Heat Comes Through To Defeat Rockets
The Miami Heat defeated the Houston Rockets, 111-108, at Toyota Arena on Thursday.
The Heat (15-15) and the Rockets (9-19) played a tight contest, but in the end, Miami came up with the victory after holding on in the second half following an impressive performance in the first half, particularly in the second quarter. The first quarter ended with a 29-29 tie, but the Heat pulled away in the second quarter and never looked back after outscoring their rivals by a 37-23 score. The Rockets showed signs of a potential comeback and won the third quarter by a 33-20 score, so the deficit was just one point with 12 minutes left in the game. However, the final 12 minutes were back and forth, but Miami managed to weather the storm. The Heat ended up winning the final quarter by a 25-23, and that allowed them to secure a tight three-point victory. With the win, Miami improved to 6-9 on the road while the Rockets fell to 6-6 at home.
Tyler Herro had an impressive game for the Heat and ended with 41 points in just 20 shots, while Jimmy Butler ended with 20 points, 10 rebounds, seven assists, four steals and three blocks. They had more than 50 percent of the team’s total points haul. Caleb Martin had 13 points, and Max Strus recorded 12 points, five assists and four rebounds. Orlando Robinson finished with nine points.
All five starters for the Heat ended with double-digit scoring figures and Jalen Green turned out to be the team’s leading scorer – Green had 22 points, seven boards and three steals. Kevin Porter Jr. notched 21 points, but he also added seven boards, five assists and four steals. Jabari Smith recorded 15 points and 11 rebounds, while Eric Gordon and Alperen Sengun had double-doubles off the bench.
The Heat (15-15) and the Rockets (9-19) played a tight contest, but in the end, Miami came up with the victory after holding on in the second half following an impressive performance in the first half, particularly in the second quarter. The first quarter ended with a 29-29 tie, but the Heat pulled away in the second quarter and never looked back after outscoring their rivals by a 37-23 score. The Rockets showed signs of a potential comeback and won the third quarter by a 33-20 score, so the deficit was just one point with 12 minutes left in the game. However, the final 12 minutes were back and forth, but Miami managed to weather the storm. The Heat ended up winning the final quarter by a 25-23, and that allowed them to secure a tight three-point victory. With the win, Miami improved to 6-9 on the road while the Rockets fell to 6-6 at home.
Tyler Herro had an impressive game for the Heat and ended with 41 points in just 20 shots, while Jimmy Butler ended with 20 points, 10 rebounds, seven assists, four steals and three blocks. They had more than 50 percent of the team’s total points haul. Caleb Martin had 13 points, and Max Strus recorded 12 points, five assists and four rebounds. Orlando Robinson finished with nine points.
All five starters for the Heat ended with double-digit scoring figures and Jalen Green turned out to be the team’s leading scorer – Green had 22 points, seven boards and three steals. Kevin Porter Jr. notched 21 points, but he also added seven boards, five assists and four steals. Jabari Smith recorded 15 points and 11 rebounds, while Eric Gordon and Alperen Sengun had double-doubles off the bench.
Grizzlies Throttle Bucks, 142-101
The Memphis Grizzlies defeated the Milwaukee Bucks, 142-101, at FedEx Forum on Thursday night.
The Grizzlies (19-9) opened the game overwhelming the Bucks (20-8) and never really slowed down, building a 33-18 lead through one and extending it to 70-41 by halftime. That essentially locked in the win, but Memphis added insult to injury by piling up another 47 points in the third quarter to go into the final period with 46-point advantage that paved the way for the massive victory.
Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bobby Portis co-led the Bucks with 19 points while pulling down six and seven rebounds, respectively. Antetokounmpo also dished out five assists. Marjon Beauchamp totaled 12 points, three rebounds, two assists and two steals. Jordan Nwora and AJ Green produced matching 10-point tallies while recording three and one rebound, respectively.
