Knicks Mount Comeback To Defeat Magic
The New York Knicks defeated the Orlando Magic, 102-98, at Amway Center on Tuesday.
The Knicks (30-26) had a strong performance Tuesday and escaped with a tight win over the Magic (22-33) after mounting a huge comeback late in the fourth quarter. Orlando looked good in the early going and established the lead in the opening stages, racing out to a 26-22 score, and the team would bolster that advantage even further following a 22-18 score in the second quarter. However, the Knicks showed signs of a potential turnaround with a 26-21 score in the third quarter, and they would pull away for good with a 36-29 score in the fourth quarter, erasing the deficit and pulling out a win out of nowhere. With the win, New York moved to 16-11 on the road while the Magic fell to 13-14 at home.
Jalen Brunson led the way for the Knicks with 25 points and five assists, while Julius Randle had another impressive outing and finished with 22 points, 14 rebounds and six assists. RJ Barrett notched 15 points, three assists and two rebounds. Jericho Sims had eight points, but he also added nine rebounds and two steals. Immanuel Quickley chipped in with 18 points, four assists and three rebounds across 32 minutes off the bench.
Paolo Banchero had 16 points, eight rebounds and five assists for the Magic, but Markelle Fultz was the team’s leading scorer with 21 points while also adding six assists and four rebounds. Franz Wagner ended with 18 points, four assists and two rebounds, and Wendell Carter finished with 13 points, six boards and two dimes. Moritz Wagner had 13 points off the bench.
The Knicks (30-26) had a strong performance Tuesday and escaped with a tight win over the Magic (22-33) after mounting a huge comeback late in the fourth quarter. Orlando looked good in the early going and established the lead in the opening stages, racing out to a 26-22 score, and the team would bolster that advantage even further following a 22-18 score in the second quarter. However, the Knicks showed signs of a potential turnaround with a 26-21 score in the third quarter, and they would pull away for good with a 36-29 score in the fourth quarter, erasing the deficit and pulling out a win out of nowhere. With the win, New York moved to 16-11 on the road while the Magic fell to 13-14 at home.
Jalen Brunson led the way for the Knicks with 25 points and five assists, while Julius Randle had another impressive outing and finished with 22 points, 14 rebounds and six assists. RJ Barrett notched 15 points, three assists and two rebounds. Jericho Sims had eight points, but he also added nine rebounds and two steals. Immanuel Quickley chipped in with 18 points, four assists and three rebounds across 32 minutes off the bench.
Paolo Banchero had 16 points, eight rebounds and five assists for the Magic, but Markelle Fultz was the team’s leading scorer with 21 points while also adding six assists and four rebounds. Franz Wagner ended with 18 points, four assists and two rebounds, and Wendell Carter finished with 13 points, six boards and two dimes. Moritz Wagner had 13 points off the bench.
Pelicans Top Hawks, 116-107
The New Orleans Pelicans defeated the Atlanta Hawks, 116-107, at Smoothie King Center on Tuesday night.
The Pelicans (29-27) came into the contest looking to parlay the returns of Brandon Ingram and Jonas Valanciunas from one-game absences into a third straight win, but it was the Hawks (27-28) that owned a 35-33 lead through one. However, New Orleans fought back to change the dynamic of the contest in the middle quarters, forging a 58-46 advantage over that span to enter the final period with a double-digit edge, which proved to be more than enough for a solid home victory.
Bogdan Bogdanovic led the Hawks with 22 points, adding three rebounds, two assists and one steal. Dejounte Murray furnished 19 points, seven assists, five rebounds and one steal. Trae Young generated a 16-point, 16-assist double-double that included three rebounds and one steal. John Collins registered 15 points, six rebounds, one assist and two blocks. Clint Capela furnished 13 points and eight boards.
Ingram paced the Pelicans with 30 points, complementing them with eight assists, three rebounds and one steal. C.J. McCollum turned in 21 points, seven assists and six rebounds. Valanciunas and Trey Murphy offered matching 16-point efforts, with Valanciunas also pulling down 14 rebounds. Herbert Jones supplied 11 points, nine boards, four assists, three steals and one block.
The Hawks return home to host the Phoenix Suns on Thursday night, while the Pelicans remain home and host the Cleveland Cavaliers on Friday night.
