Nuggets Use Strong Start To Top Celtics
The Denver Nuggets defeated the Boston Celtics, 123-111, at Ball Arena on Sunday.
The Nuggets (24-12) and the Celtics (26-11) engaged in a battle that could very well be an NBA Finals preview, but the Western Conference outfit prevailed and secured the win in front of their fans, pushing their home record to 14-3 while Boston fell to 11-6 on the road. Denver looked dominant in the early going and quickly established dominance following a 37-28 score in the opening 12 minutes, and that would set the tone for the rest of the game. The Celtics made it an eight-point game after a 26-25 score in the second quarter, but Denver recovered the control of the contest following a 36-31 score in the third quarter, essentially icing out the game and putting it out of Boston’s reach. The Celtics never stopped fighting and won the final quarter by a 26-25 score, but that was not enough to mount a comeback and Denver secured the win with ease.
Nikola Jokic led the way for the Nuggets with a triple-double, as he finished with 30 points, 12 rebounds and 12 assists, while Bruce Brown finished with a strong 21-point performance. Aaron Gordon racked up 18 points, seven assists, six rebounds and two steals, and Michael Porter notched 19 points with four boards. Bones Hyland posted 17 points across 19 minutes coming off the bench.
Only three Boston players scored in double digits in this game, and Jaylen Brown was the one who led the way in the losing cause with 30 points, eight rebounds and three assists, while Jayson Tatum notched 25 points, seven rebounds, six assists and two steals. Derrick White posted 13 points and three assists. Al Horford had eight points, six rebounds and three assists. Marcus Smart dished out seven dimes.
The Nuggets (24-12) and the Celtics (26-11) engaged in a battle that could very well be an NBA Finals preview, but the Western Conference outfit prevailed and secured the win in front of their fans, pushing their home record to 14-3 while Boston fell to 11-6 on the road. Denver looked dominant in the early going and quickly established dominance following a 37-28 score in the opening 12 minutes, and that would set the tone for the rest of the game. The Celtics made it an eight-point game after a 26-25 score in the second quarter, but Denver recovered the control of the contest following a 36-31 score in the third quarter, essentially icing out the game and putting it out of Boston’s reach. The Celtics never stopped fighting and won the final quarter by a 26-25 score, but that was not enough to mount a comeback and Denver secured the win with ease.
Nikola Jokic led the way for the Nuggets with a triple-double, as he finished with 30 points, 12 rebounds and 12 assists, while Bruce Brown finished with a strong 21-point performance. Aaron Gordon racked up 18 points, seven assists, six rebounds and two steals, and Michael Porter notched 19 points with four boards. Bones Hyland posted 17 points across 19 minutes coming off the bench.
Only three Boston players scored in double digits in this game, and Jaylen Brown was the one who led the way in the losing cause with 30 points, eight rebounds and three assists, while Jayson Tatum notched 25 points, seven rebounds, six assists and two steals. Derrick White posted 13 points and three assists. Al Horford had eight points, six rebounds and three assists. Marcus Smart dished out seven dimes.
Wizards Cruise To Fifth Straight Win
By Dan Bruno
The Washington Wizards defeated the host Milwaukee Bucks, 118-95, at Fiserv Forum on Sunday evening.
The Wizards jumped out to a great start with a, 34-17, lead after one quarter and kept the pressure on in the second to take an 18-point cushion into the break. The Bucks came out better in the third but could not cut into the deficit, as it remained an 18-point game heading into the final frame. The Wizards regained momentum in fourth and closed out their fifth straight win with confidence.
Rui Hachimura led the Wizards with 26 points, four rebounds, three assists and a steal, in 32 minutes off the bench. Kristaps Porzingis followed up with 22 points, five rebounds, two steals and two blocks, while Kyle Kuzma tallied 10 points, 13 rebounds and 11 assists. The Wizards shot 53 percent from the field, including 7-of-27 from deep.
Meanwhile, Bobby Portis led the Bucks with 19 points, 10 rebounds, two assists and a steal, in 30 minutes. Jevon Carter followed up with 14 points, three rebounds, three assists, a steal and a block, while Grayson Allen added 13 points, five rebounds, eight assists and a steal. The Bucks shot 34 percent from the field, including 13-of-49 from long range.
