Heat Defeats Pacers On Monday
The Miami Heat defeated the Indiana Pacers, 87-82, at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on Monday night.
The Heat (13-15) and the Pacers (14-14) played one of the lowest scoring games of the season, but in the end, Miami ended up on top and managed to sneak the victory. Miami jumped out to a 26-19 lead following the first quarter, but Indiana didn't slow things down and they won the second quarter by 23-21 score. The Pacers made it a three-point game following a 22-20 score in the third quarter, but the Heat woke up when they needed it the most. They won the final quarter by a 20-18 score, ultimately securing a five-point win despite playing on the road. With the win, the Heat improved to 4-9 playing on the road, while the Pacers fell to 8-6 playing at home.
Bam Adebayo was the best player for the Heat, ending with 22 points, 17 rebounds, three assists and two steals. Jimmy Butler had 20 points, seven rebounds, five assists and two steals. No other Miami players scoring in double digits, though Caleb Martin had nine points and six rebounds. Kyle Lowry and Tyler Herro each delivered eight-point performances. Herro also had six assists and three rebounds while Lowry had two rebounds and two assists. Max Strus had nine points off the bench.
Buddy Hield had 19 points and nine rebounds for the Pacers, while Andrew Nembhard had 18 points and five rebounds. Myles Turner finished with a double-double of 15 points and 13 rebounds while also adding four blocks. Tyrese Haliburton struggled from the field and finished with one point (0-9 FG) and six assists.
The Heat (13-15) and the Pacers (14-14) played one of the lowest scoring games of the season, but in the end, Miami ended up on top and managed to sneak the victory. Miami jumped out to a 26-19 lead following the first quarter, but Indiana didn't slow things down and they won the second quarter by 23-21 score. The Pacers made it a three-point game following a 22-20 score in the third quarter, but the Heat woke up when they needed it the most. They won the final quarter by a 20-18 score, ultimately securing a five-point win despite playing on the road. With the win, the Heat improved to 4-9 playing on the road, while the Pacers fell to 8-6 playing at home.
Bam Adebayo was the best player for the Heat, ending with 22 points, 17 rebounds, three assists and two steals. Jimmy Butler had 20 points, seven rebounds, five assists and two steals. No other Miami players scoring in double digits, though Caleb Martin had nine points and six rebounds. Kyle Lowry and Tyler Herro each delivered eight-point performances. Herro also had six assists and three rebounds while Lowry had two rebounds and two assists. Max Strus had nine points off the bench.
Buddy Hield had 19 points and nine rebounds for the Pacers, while Andrew Nembhard had 18 points and five rebounds. Myles Turner finished with a double-double of 15 points and 13 rebounds while also adding four blocks. Tyrese Haliburton struggled from the field and finished with one point (0-9 FG) and six assists.
Nets Topple Wizards, 112-100
The Brooklyn Nets defeated the Washington Wizards, 112-100, at Capital One Arena on Monday night.
The surging Nets (17-12) came into the contest looking to extend their winning streak to four games, and they got off to a good start in that regard by jumping out to a seven-point lead by halftime. Brooklyn then added another four points to its advantage over the Wizards (11-17) with a 32-point third quarter, and they ensured there would be no successful comeback by limiting Washington to 17 points in the final 12 minutes. The visitors offset poor 29.6 percent three-point shooting by forcing 20 turnovers and draining 49.6 percent of their attempts overall.
Kevin Durant led the Nets with 30 points, complementing them with nine rebounds, six assists, one steal and one block. Kyrie Irving furnished 24 points, six boards, five assists, two blocks and one steal. T.J. Warren delivered 12 points, four rebounds, three assists and one steal. Joe Harris poured in 11 points, while Ben Simmons delivered 10 points, eight boards and five assists.
