Grizzlies Use Strong First Half To Defeat Magic
The Memphis Grizzlies defeated the Orlando Magic, 123-115, at Amway Center on Thursday night.
The Magic (14-25) have been playing very well in recent weeks, but they didn’t have answers for the Grizzlies (25-13) in this one, as Memphis used an excellent start to secure the win despite Orlando’s late comeback attempts in the second half. The Grizzlies secured the lead in the first quarter following a 22-20 score, although they would never pull away until the second quarter when they outscored their rivals by a 43-23 score. Even though the Magic looked better in the second half, posting a 35-27 score in the third quarter and a 37-31 score in the fourth quarter, it wasn't enough to know the potential comeback. With the win, the Grizzlies moved to 10-10 away from home while the Magic fell to 10-12 at home.
Ja Morant led the way for the Grizzlies with 32 points, six assists and five rebounds, while Jaren Jackson had a double-double of 31 points and 10 rebounds while also adding three blocks. Dillon Brooks had 11 points, six rebounds and six assists, and Ziaire Williams ended with 16 points off the bench. Tyus Jones ended with 12 points, eight assists and three boards off the bench as well.
Paolo Banchero led the way for the magic with 30 points and nine rebounds while also adding three assists. Franz Wagner had 22 points, three assists and two rebounds, and Wendell Carter finished with 18 points and seven rebounds. Terrence Ross was the only other Orlando player who scored in double digits after posting 14 points in 18 minutes.
The Magic (14-25) have been playing very well in recent weeks, but they didn’t have answers for the Grizzlies (25-13) in this one, as Memphis used an excellent start to secure the win despite Orlando’s late comeback attempts in the second half. The Grizzlies secured the lead in the first quarter following a 22-20 score, although they would never pull away until the second quarter when they outscored their rivals by a 43-23 score. Even though the Magic looked better in the second half, posting a 35-27 score in the third quarter and a 37-31 score in the fourth quarter, it wasn't enough to know the potential comeback. With the win, the Grizzlies moved to 10-10 away from home while the Magic fell to 10-12 at home.
Ja Morant led the way for the Grizzlies with 32 points, six assists and five rebounds, while Jaren Jackson had a double-double of 31 points and 10 rebounds while also adding three blocks. Dillon Brooks had 11 points, six rebounds and six assists, and Ziaire Williams ended with 16 points off the bench. Tyus Jones ended with 12 points, eight assists and three boards off the bench as well.
Paolo Banchero led the way for the magic with 30 points and nine rebounds while also adding three assists. Franz Wagner had 22 points, three assists and two rebounds, and Wendell Carter finished with 18 points and seven rebounds. Terrence Ross was the only other Orlando player who scored in double digits after posting 14 points in 18 minutes.
Celtics Thump Mavericks, 124-95
The Boston Celtics defeated the Dallas Mavericks, 124-95, at American Airlines Center on Thursday night.
The Celtics (27-12) came into the contest as road favorites despite having suffered a 33-point embarrassment against a short-handed Thunder squad in their most recent game, and there were signs early Thursday would go differently for the defending Eastern Conference champs. Boston owned a 29-20 lead over the Mavericks (22-17) after the first 12 minutes, and the visitors had added another nine points to their advantage prior to halftime. The Celtics then ensured Dallas wouldn't gain any traction on a second-half comeback by forging a 25-19 edge during the third, sealing the win at that point.
Jayson Tatum led the Celtics with a 29-point, 14-rebound, 10-assist triple-double that included two blocks and one steal. Jaylen Brown furnished 19 points, seven boards, three assists and two blocks. Marcus Smart and Malcolm Brogdon generated matching 15-point contributions while recording five and three rebounds, respectively. Grant Williams supplied 12 points, four boards, three assists and one steal, while Derrick White delivered 10 points, one assist and two blocks.
Luka Doncic paced the Mavericks with 23 points, complementing them with nine rebounds and three assists. Spencer Dinwiddie totaled 18 points, five assists and one rebound. Jaden Hardy registered 15 points, two rebounds and two assists. Christian Wood generated a 12-point, 12-rebound double-double that included one assist and one block. Dwight Powell turned in 10 points, eight boards and one steal.
The Celtics remain on the road and in Texas to visit the San Antonio Spurs on Saturday evening, while the Mavericks remain home and welcome in the New Orleans Pelicans on Saturday night.
The Celtics (27-12) came into the contest as road favorites despite having suffered a 33-point embarrassment against a short-handed Thunder squad in their most recent game, and there were signs early Thursday would go differently for the defending Eastern Conference champs. Boston owned a 29-20 lead over the Mavericks (22-17) after the first 12 minutes, and the visitors had added another nine points to their advantage prior to halftime. The Celtics then ensured Dallas wouldn't gain any traction on a second-half comeback by forging a 25-19 edge during the third, sealing the win at that point.
Jayson Tatum led the Celtics with a 29-point, 14-rebound, 10-assist triple-double that included two blocks and one steal. Jaylen Brown furnished 19 points, seven boards, three assists and two blocks. Marcus Smart and Malcolm Brogdon generated matching 15-point contributions while recording five and three rebounds, respectively. Grant Williams supplied 12 points, four boards, three assists and one steal, while Derrick White delivered 10 points, one assist and two blocks.
Luka Doncic paced the Mavericks with 23 points, complementing them with nine rebounds and three assists. Spencer Dinwiddie totaled 18 points, five assists and one rebound. Jaden Hardy registered 15 points, two rebounds and two assists. Christian Wood generated a 12-point, 12-rebound double-double that included one assist and one block. Dwight Powell turned in 10 points, eight boards and one steal.
