sabonis led the Kings with 20 points, adding 12 rebounds and four assists. Keegan Murray furnished 18 points and seven boards. Kevin Huerter supplied 17 points, six assists, five boards and two steals. Harrison Barnes posted 15 points, two rebounds and two assists. Malik Monk registered 12 points, four boards, one assist and one steal.
R.J. Barrett and Julius Randle co-led the Knicks with 27 points while adding nine and eight rebounds, respectively. Barrett added six assists, three steals and two blocks. Jalen Brunson registered 18 points, three rebounds, three assists and two steals. Mitchell Robinson and Immanuel Quickley generated matching 12-point efforts while pulling down nine and four rebounds, respectively.
The Kings remain on the road and visit the Philadelphia 76ers on Tuesday night, while the Knicks visit the Chicago Bulls on Tuesday night as well.
The Knicks (14-13) came out of the gates hot, forging a 36-22 lead through one and adding another two points to their advantage by halftime. The Kings (14-11), which were missing De'Aaron Fox (foot) for a second straight contest, only managed to make a three-point dent in their deficit the rest of the way, with both offenses shutting down during a fourth quarter in which only 36 total points were scored.
Domantas Sabonis led the Kings with 20 points, adding 12 rebounds and four assists. Keegan Murray furnished 18 points and seven boards. Kevin Huerter supplied 17 points, six assists, five boards and two steals. Harrison Barnes posted 15 points, two rebounds and two assists. Malik Monk registered 12 points, four boards, one assist and one steal.
R.J. Barrett and Julius Randle co-led the Knicks with 27 points while adding nine and eight rebounds, respectively. Barrett added six assists, three steals and two blocks. Jalen Brunson registered 18 points, three rebounds, three assists and two steals. Mitchell Robinson and Immanuel Quickley generated matching 12-point efforts while pulling down nine and four rebounds, respectively.
The Kings remain on the road and visit the Philadelphia 76ers on Tuesday night, while the Knicks visit the Chicago Bulls on Tuesday night as well.
Magic Bests Raptors, 111-99
The Orlando Magic defeated the Toronto Raptors, 111-99, at Amway Center on Sunday evening.
The Magic (8-20) came into the game as big home underdogs, but they trailed by just one after the opening period and had forged an eight-point lead by halftime over the visiting Raptors (13-14). Offense took center stage in the third quarter, when both teams combined for 71 points but Toronto only made a one-point dent in its deficit and then extended out their edge to double digits by game's end.
Gary Trent led the Raptors with 24 points, adding three rebounds, one assist and one steal. Fred VanVleet furnished 20 points, seven assists, four boards and four steals. Pascal Siakam supplied 19 points, seven assists, six rebounds, one steal and one block. Chris Boucher registered 12 points, five rebounds, two blocks and one steal. Scottie Barnes delivered 11 points, two boards and one steal.
Franz Wagner paced the Magic with 23 points, complementing them with four assists, three rebounds and one block. Paolo Banchero managed a 20-point, 12-rebound double-double that included five assists, one steal and one block. Mo Bamba posted 18 points, nine rebounds, one assist and two blocks. Cole Anthony contributed 14 points, six rebounds, six assists and one steal.
The Raptors return home to host the Sacramento Kings on Wednesday night, while the Magic host the Atlanta Hawks on Wednesday night as well.
The Magic (8-20) came into the game as big home underdogs, but they trailed by just one after the opening period and had forged an eight-point lead by halftime over the visiting Raptors (13-14). Offense took center stage in the third quarter, when both teams combined for 71 points but Toronto only made a one-point dent in its deficit and then extended out their edge to double digits by game's end.
Gary Trent led the Raptors with 24 points, adding three rebounds, one assist and one steal. Fred VanVleet furnished 20 points, seven assists, four boards and four steals. Pascal Siakam supplied 19 points, seven assists, six rebounds, one steal and one block. Chris Boucher registered 12 points, five rebounds, two blocks and one steal. Scottie Barnes delivered 11 points, two boards and one steal.
Franz Wagner paced the Magic with 23 points, complementing them with four assists, three rebounds and one block. Paolo Banchero managed a 20-point, 12-rebound double-double that included five assists, one steal and one block. Mo Bamba posted 18 points, nine rebounds, one assist and two blocks. Cole Anthony contributed 14 points, six rebounds, six assists and one steal.