Will Barton paced the Wizards with 22 points, supplementing them with seven rebounds and seven assists. Kyle Kuzma managed 20 points, seven boards, three assists and one block. Kristaps Porzingis matched Kuzma's scoring and also recorded three rebounds, one assist, two steals and one block. Jordan Goodwin compiled 11 points, seven assists, four rebounds and two steals. Daniel Gafford generated a 10-point, 10-rebound double-double.
The Nets next pay a visit to the Toronto Raptors on Friday night, while the Wizards hit the road and face the Denver Nuggets on Wednesday night.
The surging Nets (17-12) came into the contest looking to extend their winning streak to four games, and they got off to a good start in that regard by jumping out to a seven-point lead by halftime. Brooklyn then added another four points to its advantage over the Wizards (11-17) with a 32-point third quarter, and they ensured there would be no successful comeback by limiting Washington to 17 points in the final 12 minutes. The visitors offset poor 29.6 percent three-point shooting by forcing 20 turnovers and draining 49.6 percent of their attempts overall.
Kevin Durant led the Nets with 30 points, complementing them with nine rebounds, six assists, one steal and one block. Kyrie Irving furnished 24 points, six boards, five assists, two blocks and one steal. T.J. Warren delivered 12 points, four rebounds, three assists and one steal. Joe Harris poured in 11 points, while Ben Simmons delivered 10 points, eight boards and five assists.
Will Barton paced the Wizards with 22 points, supplementing them with seven rebounds and seven assists. Kyle Kuzma managed 20 points, seven boards, three assists and one block. Kristaps Porzingis matched Kuzma's scoring and also recorded three rebounds, one assist, two steals and one block. Jordan Goodwin compiled 11 points, seven assists, four rebounds and two steals. Daniel Gafford generated a 10-point, 10-rebound double-double.
The Nets next pay a visit to the Toronto Raptors on Friday night, while the Wizards hit the road and face the Denver Nuggets on Wednesday night.
Grizzlies Topple Hawks, 128-103
The Memphis Grizzlies defeated the Atlanta Hawks, 128-103, at FedEx Forum on Monday night.
The Grizzlies (18-9) opened the game running hot on offense and never let up until the contest was in hand, with Memphis owning an 11-point lead by halftime and extending their advantage by 26 going into the final period with a 40-point third quarter. The hosts shot an elite 60.2 percent overall while limiting the Hawks (14-14) to a paltry 35.6 percent success rate from the field.
De'Andre Hunter led the Hawks with 19 points, adding one rebound and one steal. Aaron Holiday supplied 15 points, six assists, three rebounds and four steals. Jalen Johnson furnished 14 points, nine boards, three assists and one steal. AJ. Griffin and Frank Kaminsky posted matching 13-point, three-assist tallies.
Tyus Jones paced the Grizzlies with 22 points, supplementing them with 11 assists, one rebound and three steals. Dillon Brooks delivered 18 points, five rebounds and four assists. Santi Aldama registered 16 points, five rebounds and two assists. Jaren Jackson netted 15 points, seven rebounds, two assists and eight blocks. Brandon Clarke produced 11 points, six rebounds, two assists, one steal and one block. David Roddy matched Clarke's scoring and also brought down three boards. Xavier Tillman turned in 10 points, four rebounds, one steal and one block.
The Hawks remain on the road and visit the Orlando Magic on Wednesday night, while the Grizzlies host the Milwaukee Bucks on Thursday night.
The Grizzlies (18-9) opened the game running hot on offense and never let up until the contest was in hand, with Memphis owning an 11-point lead by halftime and extending their advantage by 26 going into the final period with a 40-point third quarter. The hosts shot an elite 60.2 percent overall while limiting the Hawks (14-14) to a paltry 35.6 percent success rate from the field.
De'Andre Hunter led the Hawks with 19 points, adding one rebound and one steal. Aaron Holiday supplied 15 points, six assists, three rebounds and four steals. Jalen Johnson furnished 14 points, nine boards, three assists and one steal. AJ. Griffin and Frank Kaminsky posted matching 13-point, three-assist tallies.
