Lakers Come Up Clutch In Indiana
By Dan Bruno
The Los Angeles Lakers defeated the host Indiana Pacers, 112-111, at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on Thursday evening.
The game got out to a high-scoring start as the Pacers led, 35-30, through one quarter. The hosts stayed in control in the second and pushed it to a 13-point game by halftime. The visitors came out better in the third but only managed to trim the deficit by one heading into the final frame. The Lakers kept pressing in the fourth and finally gained the lead in the last minute. The Pacers responded with another go-ahead bucket, but Anthony Davis drained one more for the Lakers to seal their second straight win. This marks the fourth straight loss for the Pacers.
Anthony Davis led the Lakers with 31 points, 14 rebounds, two assists, two blocks and a steal. LeBron James followed up with 26 points, seven rebounds and seven assists, while Dennis Schroder tallied 12 points, six rebounds, five assists and a steal. The Lakers shot 45.7 percent from the field, including 6-of-22 from deep.
Meanwhile, Tyrese Haliburton led the Pacers with 26 points, two rebounds, 12 assists and two steals, in 36 minutes. Aaron Nesmith followed up with 24 points, three rebounds, two assists, two steals and a block, while Myles Turner totaled 20 points, 13 rebounds, three assists, two blocks and a steal. The Pacers shot 48.4 percent from the field, including 16-of-41 from long range.
The Pacers (24-29) will look to bounce back as they host the Kings on Friday. The Lakers (25-28) take on the Pelicans in New Orleans on Saturday.
The game got out to a high-scoring start as the Pacers led, 35-30, through one quarter. The hosts stayed in control in the second and pushed it to a 13-point game by halftime. The visitors came out better in the third but only managed to trim the deficit by one heading into the final frame. The Lakers kept pressing in the fourth and finally gained the lead in the last minute. The Pacers responded with another go-ahead bucket, but Anthony Davis drained one more for the Lakers to seal their second straight win. This marks the fourth straight loss for the Pacers.
Anthony Davis led the Lakers with 31 points, 14 rebounds, two assists, two blocks and a steal. LeBron James followed up with 26 points, seven rebounds and seven assists, while Dennis Schroder tallied 12 points, six rebounds, five assists and a steal. The Lakers shot 45.7 percent from the field, including 6-of-22 from deep.
Meanwhile, Tyrese Haliburton led the Pacers with 26 points, two rebounds, 12 assists and two steals, in 36 minutes. Aaron Nesmith followed up with 24 points, three rebounds, two assists, two steals and a block, while Myles Turner totaled 20 points, 13 rebounds, three assists, two blocks and a steal. The Pacers shot 48.4 percent from the field, including 16-of-41 from long range.
The Pacers (24-29) will look to bounce back as they host the Kings on Friday. The Lakers (25-28) take on the Pelicans in New Orleans on Saturday.
Cavaliers Throttle Grizzlies, 128-113
The Cleveland Cavaliers defeated the Memphis Grizzlies, 128-113, at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse on Thursday night.
The Cavaliers (32-22) set the early tone against the similarly struggling Grizzlies (32-20), building a 13-point halftime lead on the strength of a 67-point first half. Memphis was only able to knock one point from its deficit during the third period, laying the foundation for a double-digit home win for Cleveland. The Cavs notched the win despite a brawl between Donovan Mitchell and Dillon Brooks in the third quarter that resulted in the ejection of the former.
Desmond Bane led the Grizzlies with 25 points, adding two rebounds and one assist. Ja Morant delivered 24 points, eight boards, eight assists, one steal and one block. Santi Aldama generated a 21-point, 10-rebound double-double that included one assist and one steal. Brandon Clarke managed 10 points and three rebounds.
