Celtics Defeat Shorthanded Spurs Away From Home
The Boston Celtics defeated the San Antonio Spurs, 121-116, at AT&T Center on Saturday night.
The Celtics (28-12) didn’t have major problems getting past the Spurs (13-27) despite the tight final score, as Boston led by 15 points at one points and managed to close things out despite some comeback attempts from a shorthanded San Antonio team that was missing key pieces such as Keldon Johnson and Jakob Poeltl. The Celtics jumped out to a 33-30 lead in the first quarter and bolstered that advantage to an 11-point lead at the break. The Spurs responded with a 32-25 score in the third quarter and made things tight, but the Celtics closed things out with a 28-27 score in the final 12 minutes of action. With the win, Boston improved to 13-7 on the road while the Spurs fell to 8-14 at home.
Jayson Tatum led the way for the Celtics with 34 points, four rebounds and two assists, while Jaylen Brown ended with 29 points, four rebounds, two assists and two steals. Derrick White had eight points, 11 assists and five rebounds, and Marcus Smart finished the game with five points and four dimes before exiting in the second half. Malcolm Brogdon notched 23 points off the bench, and Robert Williams III ended with 10 points and 11 rebounds.
Tre Jones and Zach Collins both ended with 18 points for the Spurs, with Jones adding five rebounds and five assists while Collins also added 12 boards and four steals. Jeremy Sochan notched 11 points, six rebounds and three assists, and Romeo Langford delivered 14 points with six boards. Josh Richardson had 18 points coming off the bench.
The Celtics (28-12) didn’t have major problems getting past the Spurs (13-27) despite the tight final score, as Boston led by 15 points at one points and managed to close things out despite some comeback attempts from a shorthanded San Antonio team that was missing key pieces such as Keldon Johnson and Jakob Poeltl. The Celtics jumped out to a 33-30 lead in the first quarter and bolstered that advantage to an 11-point lead at the break. The Spurs responded with a 32-25 score in the third quarter and made things tight, but the Celtics closed things out with a 28-27 score in the final 12 minutes of action. With the win, Boston improved to 13-7 on the road while the Spurs fell to 8-14 at home.
Jayson Tatum led the way for the Celtics with 34 points, four rebounds and two assists, while Jaylen Brown ended with 29 points, four rebounds, two assists and two steals. Derrick White had eight points, 11 assists and five rebounds, and Marcus Smart finished the game with five points and four dimes before exiting in the second half. Malcolm Brogdon notched 23 points off the bench, and Robert Williams III ended with 10 points and 11 rebounds.
Tre Jones and Zach Collins both ended with 18 points for the Spurs, with Jones adding five rebounds and five assists while Collins also added 12 boards and four steals. Jeremy Sochan notched 11 points, six rebounds and three assists, and Romeo Langford delivered 14 points with six boards. Josh Richardson had 18 points coming off the bench.
Bulls Pull Huge Comeback To Defeat Jazz
The Chicago Bulls defeated the Utah Jazz, 126-118, at United Center on Saturday night.
The Bulls (19-21) recorded their third straight win in what was a tough contest against the Jazz (20-22), a team that will conclude their road trip Sunday against the Memphis Grizzlies. Chicago looked better in the early going and raced out to a 28-24 score in the first quarter, but the game was tight and the four-point differential was maintained at the break. Utah seemed to be primed for a comeback following a 40-31 score in the third quarter, but Chicago turned things around in the final 12 minutes of action, and they outscored their rivals by a 42-29 score to complete a massive comeback win. With the victory, Chicago moved to 11-9 at home while the Jazz fell to 8-15 on the road.
Zach LaVine stepped his game up when Chicago needed it the most and finished with a team-high 36 points, but he also added seven rebounds and two assists. Nikola Vucevic posted a double-double of 15 points and 16 rebounds that also included four assists and two blocks, and DeMar DeRozan notched 35 points with seven assists. Andre Drummond added 11 points and four boards off the bench.
Lauri Markkanen led the way for the Jazz with 28 points, four rebounds, three assists and three steals, while Jarred Vanderbilt notched 15 points and 14 rebounds while adding three assists. Jordan Clarkson notched 18 points and eight assists. Ochai Agbaji was impressive off the bench and finished with 18 points while shooting 7-for-7 from the field.