The Raptors return home to host the Sacramento Kings on Wednesday night, while the Magic host the Atlanta Hawks on Wednesday night as well.
Sixers Earn Second Straight Win
By Dan Bruno
The Philadelphia 76ers defeated the visiting Charlotte Hornets, 131-113, at Wells Fargo Center on Sunday evening.
The game got out to a tight start as the Hornets led 21-20 after one quarter. The 76ers turned it up a notch in the second and rallied to a seven-point lead by halftime. Both sides came out strong in the third, but the Sixers managed to add another two points to their lead, making it a nine-point game heading into the final frame. The hosts kept the momentum going in the fourth and charged to the finish, closing out their second straight win. This marks the fifth straight loss for the Hornets.
Joel Embiid led the 76ers with 53 points, 12 rebounds, three assists and a block, in 34 minutes. James Harden followed up with 19 points, nine rebounds, 16 assists and a block, while Tobias Harris added 17 points, four rebounds, two assists, three steals and a block. The Sixers shot 55 percent from the field, including 13-of-27 from long range.
Meanwhile, Kelly Oubre totaled 29 points, three rebounds, two steals and a block, while Terry Rozier tallied 29 points, eight rebounds and six assists, to lead the Hornets. Jalen McDaniels added 15 points, five rebounds, three assists and three steals. The Hornets shot 41 percent from the field, including 11-of-30 from deep.
The Hornets (7-20) will look to bounce back as they play host to the Pistons on Wednesday. The 76ers (14-12) play host to the Kings on Tuesday.
The game got out to a tight start as the Hornets led 21-20 after one quarter. The 76ers turned it up a notch in the second and rallied to a seven-point lead by halftime. Both sides came out strong in the third, but the Sixers managed to add another two points to their lead, making it a nine-point game heading into the final frame. The hosts kept the momentum going in the fourth and charged to the finish, closing out their second straight win. This marks the fifth straight loss for the Hornets.
Joel Embiid led the 76ers with 53 points, 12 rebounds, three assists and a block, in 34 minutes. James Harden followed up with 19 points, nine rebounds, 16 assists and a block, while Tobias Harris added 17 points, four rebounds, two assists, three steals and a block. The Sixers shot 55 percent from the field, including 13-of-27 from long range.
Meanwhile, Kelly Oubre totaled 29 points, three rebounds, two steals and a block, while Terry Rozier tallied 29 points, eight rebounds and six assists, to lead the Hornets. Jalen McDaniels added 15 points, five rebounds, three assists and three steals. The Hornets shot 41 percent from the field, including 11-of-30 from deep.
The Hornets (7-20) will look to bounce back as they play host to the Pistons on Wednesday. The 76ers (14-12) play host to the Kings on Tuesday.
Hawks Edge Bulls In Wild Finish
By Dan Bruno
The Atlanta Hawks defeated the visiting Chicago Bulls, 123-122, at State Farm Arena on Sunday.
The Bulls got out to a strong start and led 27-22 after one quarter. The hosts bounced back in the second and outscored the Bulls by 13, to take an eight-point lead into the break. Both sides came out strong in the third, as the Bulls trimmed the deficit by one, trailing by seven, after three. The visitors kept pressing in the fourth and chipped away to tie it at 110, at the end of regulation. The score stayed tight through the extra period and the Hawks looked like they had it locked up with a two-point lead and 2.0 seconds left on the clock. However, DeMar DeRozan managed to draw a last-second foul from behind the arc to put the Bulls up by one point, with 0.5 seconds left. Despite the slim odds, the Hawks came up with an unbelievable solution, with an alley-oop layup off the inbound pass to seal the home win.
Bogdan Bogdanovic led the Hawks with 28 points, seven rebounds, five assists and a block, in 35 minutes. Trae Young followed up with 19 points, two rebounds and 14 assists, while Clint Capela logged 15 points, 14 rebounds, a steal and a block. The Hawks shot 48 percent from the field, including 13-of-39 from long range.
Meanwhile, DeMar DeRozan led the Bulls with 34 points, 13 rebounds and eight assists, in 45 minutes. Zach LaVine followed up with 21 points, three rebounds and three assists, while Andre Drummond totaled 14 points, nine rebounds and five steals. The Bulls shot 48 percent from the field, including 7-of-o27 from deep.
