Pacers Pull Upset, Defeat Cavaliers
The Indiana Pacers defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers, 135-126, at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on Thursday.
The Pacers (18-17) moved over the .500 mark once again and secured the victory over the Cavaliers (22-13) in a strong performance. However, it was a game in which Indiana had to come from behind, as Cleveland jumped out to a 34-29 score in the first quarter. The Pacers showed signs of life in the second quarter and won by a 35-34 score, and they grabbed the lead for good following a 35-28 score in the third quarter. Indiana didn't step the foot off the gas and the Pacers also won the final quarter by a 36-30 score in the final 12 minutes, cruising out to a easy victory in front of their fans.
Tyrese Haliburton led the Pacers with 29 points and nine assists, while Buddy Hield notched 25 points, three rebounds and three assists. Myles Turner notched a double-double of 14 points and 12 rebounds, and Aaron Nesmith looked impressive after notching 22 points. Bennedict Mathurin had another strong game and finished with 22 points off the bench.
Donovan Mitchell was the best player for the Cavaliers and delivered 28 points, six assists and four rebounds, while Jarrett Allen had a double-double of 19 points and 14 rebounds. Darius Garland posted 18 points and eight assists. Evan Mobley delivered 13 points, seven assists and seven rebounds. Caris LeVert had 19 points off the bench, and Kevin Love delivered 12 points and six boards.
The Pacers (18-17) moved over the .500 mark once again and secured the victory over the Cavaliers (22-13) in a strong performance. However, it was a game in which Indiana had to come from behind, as Cleveland jumped out to a 34-29 score in the first quarter. The Pacers showed signs of life in the second quarter and won by a 35-34 score, and they grabbed the lead for good following a 35-28 score in the third quarter. Indiana didn't step the foot off the gas and the Pacers also won the final quarter by a 36-30 score in the final 12 minutes, cruising out to a easy victory in front of their fans.
Tyrese Haliburton led the Pacers with 29 points and nine assists, while Buddy Hield notched 25 points, three rebounds and three assists. Myles Turner notched a double-double of 14 points and 12 rebounds, and Aaron Nesmith looked impressive after notching 22 points. Bennedict Mathurin had another strong game and finished with 22 points off the bench.
Donovan Mitchell was the best player for the Cavaliers and delivered 28 points, six assists and four rebounds, while Jarrett Allen had a double-double of 19 points and 14 rebounds. Darius Garland posted 18 points and eight assists. Evan Mobley delivered 13 points, seven assists and seven rebounds. Caris LeVert had 19 points off the bench, and Kevin Love delivered 12 points and six boards.
Hornets Secure Win Over Thunder
The Charlotte Hornets defeated the Oklahoma City Thunder, 121-113, at Spectrum Center on Thursday.
The Hornets (10-26) finally reached double-digit wins and secured a comfortable victory over the Thunder (15-20) with ease. Charlotte jumped out to a 36-30 lead in the first quarter, but the Thunder responded with a 30-21 score in the second quarter and grabbed control of the contest. However, OKC shifted things and responded with a 28-24 score in the third quarter, and the final minutes were intense. However, the Hornets won the final quarter by a 36-29 score, and that was enough to give them the victory.
LaMelo Ball ended with 27 points, 10 rebounds and nine assists, while P.J. Washington posted 25 points, five boards and three dimes. Mason Plumlee delivered 14 points and nine rebounds, and Gordon Hayward notched 10 points, six boards and six assists. Terry Rozier had 10 points and seven assists. Mark Williams had 17 points and 13 rebounds off the bench.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had 28 points and five assists to lead the Thunder, while Josh Giddey ended with 21 points and 10 rebounds. Luguentz Dort posted 22 points and two assists. Jalen Williams notched 15 points and five boards, and Tre Mann posted 17 points off the bench.