The Bulls (19-21) recorded their third straight win in what was a tough contest against the Jazz (20-22), a team that will conclude their road trip Sunday against the Memphis Grizzlies. Chicago looked better in the early going and raced out to a 28-24 score in the first quarter, but the game was tight and the four-point differential was maintained at the break. Utah seemed to be primed for a comeback following a 40-31 score in the third quarter, but Chicago turned things around in the final 12 minutes of action, and they outscored their rivals by a 42-29 score to complete a massive comeback win. With the victory, Chicago moved to 11-9 at home while the Jazz fell to 8-15 on the road.
Zach LaVine stepped his game up when Chicago needed it the most and finished with a team-high 36 points, but he also added seven rebounds and two assists. Nikola Vucevic posted a double-double of 15 points and 16 rebounds that also included four assists and two blocks, and DeMar DeRozan notched 35 points with seven assists. Andre Drummond added 11 points and four boards off the bench.
Lauri Markkanen led the way for the Jazz with 28 points, four rebounds, three assists and three steals, while Jarred Vanderbilt notched 15 points and 14 rebounds while adding three assists. Jordan Clarkson notched 18 points and eight assists. Ochai Agbaji was impressive off the bench and finished with 18 points while shooting 7-for-7 from the field.
Mavs Hand Pelicans Second Straight Loss
By Dan Bruno
The Dallas Mavericks defeated the visiting New Orleans Pelicans, 127-117, at American Airlines Center on Saturday evening.
The Mavs jumped out to a great start with a, 34-15, lead after one quarter and doubled down in the second to make it a 17-point advantage at halftime. The visitors came out stronger in the third but could only trim the deficit by one, as the Mavs carried a 16-point cushion into the final frame. The Pelicans put up a fight in the fourth, but it was not enough as they fell short for a second straight loss.
Luka Doncic led the Mavs with 34 points, 10 rebounds, 10 assists and a block, in 39 minutes. Christian Wood followed up with 28 points, six rebounds and two blocks, while Tim Hardaway added 18 points, two rebounds and two steals. The Mavs shot 56.8 percent from the field, including 13-of-29 from deep.
Meanwhile, Jonas Valanciunas led the Pelicans with 25 points, 10 rebounds and three assists, in 30 minutes. Naji Marshall followed up with 24 points, two rebounds, four assists, three steals and a block, while Herbert Jones tallied 16 points, six rebounds, five steals and a block. The Pelicans shot 47.9 percent from the field, including 5-of-29 from long range.
The Pelicans (24-16) will look to bounce back as they face the Wizards in Washington on Monday. The Mavs (23-17) take on the Thunder in OKC on Sunday.
The Mavs jumped out to a great start with a, 34-15, lead after one quarter and doubled down in the second to make it a 17-point advantage at halftime. The visitors came out stronger in the third but could only trim the deficit by one, as the Mavs carried a 16-point cushion into the final frame. The Pelicans put up a fight in the fourth, but it was not enough as they fell short for a second straight loss.
Luka Doncic led the Mavs with 34 points, 10 rebounds, 10 assists and a block, in 39 minutes. Christian Wood followed up with 28 points, six rebounds and two blocks, while Tim Hardaway added 18 points, two rebounds and two steals. The Mavs shot 56.8 percent from the field, including 13-of-29 from deep.
Meanwhile, Jonas Valanciunas led the Pelicans with 25 points, 10 rebounds and three assists, in 30 minutes. Naji Marshall followed up with 24 points, two rebounds, four assists, three steals and a block, while Herbert Jones tallied 16 points, six rebounds, five steals and a block. The Pelicans shot 47.9 percent from the field, including 5-of-29 from long range.
The Pelicans (24-16) will look to bounce back as they face the Wizards in Washington on Monday. The Mavs (23-17) take on the Thunder in OKC on Sunday.
Magic Hand Warriors Second Straight Loss
By Dan Bruno
The Orlando Magic defeated the host Golden State Warriors, 115-101, at Chase Center on Saturday evening.
The game got out to a competitive start, as the Warriors lead by one point heading into the second. The Magic pulled ahead early in the quarter and held a three-point advantage at halftime. They kept the momentum going in the third and outscored the hosts, 30-23, to take a 10-point lead into the final quarter. The Magic kept the momentum going in the fourth and closed out the road win, resulting in a second straight loss for the Warriors.
Paolo Banchero led the Magic with 25 points, five rebounds, three assists and a steal, in 31 minutes. Franz Wagner followed up with 24 points, two rebounds, two assists and a steal, while Markelle Fultz added 16 points, five rebounds, seven assists and six steals. The Magic shot 50.6 percent from the field including, 13-of-32 from long range.
