76ers Complete Comeback To Defeat Knicks
The Philadelphia 76ers defeated the New York Knicks, 119-112, at Madison Square Garden on Christmas Day.
The 76ers (20-12) mounted an impressive comeback in their Christmas win over the Knicks (18-16), as they bounced back from a slow start to get past New York on the road. The Knicks enjoyed an excellent start and raced out to a strong 37-25 score in the first quarter, but Philadelphia showed signs of mounting a potential comeback following a 35-26 score just before the break. New York controlled most of the first half but only secured a three-point lead, and the Sixers shortened the gap by winning the third quarter by a 35-33 score. The Knicks disappeared in the final 12 minutes of action, and the Sixers took advantage of that following a 24-16 score, earning a huge comeback win. With the victory, the Sixers moved to 6-7 on the road while the Knicks fell to 8-10 at home.
Joel Embiid led the way for the 76ers with 35 points and eight rebounds, while James Harden notched 29 points and 13 assists to go along with four boards and four steals. DeAnthony Melton posted 15 points and three rebounds, and Georges Niang looked impressive off the bench thanks to 16 points and two boards. Tobias Harris delivered eight points and six rebounds across 37 minutes.
Julius Randle led the way for the Knicks with 35 points, eight rebounds, four assists and two steals, while Jalen Brunson finished with 23 points and 11 assists. RJ Barrett delivered 17 points, 10 rebounds and four assists, and Mitchell Robinson recorded 10 points, 16 rebounds, four assists and three blocks. Quentin Grimes posted 10 points, six assists and three boards. Immanuel Quickley had 11 points off the bench.
The 76ers (20-12) mounted an impressive comeback in their Christmas win over the Knicks (18-16), as they bounced back from a slow start to get past New York on the road. The Knicks enjoyed an excellent start and raced out to a strong 37-25 score in the first quarter, but Philadelphia showed signs of mounting a potential comeback following a 35-26 score just before the break. New York controlled most of the first half but only secured a three-point lead, and the Sixers shortened the gap by winning the third quarter by a 35-33 score. The Knicks disappeared in the final 12 minutes of action, and the Sixers took advantage of that following a 24-16 score, earning a huge comeback win. With the victory, the Sixers moved to 6-7 on the road while the Knicks fell to 8-10 at home.
Joel Embiid led the way for the 76ers with 35 points and eight rebounds, while James Harden notched 29 points and 13 assists to go along with four boards and four steals. DeAnthony Melton posted 15 points and three rebounds, and Georges Niang looked impressive off the bench thanks to 16 points and two boards. Tobias Harris delivered eight points and six rebounds across 37 minutes.
Julius Randle led the way for the Knicks with 35 points, eight rebounds, four assists and two steals, while Jalen Brunson finished with 23 points and 11 assists. RJ Barrett delivered 17 points, 10 rebounds and four assists, and Mitchell Robinson recorded 10 points, 16 rebounds, four assists and three blocks. Quentin Grimes posted 10 points, six assists and three boards. Immanuel Quickley had 11 points off the bench.
Mavericks Defeat Lakers, 124-115
The Dallas Mavericks defeated the visiting Los Angeles Lakers, 124-115, at American Airlines Center on Sunday.
While Los Angeles held the lead for the entirety of the first half, Dallas rode a 51-21 third quarter to their victory. That was the Mavericks highest-scoring quarter of the season. They got their lead up to 21 points at times and maintained a double-digit lead for the final 16 minutes until a final free-throw by LA. The Mavericks shot 52 percent from the field and 41 percent from three-point range while holding the Lakers to 49 percent from the field and 32 percent from long range. Dallas also out-assisted Los Angeles, 31-18.
The Lakers (13-20) had just one starter reach double figures in scoring, with LeBron James leading the way with 38 points, six rebounds and five assists. Russell Westbrook led the bench with 17 points, five rebounds and four assists. Austin Reaves accrued 16 points, two rebounds and two blocks, while Patrick Beverley provided eight points, three rebounds and three assists.
The Mavericks (18-16) were led by Luka Doncic, collecting 32 points, nine rebounds, nine assists and two steals. Christian Wood compiled 30 points, eight rebounds, seven assists, four steals and two blocks. Tim Hardaway had 26 points and six rebounds, while Reggie Bullock totaled 14 points, three rebounds and four assists. Spencer Dinwiddie also had eight points and eight assists.
Both teams return to action on Tuesday, with Dallas remaining home to play the New York Knicks and Los Angeles staying on the road to face the Orlando Magic.
