76ers Top Kings In High-Scoring Affair
The Philadelphia 76ers defeated the Sacramento Kings, 123-103, at Wells Fargo Center on Tuesday night.
The 76ers (15-12) and the Kings (14-12) played a high scoring game, but in the end, the Sixers managed to come out with the victory. the Sixers got off to an impressive start and secures the lead following the first quarter after going up by a 39-32 score, and they bolstered that advantage even further with a 41-23 score in the second quarter, so they had a sizable double-digit advantage by the time the first half came to an end. Even though the Kings won the third quarter by a 28-21 score, it was not enough to mount a potential comeback, and in the end, the Sixers closed things out with a 22-20 score in the fourth quarter. With the win, the Sixers moved to 10-5 at home while the Kings fell to 6-8 on the road.
Joel Embiid only played 30 minutes, but he ended with 31 points and seven rebounds to lead the Sixers. James Harden had a 21-point, 15-assist double double that also included seven rebounds and five steals, while Tobias Harris had 21 points, nine assists and seven boards. Mathise Thybulle had 15 points and two rebounds, while Shake Milton had 14 points and three assists off the bench. Georges Niang finished with 12 points, six rebounds and three assists.
Domantas Sabonis led the way for the Kings with 22 points, 10 rebounds and five assists, while De’Aaron fox finished with 13 points and four rebounds. Harrison Barnes had 11 points, eight rebounds and two assists. No other Sacramento starter scored in double digits, though Malik Monk had 16 points, four assists and three rebounds off the bench.
The 76ers (15-12) and the Kings (14-12) played a high scoring game, but in the end, the Sixers managed to come out with the victory. the Sixers got off to an impressive start and secures the lead following the first quarter after going up by a 39-32 score, and they bolstered that advantage even further with a 41-23 score in the second quarter, so they had a sizable double-digit advantage by the time the first half came to an end. Even though the Kings won the third quarter by a 28-21 score, it was not enough to mount a potential comeback, and in the end, the Sixers closed things out with a 22-20 score in the fourth quarter. With the win, the Sixers moved to 10-5 at home while the Kings fell to 6-8 on the road.
Joel Embiid only played 30 minutes, but he ended with 31 points and seven rebounds to lead the Sixers. James Harden had a 21-point, 15-assist double double that also included seven rebounds and five steals, while Tobias Harris had 21 points, nine assists and seven boards. Mathise Thybulle had 15 points and two rebounds, while Shake Milton had 14 points and three assists off the bench. Georges Niang finished with 12 points, six rebounds and three assists.
Domantas Sabonis led the way for the Kings with 22 points, 10 rebounds and five assists, while De’Aaron fox finished with 13 points and four rebounds. Harrison Barnes had 11 points, eight rebounds and two assists. No other Sacramento starter scored in double digits, though Malik Monk had 16 points, four assists and three rebounds off the bench.
Bucks Secure Easy Win Over Warriors
The Milwaukee Bucks defeated the Golden State Warriors, 128-111, at Fiserv forum on Tuesday night.
The Bucks (20-7) didn't have problems to get past the Warriors (14-14) and didn't waste time to secure the lead, as they raced out to a 38-27 score in the first quarter. The bucks didn't look as dominant the rest of the way, but they did bolster their advantage and finished with a 12-point lead by the time the first half ended following a 26-25 score in the second quarter. Milwaukee would pull away for good following a 31-25 score in the third quarter, and even though the Warriors won the final 12 minutes of action by a 34-33 score, it was not enough to mount a potential comeback, and Milwaukee ended with the victory with absolute ease. With the win, the Bucks moved to 12-3 at home, while the Warriors continued their disappointing campaign on the road and fell to 2-11 while playing away from home.
Giannis Antetokounmpo led the way for the Bucks with 30 points, 12 rebounds and five assists, while Khris Middleton ended with 20 points, four rebounds and three dimes. Grayson Allen finished with 16 points, four rebounds and two assists, and Bobby Portis had an impressive game off the bench with 25 points and 11 rebounds across 32 minutes of action. Brook Lopez had seven points, seven rebounds, two assists and two blocks.
Stephen Curry led the way for the Warriors with 20 points and six rebounds, while Jordan Poole had 18 points and three assists. Klay Thompson scored fourteen points while going 6-for-16 from the field. Jonathan Kuminga had 19 points and three assists across 27 minutes of the bench. Donte DiVincenzo posted 16 points, seven rebounds, two assists and two steals across 26 minutes.
