Knicks Need Overtime To Defeat Celtics
The New York Knicks defeated the Boston Celtics, 120-117, at TD Garden on Thursday.
The Knicks (27-23) and the Celtics (35-15) needed extra minutes to find a winner, but in the end, the Knicks came away with the victory to even the season series at 1-1. Boston looked better in the early going, though, and the Celtics jumped out to a 34-26 score in the first quarter, but the Knicks responded with a 32-26 score in the second quarter to close things out at halftime. The Knicks carried that momentum into the second half and led by six points by the time the third quarter ended, but the Celtics didn’t give up and manage to turn things around when it mattered the most, outscoring their rivals by a 25-19 score in the fourth quarter to force overtime. The Knicks had a three-point lead in the final seconds and Boston had a shot to win it, but a Jalen Brunson block sealed the victory for New York. With the win, the Knicks moved to 15-10 on the road while the Celtics fell to 18-6 at home.
Julius Randle led the way for New York with 37 points and nine rebounds, while Jalen Brunson finished with 29 points, four rebounds, seven assists and two blocks. RJ Barrett notched 19 points and four rebounds, and Mitchell Robinson had 14 rebounds and two points. Immanuel Quickley delivered 17 points and five rebounds coming off the bench as well.
Jayson Tatum led the way for Boston with 35 points, 14 rebounds and four assists, and Jaylen Brown posted 22 points, nine rebounds and two assists. Derrick White posted 15 points, four assists and three boards. Robert Williams III delivered 12 rebounds while adding eight points. Malcolm Brogdon came off the bench and finished with 10 points, seven rebounds and six assists.
The Knicks (27-23) and the Celtics (35-15) needed extra minutes to find a winner, but in the end, the Knicks came away with the victory to even the season series at 1-1. Boston looked better in the early going, though, and the Celtics jumped out to a 34-26 score in the first quarter, but the Knicks responded with a 32-26 score in the second quarter to close things out at halftime. The Knicks carried that momentum into the second half and led by six points by the time the third quarter ended, but the Celtics didn’t give up and manage to turn things around when it mattered the most, outscoring their rivals by a 25-19 score in the fourth quarter to force overtime. The Knicks had a three-point lead in the final seconds and Boston had a shot to win it, but a Jalen Brunson block sealed the victory for New York. With the win, the Knicks moved to 15-10 on the road while the Celtics fell to 18-6 at home.
Julius Randle led the way for New York with 37 points and nine rebounds, while Jalen Brunson finished with 29 points, four rebounds, seven assists and two blocks. RJ Barrett notched 19 points and four rebounds, and Mitchell Robinson had 14 rebounds and two points. Immanuel Quickley delivered 17 points and five rebounds coming off the bench as well.
Jayson Tatum led the way for Boston with 35 points, 14 rebounds and four assists, and Jaylen Brown posted 22 points, nine rebounds and two assists. Derrick White posted 15 points, four assists and three boards. Robert Williams III delivered 12 rebounds while adding eight points. Malcolm Brogdon came off the bench and finished with 10 points, seven rebounds and six assists.
Pistons Surprise Nets, 130-122
The Detroit Pistons defeated the Brooklyn Nets, 130-122, at Barclays Center on Thursday night.
The Nets (29-19) understandably came into the contest as solid favorites, but the Pistons (13-37) served early notice they wouldn't go away easy. Detroit owned a 30-27 lead after one, and while Brooklyn fought back to take a one-point lead into halftime, the visitors seemed to change the tenor of the game in the third quarter with a 43-31 advantage during the period. While the home squad would eventually get as close as within five with 37.1 seconds left, the Pistons would pitch a shutout the rest of the way for the victory.
Saddiq Bey led the Pistons with 25 points, adding nine rebounds and three assists. Alec Burks turned in 20 points, five boards, four assists and one steal. Jalen Duren contributed 17 points, seven rebounds, two assists, one steal and one block. Jaden Ivey and Killian Hayes produced matching 16-point efforts. Ivey added eight assists, three rebounds, two steals and one block, while Hayes also recorded five rebounds, three assists and three steals. Hamidou Diallo managed 12 points, five rebounds, five assists, four steals and one block. Bojan Bogdanovic and Isaiah Stewart posted 11 points each while pulling down six and five rebounds, respectively.
