Bucks Defeat Pacers, 141-131
The Milwaukee Bucks defeated the host Indiana Pacers, 141-131, at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on Friday.
A 45-30 first quarter carried Milwaukee to their win, putting things away behind a 40-26 second quarter. That 29-point halftime lead was just shy of their game-high 33-point lead, maintaining a double-digit lead for the final three quarters. The Bucks out-assisted the Pacers, 32-22, while out-rebounding them, 50-38. Milwaukee also shot 53 percent from the field and 42 percent from three-point range.
The Bucks (32-17) were led by Giannis Antetokounmpo, collecting 41 points, 12 rebounds and six assists. Jrue Holiday had 20 points, nine rebounds and nine assists. Brook Lopez totaled 15 points, six rebounds and two assists, while Pat Connughton compiled 14 points, eight rebounds and three steals. Khris Middleton led the bench with 17 points, four rebounds and four assists.
The Pacers (24-27) were led by Myles Turner, tallying 24 points, five rebounds and four blocks. Buddy Hield accrued 22 points, five rebounds, two assists and three steals. TJ McConnell collected 19 points, six rebounds, nine assists and three steals. Chris Duarte accumulated 17 points, four rebounds and six assists, while Bennedict Mathurin led the bench with 21 points and eight rebounds.
Both teams return to action on Sunday, with Indiana traveling to face the Memphis Grizzlies and Milwaukee returning home to play the New Orleans Pelicans.
A 45-30 first quarter carried Milwaukee to their win, putting things away behind a 40-26 second quarter. That 29-point halftime lead was just shy of their game-high 33-point lead, maintaining a double-digit lead for the final three quarters. The Bucks out-assisted the Pacers, 32-22, while out-rebounding them, 50-38. Milwaukee also shot 53 percent from the field and 42 percent from three-point range.
The Bucks (32-17) were led by Giannis Antetokounmpo, collecting 41 points, 12 rebounds and six assists. Jrue Holiday had 20 points, nine rebounds and nine assists. Brook Lopez totaled 15 points, six rebounds and two assists, while Pat Connughton compiled 14 points, eight rebounds and three steals. Khris Middleton led the bench with 17 points, four rebounds and four assists.
The Pacers (24-27) were led by Myles Turner, tallying 24 points, five rebounds and four blocks. Buddy Hield accrued 22 points, five rebounds, two assists and three steals. TJ McConnell collected 19 points, six rebounds, nine assists and three steals. Chris Duarte accumulated 17 points, four rebounds and six assists, while Bennedict Mathurin led the bench with 21 points and eight rebounds.
Both teams return to action on Sunday, with Indiana traveling to face the Memphis Grizzlies and Milwaukee returning home to play the New Orleans Pelicans.
Timberwolves Earn Second Straight Win
By Dan Bruno
The Minnesota Timberwolves defeated the visiting Memphis Grizzlies, 111-100, at Target Center on Friday evening.
The game got out to a high-scoring start as the Timberwolves led, 38-31, after one quarter. The hosts maintained control through the second and managed to add another two points to their advantage to take a nine-point cushion into the break. Both sides brought a solid effort in the third, but the Timberwolves stayed on top and made it a 10-point game heading into the final frame. The Grizzlies kept up the fight in the fourth but it was not enough, as they took a fifth consecutive loss, while the Timberwolves earned their second consecutive win.
Anthony Edwards led the Timberwolves with 25 points, seven rebounds, seven assists and a block, in 36 minutes. Kyle Anderson followed up with 23 points, three rebounds, six assists, two steals and a block, while D'Angelo Russell tallied 19 points, eight rebounds, seven assists and three steals. The Timberwolves shot 51.2 percent from the field, including 13-of-35 from long range.
Meanwhile, Ja Morant led the Grizzlies with 27 points, 10 rebounds and 11 assists, in 38 minutes. Dillon Brooks followed up with 17 points, four rebounds and a steal, while Brandon Clarke totaled 15 points, seven rebounds, three assists and three steals. The Grizzlies shot 40.9 percent from the field, including 8-of-33 from deep.
The Grizzlies (31-18) will look to bounce back as they play host to the Pacers on Sunday. The Timberwolves (26-25) play host to the Kings on Saturday.
The game got out to a high-scoring start as the Timberwolves led, 38-31, after one quarter. The hosts maintained control through the second and managed to add another two points to their advantage to take a nine-point cushion into the break. Both sides brought a solid effort in the third, but the Timberwolves stayed on top and made it a 10-point game heading into the final frame. The Grizzlies kept up the fight in the fourth but it was not enough, as they took a fifth consecutive loss, while the Timberwolves earned their second consecutive win.