While Los Angeles held the lead for the entirety of the first half, Dallas rode a 51-21 third quarter to their victory. That was the Mavericks highest-scoring quarter of the season. They got their lead up to 21 points at times and maintained a double-digit lead for the final 16 minutes until a final free-throw by LA. The Mavericks shot 52 percent from the field and 41 percent from three-point range while holding the Lakers to 49 percent from the field and 32 percent from long range. Dallas also out-assisted Los Angeles, 31-18.
The Lakers (13-20) had just one starter reach double figures in scoring, with LeBron James leading the way with 38 points, six rebounds and five assists. Russell Westbrook led the bench with 17 points, five rebounds and four assists. Austin Reaves accrued 16 points, two rebounds and two blocks, while Patrick Beverley provided eight points, three rebounds and three assists.
The Mavericks (18-16) were led by Luka Doncic, collecting 32 points, nine rebounds, nine assists and two steals. Christian Wood compiled 30 points, eight rebounds, seven assists, four steals and two blocks. Tim Hardaway had 26 points and six rebounds, while Reggie Bullock totaled 14 points, three rebounds and four assists. Spencer Dinwiddie also had eight points and eight assists.
Both teams return to action on Tuesday, with Dallas remaining home to play the New York Knicks and Los Angeles staying on the road to face the Orlando Magic.
Celtics Stun Bucks In Boston
By Dan Bruno
The Boston Celtics defeated the visiting Milwaukee Bucks, 139-118, at TD Garden on Sunday evening.
The Celtics jumped out to a great start and led 36-28 after one quarter. The Bucks picked up the pace in the second and rallied to cut it to a one-point game by halftime. The Celtics reclaimed control in the third and outscored the visitors 38-25 in the quarter to amass a 14-point lead heading into the final frame. They maintained control in the fourth and did not look back as they closed out their second straight win, while this marks the third straight loss for the Bucks.
Jayson Tatum led the Celtics with 41 points, seven rebounds, five assists and three steals, in 36 minutes. Jaylen Brown followed up with 29 points, five rebounds, four assists and a steal, while Derrick White tallied 12 points, three rebounds, five assists and a steal. The Celtics shot 59 percent from the field, including 19-of-39 from deep.
Meanwhile, Giannis Antetokounmpo led the Bucks with 27 points, nine rebounds and three assists, in 35 minutes. Jrue Holiday followed up with 23 points, six rebounds, seven assists and two steals, while Brook Lopez added 16 points, five rebounds, a steal and a block. The Bucks shot 50 percent from the field, including 13-of-36 from long range.
The Bucks (22-11) will look to bounce back as they take on the Bulls in Chicago on Wednesday. The Celtics (24-10) play host to the Rockets on Tuesday.
The Celtics jumped out to a great start and led 36-28 after one quarter. The Bucks picked up the pace in the second and rallied to cut it to a one-point game by halftime. The Celtics reclaimed control in the third and outscored the visitors 38-25 in the quarter to amass a 14-point lead heading into the final frame. They maintained control in the fourth and did not look back as they closed out their second straight win, while this marks the third straight loss for the Bucks.
Jayson Tatum led the Celtics with 41 points, seven rebounds, five assists and three steals, in 36 minutes. Jaylen Brown followed up with 29 points, five rebounds, four assists and a steal, while Derrick White tallied 12 points, three rebounds, five assists and a steal. The Celtics shot 59 percent from the field, including 19-of-39 from deep.
Meanwhile, Giannis Antetokounmpo led the Bucks with 27 points, nine rebounds and three assists, in 35 minutes. Jrue Holiday followed up with 23 points, six rebounds, seven assists and two steals, while Brook Lopez added 16 points, five rebounds, a steal and a block. The Bucks shot 50 percent from the field, including 13-of-36 from long range.
The Bucks (22-11) will look to bounce back as they take on the Bulls in Chicago on Wednesday. The Celtics (24-10) play host to the Rockets on Tuesday.
Warriors Top Grizzlies, 123-109
The Golden State Warriors defeated the Memphis Grizzlies, 123-109, at Chase Center on Sunday night.
The Warriors (16-18) came into the contest as a rare home underdog thanks to their recent struggles and the ongoing absences of Stephen Curry (shoulder) and Andrew Wiggins (groin), but they served early notice they were prepared to compete by forging a 33-29 lead through one. Golden State managed to add another point to its advantage before halftime, but it was during the third quarter that the hosts effectively put the game away. The defending champions outscored the Grizzlies (20-12) by a 40-30 margin during the period, giving them a 15-point edge heading into the final period that proved to be more than enough.
Ja Morant led the Grizzlies with 36 points, adding eight assists, seven rebounds and one steal. Dillon Brooks and Tyus Jones posted matching 13-point tallies while also recording three rebounds and five assists, respectively. Jaren Jackson totaled 11 points, two boards, two blocks and one steal.