The Hornets (10-26) finally reached double-digit wins and secured a comfortable victory over the Thunder (15-20) with ease. Charlotte jumped out to a 36-30 lead in the first quarter, but the Thunder responded with a 30-21 score in the second quarter and grabbed control of the contest. However, OKC shifted things and responded with a 28-24 score in the third quarter, and the final minutes were intense. However, the Hornets won the final quarter by a 36-29 score, and that was enough to give them the victory.
LaMelo Ball ended with 27 points, 10 rebounds and nine assists, while P.J. Washington posted 25 points, five boards and three dimes. Mason Plumlee delivered 14 points and nine rebounds, and Gordon Hayward notched 10 points, six boards and six assists. Terry Rozier had 10 points and seven assists. Mark Williams had 17 points and 13 rebounds off the bench.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had 28 points and five assists to lead the Thunder, while Josh Giddey ended with 21 points and 10 rebounds. Luguentz Dort posted 22 points and two assists. Jalen Williams notched 15 points and five boards, and Tre Mann posted 17 points off the bench.
Celtics Top Clippers, 116-110
The Boston Celtics defeated the Los Angeles Clippers, 116-110, at TD Garden on Thursday night.
The Celtics (26-10) came into the contest looking to prove their mettle against a surging Clippers (21-16) team, and after a highly competitive first quarter that saw them forge just a narrow one-point lead, Boston extended its advantage to 11 ahead of intermission. Nevertheless, Los Angeles erased its deficit altogether in the third quarter to take its own one-point edge into the final period, but a pair of Robert Williams free throws with just under 10 minutes remaining gave the hosts back a lead they wouldn't relinquish, although the visitors would get within three on multiple occasions late.
Kawhi Leonard led the Clippers with 26 points, adding eight rebounds, three assists and one block. Paul George supplied 24 points, six assists, four boards and two steals. Norman Powell turned in 19 points, four boards, two assists and one block. Ivica Zubac generated a 13-point, 11-rebound double-double that included one steal and one block. Marcus Morris registered 12 points, six rebounds, four assists, one steal and one block.
Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown paced the Celtics with 29 points apiece while 11 and seven rebounds, respectively. Marcus Smart delivered 17 points, nine assists, three rebounds, two steals and one block. Derrick White managed 12 points, six boards, one assist, one steal and one block.
The Clippers remain on the road and visit the Indiana Pacers on Saturday afternoon, while the Celtics visit the Denver Nuggets on Sunday night .
The Celtics (26-10) came into the contest looking to prove their mettle against a surging Clippers (21-16) team, and after a highly competitive first quarter that saw them forge just a narrow one-point lead, Boston extended its advantage to 11 ahead of intermission. Nevertheless, Los Angeles erased its deficit altogether in the third quarter to take its own one-point edge into the final period, but a pair of Robert Williams free throws with just under 10 minutes remaining gave the hosts back a lead they wouldn't relinquish, although the visitors would get within three on multiple occasions late.
Kawhi Leonard led the Clippers with 26 points, adding eight rebounds, three assists and one block. Paul George supplied 24 points, six assists, four boards and two steals. Norman Powell turned in 19 points, four boards, two assists and one block. Ivica Zubac generated a 13-point, 11-rebound double-double that included one steal and one block. Marcus Morris registered 12 points, six rebounds, four assists, one steal and one block.
Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown paced the Celtics with 29 points apiece while 11 and seven rebounds, respectively. Marcus Smart delivered 17 points, nine assists, three rebounds, two steals and one block. Derrick White managed 12 points, six boards, one assist, one steal and one block.
The Clippers remain on the road and visit the Indiana Pacers on Saturday afternoon, while the Celtics visit the Denver Nuggets on Sunday night .
Grizzlies Rout Raptors In Toronto
By Dan Bruno
The Memphis Grizzlies defeated the host Toronto Raptors, 119-106, at Scotiabank Arena on Thursday evening.