Kyrie Irving paced the Nets with 40 points, which he supplemented with six assists, five rebounds, two steals and two blocks. Nic Claxton generated 27-point, 13-rebound double-double that included one assist and two blocks. Edmond Sumner furnished 24 points, five rebounds and three assists.
The Pistons return home to host the Houston Rockets on Saturday night, while the Nets remain home and host the New York Knicks on Saturday afternoon.
The Nets (29-19) understandably came into the contest as solid favorites, but the Pistons (13-37) served early notice they wouldn't go away easy. Detroit owned a 30-27 lead after one, and while Brooklyn fought back to take a one-point lead into halftime, the visitors seemed to change the tenor of the game in the third quarter with a 43-31 advantage during the period. While the home squad would eventually get as close as within five with 37.1 seconds left, the Pistons would pitch a shutout the rest of the way for the victory.
Saddiq Bey led the Pistons with 25 points, adding nine rebounds and three assists. Alec Burks turned in 20 points, five boards, four assists and one steal. Jalen Duren contributed 17 points, seven rebounds, two assists, one steal and one block. Jaden Ivey and Killian Hayes produced matching 16-point efforts. Ivey added eight assists, three rebounds, two steals and one block, while Hayes also recorded five rebounds, three assists and three steals. Hamidou Diallo managed 12 points, five rebounds, five assists, four steals and one block. Bojan Bogdanovic and Isaiah Stewart posted 11 points each while pulling down six and five rebounds, respectively.
Kyrie Irving paced the Nets with 40 points, which he supplemented with six assists, five rebounds, two steals and two blocks. Nic Claxton generated 27-point, 13-rebound double-double that included one assist and two blocks. Edmond Sumner furnished 24 points, five rebounds and three assists.
The Pistons return home to host the Houston Rockets on Saturday night, while the Nets remain home and host the New York Knicks on Saturday afternoon.
Hornets Throttle Bulls, 111-96
The Charlotte Hornets defeated the Chicago Bulls, 111-96, at Spectrum Center on Thursday night.
The Bulls (22-26) got it done on both ends of the floor during the first half, outscoring the Hornets (14-36) by 36-32 and 19-15 margins in the first and second quarters, respectively, to take a seemingly solid eight-point lead into halftime. However, Charlotte knocked all but two points from its deficit in the third before dominating by a 34-17 margin over the final 12 minutes to win going away.
DeMar DeRozan led the Bulls with 28 points, adding five assists, three rebounds and one steal. Zach LaVine delivered 18 points, nine rebounds, two assists and two steals. Patrick Williams supplied 15 points, five boards, one assist, one steal and one block. Nikola Vucevic and Ayo Dosunmu generated matching 12-point tallies while recording nine and four rebounds, respectively.
Terry Rozier paced the Hornets with 28 points, supplementing them with five rebounds, two assists, four steals and one block. Mason Plumlee generated a 21-point, 12-rebound double-double that included four assists. Gordon Hayward registered 17 points, three assists, one rebound, two steals and one block. LaMelo Ball provided 15 points, 11 rebounds and eight assists. Mark Williams finished with 10 points, six rebounds and one assist.
The Bulls remain on the road and visit the Orlando Magic on Saturday night, while the Hornets remain home and visit the Miami Heat on Sunday afternoon.
The Bulls (22-26) got it done on both ends of the floor during the first half, outscoring the Hornets (14-36) by 36-32 and 19-15 margins in the first and second quarters, respectively, to take a seemingly solid eight-point lead into halftime. However, Charlotte knocked all but two points from its deficit in the third before dominating by a 34-17 margin over the final 12 minutes to win going away.
DeMar DeRozan led the Bulls with 28 points, adding five assists, three rebounds and one steal. Zach LaVine delivered 18 points, nine rebounds, two assists and two steals. Patrick Williams supplied 15 points, five boards, one assist, one steal and one block. Nikola Vucevic and Ayo Dosunmu generated matching 12-point tallies while recording nine and four rebounds, respectively.