The Wizards (17-21) and Bucks (23-13) clash again in Milwaukee on Tuesday.
The Wizards jumped out to a great start with a, 34-17, lead after one quarter and kept the pressure on in the second to take an 18-point cushion into the break. The Bucks came out better in the third but could not cut into the deficit, as it remained an 18-point game heading into the final frame. The Wizards regained momentum in fourth and closed out their fifth straight win with confidence.
Rui Hachimura led the Wizards with 26 points, four rebounds, three assists and a steal, in 32 minutes off the bench. Kristaps Porzingis followed up with 22 points, five rebounds, two steals and two blocks, while Kyle Kuzma tallied 10 points, 13 rebounds and 11 assists. The Wizards shot 53 percent from the field, including 7-of-27 from deep.
Meanwhile, Bobby Portis led the Bucks with 19 points, 10 rebounds, two assists and a steal, in 30 minutes. Jevon Carter followed up with 14 points, three rebounds, three assists, a steal and a block, while Grayson Allen added 13 points, five rebounds, eight assists and a steal. The Bucks shot 34 percent from the field, including 13-of-49 from long range.
The Wizards (17-21) and Bucks (23-13) clash again in Milwaukee on Tuesday.
Grizzlies Defeat Kings, 118-108
The Memphis Grizzlies defeated the visiting Sacramento Kings, 118-108, at FedEx Form on Sunday.
Memphis won or tied all four individual quarters in this game, maintaining the lead for the closing 17 minutes. With that said, there were eight ties and 11 lead changes before that, with the Grizzlies largest lead sitting at 14 points. Memphis ended up shooting 46 percent from the field while holding Sacramento below 41 percent shooting. In addition, the Grizzlies out-rebounded the Kings, 66-53, while outscoring them in the paint, 64-44.
The Kings (19-16) were led by De'Aaron Fox, finishing with 19 points, four rebounds and six assists. Domantas Sabonis tallied 18 points, 14 rebounds and four assists. Harrison Barnes had 16 points and five boards, while Kevin Huerter provided 14 points, six rebounds, five assists and two steals. Malik Monk led the bench with 18 points, five rebounds and three assists,
The Grizzlies (23-13) were led by Ja Morant, collecting 35 points, eight rebounds and five assists. Dillon Brooks totaled 15 points and two boards. Jaren Jackson Jr generated 14 points, seven rebounds, two assists and three blocks, while Steven Adams accumulated 11 points, 23 rebounds, three assists and two blocks. Tyus Jones led the bench with 18 points, six rebounds and eight assists.
On deck for Sacramento is a road matchup with the Utah Jazz on Tuesday. As for Memphis, they return to action on Wednesday in a road meeting with the Charlotte Hornets.
Memphis won or tied all four individual quarters in this game, maintaining the lead for the closing 17 minutes. With that said, there were eight ties and 11 lead changes before that, with the Grizzlies largest lead sitting at 14 points. Memphis ended up shooting 46 percent from the field while holding Sacramento below 41 percent shooting. In addition, the Grizzlies out-rebounded the Kings, 66-53, while outscoring them in the paint, 64-44.
The Kings (19-16) were led by De'Aaron Fox, finishing with 19 points, four rebounds and six assists. Domantas Sabonis tallied 18 points, 14 rebounds and four assists. Harrison Barnes had 16 points and five boards, while Kevin Huerter provided 14 points, six rebounds, five assists and two steals. Malik Monk led the bench with 18 points, five rebounds and three assists,
The Grizzlies (23-13) were led by Ja Morant, collecting 35 points, eight rebounds and five assists. Dillon Brooks totaled 15 points and two boards. Jaren Jackson Jr generated 14 points, seven rebounds, two assists and three blocks, while Steven Adams accumulated 11 points, 23 rebounds, three assists and two blocks. Tyus Jones led the bench with 18 points, six rebounds and eight assists.
On deck for Sacramento is a road matchup with the Utah Jazz on Tuesday. As for Memphis, they return to action on Wednesday in a road meeting with the Charlotte Hornets.