Bulls Cruise To Win Over Pistons
The Chicago Bulls defeated the Detroit Pistons at Accor Arena on Thursday afternoon.
The Bulls (21-24) and the Pistons (12-36) played a tight game in France, and Chicago took advantage of an excellent start to get past their Eastern Conference rivals at Accor Arena. Chicago jumped out to a 31-24 score in the first quarter and never looked back, bolstering their lead with each passing quarter and quickly establishing a nine-point advantage by the time halftime arrived following a 34-32 score in the second quarter. Chicago looked in complete control of the second half and finally made it a double-digit point lead with a 28-23 score in the third quarter, and they’d close things out with a 33-29 score in the final minutes. The Bulls have now won two games in a row, while the Pistons have dropped three straight.
Zach LaVine and DeMar DeRozan led the way for the Bulls in this game, with LaVine pouring a game-high 30 points to go along with five rebounds and four assists, while DeRozan chipped in with 26 points, nine rebounds, five assists and two steals. Nikola Vucevic delivered 16 points and 15 rebounds, but he also dished out six assists. Ayo Dosunmu had 13 points and three rebounds, and Derrick Jones contributed 12 points off the bench.
Bojan Bogdanovic led the way for the Pistons with 25 points, five rebounds and three assists, while Saddiq Bey ended with 16 points, nine rebounds and three steals. Jaden Ivey delivered 16 points and four assists, and Hamidou Diallo was excellent with a 17-point effort across 21 minutes off the bench.
The Bulls (21-24) and the Pistons (12-36) played a tight game in France, and Chicago took advantage of an excellent start to get past their Eastern Conference rivals at Accor Arena. Chicago jumped out to a 31-24 score in the first quarter and never looked back, bolstering their lead with each passing quarter and quickly establishing a nine-point advantage by the time halftime arrived following a 34-32 score in the second quarter. Chicago looked in complete control of the second half and finally made it a double-digit point lead with a 28-23 score in the third quarter, and they’d close things out with a 33-29 score in the final minutes. The Bulls have now won two games in a row, while the Pistons have dropped three straight.
Zach LaVine and DeMar DeRozan led the way for the Bulls in this game, with LaVine pouring a game-high 30 points to go along with five rebounds and four assists, while DeRozan chipped in with 26 points, nine rebounds, five assists and two steals. Nikola Vucevic delivered 16 points and 15 rebounds, but he also dished out six assists. Ayo Dosunmu had 13 points and three rebounds, and Derrick Jones contributed 12 points off the bench.
Bojan Bogdanovic led the way for the Pistons with 25 points, five rebounds and three assists, while Saddiq Bey ended with 16 points, nine rebounds and three steals. Jaden Ivey delivered 16 points and four assists, and Hamidou Diallo was excellent with a 17-point effort across 21 minutes off the bench.
Celtics Edge Warriors in OT, 121-118
The Boston Celtics defeated the Golden State Warriors, 121-118, in overtime at TD Garden on Thursday night.
The highly anticipated rematch of last summer's Finals predictably featured a hotly contested first half that concluded with the Warriors (22-23) holding a 55-54 lead at intermission courtesy of a Stephen Curry half-court-plus heave at the buzzer. Momentum seemed to be on Golden State's side throughout most of the second half as well, but the Celtics (34-12) ultimately erased a what as much as a nine-point deficit with a 20-11 run over the final 8:49 of regulation. In overtime, the defending champions quickly reduced an eight-point deficit to three with 30.1 seconds left before Boston hung on thanks to the use of a full final possession and a missed desperation three-point attempt from Jordan Poole as time expired.
Stephen Curry led the Warriors with 29 points, adding seven assists, four rebounds, four steals and two blocks. Poole and Klay Thompson each furnished 24 points, with Poole adding six rebounds, four assists and three steals. Andrew Wiggins registered 20 points, four rebounds, three assists, four blocks and one steal. Draymond Green produced an 11-point, 13-rebound double-double that included nine assists and one steal.
Jayson Tatum paced the Celtics with a 34-point, 19-rebound double-double that included six assists and three steals. Al Horford generated a 20-point, 10-rebound double-double that included three blocks. Marcus Smart supplied 18 points, five boards, four assists, three steals and one block. Jaylen Brown tallied 16 points, nine rebounds, three assists and one steal. Robert Williams and Malcolm Brogdon posted matching 14-point efforts while recording 11 and seven rebounds, respectively.
The Warriors remain on the road and next visit the Cleveland Cavaliers on Friday night, while the Celtics visit the Toronto Raptors on Saturday afternoon.
The highly anticipated rematch of last summer's Finals predictably featured a hotly contested first half that concluded with the Warriors (22-23) holding a 55-54 lead at intermission courtesy of a Stephen Curry half-court-plus heave at the buzzer. Momentum seemed to be on Golden State's side throughout most of the second half as well, but the Celtics (34-12) ultimately erased a what as much as a nine-point deficit with a 20-11 run over the final 8:49 of regulation. In overtime, the defending champions quickly reduced an eight-point deficit to three with 30.1 seconds left before Boston hung on thanks to the use of a full final possession and a missed desperation three-point attempt from Jordan Poole as time expired.