Terry Rozier paced the Hornets with 28 points, supplementing them with five rebounds, two assists, four steals and one block. Mason Plumlee generated a 21-point, 12-rebound double-double that included four assists. Gordon Hayward registered 17 points, three assists, one rebound, two steals and one block. LaMelo Ball provided 15 points, 11 rebounds and eight assists. Mark Williams finished with 10 points, six rebounds and one assist.
The Bulls remain on the road and visit the Orlando Magic on Saturday night, while the Hornets remain home and visit the Miami Heat on Sunday afternoon.
Cavs Cruise Past Rockets
By Dan Bruno
The Cleveland Cavaliers defeated the host Houston Rockets, 113-95, at Toyota Center on Thursday evening.
The Cavs jumped out to a great start with a, 37-25, lead after one quarter and doubled down in the second to build a 26-point lead by halftime. The Rockets came out stronger in the third but only managed to trim the deficit to 23, heading into the final frame. The hosts kept up the fight in the fourth, but it was not enough, as the Cavs cruised to the road win. This marks the second straight loss for the Rockets.
Darius Garland led the Cavs with 26 points, four rebounds, nine assists and four steals, in 33 minutes. Evan Mobley followed up with 21 points, 10 rebounds, three assists, two blocks and a steal, while Jarrett Allen added 14 points, 10 rebounds and three steals. The Cavs shot 45.5 percent from the field, including 15-of-36 from long range.
Tari Eason led the Rockets with 18 points, 11 rebounds, three assists and a block, in 25 minutes. Alperen Sengun tallied 14 points, seven rebounds, seven assists, two steals and two blocks, while Kenyon Martin added 14 points, six rebounds, two assists and a steal. The Rockets shot 51.3 percent from the field, including 5-of-21 from deep.
The Rockets (11-38) will look to bounce back as they take on the Pistons in Detroit on Saturday. The Cavs (30-20) take on the Thunder in OKC on Friday.
The Cavs jumped out to a great start with a, 37-25, lead after one quarter and doubled down in the second to build a 26-point lead by halftime. The Rockets came out stronger in the third but only managed to trim the deficit to 23, heading into the final frame. The hosts kept up the fight in the fourth, but it was not enough, as the Cavs cruised to the road win. This marks the second straight loss for the Rockets.
Darius Garland led the Cavs with 26 points, four rebounds, nine assists and four steals, in 33 minutes. Evan Mobley followed up with 21 points, 10 rebounds, three assists, two blocks and a steal, while Jarrett Allen added 14 points, 10 rebounds and three steals. The Cavs shot 45.5 percent from the field, including 15-of-36 from long range.
Tari Eason led the Rockets with 18 points, 11 rebounds, three assists and a block, in 25 minutes. Alperen Sengun tallied 14 points, seven rebounds, seven assists, two steals and two blocks, while Kenyon Martin added 14 points, six rebounds, two assists and a steal. The Rockets shot 51.3 percent from the field, including 5-of-21 from deep.
The Rockets (11-38) will look to bounce back as they take on the Pistons in Detroit on Saturday. The Cavs (30-20) take on the Thunder in OKC on Friday.
Mavericks Defeat Suns, 99-95
The Dallas Mavericks defeated the host Phoenix Suns, 99-95, at Footprint Center on Thursday.
While Dallas lost Luka Doncic (ankle) in the first quarter, they were able to grab this comeback win. They responded to that injury with a 22-16 second quarter, holding the lead for the final 30 minutes of play. With that said, they never led by more than 11 points. The Mavericks shot 43 percent from the field while holding the Suns below 41 percent shooting. Getting to the free-throw line was also critical, with Dallas connected on 20-of-28 while Phoenix hit just 12-of-16.
The Mavericks (26-24) were led by Spencer Dinwiddie, providing 36 points, six rebounds and nine assists. Dorian Finney-Smith finished with 18 points, 12 rebounds and three assists. Dwight Powell provided 15 points, four rebounds and three blocks, while Tim Hardaway Jr had 11 points, nine rebounds and three assists.
The Suns (25-25) were led by Chris Paul, collecting 22 points, six rebounds and 10 assists. Cameron Johnson totaled 22 points and eight rebounds. DeAndre Ayton missed 14 of his 20 shots but finished with 19 points, 20 rebounds, two assists and two blocks. Mikal Bridges also accrued 16 points, four rebounds and four assists.