The Pelicans (29-27) came into the contest looking to parlay the returns of Brandon Ingram and Jonas Valanciunas from one-game absences into a third straight win, but it was the Hawks (27-28) that owned a 35-33 lead through one. However, New Orleans fought back to change the dynamic of the contest in the middle quarters, forging a 58-46 advantage over that span to enter the final period with a double-digit edge, which proved to be more than enough for a solid home victory.
Bogdan Bogdanovic led the Hawks with 22 points, adding three rebounds, two assists and one steal. Dejounte Murray furnished 19 points, seven assists, five rebounds and one steal. Trae Young generated a 16-point, 16-assist double-double that included three rebounds and one steal. John Collins registered 15 points, six rebounds, one assist and two blocks. Clint Capela furnished 13 points and eight boards.
Ingram paced the Pelicans with 30 points, complementing them with eight assists, three rebounds and one steal. C.J. McCollum turned in 21 points, seven assists and six rebounds. Valanciunas and Trey Murphy offered matching 16-point efforts, with Valanciunas also pulling down 14 rebounds. Herbert Jones supplied 11 points, nine boards, four assists, three steals and one block.
The Hawks return home to host the Phoenix Suns on Thursday night, while the Pelicans remain home and host the Cleveland Cavaliers on Friday night.
Suns Hold Off Nets In Brooklyn
By Dan Bruno
The Phoenix Suns defeated the visiting Brooklyn Nets, 116-112, at Barclays Center on Tuesday evening.
The game got out to a competitive start as the Nets led, 25-24, after one quarter, but the Suns came out stronger in the second and rallied ahead to a six-point lead by halftime. Both sides brought the offense in the third and poured in 30 points each, as it remained a six-point Suns' advantage heading into the final quarter. The Nets kept up the fight in the fourth and cut it to a one-point game with seven seconds left, but the Suns held on to secure their third straight win.
Deandre Ayton led the Suns with 35 points, 15 rebounds and a steal, in 35 minutes of action. Mikal Bridges followed up with 21 points, eight rebounds, two assists and a steal, while Devin Booker tallied 19 points, four rebounds and six assists. The Suns shot 46.7 percent from the field, including 9-of-31 from long range.
Meanwhile, Cam Thomas led the Nets with 43 points, five rebounds, three assists, a steal and a block, in 39 minutes. Nicolas Claxton followed up with 17 points, 13 rebounds, three assists and three steals, while T.J. Warren added 17 points and two rebounds. The Nets shot 48.1 percent from the field, including 9-of-27 from deep.
The Nets (32-22) will look to bounce back as they play host to the Bulls on Thursday. The Suns (30-26) take on the Hawks in Atlanta on Thursday.
The game got out to a competitive start as the Nets led, 25-24, after one quarter, but the Suns came out stronger in the second and rallied ahead to a six-point lead by halftime. Both sides brought the offense in the third and poured in 30 points each, as it remained a six-point Suns' advantage heading into the final quarter. The Nets kept up the fight in the fourth and cut it to a one-point game with seven seconds left, but the Suns held on to secure their third straight win.
Deandre Ayton led the Suns with 35 points, 15 rebounds and a steal, in 35 minutes of action. Mikal Bridges followed up with 21 points, eight rebounds, two assists and a steal, while Devin Booker tallied 19 points, four rebounds and six assists. The Suns shot 46.7 percent from the field, including 9-of-31 from long range.
Meanwhile, Cam Thomas led the Nets with 43 points, five rebounds, three assists, a steal and a block, in 39 minutes. Nicolas Claxton followed up with 17 points, 13 rebounds, three assists and three steals, while T.J. Warren added 17 points and two rebounds. The Nets shot 48.1 percent from the field, including 9-of-27 from deep.
The Nets (32-22) will look to bounce back as they play host to the Bulls on Thursday. The Suns (30-26) take on the Hawks in Atlanta on Thursday.
Grizzlies Snap Three-Game Losing Streak
By Dan Bruno
The Memphis Grizzlies defeated the visiting Chicago Bulls, 104-89, at FedEx Forum on Tuesday evening.
The Grizzlies jumped out to a great start with a, 26-14, lead after one quarter. The Bulls came out stronger in the second and managed to trim it to a 10-point game by halftime. The visitors carried the momentum into the third and outscored the Grizzlies by 13, to claim a three-point edge heading into the final frame. However, the Grizzlies turned it up in the fourth and outscored the Bulls, 32-14, to close out the home win and snap a three-game slide. It also marks the end of a three-game win streak for the Bulls.