Stephen Curry led the Warriors with 29 points, adding seven assists, four rebounds, four steals and two blocks. Poole and Klay Thompson each furnished 24 points, with Poole adding six rebounds, four assists and three steals. Andrew Wiggins registered 20 points, four rebounds, three assists, four blocks and one steal. Draymond Green produced an 11-point, 13-rebound double-double that included nine assists and one steal.
Jayson Tatum paced the Celtics with a 34-point, 19-rebound double-double that included six assists and three steals. Al Horford generated a 20-point, 10-rebound double-double that included three blocks. Marcus Smart supplied 18 points, five boards, four assists, three steals and one block. Jaylen Brown tallied 16 points, nine rebounds, three assists and one steal. Robert Williams and Malcolm Brogdon posted matching 14-point efforts while recording 11 and seven rebounds, respectively.
The Warriors remain on the road and next visit the Cleveland Cavaliers on Friday night, while the Celtics visit the Toronto Raptors on Saturday afternoon.
Timberwolves Rally Back To Stun Raptors
By Dan Bruno
The Minnesota Timberwolves defeated the visiting Toronto Raptors, 128-126, at Target Center on Thursday evening.
The Raptors jumped out to a great start and led, 37-31, after one quarter. Both sides kept up the pace in the second, but the Raptors outscored the hosts, 39-35, to take a 10-point lead into the break. The Timberwolves came out better in the third and chipped away to make it an eight-point game heading into the final frame. The visitors rallied ahead to a 14-point lead early in the third, but the Timberwolves fought back to tie it up at 124, with just under four minutes left. The hosts came up clutch to stay a step ahead in the final minutes and hung on to end a two-game slide.
D'Angelo Russell led the Timberwolves with 25 points, six assists, two steals and a block, in 34 minutes. Anthony Edwards followed up with 23 points, five rebounds, seven assists and three steals, while Kyle Anderson finished with 20 points, 10 rebounds, six assists, two steals and a block. The Timberwolves shot 50.6 percent from the field, including 17-of-40 from long range.
Meanwhile, Scottie Barnes led the Raptors with 29 points, eight rebounds, five assists and two steals, in 39 minutes. Fred VanVleet followed up with 25 points, 10 assists, two steals and a block, while Gary Trent added 18 points, two rebounds, two steals and a block. The Raptors shot 52.9 percent from the field, including 14-of-28 from deep.
The Raptors (20-26) will look to bounce back as they play host to the Celtics on Saturday. The Timberwolves (23-24) play host to the Rockets on Saturday.
The Raptors jumped out to a great start and led, 37-31, after one quarter. Both sides kept up the pace in the second, but the Raptors outscored the hosts, 39-35, to take a 10-point lead into the break. The Timberwolves came out better in the third and chipped away to make it an eight-point game heading into the final frame. The visitors rallied ahead to a 14-point lead early in the third, but the Timberwolves fought back to tie it up at 124, with just under four minutes left. The hosts came up clutch to stay a step ahead in the final minutes and hung on to end a two-game slide.
D'Angelo Russell led the Timberwolves with 25 points, six assists, two steals and a block, in 34 minutes. Anthony Edwards followed up with 23 points, five rebounds, seven assists and three steals, while Kyle Anderson finished with 20 points, 10 rebounds, six assists, two steals and a block. The Timberwolves shot 50.6 percent from the field, including 17-of-40 from long range.
Meanwhile, Scottie Barnes led the Raptors with 29 points, eight rebounds, five assists and two steals, in 39 minutes. Fred VanVleet followed up with 25 points, 10 assists, two steals and a block, while Gary Trent added 18 points, two rebounds, two steals and a block. The Raptors shot 52.9 percent from the field, including 14-of-28 from deep.
The Raptors (20-26) will look to bounce back as they play host to the Celtics on Saturday. The Timberwolves (23-24) play host to the Rockets on Saturday.
Suns Defeat Nets, 117-112
The Phoenix Suns defeated the visiting Brooklyn Nets, 117-112, at Footprint Center on Thursday.
Phoenix won each of the first three quarters by at least six points apiece, getting their lead up to 24 points at times in the second half. With that said, Brooklyn fought back in the fourth quarter behind a 20-4 run but didn't have a game-tying attempt despite outscoring Phoenix in that frame, 38-23. The Suns shot 28-of-41 from the free-throw line while the Nets connected on just 15-of-25. In addition, Phoenix out-rebounded Brooklyn, 63-45, while outscoring them in second-chance points, 22-2. That can be attributed to them winning the offensive rebounding battle, 12-2.
The Nets (27-17) were led by Kyrie Irving, collecting 30 points, seven rebounds, seven assists, four steals and two blocks. Nic Claxton compiled 20 points, 11 rebounds, three assists and three blocks. Joe Harris had 16 points, three rebounds and four assists, while Seth Curry led the bench with 16 points, two rebounds and two assists.