Both teams return to action on Saturday, with Phoenix traveling to face the San Antonio Spurs and Dallas staying on the road to play the Utah Jazz.
While Dallas lost Luka Doncic (ankle) in the first quarter, they were able to grab this comeback win. They responded to that injury with a 22-16 second quarter, holding the lead for the final 30 minutes of play. With that said, they never led by more than 11 points. The Mavericks shot 43 percent from the field while holding the Suns below 41 percent shooting. Getting to the free-throw line was also critical, with Dallas connected on 20-of-28 while Phoenix hit just 12-of-16.
The Mavericks (26-24) were led by Spencer Dinwiddie, providing 36 points, six rebounds and nine assists. Dorian Finney-Smith finished with 18 points, 12 rebounds and three assists. Dwight Powell provided 15 points, four rebounds and three blocks, while Tim Hardaway Jr had 11 points, nine rebounds and three assists.
The Suns (25-25) were led by Chris Paul, collecting 22 points, six rebounds and 10 assists. Cameron Johnson totaled 22 points and eight rebounds. DeAndre Ayton missed 14 of his 20 shots but finished with 19 points, 20 rebounds, two assists and two blocks. Mikal Bridges also accrued 16 points, four rebounds and four assists.
Both teams return to action on Saturday, with Phoenix traveling to face the San Antonio Spurs and Dallas staying on the road to play the Utah Jazz.
Clippers Clobber Spurs, 138-100
The Los Angeles Clippers defeated the visiting San Antonio Spurs, 138-100, at Crypto.com Arena on Thursday.
Los Angeles won all four individual quarters in this wire-to-wire win, riding a 41-25 first quarter to their victory. They put things to bed behind a 34-19 fourth quarter, maintaining a double-digit lead for the final three frames. The final 38-point margin was the largest lead of the game. LA shot 58 percent from the field and 47 percent from three-point range while holding San Antonio to 45 percent from the field and 33 percent from long range. The Clippers also had nine steals and nine blocks, while the Spurs had just three combined, winning the turnover battle, 12-5.
The Spurs (14-34) were led by Keldon Johnson, collecting 19 points, three rebounds and three assists. Keita Bates-Diop amassed 13 points and six rebounds. Isaiah Roby led the bench with 14 points, seven rebounds and two assists, while Zach Collins compiled seven points, 10 rebounds and two assists.
The Clippers (27-24) were led by Paul George, providing 35 points, four rebounds, seven assists and three steals. Kawhi Leonard finished with 27 points, three rebounds and seven assists. Those two combined to shoot 24-of-35 from the field, with neither committing a turnover. Ivica Zubac totaled 11 points, five rebounds and two blocks, while Norman Powell led the bench with 15 points and two boards.
Both teams return to action on Saturday, with San Antonio returning home to play the Phoenix Suns and Los Angeles traveling to face the Atlanta Hawks.
Los Angeles won all four individual quarters in this wire-to-wire win, riding a 41-25 first quarter to their victory. They put things to bed behind a 34-19 fourth quarter, maintaining a double-digit lead for the final three frames. The final 38-point margin was the largest lead of the game. LA shot 58 percent from the field and 47 percent from three-point range while holding San Antonio to 45 percent from the field and 33 percent from long range. The Clippers also had nine steals and nine blocks, while the Spurs had just three combined, winning the turnover battle, 12-5.
The Spurs (14-34) were led by Keldon Johnson, collecting 19 points, three rebounds and three assists. Keita Bates-Diop amassed 13 points and six rebounds. Isaiah Roby led the bench with 14 points, seven rebounds and two assists, while Zach Collins compiled seven points, 10 rebounds and two assists.
The Clippers (27-24) were led by Paul George, providing 35 points, four rebounds, seven assists and three steals. Kawhi Leonard finished with 27 points, three rebounds and seven assists. Those two combined to shoot 24-of-35 from the field, with neither committing a turnover. Ivica Zubac totaled 11 points, five rebounds and two blocks, while Norman Powell led the bench with 15 points and two boards.
Both teams return to action on Saturday, with San Antonio returning home to play the Phoenix Suns and Los Angeles traveling to face the Atlanta Hawks.