Meanwhile, Anthony Lamb led the Warriors with 26 points, eight rebounds, four assists and two steals, in 33 minutes off the bench. Jordan Poole followed up with 21 points, four rebounds, six assists and a block, while Donte DiVincenzo totaled 15 points, eight rebounds, three assists and two steals. The Warriors shot 37.5 percent from the field, including 18-of-58 from deep.
The Warriors (20-20) will look to bounce back as they play host to the Suns on Tuesday. The Magic (15-25) take on the Kings in Sacramento on Monday.
The game got out to a competitive start, as the Warriors lead by one point heading into the second. The Magic pulled ahead early in the quarter and held a three-point advantage at halftime. They kept the momentum going in the third and outscored the hosts, 30-23, to take a 10-point lead into the final quarter. The Magic kept the momentum going in the fourth and closed out the road win, resulting in a second straight loss for the Warriors.
Paolo Banchero led the Magic with 25 points, five rebounds, three assists and a steal, in 31 minutes. Franz Wagner followed up with 24 points, two rebounds, two assists and a steal, while Markelle Fultz added 16 points, five rebounds, seven assists and six steals. The Magic shot 50.6 percent from the field including, 13-of-32 from long range.
Meanwhile, Anthony Lamb led the Warriors with 26 points, eight rebounds, four assists and two steals, in 33 minutes off the bench. Jordan Poole followed up with 21 points, four rebounds, six assists and a block, while Donte DiVincenzo totaled 15 points, eight rebounds, three assists and two steals. The Warriors shot 37.5 percent from the field, including 18-of-58 from deep.
The Warriors (20-20) will look to bounce back as they play host to the Suns on Tuesday. The Magic (15-25) take on the Kings in Sacramento on Monday.
Lakers Defeat Kings, 136-134
The Los Angeles Lakers defeated the host Sacramento Kings, 136-134, at Golden 1 Center on Saturday.
There were 20 ties and 18 lead changes in this closely-fought game, with neither team grabbing a double-digit lead. Dennis Schroder was the hero for the Lakers, hitting two game-winning free throws with just 3.6 seconds remaining. De'Aaron Fox had a game-winning halfcourt shot at the buzzer but bricked it off the back of the rim. Los Angeles shot 61 percent from the field, while Sacramento shot 52 percent. In addition, the Lakers outscored the Kings in the paint, 70-48.
The Lakers (19-21) were led by LeBron James, collecting 37 points, eight rebounds and seven assists. Thomas Bryant tallied 29 points and 14 rebounds. Schroder finished with 27 points, four rebounds and two assists. Russell Westbrook led the bench with 23 points, five rebounds and 15 assists. No other player had more than six points, three rebounds or one assist.
The Kings (20-18) were led by Fox, finishing with 34 points, two rebounds and nine assists. Domantas Sabonis amassed 25 points, 12 rebounds and seven assists before fouling out. Harrison Barnes had 18 points and two boards, while Kevin Huerter compiled 17 points, six rebounds, three assists and two steals. Keegan Murray also generated 16 points and two steals.
Both teams return to action on Monday, with Los Angeles traveling to face the Denver Nuggets and Sacramento staying home to play the struggling Orlando Magic.
There were 20 ties and 18 lead changes in this closely-fought game, with neither team grabbing a double-digit lead. Dennis Schroder was the hero for the Lakers, hitting two game-winning free throws with just 3.6 seconds remaining. De'Aaron Fox had a game-winning halfcourt shot at the buzzer but bricked it off the back of the rim. Los Angeles shot 61 percent from the field, while Sacramento shot 52 percent. In addition, the Lakers outscored the Kings in the paint, 70-48.
The Lakers (19-21) were led by LeBron James, collecting 37 points, eight rebounds and seven assists. Thomas Bryant tallied 29 points and 14 rebounds. Schroder finished with 27 points, four rebounds and two assists. Russell Westbrook led the bench with 23 points, five rebounds and 15 assists. No other player had more than six points, three rebounds or one assist.
The Kings (20-18) were led by Fox, finishing with 34 points, two rebounds and nine assists. Domantas Sabonis amassed 25 points, 12 rebounds and seven assists before fouling out. Harrison Barnes had 18 points and two boards, while Kevin Huerter compiled 17 points, six rebounds, three assists and two steals. Keegan Murray also generated 16 points and two steals.
Both teams return to action on Monday, with Los Angeles traveling to face the Denver Nuggets and Sacramento staying home to play the struggling Orlando Magic.