The Grizzlies jumped out to a great start with a 30-20 lead after one quarter. They kept control in the second and pushed it to a 13-point deficit by halftime. Both sides came out strong in the third, but the Raptors could not gain ground, as the visitors pushed it to an 18-point game heading into the final quarter. The Raptors did not have the answer in the fourth, as they fell short for a second straight loss.
Dillon Brooks led the Grizzlies with 25 points, three rebounds and six assists, in 34 minutes. Ja Morant finished with 19 points, four rebounds, 17 assists and a block, while Demond Bane added 16 points, five rebounds, four assists and two steals. The Grizzlies shot 50.5 percent from the field, including 13-of-29 from deep.
Meanwhile, Pascal Siakam led the Raptors with 25 points, 10 rebonds, four assists, two steals and a block, in 38 minutes. Gary Trent followed up with 20 points, two rebounds, two assists and two steals, while Scottie Barnes tallied 14 points, 10 rebounds, four assists, three steals and a block. The Raptors shot 41 percent from the field, including 10-of-28 from long range.
The Raptors (15-20) will look to bounce back as they play host to the Suns on Friday. The Grizzlies (21-13) play host to the Pelicans on Saturday.
The Grizzlies jumped out to a great start with a 30-20 lead after one quarter. They kept control in the second and pushed it to a 13-point deficit by halftime. Both sides came out strong in the third, but the Raptors could not gain ground, as the visitors pushed it to an 18-point game heading into the final quarter. The Raptors did not have the answer in the fourth, as they fell short for a second straight loss.
Dillon Brooks led the Grizzlies with 25 points, three rebounds and six assists, in 34 minutes. Ja Morant finished with 19 points, four rebounds, 17 assists and a block, while Demond Bane added 16 points, five rebounds, four assists and two steals. The Grizzlies shot 50.5 percent from the field, including 13-of-29 from deep.
Meanwhile, Pascal Siakam led the Raptors with 25 points, 10 rebonds, four assists, two steals and a block, in 38 minutes. Gary Trent followed up with 20 points, two rebounds, two assists and two steals, while Scottie Barnes tallied 14 points, 10 rebounds, four assists, three steals and a block. The Raptors shot 41 percent from the field, including 10-of-28 from long range.
The Raptors (15-20) will look to bounce back as they play host to the Suns on Friday. The Grizzlies (21-13) play host to the Pelicans on Saturday.
Spurs Hold Off Knicks In San Antonio
By Dan Bruno
The San Antonio Spurs defeated the visiting New York Knicks, 122-115, at AT&T Center on Thursday evening.
The Spurs got out to a great start with a 38-29 lead after one quarter. They stayed in control through the second and pushed it to an 11-point game by halftime. The Knicks had no answers in the third, as the hosts maintained the upper hand and increased their cushion to 13, heading into the final frame. The visitors put up a better effort in the fourth but it was not enough, as they fell for a fifth straight loss.
Keldon Johnson led the Spurs with 30 points, three rebounds and two blocks, in 32 minutes. Romeo Langford followed up with 23 points, three rebounds and two assists, while Tre Jones tallied 13 points, seven rebounds, six assists and a block. The Spurs shot 51 percent from the field, including 11-of-28 from long range.
Meanwhile, Julius Randle led the Knicks with 41 points, 11 rebounds, seven assists and a steal, in 43 minutes. Immanuel Quickley followed up with 36 points, seven rebounds, seven assists and a steal, while Evan Fournier chipped in 11 points, two rebounds and two steals. The Knicks shot 42 percent from the field, including 15-of-41 from deep.
The Knicks (18-17) will look to bounce back as they play host to the Rockets on Saturday. The Spurs (11-23) play host to the Mavericks on Saturday.
The Spurs got out to a great start with a 38-29 lead after one quarter. They stayed in control through the second and pushed it to an 11-point game by halftime. The Knicks had no answers in the third, as the hosts maintained the upper hand and increased their cushion to 13, heading into the final frame. The visitors put up a better effort in the fourth but it was not enough, as they fell for a fifth straight loss.