The Suns (22-24) were led by Mikal Bridges, finishing with 28 points, two rebounds and nine assists. Deandre Ayton amassed 24 points, 14 rebounds and four assists. Damion Lee totaled 16 points, three rebounds and two assists, while Cameron Johnson led the bench with 19 points, six rebounds, two assists and two blocks. Saben Lee also provided 15 points, three rebounds and six assists off the bench as well.
Brooklyn has to play the second half of a back-to-back set on Friday, staying on the road to play the Utah Jazz. As for Phoenix, they return to action on Saturday in a home matchup with the Indiana Pacers.
Phoenix won each of the first three quarters by at least six points apiece, getting their lead up to 24 points at times in the second half. With that said, Brooklyn fought back in the fourth quarter behind a 20-4 run but didn't have a game-tying attempt despite outscoring Phoenix in that frame, 38-23. The Suns shot 28-of-41 from the free-throw line while the Nets connected on just 15-of-25. In addition, Phoenix out-rebounded Brooklyn, 63-45, while outscoring them in second-chance points, 22-2. That can be attributed to them winning the offensive rebounding battle, 12-2.
The Nets (27-17) were led by Kyrie Irving, collecting 30 points, seven rebounds, seven assists, four steals and two blocks. Nic Claxton compiled 20 points, 11 rebounds, three assists and three blocks. Joe Harris had 16 points, three rebounds and four assists, while Seth Curry led the bench with 16 points, two rebounds and two assists.
The Suns (22-24) were led by Mikal Bridges, finishing with 28 points, two rebounds and nine assists. Deandre Ayton amassed 24 points, 14 rebounds and four assists. Damion Lee totaled 16 points, three rebounds and two assists, while Cameron Johnson led the bench with 19 points, six rebounds, two assists and two blocks. Saben Lee also provided 15 points, three rebounds and six assists off the bench as well.
Brooklyn has to play the second half of a back-to-back set on Friday, staying on the road to play the Utah Jazz. As for Phoenix, they return to action on Saturday in a home matchup with the Indiana Pacers.
Sixers Defeat Trail Blazers, 105-95
The Philadelphia 76ers defeated the host Portland Trail Blazers, 105-95, at Moda Center on Thursday.
A 26-14 first quarter set the tone for Philly in this road victory, winning this game in wire-to-wire fashion. They actually led 57-34 at the half and got their lead up to 26 points at times. Portland did respond by making it a seven-point game in the final moments, but that first-half hole was too deep to dig out of. The Sixers shot 51 percent from the field and 31 percent from three-point range while holding the Blazers to 38 percent from the field and 24 percent from long range. Philly also had eight steals and eight blocks, while Portland had just four steals and three blocks. They also outscored them in the paint, 56-34.
The Sixers (29-16) were led by Joel Embiid, collecting 32 points, nine rebounds, two assists and three blocks. James Harden had 16 points, 10 rebounds and 14 assists. Tobias Harris totaled 11 points and seven boards, while Tyrese Maxey led the bench with 15 points, two rebounds and two assists. Shake Milton also had 10 points off the bench.
The Trail Blazers (21-24) were led by Damian Lillard, finishing with 25 points, six rebounds, 11 assists, two steals and two blocks, despite shooting 6-of-21 from the field. Jerami Grant amassed 24 points and five rebounds. Anfernee Simons accrued 16 points and three assists, while Nassir Little led the bench with 10 points and six boards.
On deck for Philadelphia is a road game against the Sacramento Kings on Saturday. As for Portland, they stay home to play the Los Angeles Lakers on Sunday for their next outing.
A 26-14 first quarter set the tone for Philly in this road victory, winning this game in wire-to-wire fashion. They actually led 57-34 at the half and got their lead up to 26 points at times. Portland did respond by making it a seven-point game in the final moments, but that first-half hole was too deep to dig out of. The Sixers shot 51 percent from the field and 31 percent from three-point range while holding the Blazers to 38 percent from the field and 24 percent from long range. Philly also had eight steals and eight blocks, while Portland had just four steals and three blocks. They also outscored them in the paint, 56-34.
The Sixers (29-16) were led by Joel Embiid, collecting 32 points, nine rebounds, two assists and three blocks. James Harden had 16 points, 10 rebounds and 14 assists. Tobias Harris totaled 11 points and seven boards, while Tyrese Maxey led the bench with 15 points, two rebounds and two assists. Shake Milton also had 10 points off the bench.
The Trail Blazers (21-24) were led by Damian Lillard, finishing with 25 points, six rebounds, 11 assists, two steals and two blocks, despite shooting 6-of-21 from the field. Jerami Grant amassed 24 points and five rebounds. Anfernee Simons accrued 16 points and three assists, while Nassir Little led the bench with 10 points and six boards.
On deck for Philadelphia is a road game against the Sacramento Kings on Saturday. As for Portland, they stay home to play the Los Angeles Lakers on Sunday for their next outing.