Heat Come Up Clutch In Cleveland
By Dan Bruno
The Miami Heat defeated the host Cleveland Cavaliers, 100-97, at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse on Tuesday evening.
The Cavs jumped out to a quick 11-point lead, but the Heat rallied back to make it a two-point game by the end of the quarter. The visitors kept the momentum going in the second and pushed ahead to a three-point lead by halftime. The Heat stayed in front for most of the third quarter, but the Cavs kept up the fight and tied the game at 72, heading into the final frame. The score stayed tight through the fourth, but the Heat pulled through in the clutch to secure the road win.
Jimmy Butler led the Heat with 23 points, five assists, three steals and a block, in 34 minutes. Bam Adebayo tallied 18 points and 11 rebounds, while Caleb Martin finished with 18 points and 10 rebounds. The Heat shot 43.6 percent from the field, including 14-of-31 from long range.
Meanwhile, Evan Mobley led the Cavaliers with 19 points, seven rebounds, four assists and two blocks, in 38 minutes. Donovan Mitchell added 16 points, three rebounds, nine assists and four steals, while Darius Garland finished with 16 points, five assists and a steal. The Cavs shot 48.2 percent from the field, including 11-of-40 from deep.
The Cavs (31-22) will look to bounce back as they play host to the Grizzlies on Thursday. The Heat (29-23) take on the Knicks in New York on Thursday.
The Cavs jumped out to a quick 11-point lead, but the Heat rallied back to make it a two-point game by the end of the quarter. The visitors kept the momentum going in the second and pushed ahead to a three-point lead by halftime. The Heat stayed in front for most of the third quarter, but the Cavs kept up the fight and tied the game at 72, heading into the final frame. The score stayed tight through the fourth, but the Heat pulled through in the clutch to secure the road win.
Jimmy Butler led the Heat with 23 points, five assists, three steals and a block, in 34 minutes. Bam Adebayo tallied 18 points and 11 rebounds, while Caleb Martin finished with 18 points and 10 rebounds. The Heat shot 43.6 percent from the field, including 14-of-31 from long range.
Meanwhile, Evan Mobley led the Cavaliers with 19 points, seven rebounds, four assists and two blocks, in 38 minutes. Donovan Mitchell added 16 points, three rebounds, nine assists and four steals, while Darius Garland finished with 16 points, five assists and a steal. The Cavs shot 48.2 percent from the field, including 11-of-40 from deep.
The Cavs (31-22) will look to bounce back as they play host to the Grizzlies on Thursday. The Heat (29-23) take on the Knicks in New York on Thursday.
Lakers Topple Knicks in OT, 129-123
The Los Angeles Lakers defeated the New York Knicks,129-123, in overtime, at Madison Square Garden on Tuesday night.
The Lakers (24-28) checked into the contest looking to atone for back-to-back losses to the Celtics and Nets, and they appeared to be on solid footing with LeBron James and Anthony Davis back after off days in Monday's loss to Brooklyn. The availability of the two stars unsurprisingly seemed to give Los Angeles an early boost in the form of a 29-24 lead through one. The Knicks (27-25) eliminated their deficit and built a one-point advantage going into halftime, but it was the visitors holding a three-point edge heading into the final period. However, the Lakers ultimately blew a six-point lead with 1:41 remaining in regulation, yet they made up for it by outpacing New York, 15-9, in overtime.
James led the Lakers with 28 points, adding 11 assists, 10 rebounds and one steal. Davis furnished 27 points, nine boards, one assist and two steals. Rui Hachimura delivered 19 points, nine rebounds and one block. Russell Westbrook totaled 17 points, eight assists, six rebounds and three steals. Dennis Schroder contributed 12 points, six assists and one rebound.
Jalen Brunson paced the Knicks with 37 points, complementing them with six assists, two rebounds, one steal and one block. Julius Randle generated a 23-point, 12-rebound double-double that included five assists. Immanuel Quickley registered 19 points, eight assists, three rebounds and one steal. Isaiah Hartenstein generated a 16-point, 13-rebound double-double that included one assist. R.J. Barrett and Quentin Grimes provided 13 and 12 points, respectively. Barrett also provided three rebounds and two assists while Grimes finished with four boards, three assists and two steals.
The Lakers remain on the road and visit the Indiana Pacers on Thursday night, while the Knicks remain home and host the Miami Heat on Thursday night as well.
The Lakers (24-28) checked into the contest looking to atone for back-to-back losses to the Celtics and Nets, and they appeared to be on solid footing with LeBron James and Anthony Davis back after off days in Monday's loss to Brooklyn. The availability of the two stars unsurprisingly seemed to give Los Angeles an early boost in the form of a 29-24 lead through one. The Knicks (27-25) eliminated their deficit and built a one-point advantage going into halftime, but it was the visitors holding a three-point edge heading into the final period. However, the Lakers ultimately blew a six-point lead with 1:41 remaining in regulation, yet they made up for it by outpacing New York, 15-9, in overtime.
