OKC Pulls Big Win Away At Philadelphia
The Oklahoma City Thunder defeated the Philadelphia 76ers, 133-114, at Wells Fargo Center on Thursday.
The Thunder (19-23) recorded one of their biggest wins of the season Thursday, and they did it in spectacular fashion while playing away from home against a contender such as the 76ers (25-16). With the win, Oklahoma City moved to 6-14 on the road while the Sixers fell to 17-7 at home, which is still one of the best home records in the Eastern Conference. The first quarter was tight but it was noticeable both teams were looking to score early and often, as it finished with a 35-35 tie, but the Thunder began to pull away in the second one following a 32-22 score. Leading by double digits, one would’ve expected a reaction from the Sixers or the Thunder to step back a bit, but Oklahoma City responded with a 34-28 score in the third quarter and a 32-29 score in the fourth, closing things out en route to a huge win away from home.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander carried the Thunder in the victory, as he finished with 37 points, eight rebounds and six assists, while Josh Giddey finished with 20 points, eight assists and four rebounds. Jalen Williams had 14 points, five rebounds and four assists, and Jaylin Williams posted 11 points with five boards. Tre Mann had a great game of the bench and finished with 14 points across 18 minutes.
Joel Embiid and James Harden led the way for the Sixers. Embiid finished with 30 points, 10 rebounds and two assists, while Harden ended up with 24 points, 15 assists and six rebounds. Tyrese Maxey had 17 points, six assists and two rebounds, while Tobias Harris ended with 13 points and three rebounds. Georges Niang ended with 10 points and three rebounds across 16 minutes off the bench.
The Thunder (19-23) recorded one of their biggest wins of the season Thursday, and they did it in spectacular fashion while playing away from home against a contender such as the 76ers (25-16). With the win, Oklahoma City moved to 6-14 on the road while the Sixers fell to 17-7 at home, which is still one of the best home records in the Eastern Conference. The first quarter was tight but it was noticeable both teams were looking to score early and often, as it finished with a 35-35 tie, but the Thunder began to pull away in the second one following a 32-22 score. Leading by double digits, one would’ve expected a reaction from the Sixers or the Thunder to step back a bit, but Oklahoma City responded with a 34-28 score in the third quarter and a 32-29 score in the fourth, closing things out en route to a huge win away from home.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander carried the Thunder in the victory, as he finished with 37 points, eight rebounds and six assists, while Josh Giddey finished with 20 points, eight assists and four rebounds. Jalen Williams had 14 points, five rebounds and four assists, and Jaylin Williams posted 11 points with five boards. Tre Mann had a great game of the bench and finished with 14 points across 18 minutes.
Joel Embiid and James Harden led the way for the Sixers. Embiid finished with 30 points, 10 rebounds and two assists, while Harden ended up with 24 points, 15 assists and six rebounds. Tyrese Maxey had 17 points, six assists and two rebounds, while Tobias Harris ended with 13 points and three rebounds. Georges Niang ended with 10 points and three rebounds across 16 minutes off the bench.
Heat Top Bucks In Battle Of Shorthanded Teams
The Miami Heat defeated the Milwaukee Bucks, 108-102, at FTX Arena on Thursday.
The Heat (23-20) endured a slow start, but in the end, they managed to defeat the Bucks (27-15) after delivering an improved performance in the second half of the contest. Milwaukee jumped out to a 23-14 lead following the first quarter and seemed to be in complete control of the game, but the Heat showed signs of life and responded with a 31-22 score in the second quarter that suggested the second half would be an intense affair. The Heat were far better than their rivals, though, and they grabbed the lead following a 33-28 score in the opening 12 minutes of the second half. Milwaukee tried to put up a fight, but the Heat never gave up, and Miami ended up securing the win after closing the final quarter with a 30-29 score. With the win, Miami moved to 13-9 at home while the Bucks fell to 11-10 on the road.
Gabe Vincent led the way for the Heat with a 28-point performance, and he also added six assists and three boards. Bam Adebayo notched 24 points, 12 rebounds and two steals, and Jimmy Butler delivered 17 points, 11 rebounds and two assists. Max Strus had 12 points, 10 rebounds and four assists, and Victor Oladipo notched 14 points with eight rebounds and eight assists coming off the bench.