Ja Morant paced the Grizzlies with a 25-point, 10-rebound, 10-assist triple-double that included one steal. Dillon Brooks supplied 18 points, four assists and three rebounds. Tyus Jones furnished 16 points, three rebounds and two assists. David Roddy delivered 15 points, seven boards and two assists. Santi Aldama totaled 14 points, three boards, one assist and one steal. Brandon Clarke registered 12 points and six rebounds. Ziaire Williams posted 11 points, five rebounds, two assists and one block. Steven Adams managed 10 points, six rebounds, one assist, five blocks and one steal.
The Bucks return home and host the Utah Jazz on Saturday night, while the Grizzlies pay a visit to the Oklahoma City Thunder on Saturday night.
The Grizzlies (19-9) opened the game overwhelming the Bucks (20-8) and never really slowed down, building a 33-18 lead through one and extending it to 70-41 by halftime. That essentially locked in the win, but Memphis added insult to injury by piling up another 47 points in the third quarter to go into the final period with 46-point advantage that paved the way for the massive victory.
Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bobby Portis co-led the Bucks with 19 points while pulling down six and seven rebounds, respectively. Antetokounmpo also dished out five assists. Marjon Beauchamp totaled 12 points, three rebounds, two assists and two steals. Jordan Nwora and AJ Green produced matching 10-point tallies while recording three and one rebound, respectively.
Ja Morant paced the Grizzlies with a 25-point, 10-rebound, 10-assist triple-double that included one steal. Dillon Brooks supplied 18 points, four assists and three rebounds. Tyus Jones furnished 16 points, three rebounds and two assists. David Roddy delivered 15 points, seven boards and two assists. Santi Aldama totaled 14 points, three boards, one assist and one steal. Brandon Clarke registered 12 points and six rebounds. Ziaire Williams posted 11 points, five rebounds, two assists and one block. Steven Adams managed 10 points, six rebounds, one assist, five blocks and one steal.
The Bucks return home and host the Utah Jazz on Saturday night, while the Grizzlies pay a visit to the Oklahoma City Thunder on Saturday night.
Jazz Outlast Pelicans In Utah
By Dan Bruno
The Utah Jazz defeated the visiting New Orleans Pelicans, 132-129, at Vivint Arena on Thursday evening.
The game got out to a competitive start and the Jazz led 27-25 after one quarter. The visitors picked up their play in the second and outscored the Jazz by six, to take a four-point advantage into the break. Both sides came out strong in the third and poured in 33 points each, as it remained a four-point game heading into the final quarter. The score stayed tight through the fourth and the Jazz led by three with less than 10 seconds left in regulation, but the Pelicans came up clutch with a last-second three to force overtime. The Jazz responded by scoring the first four points in the extra period and maintained the upper hand the rest of the way for their second straight win. This marks the second straight loss for the Pelicans.
Jordan Clarkson led the Jazz with 39 points, eight rebounds, two assists and two steals, in 39 minutes. Lauri Markkanen followed up with 31 points, five rebounds and three assists, while Malik Beasley added 17 points, three rebounds and a block. The Jazz shot 46 percent from the field, including 18-of-47 from deep.
Meanwhile, Zion Williamson led the Pelicans with 31 points, eight rebounds, eight assists and two blocks, in 42 minutes. CJ McCollum followed up with 28 points, six rebounds, four assists and two blocks, while Larry Nance and Naji Marshall added 13 points each. The Pelicans shot 47.5 percent from the field, including 12-of-30 from long range.
The Pelicans (18-10) will look to bounce back as they take on the Suns in Phoenix on Saturday. The Jazz (17-14) take on the Bucks in Milwaukee on Saturday.
The game got out to a competitive start and the Jazz led 27-25 after one quarter. The visitors picked up their play in the second and outscored the Jazz by six, to take a four-point advantage into the break. Both sides came out strong in the third and poured in 33 points each, as it remained a four-point game heading into the final quarter. The score stayed tight through the fourth and the Jazz led by three with less than 10 seconds left in regulation, but the Pelicans came up clutch with a last-second three to force overtime. The Jazz responded by scoring the first four points in the extra period and maintained the upper hand the rest of the way for their second straight win. This marks the second straight loss for the Pelicans.