The Celtics remain on the road and in Texas to visit the San Antonio Spurs on Saturday evening, while the Mavericks remain home and welcome in the New Orleans Pelicans on Saturday night.
Jazz Top Rockets To End Five-Game Slide
By Dan Bruno
The Utah Jazz defeated the host Houston Rockets, 131-114, at Toyota Center on Thursday evening.
The Jazz jumped out to a solid start with a, 31-23, lead after one quarter. Both sides brought a good effort in the second, with 33 points apiece, while the visitors maintained an eight-point cushion heading into halftime. The game stayed competitive through the third, but the Rockets could not make a dent in the deficit, trailing by nine heading into the final frame. The Jazz took total control in the fourth and closed out the road win to end a five-game slide, while this marks the sixth straight loss for the Rockets.
Lauri Markkanen led the way for the Jazz with 49 points, eight rebounds and a block, in 36 minutes. Jordan Clarkson totaled 19 points, four rebounds, five assists and two steals, while Malik Beasley added 19 points and a steal, off the bench. The Jazz shot 49.5 percent from the field, including 19-of-48 from long range.
Meanwhile, Jalen Green led the Rockets with 30 points, four rebounds and four assists, in 38 minutes. Kevin Porter followed up with 23 points, six rebounds and two assists, while Alperen Sengun added 20 points, 14 rebounds, three assists, a steal and a block. The Rockets shot 41.3 percent from the field, including 15-of-42 from deep.
The Rockets (10-29) will look to bounce back as they play host to the Timberwolves on Sunday. The Jazz (20-21) take on the Bulls in Chicago on Saturday.
The Jazz jumped out to a solid start with a, 31-23, lead after one quarter. Both sides brought a good effort in the second, with 33 points apiece, while the visitors maintained an eight-point cushion heading into halftime. The game stayed competitive through the third, but the Rockets could not make a dent in the deficit, trailing by nine heading into the final frame. The Jazz took total control in the fourth and closed out the road win to end a five-game slide, while this marks the sixth straight loss for the Rockets.
Lauri Markkanen led the way for the Jazz with 49 points, eight rebounds and a block, in 36 minutes. Jordan Clarkson totaled 19 points, four rebounds, five assists and two steals, while Malik Beasley added 19 points and a steal, off the bench. The Jazz shot 49.5 percent from the field, including 19-of-48 from long range.
Meanwhile, Jalen Green led the Rockets with 30 points, four rebounds and four assists, in 38 minutes. Kevin Porter followed up with 23 points, six rebounds and two assists, while Alperen Sengun added 20 points, 14 rebounds, three assists, a steal and a block. The Rockets shot 41.3 percent from the field, including 15-of-42 from deep.
The Rockets (10-29) will look to bounce back as they play host to the Timberwolves on Sunday. The Jazz (20-21) take on the Bulls in Chicago on Saturday.
Nuggets Clobber Clippers, 122-91
The Denver Nuggets defeated the visiting Los Angeles Clippers, 122-91, at Ball Arena on Thursday.
A 32-15 first quarter set the tone for Denver in this victory, winning in wire-to-wire fashion. They actually rode a 34-17 second quarter to a 66-32 halftime lead, getting their lead up to 43 points at times. They led by at least 30 points for the final 30 minutes of this game. The Nuggets shot 51 percent from the field and 39 percent from three-point range while holding the Clippers to 37 percent from the field and 14 percent from long range. Denver also out-rebounded Los Angeles, 61-50, while doubling them up in fastbreak points, 30-15.
The Clippers (21-19) had no starters reach double figures in scoring, with Norman Powell leading the team with 13 points and two assists off the bench. Ivica Zubac led the starters with eight points and five boards. Paul George missed eight of his nine shots to finish with three points, while Kawhi Leonard amassed six points, three rebounds and two assists. Moses Brown provided 12 points and 10 rebounds off the bench as well.
The Nuggets (25-13) were led by Jamal Murray, totaling 18 points and four boards. Aaron Gordon accrued 13 points, seven rebounds and three assists. Nikola Jokic finished with 12 points, six rebounds and nine assists, while Bones Hyland led the bench with 16 points. Vlatko Cancar also compiled 15 points and 12 boards.
Both teams have to play the second half of a back-to-back set on Friday, with Denver playing host to the Cleveland Cavaliers and LA traveling to face the Minnesota Timberwolves.
A 32-15 first quarter set the tone for Denver in this victory, winning in wire-to-wire fashion. They actually rode a 34-17 second quarter to a 66-32 halftime lead, getting their lead up to 43 points at times. They led by at least 30 points for the final 30 minutes of this game. The Nuggets shot 51 percent from the field and 39 percent from three-point range while holding the Clippers to 37 percent from the field and 14 percent from long range. Denver also out-rebounded Los Angeles, 61-50, while doubling them up in fastbreak points, 30-15.
The Clippers (21-19) had no starters reach double figures in scoring, with Norman Powell leading the team with 13 points and two assists off the bench. Ivica Zubac led the starters with eight points and five boards. Paul George missed eight of his nine shots to finish with three points, while Kawhi Leonard amassed six points, three rebounds and two assists. Moses Brown provided 12 points and 10 rebounds off the bench as well.
The Nuggets (25-13) were led by Jamal Murray, totaling 18 points and four boards. Aaron Gordon accrued 13 points, seven rebounds and three assists. Nikola Jokic finished with 12 points, six rebounds and nine assists, while Bones Hyland led the bench with 16 points. Vlatko Cancar also compiled 15 points and 12 boards.
Both teams have to play the second half of a back-to-back set on Friday, with Denver playing host to the Cleveland Cavaliers and LA traveling to face the Minnesota Timberwolves.