Jrue Holiday led the way for the Bucks with 24 points, 11 assists and six rebounds, while Bobby Portis ended with 12 points, seven rebounds and three steals. No other starter scored in double digits for the Bucks, but the bench stepped it up. Jordan Nwora had 16 points and five rebounds, Jevon Carter posted 18 points, and AJ Green finished with 15 points in 19 minutes.
The Heat (23-20) endured a slow start, but in the end, they managed to defeat the Bucks (27-15) after delivering an improved performance in the second half of the contest. Milwaukee jumped out to a 23-14 lead following the first quarter and seemed to be in complete control of the game, but the Heat showed signs of life and responded with a 31-22 score in the second quarter that suggested the second half would be an intense affair. The Heat were far better than their rivals, though, and they grabbed the lead following a 33-28 score in the opening 12 minutes of the second half. Milwaukee tried to put up a fight, but the Heat never gave up, and Miami ended up securing the win after closing the final quarter with a 30-29 score. With the win, Miami moved to 13-9 at home while the Bucks fell to 11-10 on the road.
Gabe Vincent led the way for the Heat with a 28-point performance, and he also added six assists and three boards. Bam Adebayo notched 24 points, 12 rebounds and two steals, and Jimmy Butler delivered 17 points, 11 rebounds and two assists. Max Strus had 12 points, 10 rebounds and four assists, and Victor Oladipo notched 14 points with eight rebounds and eight assists coming off the bench.
Jrue Holiday led the way for the Bucks with 24 points, 11 assists and six rebounds, while Bobby Portis ended with 12 points, seven rebounds and three steals. No other starter scored in double digits for the Bucks, but the bench stepped it up. Jordan Nwora had 16 points and five rebounds, Jevon Carter posted 18 points, and AJ Green finished with 15 points in 19 minutes.
Celtics Topple Short-Handed Nets, 109-98
The Boston Celtics defeated the Brooklyn Nets, 109-98, at Barclays Center on Thursday night.
The Nets (27-14) came into the contest navigating some uncharted waters, as they were playing the first installment of what is expected to be a multi-week absence for Kevin Durant (knee). However, Brooklyn came out seemingly undeterred, taking a 31-29 lead through one before the Celtics (31-12) erased their deficit and took a three-point advantage into halftime. Boston still held a two-point edge going into the fourth quarter, and they closed out the victory by outscoring the Nets, 25-16, in the final 12 minutes.
Jayson Tatum led the Celtics with a 20-point, 11-rebound double-double that included five assists and one block. Marcus Smart and Malcolm Brogdon posted matching 16-point tallies, with Smart also recording 10 assists and six rebounds and Brogdon totaling five boards and two assists. Derrick White supplied 15 points, seven boards, one assist, one steal and one block. Grant Williams and Luke Kornet contributed 12 and 11 points, respectively, while dishing out five assists apiece. Williams also recorded three blocks.
Kyrie Irving paced the Nets with 24 points, complementing them with six assists, two rebounds, one steal and one block. T.J. Warren poured in 20 points. Joe Harris registered 18 points, five rebounds, one assist and two steals. Royce O'Neale turned in 11 points, six boards, two assists, two steals and two blocks. Seth Curry matched O'Neale's scoring and added one assist.
The Celtics remain on the road and visit the Charlotte Hornets on Saturday night, while the Nets remain home and host the Oklahoma City Thunder on Sunday evening.
The Nets (27-14) came into the contest navigating some uncharted waters, as they were playing the first installment of what is expected to be a multi-week absence for Kevin Durant (knee). However, Brooklyn came out seemingly undeterred, taking a 31-29 lead through one before the Celtics (31-12) erased their deficit and took a three-point advantage into halftime. Boston still held a two-point edge going into the fourth quarter, and they closed out the victory by outscoring the Nets, 25-16, in the final 12 minutes.
Jayson Tatum led the Celtics with a 20-point, 11-rebound double-double that included five assists and one block. Marcus Smart and Malcolm Brogdon posted matching 16-point tallies, with Smart also recording 10 assists and six rebounds and Brogdon totaling five boards and two assists. Derrick White supplied 15 points, seven boards, one assist, one steal and one block. Grant Williams and Luke Kornet contributed 12 and 11 points, respectively, while dishing out five assists apiece. Williams also recorded three blocks.