Anthony Edwards led the Timberwolves with 25 points, seven rebounds, seven assists and a block, in 36 minutes. Kyle Anderson followed up with 23 points, three rebounds, six assists, two steals and a block, while D'Angelo Russell tallied 19 points, eight rebounds, seven assists and three steals. The Timberwolves shot 51.2 percent from the field, including 13-of-35 from long range.
Meanwhile, Ja Morant led the Grizzlies with 27 points, 10 rebounds and 11 assists, in 38 minutes. Dillon Brooks followed up with 17 points, four rebounds and a steal, while Brandon Clarke totaled 15 points, seven rebounds, three assists and three steals. The Grizzlies shot 40.9 percent from the field, including 8-of-33 from deep.
The Grizzlies (31-18) will look to bounce back as they play host to the Pacers on Sunday. The Timberwolves (26-25) play host to the Kings on Saturday.
Heat Gets Past Magic, 110-105
The Miami Heat defeated the Orlando Magic, 110-105, at Miami-Dade Arena on Friday night.
The Heat (28-22) got more than they likely bargained for early against an improving Magic (19-30) squad, with Orlando extending a five-point first-quarter lead to nine points by halftime. However, Miami began chipping away in the third quarter, knocking three points from its deficit in the third and then outscoring the visitors over the final 12 minutes by a 37-26 margin to cap off the comeback. However, the Magic kept things interesting until the closing seconds after blowing their advantage, getting back to within three with 28.2 seconds remaining before Jimmy Butler and Tyler Herro free throws allowed the Heat to pull away.
Paolo Banchero, Franz Wagner and Cole Anthony co-led the Magic with 19 points each. Anthony added seven boards, while Wagner and Banchero had six and five boards, respectively. Wendell Carter totaled 16 points, eight rebounds, three assists and one block. Markelle Fultz collected 10 points, six assists, three rebounds and two blocks.
Butler paced the Heat with 29 points, supplementing them with six rebounds, six assists and two steals. Bam Adebayo registered 20 points, seven assists, six rebounds, one steal and one block. Max Strus managed 17 points, two assists, one rebound and one steal. Caleb Martin supplied 13 points, seven boards, two assists, one steal and one block. Gabe Vincent and Herro had 11 and 10 points, respectively, with Herro also recording six rebounds, three assists and one steal.
The Magic returns home to host the Chicago Bulls on Saturday night, while the Heat hit the road and visit the Charlotte Hornets on Sunday afternoon.
The Heat (28-22) got more than they likely bargained for early against an improving Magic (19-30) squad, with Orlando extending a five-point first-quarter lead to nine points by halftime. However, Miami began chipping away in the third quarter, knocking three points from its deficit in the third and then outscoring the visitors over the final 12 minutes by a 37-26 margin to cap off the comeback. However, the Magic kept things interesting until the closing seconds after blowing their advantage, getting back to within three with 28.2 seconds remaining before Jimmy Butler and Tyler Herro free throws allowed the Heat to pull away.
Paolo Banchero, Franz Wagner and Cole Anthony co-led the Magic with 19 points each. Anthony added seven boards, while Wagner and Banchero had six and five boards, respectively. Wendell Carter totaled 16 points, eight rebounds, three assists and one block. Markelle Fultz collected 10 points, six assists, three rebounds and two blocks.
Butler paced the Heat with 29 points, supplementing them with six rebounds, six assists and two steals. Bam Adebayo registered 20 points, seven assists, six rebounds, one steal and one block. Max Strus managed 17 points, two assists, one rebound and one steal. Caleb Martin supplied 13 points, seven boards, two assists, one steal and one block. Gabe Vincent and Herro had 11 and 10 points, respectively, with Herro also recording six rebounds, three assists and one steal.
The Magic returns home to host the Chicago Bulls on Saturday night, while the Heat hit the road and visit the Charlotte Hornets on Sunday afternoon.
Thunder Rally To Close Out Home Win
By Dan Bruno
The Oklahoma City Thunder defeated the visiting Cleveland Cavaliers, 112-100, at Paycom Center on Friday evening.
The game got out to a tight start as the Thunder led, 27-25, after one quarter. The Cavs came out stronger in the second and outscored the hosts by nine, to claim a seven-point advantage by halftime. The hosts got back on track in the third and rallied back to tie the game at 78, heading into the final frame. The Thunder kept the pressure on in the fourth and outscored the visitors by 12 to run away with the home win.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the Thunder with 35 points, five rebounds, eight assists, two steals and a block, in 35 minutes. Jalen Williams followed up with 17 points and three rebounds, while Josh Giddey tallied 15 points, six rebounds and three assists. The Thunder shot 52.6 percent from the field, including 10-of-18 from deep.