The Bulls (11-15) will look to bounce back as they play host to the Knicks on Wednesday. The Hawks (14-13) take on the Grizzlies in Memphis on Monday.
The Bulls got out to a strong start and led 27-22 after one quarter. The hosts bounced back in the second and outscored the Bulls by 13, to take an eight-point lead into the break. Both sides came out strong in the third, as the Bulls trimmed the deficit by one, trailing by seven, after three. The visitors kept pressing in the fourth and chipped away to tie it at 110, at the end of regulation. The score stayed tight through the extra period and the Hawks looked like they had it locked up with a two-point lead and 2.0 seconds left on the clock. However, DeMar DeRozan managed to draw a last-second foul from behind the arc to put the Bulls up by one point, with 0.5 seconds left. Despite the slim odds, the Hawks came up with an unbelievable solution, with an alley-oop layup off the inbound pass to seal the home win.
Bogdan Bogdanovic led the Hawks with 28 points, seven rebounds, five assists and a block, in 35 minutes. Trae Young followed up with 19 points, two rebounds and 14 assists, while Clint Capela logged 15 points, 14 rebounds, a steal and a block. The Hawks shot 48 percent from the field, including 13-of-39 from long range.
Meanwhile, DeMar DeRozan led the Bulls with 34 points, 13 rebounds and eight assists, in 45 minutes. Zach LaVine followed up with 21 points, three rebounds and three assists, while Andre Drummond totaled 14 points, nine rebounds and five steals. The Bulls shot 48 percent from the field, including 7-of-o27 from deep.
The Bulls (11-15) will look to bounce back as they play host to the Knicks on Wednesday. The Hawks (14-13) take on the Grizzlies in Memphis on Monday.
Rockets Defeat Bucks, 97-92
The Houston Rockets defeated the visiting Milwaukee Bucks, 97-92, at Toyota Center on Sunday.
There were 11 ties and nine lead changes in this game, with neither club ever grabbing a double-digit lead. The Rockets rode a 23-13 fourth quarter to their victory, finishing the game on a 14-3 run across the final 4:23. Houston shot 44 percent from the field and 92 percent from the free-throw line while holding Milwaukee to 37 percent from the field and 78 percent from the charity stripe. The Rockets recorded 23 assists to 12 turnovers, while the Bucks had 18 assists to 15 turnovers.
The Bucks (19-7) were led by Jrue Holiday, collecting 25 points, six rebounds, eight assists and three steals. Giannis Antetokounmpo finished with 16 points, 18 rebounds, four assists and two blocks. Bobby Portis led the bench with 17 points, 15 rebounds and two assists. Khris Middleton played just six minutes, departing due to an injury.
The Rockets (8-18) were led by Jalen Green, generating 30 points, seven rebounds and three assists. Kevin Porter Jr provided 18 points, three rebounds, seven assists and two steals. Jabari Smith totaled six points, 10 rebounds, two assists and three steals, while KJ Martin Jr led the bench with 10 points, seven rebounds and two assists.
Both teams return to action on Tuesday against tough teams, with Houston playing host to the Phoenix Suns and Milwaukee returning home to face the Golden State Warriors.
There were 11 ties and nine lead changes in this game, with neither club ever grabbing a double-digit lead. The Rockets rode a 23-13 fourth quarter to their victory, finishing the game on a 14-3 run across the final 4:23. Houston shot 44 percent from the field and 92 percent from the free-throw line while holding Milwaukee to 37 percent from the field and 78 percent from the charity stripe. The Rockets recorded 23 assists to 12 turnovers, while the Bucks had 18 assists to 15 turnovers.
The Bucks (19-7) were led by Jrue Holiday, collecting 25 points, six rebounds, eight assists and three steals. Giannis Antetokounmpo finished with 16 points, 18 rebounds, four assists and two blocks. Bobby Portis led the bench with 17 points, 15 rebounds and two assists. Khris Middleton played just six minutes, departing due to an injury.
The Rockets (8-18) were led by Jalen Green, generating 30 points, seven rebounds and three assists. Kevin Porter Jr provided 18 points, three rebounds, seven assists and two steals. Jabari Smith totaled six points, 10 rebounds, two assists and three steals, while KJ Martin Jr led the bench with 10 points, seven rebounds and two assists.
Both teams return to action on Tuesday against tough teams, with Houston playing host to the Phoenix Suns and Milwaukee returning home to face the Golden State Warriors.