Jordan Clarkson led the Jazz with 39 points, eight rebounds, two assists and two steals, in 39 minutes. Lauri Markkanen followed up with 31 points, five rebounds and three assists, while Malik Beasley added 17 points, three rebounds and a block. The Jazz shot 46 percent from the field, including 18-of-47 from deep.
Meanwhile, Zion Williamson led the Pelicans with 31 points, eight rebounds, eight assists and two blocks, in 42 minutes. CJ McCollum followed up with 28 points, six rebounds, four assists and two blocks, while Larry Nance and Naji Marshall added 13 points each. The Pelicans shot 47.5 percent from the field, including 12-of-30 from long range.
The Pelicans (18-10) will look to bounce back as they take on the Suns in Phoenix on Saturday. The Jazz (17-14) take on the Bucks in Milwaukee on Saturday.
Suns Roll Clippers, 111-95
The Phoenix Suns defeated the host Los Angeles Clippers, 111-95, at Crypto.com on Thursday.
A 29-18 first quarter set the tone for Phoenix in this blowout win, putting things away behind a 35-19 second quarter. They got their lead up to 31 points at times and maintained a double-digit lead for the final three quarters. The Suns recorded 27 assists to eight turnovers, while the Clippers had 21 assists to 16 turnovers. Phoenix shot 46 percent from the field while holding Los Angeles to 38 percent shooting. In addition, the Suns outscored the Clippers in second-chance points, 27-16, and in fastbreak scoring, 15-5.
The Suns (17-12) were led by Mikal Bridges, totaling 27 points, six rebounds and two blocks. Chris Paul collected 15 points, seven rebounds, 13 assists and two steals. Devin Booker missed 16 of his 22 shots but finished with 14 points, four rebounds and four assists. Jock Landale led the bench with 15 points, 10 rebounds, two assists and two blocks, while Josh Okogie provided 11 points, 11 rebounds, two assists and two steals.
The Clippers (17-14) were led by Terance Mann, amassing 22 points, 11 rebounds and four assists. Marcus Morris generated 14 points, seven rebounds and two assists. John Wall tallied 12 points, four rebounds and five assists, while Moses Brown had five points and 12 rebounds. Brandon Boston led the bench with 16 points and three assists.
Both teams return to action on Saturday, with Los Angeles remaining home to play the struggling Washington Wizards and Phoenix returning home to face the New Orleans Pelicans.
A 29-18 first quarter set the tone for Phoenix in this blowout win, putting things away behind a 35-19 second quarter. They got their lead up to 31 points at times and maintained a double-digit lead for the final three quarters. The Suns recorded 27 assists to eight turnovers, while the Clippers had 21 assists to 16 turnovers. Phoenix shot 46 percent from the field while holding Los Angeles to 38 percent shooting. In addition, the Suns outscored the Clippers in second-chance points, 27-16, and in fastbreak scoring, 15-5.
The Suns (17-12) were led by Mikal Bridges, totaling 27 points, six rebounds and two blocks. Chris Paul collected 15 points, seven rebounds, 13 assists and two steals. Devin Booker missed 16 of his 22 shots but finished with 14 points, four rebounds and four assists. Jock Landale led the bench with 15 points, 10 rebounds, two assists and two blocks, while Josh Okogie provided 11 points, 11 rebounds, two assists and two steals.
The Clippers (17-14) were led by Terance Mann, amassing 22 points, 11 rebounds and four assists. Marcus Morris generated 14 points, seven rebounds and two assists. John Wall tallied 12 points, four rebounds and five assists, while Moses Brown had five points and 12 rebounds. Brandon Boston led the bench with 16 points and three assists.
Both teams return to action on Saturday, with Los Angeles remaining home to play the struggling Washington Wizards and Phoenix returning home to face the New Orleans Pelicans.