Jordan Poole paced the Warriors with 32 points, complementing them with three rebounds and two assists. Klay Thompson furnished 24 points, nine boards and four assists. Donte DiVincenzo supplied 19 points, three rebounds, three assists and one steal. Ty Jerome registered 14 points, four rebounds, one assist and one steal. Anthony Lamb delivered 11 points, three rebounds, one assist, two steals and one block.
The Grizzlies return home and host the Phoenix Suns on Tuesday night, while the Warriors remain home and host the Charlotte Hornets on Tuesday night as well.
The Warriors (16-18) came into the contest as a rare home underdog thanks to their recent struggles and the ongoing absences of Stephen Curry (shoulder) and Andrew Wiggins (groin), but they served early notice they were prepared to compete by forging a 33-29 lead through one. Golden State managed to add another point to its advantage before halftime, but it was during the third quarter that the hosts effectively put the game away. The defending champions outscored the Grizzlies (20-12) by a 40-30 margin during the period, giving them a 15-point edge heading into the final period that proved to be more than enough.
Ja Morant led the Grizzlies with 36 points, adding eight assists, seven rebounds and one steal. Dillon Brooks and Tyus Jones posted matching 13-point tallies while also recording three rebounds and five assists, respectively. Jaren Jackson totaled 11 points, two boards, two blocks and one steal.
Jordan Poole paced the Warriors with 32 points, complementing them with three rebounds and two assists. Klay Thompson furnished 24 points, nine boards and four assists. Donte DiVincenzo supplied 19 points, three rebounds, three assists and one steal. Ty Jerome registered 14 points, four rebounds, one assist and one steal. Anthony Lamb delivered 11 points, three rebounds, one assist, two steals and one block.
The Grizzlies return home and host the Phoenix Suns on Tuesday night, while the Warriors remain home and host the Charlotte Hornets on Tuesday night as well.
Nuggets Defeat Suns in OT, 128-125
The Denver Nuggets defeated the visiting Phoenix Suns in OT, 128-125, at Ball Arena on Sunday.
While there were only six ties and six lead changes in this game, it took an overtime session to determine a winner. The Nuggets actually started the extra frame on an 8-3 run to take control, never relinquishing the lead after that. With that said, Phoenix missed a game-tying three in the closing seconds of overtime. Denver shot 25-of-34 from the free-throw line, while Phoenix connected on just 18-of-26. In addition, the Nuggets outscored the Suns in the paint, 52-40. Their starters also outscored the Suns starters, 117-67.
The Suns (19-15) were led by Landry Shamet, who provided 31 points, two rebounds and six assists. Deandre Ayton led the starters with 22 points, 16 rebounds, two assists, two steals and two blocks. Chris Paul collected 17 points, four rebounds, 16 assists and two steals. Mikal Bridges and Torrey Craig had 13 points apiece.
The Nuggets (21-11) got another triple-double from Nikola Jokic, collecting 41 points, 15 rebounds and 15 assists. Aaron Gordon accrued 28 points, 13 rebounds and two assists. Jamal Murray totaled 26 points, five rebounds, five assists and two steals. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope compiled 15 points, two rebounds, four assists and two steals.
Both teams return to action on Tuesday, with Denver traveling to face the Sacramento Kings and Phoenix staying on the road to play the Memphis Grizzlies.
While there were only six ties and six lead changes in this game, it took an overtime session to determine a winner. The Nuggets actually started the extra frame on an 8-3 run to take control, never relinquishing the lead after that. With that said, Phoenix missed a game-tying three in the closing seconds of overtime. Denver shot 25-of-34 from the free-throw line, while Phoenix connected on just 18-of-26. In addition, the Nuggets outscored the Suns in the paint, 52-40. Their starters also outscored the Suns starters, 117-67.
The Suns (19-15) were led by Landry Shamet, who provided 31 points, two rebounds and six assists. Deandre Ayton led the starters with 22 points, 16 rebounds, two assists, two steals and two blocks. Chris Paul collected 17 points, four rebounds, 16 assists and two steals. Mikal Bridges and Torrey Craig had 13 points apiece.
The Nuggets (21-11) got another triple-double from Nikola Jokic, collecting 41 points, 15 rebounds and 15 assists. Aaron Gordon accrued 28 points, 13 rebounds and two assists. Jamal Murray totaled 26 points, five rebounds, five assists and two steals. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope compiled 15 points, two rebounds, four assists and two steals.
Both teams return to action on Tuesday, with Denver traveling to face the Sacramento Kings and Phoenix staying on the road to play the Memphis Grizzlies.