Kyrie Irving paced the Nets with 24 points, complementing them with six assists, two rebounds, one steal and one block. T.J. Warren poured in 20 points. Joe Harris registered 18 points, five rebounds, one assist and two steals. Royce O'Neale turned in 11 points, six boards, two assists, two steals and two blocks. Seth Curry matched O'Neale's scoring and added one assist.
The Celtics remain on the road and visit the Charlotte Hornets on Saturday night, while the Nets remain home and host the Oklahoma City Thunder on Sunday evening.
Raptors Hold On For Third Straight Win
By Dan Bruno
The Toronto Raptors defeated the visiting Charlotte Hornets, 124-114, at Scotiabank Arena on Thursday evening.
The Raptors jumped out to a strong start and led, 38-29, after one quarter. They kept the pressure on in the second and rallied to a 14-point advantage by halftime. The visitors came out stronger in the third and managed to trim it back to a nine-point game heading into the final quarter. The Hornets kept up the fight in the fourth but it was not enough, as the Raptors held on for their third straight win. This marks the third straight loss for the Hornets.
Pascal Siakam led the Raptors with 35 points, seven rebounds, three assists and a block, in 38 minutes. Scottie Barnes followed up with 21 points, eight rebounds, nine assists and two blocks, while Gary Trent tallied 19 points and two steals. The Raptors shot 51.8 percent from the field, including 10-of-28 from deep.
Meanwhile, LaMelo Ball led the Hornets with 32 points, four rebounds, seven assists and two steals, in 40 minutes. Terry Rozier followed up with 21 points, three rebounds, five assists and a steal, while Mason Plumlee totaled 16 points, 15 points, four assists, a steal and a block. The Hornets shot 53.2 percent from the field, including 13-of-33 from long range.
The Hornets (11-32) will look to bounce back against the Celtics on Saturday. The Raptors (19-23) play host to the Hawks on Saturday.
The Raptors jumped out to a strong start and led, 38-29, after one quarter. They kept the pressure on in the second and rallied to a 14-point advantage by halftime. The visitors came out stronger in the third and managed to trim it back to a nine-point game heading into the final quarter. The Hornets kept up the fight in the fourth but it was not enough, as the Raptors held on for their third straight win. This marks the third straight loss for the Hornets.
Pascal Siakam led the Raptors with 35 points, seven rebounds, three assists and a block, in 38 minutes. Scottie Barnes followed up with 21 points, eight rebounds, nine assists and two blocks, while Gary Trent tallied 19 points and two steals. The Raptors shot 51.8 percent from the field, including 10-of-28 from deep.
Meanwhile, LaMelo Ball led the Hornets with 32 points, four rebounds, seven assists and two steals, in 40 minutes. Terry Rozier followed up with 21 points, three rebounds, five assists and a steal, while Mason Plumlee totaled 16 points, 15 points, four assists, a steal and a block. The Hornets shot 53.2 percent from the field, including 13-of-33 from long range.
The Hornets (11-32) will look to bounce back against the Celtics on Saturday. The Raptors (19-23) play host to the Hawks on Saturday.
Mavericks Defeat Lakers in 2OT, 119-115
The Dallas Mavericks defeated the host Los Angeles Lakers, 119-115, at Crypto.com Arena on Thursday.
While Dallas held the lead for all but a handful of minutes in this game, it took two overtime sessions to determine a winner. There were 10 ties and nine lead changes in total, but a 6-0 run in the second overtime carried the Mavericks to their win. Dallas shot 50 percent from the field and 33 percent from three-point range while holding Los Angeles to 39 percent from the field and 24 percent from long range. The Mavericks also recorded nine blocks to the Lakers four.
The Mavericks (24-19) were led by Luka Doncic, tallying 35 points, 14 rebounds and 13 assists. Christian Wood collected 24 points, 14 rebounds, six assists and five blocks. Tim Hardaway Jr amassed 22 points and eight rebounds, while Spencer Dinwiddie finished with 17 points, four rebounds, four assists and two blocks.
The Lakers (19-23) were led by Lebron James, finishing with 24 points, 16 rebounds, nine assists and two steals. Thomas Bryant totaled 11 points and nine rebounds. Dennis Schroder missed 10 of his 13 shots but still had seven points, four rebounds and six assists. Russell Westbrook led the bench with 28 points, seven rebounds, five assists and two steals.