James led the Lakers with 28 points, adding 11 assists, 10 rebounds and one steal. Davis furnished 27 points, nine boards, one assist and two steals. Rui Hachimura delivered 19 points, nine rebounds and one block. Russell Westbrook totaled 17 points, eight assists, six rebounds and three steals. Dennis Schroder contributed 12 points, six assists and one rebound.
Jalen Brunson paced the Knicks with 37 points, complementing them with six assists, two rebounds, one steal and one block. Julius Randle generated a 23-point, 12-rebound double-double that included five assists. Immanuel Quickley registered 19 points, eight assists, three rebounds and one steal. Isaiah Hartenstein generated a 16-point, 13-rebound double-double that included one assist. R.J. Barrett and Quentin Grimes provided 13 and 12 points, respectively. Barrett also provided three rebounds and two assists while Grimes finished with four boards, three assists and two steals.
The Lakers remain on the road and visit the Indiana Pacers on Thursday night, while the Knicks remain home and host the Miami Heat on Thursday night as well.
Clippers Top Bulls, 108-103
The Los Angeles Clippers defeated the Chicago Bulls, 108-103, at United Center on Tuesday night.
The Clippers (29-25) were road favorites coming in with both Kawhi Leonard and Paul George returning from one-game absences due to injury management purposes, but it was the Bulls (23-27) that emerged from the first quarter with a commanding 32-20 lead. The sizable deficit seemed to wake up Los Angeles, which outscored Chicago by a 65-52 margin in the middle periods to take a one-point edge into the final period. The back-and-forth clash ultimately wasn't decided until Norman Powell and Leonard sunk four late free throws and Zach LaVine had the ball stolen by Leonard in the closing seconds.
Leonard led the Clippers with 33 points, complementing them with five assists, four rebounds, five steals and two blocks. Powell provided 27 points, four rebounds, four assists and two steals. George submitted a 16-point, 10-rebound double-double that included seven assists and two steals. Ivica Zubac managed a 14-point, 12-rebound double-double that included one assist and three blocks.
Nikola Vucevic led the Bulls with a 23-point, 14-rebound double-double that included four assists and two steals. DeMar DeRozan supplied 20 points, five assists, two rebounds, one steal and one block. LaVine turned in 18 points, 14 rebounds, eight assists, one steal and one block. Patrick Williams and Ayo Dosunmu finished with 11 points apiece while contributing six rebounds and four assists, respectively.
The Clippers remain on the road and in the Midwest, next dropping in on the Milwaukee Bucks for a Thursday night clash. The Bulls remain home and host the Charlotte Hornets on Thursday night as well.
The Clippers (29-25) were road favorites coming in with both Kawhi Leonard and Paul George returning from one-game absences due to injury management purposes, but it was the Bulls (23-27) that emerged from the first quarter with a commanding 32-20 lead. The sizable deficit seemed to wake up Los Angeles, which outscored Chicago by a 65-52 margin in the middle periods to take a one-point edge into the final period. The back-and-forth clash ultimately wasn't decided until Norman Powell and Leonard sunk four late free throws and Zach LaVine had the ball stolen by Leonard in the closing seconds.
Leonard led the Clippers with 33 points, complementing them with five assists, four rebounds, five steals and two blocks. Powell provided 27 points, four rebounds, four assists and two steals. George submitted a 16-point, 10-rebound double-double that included seven assists and two steals. Ivica Zubac managed a 14-point, 12-rebound double-double that included one assist and three blocks.
Nikola Vucevic led the Bulls with a 23-point, 14-rebound double-double that included four assists and two steals. DeMar DeRozan supplied 20 points, five assists, two rebounds, one steal and one block. LaVine turned in 18 points, 14 rebounds, eight assists, one steal and one block. Patrick Williams and Ayo Dosunmu finished with 11 points apiece while contributing six rebounds and four assists, respectively.
The Clippers remain on the road and in the Midwest, next dropping in on the Milwaukee Bucks for a Thursday night clash. The Bulls remain home and host the Charlotte Hornets on Thursday night as well.
Bucks Top Hornets For Fifth Straight Win
By Dan Bruno
The Milwaukee Bucks defeated the visiting Charlotte Hornets, 124-115, at Fiserv Forum on Tuesday evening.
The Bucks got off to a solid start with a, 34-27, lead after one quarter, however, the Hornets came out better in the second and rallied to tie it up at 64, by halftime. The score stayed tight through the third, but the hosts picked up steam towards the end of the quarter and pushed to a seven-point lead heading into the final frame. The Bucks kept up the pace in the fourth and confidently closed out their fifth straight win.