The Bucks (20-7) didn't have problems to get past the Warriors (14-14) and didn't waste time to secure the lead, as they raced out to a 38-27 score in the first quarter. The bucks didn't look as dominant the rest of the way, but they did bolster their advantage and finished with a 12-point lead by the time the first half ended following a 26-25 score in the second quarter. Milwaukee would pull away for good following a 31-25 score in the third quarter, and even though the Warriors won the final 12 minutes of action by a 34-33 score, it was not enough to mount a potential comeback, and Milwaukee ended with the victory with absolute ease. With the win, the Bucks moved to 12-3 at home, while the Warriors continued their disappointing campaign on the road and fell to 2-11 while playing away from home.
Giannis Antetokounmpo led the way for the Bucks with 30 points, 12 rebounds and five assists, while Khris Middleton ended with 20 points, four rebounds and three dimes. Grayson Allen finished with 16 points, four rebounds and two assists, and Bobby Portis had an impressive game off the bench with 25 points and 11 rebounds across 32 minutes of action. Brook Lopez had seven points, seven rebounds, two assists and two blocks.
Stephen Curry led the way for the Warriors with 20 points and six rebounds, while Jordan Poole had 18 points and three assists. Klay Thompson scored fourteen points while going 6-for-16 from the field. Jonathan Kuminga had 19 points and three assists across 27 minutes of the bench. Donte DiVincenzo posted 16 points, seven rebounds, two assists and two steals across 26 minutes.
Rockets Topple Suns, 111-97
The Houston Rockets defeated the Phoenix Suns, 111-97, at Toyota Center on Tuesday night.
The Rockets (9-18) came into the night already having notched multiple upset wins this season over contenders, and Houston seemed to have a reasonably good chance of doing so again considering the Suns (16-12) were once again missing Devin Booker (hamstring). The hosts began making good on that possibility right out of the gate, extending a seven-point first-quarter lead to 19 by halftime. Phoenix was only able to make a two-point dent into its deficit in the third quarter, however, essentially making the final period a formality.
Mikal Bridges led the Suns with 18 points, adding three rebounds, three assists and two steals. Chris Paul furnished 16 points, seven assists, six rebounds, two steals and one block. Landry Shamet turned in 13 points, four boards, three assists and two steals. Josh Okogie supplied 10 points, six boards, three assists, two blocks and one steal.
Jalen Green paced the Rockets with 26 points, complementing them with seven boards and four assists. Kevin Porter registered 18 points, five rebounds, four assists and two steals. Jabari Smith Jr. registered 14 points, eight rebounds and one block. Alperen Sengun generated a 10-point, 16-rebound double-double that included two assists and one block. Tori Eason and Eric Gordon posted matching 10-point tallies as well while recording seven and three rebounds, respectively.
The Suns remain on the road and visits the Clippers on Thursday night, while the Rockets remain home and host the Miami Heat on Thursday night as well.
The Rockets (9-18) came into the night already having notched multiple upset wins this season over contenders, and Houston seemed to have a reasonably good chance of doing so again considering the Suns (16-12) were once again missing Devin Booker (hamstring). The hosts began making good on that possibility right out of the gate, extending a seven-point first-quarter lead to 19 by halftime. Phoenix was only able to make a two-point dent into its deficit in the third quarter, however, essentially making the final period a formality.
Mikal Bridges led the Suns with 18 points, adding three rebounds, three assists and two steals. Chris Paul furnished 16 points, seven assists, six rebounds, two steals and one block. Landry Shamet turned in 13 points, four boards, three assists and two steals. Josh Okogie supplied 10 points, six boards, three assists, two blocks and one steal.
Jalen Green paced the Rockets with 26 points, complementing them with seven boards and four assists. Kevin Porter registered 18 points, five rebounds, four assists and two steals. Jabari Smith Jr. registered 14 points, eight rebounds and one block. Alperen Sengun generated a 10-point, 16-rebound double-double that included two assists and one block. Tori Eason and Eric Gordon posted matching 10-point tallies as well while recording seven and three rebounds, respectively.
The Suns remain on the road and visits the Clippers on Thursday night, while the Rockets remain home and host the Miami Heat on Thursday night as well.
Jazz Halt Pelicans' Streak
By Dan Bruno
The Utah Jazz defeated the visiting New Orleans Pelicans, 121-100, at Vivint Arena on Tuesday evening.
The game got out to a tight start as the Pelicans held a 30-29 lead after one quarter. The scored stayed close through the second, but the Jazz pulled ahead late in the quarter, to take a seven-point lead at the break. The hosts turned the pressure up in the third and outscored the visitors 39-26, to push their lead to 20, heading into the final frame. The Pelicans had no answers in the fourth, as the Jazz cruised to the home win, ending a two-game slide. This marks the end of a seven-game win streak for the Pelicans.