Darius Garland paced the Cavaliers with a 32-point, 11-assist double-double that included two rebounds. Cedi Osman delivered 21 points, four assists, two steals and one block. Jarrett Allen managed 18 points, 11 rebounds, four assists, two steals and two blocks. Evan Mobley turned in 17 points, 14 boards, five assists, two blocks and one steal. Ricky Rubio registered 13 points, four assists, two rebounds, two steals and one block. Isaac Okoro posted 12 points, three rebounds, two assists and three steals.
The Grizzlies return home to face the Toronto Raptors on Sunday evening, while the Cavaliers visit the Indiana Pacers on Sunday afternoon.
The Cavaliers (32-22) set the early tone against the similarly struggling Grizzlies (32-20), building a 13-point halftime lead on the strength of a 67-point first half. Memphis was only able to knock one point from its deficit during the third period, laying the foundation for a double-digit home win for Cleveland. The Cavs notched the win despite a brawl between Donovan Mitchell and Dillon Brooks in the third quarter that resulted in the ejection of the former.
Desmond Bane led the Grizzlies with 25 points, adding two rebounds and one assist. Ja Morant delivered 24 points, eight boards, eight assists, one steal and one block. Santi Aldama generated a 21-point, 10-rebound double-double that included one assist and one steal. Brandon Clarke managed 10 points and three rebounds.
Darius Garland paced the Cavaliers with a 32-point, 11-assist double-double that included two rebounds. Cedi Osman delivered 21 points, four assists, two steals and one block. Jarrett Allen managed 18 points, 11 rebounds, four assists, two steals and two blocks. Evan Mobley turned in 17 points, 14 boards, five assists, two blocks and one steal. Ricky Rubio registered 13 points, four assists, two rebounds, two steals and one block. Isaac Okoro posted 12 points, three rebounds, two assists and three steals.
The Grizzlies return home to face the Toronto Raptors on Sunday evening, while the Cavaliers visit the Indiana Pacers on Sunday afternoon.
Knicks Get Past Heat, 106-104
The New York Knicks defeated the Miami Heat, 106-104, at Madison Square Garden on Thursday night.
The Knicks (28-25) got the early jump on the Heat (29-24) by building a 28-22 lead through one, but Miami was able to slice its six-point deficit in half before intermission. However, New York had built its advantage back up to as much as 11 points just past the halfway point of the fourth quarter before the visitors got as close as within two with 2.2 seconds remaining before Tyler Herro missed a would-be game-winning 24-footer just before the buzzer.
Bam Adebayo led the Heat with 32 points, complementing them with nine rebounds, three assists, two steals and one block. Herro finished with 25 points, eight assists, five boards, one steal and one block. Max Strus poured in 17 points, while Jimmy Butler supplied 10 points, five assists, three rebounds and two steals.
R.J. Barrett paced the Knicks with 30 points, supplementing them with eight rebounds and four assists. Julius Randle generated a 23-point, 10-rebound double-double that included six assists and three steals. Quentin Grimes delivered 17 points, four rebounds, three assists and one steal. Immanuel Quickley, Isaiah Hartenstein and Miles McBride recorded eight points apiece, with Quickley and Hartenstein producing six and 10 rebounds, respectively.
The Heat remains on the road and visits the Milwaukee Bucks on Saturday night, while the Knicks remain home and host the Los Angeles Clippers on Saturday night as well.
The Knicks (28-25) got the early jump on the Heat (29-24) by building a 28-22 lead through one, but Miami was able to slice its six-point deficit in half before intermission. However, New York had built its advantage back up to as much as 11 points just past the halfway point of the fourth quarter before the visitors got as close as within two with 2.2 seconds remaining before Tyler Herro missed a would-be game-winning 24-footer just before the buzzer.
Bam Adebayo led the Heat with 32 points, complementing them with nine rebounds, three assists, two steals and one block. Herro finished with 25 points, eight assists, five boards, one steal and one block. Max Strus poured in 17 points, while Jimmy Butler supplied 10 points, five assists, three rebounds and two steals.