Tyus Jones paced the Grizzlies with 22 points, supplementing them with 11 assists, one rebound and three steals. Dillon Brooks delivered 18 points, five rebounds and four assists. Santi Aldama registered 16 points, five rebounds and two assists. Jaren Jackson netted 15 points, seven rebounds, two assists and eight blocks. Brandon Clarke produced 11 points, six rebounds, two assists, one steal and one block. David Roddy matched Clarke's scoring and also brought down three boards. Xavier Tillman turned in 10 points, four rebounds, one steal and one block.
The Hawks remain on the road and visit the Orlando Magic on Wednesday night, while the Grizzlies host the Milwaukee Bucks on Thursday night.
Mavs Hold Off Thunder In Dallas
By Dan Bruno
The Dallas Mavericks defeated the visiting Oklahoma City Thunder, 121-114, at American Airlines Center on Monday evening.
The Mavs jumped out to a quick 12-0 start, but the Thunder rallied back to take a 28-23 lead by the end of the quarter. The Mavs turned it up a notch in the second and outscored the visitors, 43-24, to carry a 14-point cushion into the break. The Thunder came out stronger in the third and chipped away to make it a seven-point game heading into the final quarter. They kept pressing in the fourth and whittled it down to a five-point game with 30 seconds left, but the Mavs held on to close out the home win. This marks the third straight loss for the Thunder.
Luka Doncic led the Mavericks with 38 points, 11 rebounds and eight assists, in 37 minutes. Spencer Dinwiddie added 20 points, seven rebounds and 10 assists, while Tim Hardaway tallied 20 points, six rebounds and two steals. The Mavs shot 42 percent from the field, including 22-of-54 from long range.
Meanwhile, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the Thunder with 42 points, two rebounds, three assists and three steals, in 38 minutes. Jalen Williams followed up with 17 points, two rebounds, four assists and a block, while Josh Giddey added 14 points, five rebounds, four assists and a steal. The Thunder shot 48 percent from the field, including 10-of-31 from deep.
The Thunder (11-16) will look to bounce back as they play host to the Heat on Wednesday. The Mavericks (14-13) play host to the Cabs on Wednesday.
The Mavs jumped out to a quick 12-0 start, but the Thunder rallied back to take a 28-23 lead by the end of the quarter. The Mavs turned it up a notch in the second and outscored the visitors, 43-24, to carry a 14-point cushion into the break. The Thunder came out stronger in the third and chipped away to make it a seven-point game heading into the final quarter. They kept pressing in the fourth and whittled it down to a five-point game with 30 seconds left, but the Mavs held on to close out the home win. This marks the third straight loss for the Thunder.
Luka Doncic led the Mavericks with 38 points, 11 rebounds and eight assists, in 37 minutes. Spencer Dinwiddie added 20 points, seven rebounds and 10 assists, while Tim Hardaway tallied 20 points, six rebounds and two steals. The Mavs shot 42 percent from the field, including 22-of-54 from long range.
Meanwhile, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the Thunder with 42 points, two rebounds, three assists and three steals, in 38 minutes. Jalen Williams followed up with 17 points, two rebounds, four assists and a block, while Josh Giddey added 14 points, five rebounds, four assists and a steal. The Thunder shot 48 percent from the field, including 10-of-31 from deep.
The Thunder (11-16) will look to bounce back as they play host to the Heat on Wednesday. The Mavericks (14-13) play host to the Cabs on Wednesday.
Spurs Earn Third Straight Win
By Dan Bruno
The San Antonio Spurs defeated the visiting Cleveland Cavaliers, 112-111, at AT&T Center on Monday evening.
The game got out to a tight start and the Spurs led by two, after one quarter. They turned up the intensity in the second and outscored the Cavs, 36-22, in the frame to build a 16-point lead by halftime. The Cavs came out better in the third but did not have much of a solution, as the still trailed by 14, heading into the final frame. They kept pressing in the fourth and rallied down the wire, but the Spurs kept their composure and managed to stay a step ahead for their third straight win.