Malik Beasley led the Jazz with 21 points, two rebounds and four assists, in 31 minutes off the bench. Lauri Markkanen tallied 19 points, 11 rebounds, a steal and a block, while Nickeil Alexander-Walker finished with 19 points, three rebounds, six assists and two blocks. The Jazz shot 48 percent from the field, including 15-of-47 from long range.
Meanwhile, Zion Williamson led the Pelicans with 26 points, nine rebounds, five assists and two steals, in 26 minutes. Jonas Valanciunas followed up with 15 points, six rebounds and two assists, while CJ McCollum added 14 points, six rebounds and two steals. The Pelicans shot 40 percent from the field, including 4-of-27 from deep.
The Jazz (16-14) and the Pelicans (18-9) will clash again in Utah on Thursday.
The game got out to a tight start as the Pelicans held a 30-29 lead after one quarter. The scored stayed close through the second, but the Jazz pulled ahead late in the quarter, to take a seven-point lead at the break. The hosts turned the pressure up in the third and outscored the visitors 39-26, to push their lead to 20, heading into the final frame. The Pelicans had no answers in the fourth, as the Jazz cruised to the home win, ending a two-game slide. This marks the end of a seven-game win streak for the Pelicans.
Malik Beasley led the Jazz with 21 points, two rebounds and four assists, in 31 minutes off the bench. Lauri Markkanen tallied 19 points, 11 rebounds, a steal and a block, while Nickeil Alexander-Walker finished with 19 points, three rebounds, six assists and two blocks. The Jazz shot 48 percent from the field, including 15-of-47 from long range.
Meanwhile, Zion Williamson led the Pelicans with 26 points, nine rebounds, five assists and two steals, in 26 minutes. Jonas Valanciunas followed up with 15 points, six rebounds and two assists, while CJ McCollum added 14 points, six rebounds and two steals. The Pelicans shot 40 percent from the field, including 4-of-27 from deep.
The Jazz (16-14) and the Pelicans (18-9) will clash again in Utah on Thursday.
Celtics Defeat Lakers in OT, 122-118
The Boston Celtics defeated the host Los Angeles Lakers in overtime, 122-118, at Crypto.com Arena on Tuesday.
There were some massive swings in this game, with Boston kicking it off with a 37-24 first quarter. Los Angeles responded with a 32-4 run spanning between the third and fourth quarters to take a game-high 13-point lead, but the Celtics finished regulation on a 17-4 run to get the game into overtime. The Lakers started with the first four points of overtime, but the Celtics took care of this game by responding with a 12-0 run. Boston shot 19-of-48 from three-point range while holding Los Angeles to 8-of-29 from long range. The Celtics also out-assisted the Lakers, 27-23.
The Celtics (22-7) were led by Jayson Tatum, tallying 44 points, nine rebounds and six assists. Jaylen Brown accrued 25 points, 15 rebounds, five assists and three steals. Marcus Smart amassed 18 points, five rebounds, six assists and two steals, while Grant Williams led the bench with nine points and five boards. Derrick White also scored 10 points.
The Lakers (11-16) were led by Anthony Davis, finishing with 37 points, 12 rebounds and three assists. LeBron James collected 33 points, nine rebounds, nine assists and two steals. The other three starters combined for 15 points, six rebounds and one assist. Russell Westbrook led the bench with 20 points, 14 rebounds, five assists and four blocks.
Both teams return to action on Friday, with Boston returning home to play the Orlando Magic and Los Angeles staying home to face the Denver Nuggets.
There were some massive swings in this game, with Boston kicking it off with a 37-24 first quarter. Los Angeles responded with a 32-4 run spanning between the third and fourth quarters to take a game-high 13-point lead, but the Celtics finished regulation on a 17-4 run to get the game into overtime. The Lakers started with the first four points of overtime, but the Celtics took care of this game by responding with a 12-0 run. Boston shot 19-of-48 from three-point range while holding Los Angeles to 8-of-29 from long range. The Celtics also out-assisted the Lakers, 27-23.
The Celtics (22-7) were led by Jayson Tatum, tallying 44 points, nine rebounds and six assists. Jaylen Brown accrued 25 points, 15 rebounds, five assists and three steals. Marcus Smart amassed 18 points, five rebounds, six assists and two steals, while Grant Williams led the bench with nine points and five boards. Derrick White also scored 10 points.
The Lakers (11-16) were led by Anthony Davis, finishing with 37 points, 12 rebounds and three assists. LeBron James collected 33 points, nine rebounds, nine assists and two steals. The other three starters combined for 15 points, six rebounds and one assist. Russell Westbrook led the bench with 20 points, 14 rebounds, five assists and four blocks.
Both teams return to action on Friday, with Boston returning home to play the Orlando Magic and Los Angeles staying home to face the Denver Nuggets.