Ja Morant led the Grizzlies with 34 points, six rebounds, seven assists and a steal, in 35 minutes. Jaren Jackson followed up with 24 points, three rebounds, five blocks and two steals, while Desmond Bane added 17 points, six rebounds, five assists, two steals and a block. The Grizzlies shot 48.1 percent from the field, including 11-of-33 from long range.
Meanwhile, Nikola Vucevic led the Bulls with 28 points, 17 rebounds, six assists and three steals, in 37 minutes. Zach LaVine followed up with 24 points, five rebounds and a steal, while Ayo Dosunmu tallied 14 points, four rebounds, six assists and two blocks. The Bulls shot 36.8 percent from the field, including 7-of-35 from deep.
The Bulls (26-28) will look to bounce back as they take on the Nets in Brooklyn on Thursday. The Grizzlies (33-21) play host to the Timberwolves on Friday.
The Grizzlies jumped out to a great start with a, 26-14, lead after one quarter. The Bulls came out stronger in the second and managed to trim it to a 10-point game by halftime. The visitors carried the momentum into the third and outscored the Grizzlies by 13, to claim a three-point edge heading into the final frame. However, the Grizzlies turned it up in the fourth and outscored the Bulls, 32-14, to close out the home win and snap a three-game slide. It also marks the end of a three-game win streak for the Bulls.
Ja Morant led the Grizzlies with 34 points, six rebounds, seven assists and a steal, in 35 minutes. Jaren Jackson followed up with 24 points, three rebounds, five blocks and two steals, while Desmond Bane added 17 points, six rebounds, five assists, two steals and a block. The Grizzlies shot 48.1 percent from the field, including 11-of-33 from long range.
Meanwhile, Nikola Vucevic led the Bulls with 28 points, 17 rebounds, six assists and three steals, in 37 minutes. Zach LaVine followed up with 24 points, five rebounds and a steal, while Ayo Dosunmu tallied 14 points, four rebounds, six assists and two blocks. The Bulls shot 36.8 percent from the field, including 7-of-35 from deep.
The Bulls (26-28) will look to bounce back as they take on the Nets in Brooklyn on Thursday. The Grizzlies (33-21) play host to the Timberwolves on Friday.
Nuggets Defeat T'Wolves, 146-112
The Denver Nuggets defeated the visiting Minnesota Timberwolves, 146-112, at Ball Arena on Tuesday.
While there were six lead changes in the opening five minutes, that was the only time it was close after a 49-19 first quarter in favor of Denver, They actually finished that quarter on a 37-6 run, getting their lead up to 40 points at times in this blowout. They led by at least 30 points for the entirety of the second half. The Nuggets shot 62 percent from the field and 48 percent from three-point range while holding the Timberwolves to 47 percent from the field and 29 percent from long range. Denver also out-assisted Minnesota, 44-24, while outscoring them in the paint, 74-54.
The Timberwolves (29-28) were led by Anthony Edwards, finishing with 19 points, three rebounds and three assists. Luka Garza led the bench with 19 points, nine rebounds and two assists. Naz Reid amassed 11 points and three boards, while Matt Ryan and Josh Minott scored 11 points apiece as well. Rudy Gobert went scoreless in 18 minutes.
The Nuggets (38-17) were led by Michael Porter Jr, providing 30 points and five rebounds on 11-of-15 from the field. Aaron Gordon amassed 24 points, three rebounds, eight assists, four steals and two blocks. Nikola Jokic collected 20 points, 12 rebounds and 16 assists. Vlatko Cancar led the bench with 12 points, six rebounds and three assists.
Minnesota plays the second half of a back-to-back set on Wednesday, traveling to face the Utah Jazz. As for Denver, they travel to play the Orlando Magic on Thursday for their next outing.
While there were six lead changes in the opening five minutes, that was the only time it was close after a 49-19 first quarter in favor of Denver, They actually finished that quarter on a 37-6 run, getting their lead up to 40 points at times in this blowout. They led by at least 30 points for the entirety of the second half. The Nuggets shot 62 percent from the field and 48 percent from three-point range while holding the Timberwolves to 47 percent from the field and 29 percent from long range. Denver also out-assisted Minnesota, 44-24, while outscoring them in the paint, 74-54.