Josh Richardson led the Spurs with 24 points on 9-of-13 shooting, in 27 minutes off the bench. Keldon Johnson followed up with 21 points, six rebounds, two assists and a block, while Devin Vassell tallied 16 points, two rebounds, three assists and three steals. The Spurs shot 47 percent from the field, including 9-of-27 from long range,
Meanwhile, Donovan Mitchell led the Cavs with 28 points and five rebounds, in 37 minutes. Caris LeVert followed up with 23 points, two rebounds, three assists and two steals, while Darius Garland totaled 18 points, seven rebounds, nine assists and a steal. The Cavs shot 49 percent from the field, including 5-of-23 from deep.
The Cavs (17-11) will look to bounce back as they take on the Mavericks in Dallas on Wednesday. The Spurs (9-18) play host to the Trail Blazers on Wednesday.
The game got out to a tight start and the Spurs led by two, after one quarter. They turned up the intensity in the second and outscored the Cavs, 36-22, in the frame to build a 16-point lead by halftime. The Cavs came out better in the third but did not have much of a solution, as the still trailed by 14, heading into the final frame. They kept pressing in the fourth and rallied down the wire, but the Spurs kept their composure and managed to stay a step ahead for their third straight win.
Josh Richardson led the Spurs with 24 points on 9-of-13 shooting, in 27 minutes off the bench. Keldon Johnson followed up with 21 points, six rebounds, two assists and a block, while Devin Vassell tallied 16 points, two rebounds, three assists and three steals. The Spurs shot 47 percent from the field, including 9-of-27 from long range,
Meanwhile, Donovan Mitchell led the Cavs with 28 points and five rebounds, in 37 minutes. Caris LeVert followed up with 23 points, two rebounds, three assists and two steals, while Darius Garland totaled 18 points, seven rebounds, nine assists and a steal. The Cavs shot 49 percent from the field, including 5-of-23 from deep.
The Cavs (17-11) will look to bounce back as they take on the Mavericks in Dallas on Wednesday. The Spurs (9-18) play host to the Trail Blazers on Wednesday.
Trail Blazers Defeat Timberwolves, 133-112
The Portland Trail Blazers defeated the visiting Minnesota Timberwolves, 133-112, at Moda Center on Monday.
Portland won the first three individual quarters in this game, riding a 36-25 third quarter to a wire-to-wire win. They got their lead up to 27 points at times, maintaining a double-digit lead for the entirety of the second half. The Trail Blazers shot 54 percent from the field and 46 percent from three-point range (21-of-46) while holding the T'Wolves to 50 percent from the field and 37 percent from long range (10-of-27). Portland also out-rebounded Minnesota, 58-44, while out-assisting them, 32-25.
The Timberwolves (13-14) were led by D'Angelo Russell, tallying 23 points, three rebounds and eight assists. Anthony Edwards accrued 17 points, two rebounds, three assists and two steals. Rudy Gobert gobbled up 16 points, 20 rebounds and two assists, while Jaylen Nowell led the bench with 17 points, three rebounds and two assists.
The Trail Blazers (15-12) were led by Damian Lillard, who scored 38 points on 11-of-17 from three-point range. Jerami Grant generated 24 points, three rebounds and two assists. Jusuf Nurkic collected 14 points, 16 rebounds and four assists, while Anfernee Simons amassed 12 points, four rebounds and six assists. Justise Winslow led the bench with nine points, six rebounds and 10 assists.
On deck for Minnesota is a road matchup with the Los Angeles Clippers on Wednesday. As for Portland, they travel to face the San Antonio Spurs on Wednesday as well.
Portland won the first three individual quarters in this game, riding a 36-25 third quarter to a wire-to-wire win. They got their lead up to 27 points at times, maintaining a double-digit lead for the entirety of the second half. The Trail Blazers shot 54 percent from the field and 46 percent from three-point range (21-of-46) while holding the T'Wolves to 50 percent from the field and 37 percent from long range (10-of-27). Portland also out-rebounded Minnesota, 58-44, while out-assisting them, 32-25.