On deck for Dallas is a road matchup with the Portland Trail Blazers on Saturday. As for Los Angeles, they return to action on Sunday in a home matchup with the Philadelphia 76ers.
While Dallas held the lead for all but a handful of minutes in this game, it took two overtime sessions to determine a winner. There were 10 ties and nine lead changes in total, but a 6-0 run in the second overtime carried the Mavericks to their win. Dallas shot 50 percent from the field and 33 percent from three-point range while holding Los Angeles to 39 percent from the field and 24 percent from long range. The Mavericks also recorded nine blocks to the Lakers four.
The Mavericks (24-19) were led by Luka Doncic, tallying 35 points, 14 rebounds and 13 assists. Christian Wood collected 24 points, 14 rebounds, six assists and five blocks. Tim Hardaway Jr amassed 22 points and eight rebounds, while Spencer Dinwiddie finished with 17 points, four rebounds, four assists and two blocks.
The Lakers (19-23) were led by Lebron James, finishing with 24 points, 16 rebounds, nine assists and two steals. Thomas Bryant totaled 11 points and nine rebounds. Dennis Schroder missed 10 of his 13 shots but still had seven points, four rebounds and six assists. Russell Westbrook led the bench with 28 points, seven rebounds, five assists and two steals.
On deck for Dallas is a road matchup with the Portland Trail Blazers on Saturday. As for Los Angeles, they return to action on Sunday in a home matchup with the Philadelphia 76ers.
Cavaliers Defeat Trail Blazers, 119-113
The Cleveland Cavaliers defeated the host Portland Trail Blazers, 119-113. at Moda Center on Thursday.
While Portland held the lead for the opening three quarters, Cleveland rode a 32-22 fourth quarter to their win. The Trail Blazers actually led 104-99, but the Cavaliers finished the game on a 20-9 run to complete their comeback win. Cleveland ended up recording 28 assists to 11 turnovers, while Portland had 17 assists to 16 turnovers. The Cavs out-rebounded the Blazers, 51-46. while outscoring them in the paint, 68-52. They also outscored Portland in fastbreak points, 19-9, and in bench scoring, 21-9.
The Cavaliers (27-16) were led by Donovan Mitchell, tallying 26 points, five rebounds, five assists and two steals. Jarrett Allen accrued 24 points, 10 rebounds and six assists. Darius Garland collected 20 points, two rebounds and 10 assists, while Evan Mobley finished with 17 points, eight rebounds and three assists.
The Trail Blazers (19-22) were led by Damian Lillard, amassing 50 points, two rebounds and three assists. Jerami Grant provided 22 points, two steals and two blocks. Jusuf Nurkic generated 12 points, 12 rebounds and four assists, while Anfernee Simons accumulated 15 points, two rebounds and five assists.
On deck for Portland is a home game against the Dallas Mavericks on Saturday. As for Cleveland, they return to action on Saturday as well, staying on the road to play the Minnesota Timberwolves.
While Portland held the lead for the opening three quarters, Cleveland rode a 32-22 fourth quarter to their win. The Trail Blazers actually led 104-99, but the Cavaliers finished the game on a 20-9 run to complete their comeback win. Cleveland ended up recording 28 assists to 11 turnovers, while Portland had 17 assists to 16 turnovers. The Cavs out-rebounded the Blazers, 51-46. while outscoring them in the paint, 68-52. They also outscored Portland in fastbreak points, 19-9, and in bench scoring, 21-9.
The Cavaliers (27-16) were led by Donovan Mitchell, tallying 26 points, five rebounds, five assists and two steals. Jarrett Allen accrued 24 points, 10 rebounds and six assists. Darius Garland collected 20 points, two rebounds and 10 assists, while Evan Mobley finished with 17 points, eight rebounds and three assists.
The Trail Blazers (19-22) were led by Damian Lillard, amassing 50 points, two rebounds and three assists. Jerami Grant provided 22 points, two steals and two blocks. Jusuf Nurkic generated 12 points, 12 rebounds and four assists, while Anfernee Simons accumulated 15 points, two rebounds and five assists.
On deck for Portland is a home game against the Dallas Mavericks on Saturday. As for Cleveland, they return to action on Saturday as well, staying on the road to play the Minnesota Timberwolves.