Keldon Johnson led the Spurs with 30 points, three rebounds and two blocks, in 32 minutes. Romeo Langford followed up with 23 points, three rebounds and two assists, while Tre Jones tallied 13 points, seven rebounds, six assists and a block. The Spurs shot 51 percent from the field, including 11-of-28 from long range.
Meanwhile, Julius Randle led the Knicks with 41 points, 11 rebounds, seven assists and a steal, in 43 minutes. Immanuel Quickley followed up with 36 points, seven rebounds, seven assists and a steal, while Evan Fournier chipped in 11 points, two rebounds and two steals. The Knicks shot 42 percent from the field, including 15-of-41 from deep.
The Knicks (18-17) will look to bounce back as they play host to the Rockets on Saturday. The Spurs (11-23) play host to the Mavericks on Saturday.
Mavericks Defeat Rockets, 129-114
The Dallas Mavericks defeated the visiting Houston Rockets, 129-114, at American Airlines Center on Thursday.
While Houston grabbed the first lead in this game, that was the only time it was competitive. In fact, the Mavs outscored the Rockets by at least six points in each of the first three quarters, getting their lead up to 25 points at times. They also held a double-digit lead for the entirety of the second half. The Mavericks shot 52 percent from the field and 42 percent from three-point range while holding the Rockets to 41 percent from the field and 31 percent from long range. Dallas also out-assisted Houston, 29-18, while outscoring them in fastbreak points, 25-0. The Mavs also recorded eight blocks to the Rockets one.
The Rockets (10-25) were led by Jalen Green, tallying 23 points, four rebounds and four assists. Kevin Porter Jr provided 17 points, four rebounds and seven assists. Jabari Smith amassed 16 points and four boards, while Alperen Sengun accrued 11 points and six boards. Usman Garuba led the bench with nine points, nine rebounds and two steals.
The Mavericks (20-16) were led by Luka Doncic, collecting 35 points, 12 rebounds, 13 assists and two blocks. Christian Wood compiled 21 points, seven rebounds and four blocks. Tim Hardaway Jr totaled 18 points, four rebounds and three steals, while Dwight Powell led the bench with 19 points, six rebounds and two blocks. Spencer Dinwiddie also had 15 points, three rebounds and six assists.
Both teams return to action on Saturday, with Dallas traveling to face the San Antonio Spurs and Houston returning home to play the New York Knicks.
While Houston grabbed the first lead in this game, that was the only time it was competitive. In fact, the Mavs outscored the Rockets by at least six points in each of the first three quarters, getting their lead up to 25 points at times. They also held a double-digit lead for the entirety of the second half. The Mavericks shot 52 percent from the field and 42 percent from three-point range while holding the Rockets to 41 percent from the field and 31 percent from long range. Dallas also out-assisted Houston, 29-18, while outscoring them in fastbreak points, 25-0. The Mavs also recorded eight blocks to the Rockets one.
The Rockets (10-25) were led by Jalen Green, tallying 23 points, four rebounds and four assists. Kevin Porter Jr provided 17 points, four rebounds and seven assists. Jabari Smith amassed 16 points and four boards, while Alperen Sengun accrued 11 points and six boards. Usman Garuba led the bench with nine points, nine rebounds and two steals.
The Mavericks (20-16) were led by Luka Doncic, collecting 35 points, 12 rebounds, 13 assists and two blocks. Christian Wood compiled 21 points, seven rebounds and four blocks. Tim Hardaway Jr totaled 18 points, four rebounds and three steals, while Dwight Powell led the bench with 19 points, six rebounds and two blocks. Spencer Dinwiddie also had 15 points, three rebounds and six assists.
Both teams return to action on Saturday, with Dallas traveling to face the San Antonio Spurs and Houston returning home to play the New York Knicks.