The Timberwolves (13-14) were led by D'Angelo Russell, tallying 23 points, three rebounds and eight assists. Anthony Edwards accrued 17 points, two rebounds, three assists and two steals. Rudy Gobert gobbled up 16 points, 20 rebounds and two assists, while Jaylen Nowell led the bench with 17 points, three rebounds and two assists.
The Trail Blazers (15-12) were led by Damian Lillard, who scored 38 points on 11-of-17 from three-point range. Jerami Grant generated 24 points, three rebounds and two assists. Jusuf Nurkic collected 14 points, 16 rebounds and four assists, while Anfernee Simons amassed 12 points, four rebounds and six assists. Justise Winslow led the bench with nine points, six rebounds and 10 assists.
On deck for Minnesota is a road matchup with the Los Angeles Clippers on Wednesday. As for Portland, they travel to face the San Antonio Spurs on Wednesday as well.
Clippers Defeat Celtics, 113-93
The Los Angeles Clippers defeated the visiting Boston Celtics, 113-93, at Crypto.com Arena on Monday.
Los Angeles won all four individual quarters in this game by at least four points apiece, maintaining a double-digit lead for the final 20 minutes of this game. They got their lead up to 24 points at times. The Clippers shot 49 percent from the field and 40 percent from three-point range while holding the Celtics to 43 percent from the field and 23 percent from long range. Los Angeles also out-rebounded Boston, 46-36, while outscoring them in fastbreak points, 14-1. They also won the turnover battle, 15-9.
The Celtics (21-7) were led by Jaylen Brown, collecting 21 points, four rebounds, two assists and two steals. Jayson Tatum tallied 20 points, 11 rebounds and four assists. Blake Griffin generated five points, six rebounds and five assists. Malcolm Brogdon led the bench with 18 points, four rebounds and six assists, while Grant Williams had 14 points, four rebounds, two assists and two steals.
The Clippers (16-13) were led by Paul George, providing 26 points, six rebounds and three assists. Kawhi Leonard shot 10-of-12 from the field to finish with 25 points, nine rebounds and six assists. Marcus Morris dropped 13 points, while Luke Kennard led the bench with 12 points and two steals. John Wall totaled six points, four rebounds and four assists.
Boston plays the second half of a back-to-back set on Tuesday, staying in LA to face the Los Angeles Lakers. As for the Clippers, they play host to the Minnesota Timberwolves on Wednesday for their next outing.
Los Angeles won all four individual quarters in this game by at least four points apiece, maintaining a double-digit lead for the final 20 minutes of this game. They got their lead up to 24 points at times. The Clippers shot 49 percent from the field and 40 percent from three-point range while holding the Celtics to 43 percent from the field and 23 percent from long range. Los Angeles also out-rebounded Boston, 46-36, while outscoring them in fastbreak points, 14-1. They also won the turnover battle, 15-9.
The Celtics (21-7) were led by Jaylen Brown, collecting 21 points, four rebounds, two assists and two steals. Jayson Tatum tallied 20 points, 11 rebounds and four assists. Blake Griffin generated five points, six rebounds and five assists. Malcolm Brogdon led the bench with 18 points, four rebounds and six assists, while Grant Williams had 14 points, four rebounds, two assists and two steals.
The Clippers (16-13) were led by Paul George, providing 26 points, six rebounds and three assists. Kawhi Leonard shot 10-of-12 from the field to finish with 25 points, nine rebounds and six assists. Marcus Morris dropped 13 points, while Luke Kennard led the bench with 12 points and two steals. John Wall totaled six points, four rebounds and four assists.
Boston plays the second half of a back-to-back set on Tuesday, staying in LA to face the Los Angeles Lakers. As for the Clippers, they play host to the Minnesota Timberwolves on Wednesday for their next outing.