Giannis Antetokounmpo led the Bucks with 34 points, 18 rebounds and four assists, in 36 minutes. Khris Middleton followed up with 18 points, three rebounds, three assists and steal, while Jrue Holiday finished with 15 points, 13 rebounds, three assists and two steals. The Bucks shot 41 percent from the field, including 15-of-44 from deep.
Meanwhile, LaMelo Ball led the Hornets with 27 points, 10 rebounds, 11 assists, three steals and three blocks, in 40 minutes. Terry Rozier followed up with 20 points, seven rebounds, three assists and a steal, while Gordon Hayward tallied 16 points, seven rebounds and three assists. The Hornets shot 37.8 percent from the field, including 11-of-39 from long range.
The Hornets (15-37) will look to bounce back as they take on the Bulls in Chicago on Thursday. The Bucks (34-17) play host to the Clippers on Thursday.
The Bucks got off to a solid start with a, 34-27, lead after one quarter, however, the Hornets came out better in the second and rallied to tie it up at 64, by halftime. The score stayed tight through the third, but the hosts picked up steam towards the end of the quarter and pushed to a seven-point lead heading into the final frame. The Bucks kept up the pace in the fourth and confidently closed out their fifth straight win.
Giannis Antetokounmpo led the Bucks with 34 points, 18 rebounds and four assists, in 36 minutes. Khris Middleton followed up with 18 points, three rebounds, three assists and steal, while Jrue Holiday finished with 15 points, 13 rebounds, three assists and two steals. The Bucks shot 41 percent from the field, including 15-of-44 from deep.
Meanwhile, LaMelo Ball led the Hornets with 27 points, 10 rebounds, 11 assists, three steals and three blocks, in 40 minutes. Terry Rozier followed up with 20 points, seven rebounds, three assists and a steal, while Gordon Hayward tallied 16 points, seven rebounds and three assists. The Hornets shot 37.8 percent from the field, including 11-of-39 from long range.
The Hornets (15-37) will look to bounce back as they take on the Bulls in Chicago on Thursday. The Bucks (34-17) play host to the Clippers on Thursday.
Nuggets Defeat Pelicans,122-113
The Denver Nuggets defeated the visiting New Orleans Pelicans, 122-113, at Ball Arena on Tuesday.
There were 10 ties and five lead changes in this game, with neither team leading by more than 13 points. That was Denver at the beginning of the fourth quarter, riding a 36-24 third quarter to their win. New Orleans never had a game-tying shot in the fourth quarter after that lopsided frame. The Nuggets shot 16-of-36 from three-point range, while the Pelicans connected on just 8-of-27. Denver out-rebounded New Orleans, 51-44, while out-assisting them, 33-28. They also outscored the Pelicans in fastbreak points, 26-15.
The Pelicans (26-26) were led by Herbert Jones, totaling 21 points, four rebounds, five assists and five steals. CJ McCollum tallied 21 points, two rebounds and seven assists. Brandon Ingram finished with 16 points, four rebounds and nine assists, while Larry Nance led the bench with 13 points, 11 rebounds and two steals.
The Nuggets (35-16) were led by Jamal Murray, amassing 32 points, five rebounds and six assists. Nikola Jokic collected 26 points, 18 rebounds and 15 assists. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope provided 15 points, five rebounds, four steals and two blocks. Aaron Gordon accrued 15 points, six rebounds and six assists.
Both teams return to action on Thursday, with Denver staying home to play the Golden State Warriors and New Orleans remaining on the road to face the Dallas Mavericks.
There were 10 ties and five lead changes in this game, with neither team leading by more than 13 points. That was Denver at the beginning of the fourth quarter, riding a 36-24 third quarter to their win. New Orleans never had a game-tying shot in the fourth quarter after that lopsided frame. The Nuggets shot 16-of-36 from three-point range, while the Pelicans connected on just 8-of-27. Denver out-rebounded New Orleans, 51-44, while out-assisting them, 33-28. They also outscored the Pelicans in fastbreak points, 26-15.
The Pelicans (26-26) were led by Herbert Jones, totaling 21 points, four rebounds, five assists and five steals. CJ McCollum tallied 21 points, two rebounds and seven assists. Brandon Ingram finished with 16 points, four rebounds and nine assists, while Larry Nance led the bench with 13 points, 11 rebounds and two steals.
The Nuggets (35-16) were led by Jamal Murray, amassing 32 points, five rebounds and six assists. Nikola Jokic collected 26 points, 18 rebounds and 15 assists. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope provided 15 points, five rebounds, four steals and two blocks. Aaron Gordon accrued 15 points, six rebounds and six assists.
Both teams return to action on Thursday, with Denver staying home to play the Golden State Warriors and New Orleans remaining on the road to face the Dallas Mavericks.