The Timberwolves (29-28) were led by Anthony Edwards, finishing with 19 points, three rebounds and three assists. Luka Garza led the bench with 19 points, nine rebounds and two assists. Naz Reid amassed 11 points and three boards, while Matt Ryan and Josh Minott scored 11 points apiece as well. Rudy Gobert went scoreless in 18 minutes.
The Nuggets (38-17) were led by Michael Porter Jr, providing 30 points and five rebounds on 11-of-15 from the field. Aaron Gordon amassed 24 points, three rebounds, eight assists, four steals and two blocks. Nikola Jokic collected 20 points, 12 rebounds and 16 assists. Vlatko Cancar led the bench with 12 points, six rebounds and three assists.
Minnesota plays the second half of a back-to-back set on Wednesday, traveling to face the Utah Jazz. As for Denver, they travel to play the Orlando Magic on Thursday for their next outing.
Thunder Defeat Lakers, 133-130, but LeBron Breaks Scoring Record
The Oklahoma City Thunder defeated the host Los Angeles Lakers, 133-130, at Crypto.com Arena on Tuesday.
All the talk around this game will be about LeBron James new record, breaking the all-time scoring record held by Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. Oklahoma City was the team to prevail, though, riding a 40-32 second quarter to their win, They never relinquished the lead in the second half after that, despite there being 19 lead changes in the first half. The Thunder shot 50 percent from three-point range (17-of-34) and 90 percent from the free-throw line (18-of-20) while holding the Lakers to 45 percent from long range (14-of-31) and 69 percent from the charity stripe (18-of-26). Oklahoma City also had 32 assists to 12 turnovers, while Los Angeles had 27 assists to 20 turnovers.
The Thunder (26-28) were led by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, finishing with 30 points, two rebounds, eight assists and two steals. Jalen Williams totaled 25 points, seven rebounds, two assists and six steals. Josh Giddey generated 20 points, five rebounds and six assists, while Jaylin Williams amassed 14 points, seven rebounds, seven assists and two steals. Mike Muscala led the bench with 16 points, four rebounds and two assists, while Isaiah Joe provided 15 points, five rebounds and two assists.
The Lakers (25-30) were led by LeBron, collecting 38 points, seven rebounds, three assists and three steals on 13-of-20 from the field. Rui Hachimura generated 14 points and six rebounds, while Anthony Davis accumulated 13 points, eight rebounds, two assists and two steals. Russell Westbrook led the bench with 27 points, four rebounds, eight assists and three steals.
Los Angeles returns to action on Thursday, playing host to the Milwaukee bucks. As for Oklahoma City, they travel to play the Portland Trail Blazers on Friday for their next outing.
All the talk around this game will be about LeBron James new record, breaking the all-time scoring record held by Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. Oklahoma City was the team to prevail, though, riding a 40-32 second quarter to their win, They never relinquished the lead in the second half after that, despite there being 19 lead changes in the first half. The Thunder shot 50 percent from three-point range (17-of-34) and 90 percent from the free-throw line (18-of-20) while holding the Lakers to 45 percent from long range (14-of-31) and 69 percent from the charity stripe (18-of-26). Oklahoma City also had 32 assists to 12 turnovers, while Los Angeles had 27 assists to 20 turnovers.
The Thunder (26-28) were led by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, finishing with 30 points, two rebounds, eight assists and two steals. Jalen Williams totaled 25 points, seven rebounds, two assists and six steals. Josh Giddey generated 20 points, five rebounds and six assists, while Jaylin Williams amassed 14 points, seven rebounds, seven assists and two steals. Mike Muscala led the bench with 16 points, four rebounds and two assists, while Isaiah Joe provided 15 points, five rebounds and two assists.
The Lakers (25-30) were led by LeBron, collecting 38 points, seven rebounds, three assists and three steals on 13-of-20 from the field. Rui Hachimura generated 14 points and six rebounds, while Anthony Davis accumulated 13 points, eight rebounds, two assists and two steals. Russell Westbrook led the bench with 27 points, four rebounds, eight assists and three steals.
Los Angeles returns to action on Thursday, playing host to the Milwaukee bucks. As for Oklahoma City, they travel to play the Portland Trail Blazers on Friday for their next outing.