R.J. Barrett paced the Knicks with 30 points, supplementing them with eight rebounds and four assists. Julius Randle generated a 23-point, 10-rebound double-double that included six assists and three steals. Quentin Grimes delivered 17 points, four rebounds, three assists and one steal. Immanuel Quickley, Isaiah Hartenstein and Miles McBride recorded eight points apiece, with Quickley and Hartenstein producing six and 10 rebounds, respectively.
The Heat remains on the road and visits the Milwaukee Bucks on Saturday night, while the Knicks remain home and host the Los Angeles Clippers on Saturday night as well.
Bulls Cruise Past Hornets
By Dan Bruno
The Chicago Bulls defeated the visiting Charlotte Hornets, 114-98, at United Center on Thursday evening.
The game got out to a high-scoring start as the Bulls led, 31-29, after one quarter. The score stayed close through the second, but the hosts remained in control and took a four-point lead into the break. The Bulls turned it up a notch in the third and outscored the visitors, 32-21, in the quarter to build a 15-point lead heading into the final quarter. The Hornets had no answers in the fourth, as the Bulls cruised to the home win.
Ayo Dosunmu led the Bulls with 22 points on 9-of-10 shooting, in 35 minutes of action. Coby White followed up with 20 points and four rebounds, while Nikola Vucevic totaled 17 points, 12 rebounds, six assists and a steal. The Bulls shot 51.9 percent from the field, including 11-of-28 from long range.
Meanwhile, Terry Rozier led the Hornets with 23 points, eight rebounds and three steals, in 37 minutes. LaMelo Ball followed up with 19 points, eight rebounds, six assists and two steals, while Mason Plumlee logged 16 points, 11 rebounds, five assists and a steal. The Hornets shot 41.9 percent from the field, including 7-of-35 from deep.
The Hornets (15-38) will look to bounce back as they take on the Pistons in Detroit on Friday. The Bulls (24-27) play host to the Trail Blazers on Saturday.
The game got out to a high-scoring start as the Bulls led, 31-29, after one quarter. The score stayed close through the second, but the hosts remained in control and took a four-point lead into the break. The Bulls turned it up a notch in the third and outscored the visitors, 32-21, in the quarter to build a 15-point lead heading into the final quarter. The Hornets had no answers in the fourth, as the Bulls cruised to the home win.
Ayo Dosunmu led the Bulls with 22 points on 9-of-10 shooting, in 35 minutes of action. Coby White followed up with 20 points and four rebounds, while Nikola Vucevic totaled 17 points, 12 rebounds, six assists and a steal. The Bulls shot 51.9 percent from the field, including 11-of-28 from long range.
Meanwhile, Terry Rozier led the Hornets with 23 points, eight rebounds and three steals, in 37 minutes. LaMelo Ball followed up with 19 points, eight rebounds, six assists and two steals, while Mason Plumlee logged 16 points, 11 rebounds, five assists and a steal. The Hornets shot 41.9 percent from the field, including 7-of-35 from deep.
The Hornets (15-38) will look to bounce back as they take on the Pistons in Detroit on Friday. The Bulls (24-27) play host to the Trail Blazers on Saturday.
Mavs Hang On Against Pelicans
By Dan Bruno
The Dallas Mavericks defeated the visiting New Orleans Pelicans, 111-106 , at American Airlines Center on Thursday evening.
The Mavs jumped out to a great start with a, 40-22, lead after one quarter and stayed in control through the second to make it a 27-point game by halftime. The Pelicans came out stronger in the third and managed to trim it down to a 19-point heading into the final frame. The visitors kept up the fight through the fourth and brought it to a three-point game with 10 seconds left, but the Mavs came up clutch at the foul line to seal their second straight win. This marks the 10th consecutive loss for the Pelicans.