Meanwhile, Darius Garland led the Cavs with 31 points, two rebounds, 13 assists and four steals, in 37 minutes. Evan Mobley followed up with 23 points, 11 rebounds and two blocks, while Jarrett Allen finished with 13 points, nine rebounds and a block. The Cavs shot 44.3 percent from the field, including 8-of-29 from long range.
The Cavs (30-21) will look to bounce back as they play host to the Clippers on Sunday. The Thunder (24-25) play host to the Warriors on Monday.
The game got out to a tight start as the Thunder led, 27-25, after one quarter. The Cavs came out stronger in the second and outscored the hosts by nine, to claim a seven-point advantage by halftime. The hosts got back on track in the third and rallied back to tie the game at 78, heading into the final frame. The Thunder kept the pressure on in the fourth and outscored the visitors by 12 to run away with the home win.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the Thunder with 35 points, five rebounds, eight assists, two steals and a block, in 35 minutes. Jalen Williams followed up with 17 points and three rebounds, while Josh Giddey tallied 15 points, six rebounds and three assists. The Thunder shot 52.6 percent from the field, including 10-of-18 from deep.
Meanwhile, Darius Garland led the Cavs with 31 points, two rebounds, 13 assists and four steals, in 37 minutes. Evan Mobley followed up with 23 points, 11 rebounds and two blocks, while Jarrett Allen finished with 13 points, nine rebounds and a block. The Cavs shot 44.3 percent from the field, including 8-of-29 from long range.
The Cavs (30-21) will look to bounce back as they play host to the Clippers on Sunday. The Thunder (24-25) play host to the Warriors on Monday.
Warriors Defeat Raptors, 129-117
The Golden State Warriors defeated the visiting Toronto Raptors, 129-117, at Chase Center on Friday.
There were 11 ties and seven lead changes in this game, with neither team grabbing a double-digit lead until the final minutes. That was Golden State, who rode a 31-23 fourth quarter to their win. The final 12-point margin was their largest lead of the game. The Warriors shot 56 percent from the field and 42 percent from three-point range while holding the Raptors to 46 percent from the field and 36 percent from long range. Golden State also out-assisted Toronto, 40-24.
The Raptors (22-28) were led by Fred VanVleet, finishing with 28 points, four rebounds and 10 assists. Scottie Barnes amassed 24 points, six rebounds, five assists and two blocks. Pascal Siakam shot 8-of-26 from the field to tally 21 points, seven rebounds and three assists. Gary Trent Jr totaled 17 points, four rebounds and two assists, while Precious Achiuwa led the bench with 17 points, 11 rebounds and two assists.
The Warriors (25-24) were led by Stephen Curry, collecting 35 points, seven rebounds, 11 assists and two steals. Klay Thompson totaled 29 points and eight rebounds. Kevon Looney had 12 points, eight rebounds and three assists, while Draymond Green generated five points, seven rebounds and seven assists. Donte DiVincenzo led the bench with 12 points, three rebounds, 11 assists and two steals.
Toronto has to play the second half of a back-to-back set on Saturday, staying on the road to play the Sacramento Kings. As for Golden State, they return to action on Monday in a road matchup with the Oklahoma City Thunder.
There were 11 ties and seven lead changes in this game, with neither team grabbing a double-digit lead until the final minutes. That was Golden State, who rode a 31-23 fourth quarter to their win. The final 12-point margin was their largest lead of the game. The Warriors shot 56 percent from the field and 42 percent from three-point range while holding the Raptors to 46 percent from the field and 36 percent from long range. Golden State also out-assisted Toronto, 40-24.
The Raptors (22-28) were led by Fred VanVleet, finishing with 28 points, four rebounds and 10 assists. Scottie Barnes amassed 24 points, six rebounds, five assists and two blocks. Pascal Siakam shot 8-of-26 from the field to tally 21 points, seven rebounds and three assists. Gary Trent Jr totaled 17 points, four rebounds and two assists, while Precious Achiuwa led the bench with 17 points, 11 rebounds and two assists.
The Warriors (25-24) were led by Stephen Curry, collecting 35 points, seven rebounds, 11 assists and two steals. Klay Thompson totaled 29 points and eight rebounds. Kevon Looney had 12 points, eight rebounds and three assists, while Draymond Green generated five points, seven rebounds and seven assists. Donte DiVincenzo led the bench with 12 points, three rebounds, 11 assists and two steals.
Toronto has to play the second half of a back-to-back set on Saturday, staying on the road to play the Sacramento Kings. As for Golden State, they return to action on Monday in a road matchup with the Oklahoma City Thunder.