Despite leaving the game in the third quarter, Luka Doncic (foot) led the Mavericks with 31 points, eight rebounds, four assists and two steals, in 23 minutes of action. Spencer Dinwiddie followed up with 21 points, three rebounds, four assists, two blocks and a steal, while Josh Green added 15 points, four rebounds and two steals. The Mavs shot 43.5 percent from the field, including 14-of-41 from deep.
Meanwhile, Brandon Ingram led the Pelicans with 26 points, nine rebounds, seven assists and a block, in 36 minutes. CJ McCollum followed up with 19 points, four rebounds, eight assists, a steal and a block, while Jonas Valanciunas totaled 16 points, 13 rebounds and two assists. The Pelicans shot 49.4 percent from the field, including 5-of-21 from long range.
The Pelicans (26-27) will look to get back on track as they play host to the Lakers on Saturday. The Mavericks (28-25) take on the Warriors in Golden State on Saturday.
The Mavs jumped out to a great start with a, 40-22, lead after one quarter and stayed in control through the second to make it a 27-point game by halftime. The Pelicans came out stronger in the third and managed to trim it down to a 19-point heading into the final frame. The visitors kept up the fight through the fourth and brought it to a three-point game with 10 seconds left, but the Mavs came up clutch at the foul line to seal their second straight win. This marks the 10th consecutive loss for the Pelicans.
Despite leaving the game in the third quarter, Luka Doncic (foot) led the Mavericks with 31 points, eight rebounds, four assists and two steals, in 23 minutes of action. Spencer Dinwiddie followed up with 21 points, three rebounds, four assists, two blocks and a steal, while Josh Green added 15 points, four rebounds and two steals. The Mavs shot 43.5 percent from the field, including 14-of-41 from deep.
Meanwhile, Brandon Ingram led the Pelicans with 26 points, nine rebounds, seven assists and a block, in 36 minutes. CJ McCollum followed up with 19 points, four rebounds, eight assists, a steal and a block, while Jonas Valanciunas totaled 16 points, 13 rebounds and two assists. The Pelicans shot 49.4 percent from the field, including 5-of-21 from long range.
The Pelicans (26-27) will look to get back on track as they play host to the Lakers on Saturday. The Mavericks (28-25) take on the Warriors in Golden State on Saturday.
Nuggets Defeat Warriors, 134-117
The Denver Nuggets defeated the visiting Golden State Warriors, 134-117, at Ball Arena on Thursday.
While there were seven ties and 10 lead changes through the opening 30 minutes, Denver ripped off a 16-0 run at the end of the third quarter to take control of this game. It was actually tied when that run started, and Denver maintained a double-digit lead for the closing 15 minutes after that. They got their lead up to 31 points, thanks to that 35-22 third quarter, The Nuggets shot 57 percent from the field while holding the Warriors below 51 percent. Denver also had 10 steals while winning the turnover battle, 17-11. The Nugs out-assisted the Warriors, 35-25.
The Warriors (26-26) were led by Stephen Curry, collecting 28 points, five rebounds and five assists. Jordan Poole provided 22 points, three rebounds and five assists. Jonathan Kuminga amassed 17 points, seven rebounds and two assists, while Andrew Wiggins accrued nine points, 10 rebounds and two assists. Donte DiVincenzo led the bench with 13 points and two boards.
The Nuggets (36-16) were led by Jamal Murray, finishing with 33 points, five rebounds and eight assists. Nikola Jokic tallied 22 points, 14 rebounds and 16 assists. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope compiled 18 points, three rebounds and two assists, while Vlatko Cancar, Bruce Brown and Michael Porter Jr all scored 17 points apiece.
Both teams return to action on Saturday, with Golden State returning home to play the Dallas Mavericks and Denver staying home to play the Atlanta Hawks.
While there were seven ties and 10 lead changes through the opening 30 minutes, Denver ripped off a 16-0 run at the end of the third quarter to take control of this game. It was actually tied when that run started, and Denver maintained a double-digit lead for the closing 15 minutes after that. They got their lead up to 31 points, thanks to that 35-22 third quarter, The Nuggets shot 57 percent from the field while holding the Warriors below 51 percent. Denver also had 10 steals while winning the turnover battle, 17-11. The Nugs out-assisted the Warriors, 35-25.
The Warriors (26-26) were led by Stephen Curry, collecting 28 points, five rebounds and five assists. Jordan Poole provided 22 points, three rebounds and five assists. Jonathan Kuminga amassed 17 points, seven rebounds and two assists, while Andrew Wiggins accrued nine points, 10 rebounds and two assists. Donte DiVincenzo led the bench with 13 points and two boards.
The Nuggets (36-16) were led by Jamal Murray, finishing with 33 points, five rebounds and eight assists. Nikola Jokic tallied 22 points, 14 rebounds and 16 assists. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope compiled 18 points, three rebounds and two assists, while Vlatko Cancar, Bruce Brown and Michael Porter Jr all scored 17 points apiece.
Both teams return to action on Saturday, with Golden State returning home to play the Dallas Mavericks and Denver staying home to play the Atlanta Hawks.
Bucks Defeat Clippers, 106-105
The Milwaukee Bucks defeated the visiting Los Angeles Clippers, 106-105, at Fiserv Forum on Thursday.
While Los Angeles held the lead for all but a few minutes in this game, Milwaukee prevailed behind a 28-18 fourth quarter. The Bucks actually held the Clippers scoreless for the final 3:52, forcing them to miss their final nine shots. They closed the game on a 7-0 run across those closing four minutes, despite LA leading by 21 points late in the third quarter. Milwaukee shot 43 percent while holding Los Angeles to 41 percent shooting. The Bucks also out-rebounded the Clippers, 64-57, while outscoring them in the paint, 48-36.
The Clippers (29-26) were led by Norman Powell, providing 26 points and two rebounds off the bench. Kawhi Leonard shot just 7-of-26 from the field but finished with 17 points, 11 rebounds, five assists and two blocks. Paul George accrued 16 points, six rebounds, two assists and three steals, while Marcus Morris amassed 16 points, five rebounds, two assists and three steals.
The Bucks (35-17) were led by Giannis Antetokounmpo, tallying 54 points, 19 rebounds and two assists on 21-of-39 from the field. Jrue Holiday had 12 points, four rebounds and eight assists. Pat Connaughton collected eight points and 10 rebounds, while Khris Middleton led the bench with 16 points, seven rebounds and two assists.
Both teams return to action on Saturday, with Milwaukee playing host to the Miami Heat and Los Angeles staying east to play the New York Knicks,
While Los Angeles held the lead for all but a few minutes in this game, Milwaukee prevailed behind a 28-18 fourth quarter. The Bucks actually held the Clippers scoreless for the final 3:52, forcing them to miss their final nine shots. They closed the game on a 7-0 run across those closing four minutes, despite LA leading by 21 points late in the third quarter. Milwaukee shot 43 percent while holding Los Angeles to 41 percent shooting. The Bucks also out-rebounded the Clippers, 64-57, while outscoring them in the paint, 48-36.
The Clippers (29-26) were led by Norman Powell, providing 26 points and two rebounds off the bench. Kawhi Leonard shot just 7-of-26 from the field but finished with 17 points, 11 rebounds, five assists and two blocks. Paul George accrued 16 points, six rebounds, two assists and three steals, while Marcus Morris amassed 16 points, five rebounds, two assists and three steals.
The Bucks (35-17) were led by Giannis Antetokounmpo, tallying 54 points, 19 rebounds and two assists on 21-of-39 from the field. Jrue Holiday had 12 points, four rebounds and eight assists. Pat Connaughton collected eight points and 10 rebounds, while Khris Middleton led the bench with 16 points, seven rebounds and two assists.
Both teams return to action on Saturday, with Milwaukee playing host to the Miami Heat and Los Angeles staying east to play the New York Knicks,