Bucks Dominate Early To Get Past Bulls
The Milwaukee Bucks defeated the Chicago Bulls, 112-110, at United Center on Thursday.
The Bucks (41-17) enter the All-Star break on a strong run of form, as this win over the Bulls (26-33) marked their 12th straight win, while the Bulls have more than questions than answers following their sixth straight defeat. Milwaukee looked good right from the start and raced out to a 34-24 lead following the first quarter, and they never looked back. The Bucks also won the second quarter by a 27-25 score, so they held a comfortable 12-point lead at the break, and that’d be all they’d need to get the win here. The final two quarters ended tied, but that was a sign that neither team was really into the game, as the Bucks decided the contest in the opening 24 minutes. With the win, Milwaukee moved to 17-12 on the road, while the Bulls fell to 16-13 at home.
Brook Lopez led the way for the Bucks with 33 points, seven rebounds, four blocks and two assists, in a game where Giannis Antetokounmpo only logged nine minutes, though that was enough for him to end with two points, seven rebounds and three assists, and where Khris Middleton didn’t play. Jrue Holiday recorded 15 points, nine assists and six rebounds, while Jevon Carter posted 22 points, six rebounds and six assists. Grayson Allen had 10 points, and AJ Green posted 15 points off the bench.
Nikola Vucevic was the best player for the Bulls since he ended with 22 points and 16 rebounds, while Patrick Williams had 16 points, five boards, two assists and two steals. Zach LaVine ended with 18 points. Dalen Terry had 13 points, seven boards and six assists coming off the bench. No other Chicago player scored in double digits in this contest.
The Bucks (41-17) enter the All-Star break on a strong run of form, as this win over the Bulls (26-33) marked their 12th straight win, while the Bulls have more than questions than answers following their sixth straight defeat. Milwaukee looked good right from the start and raced out to a 34-24 lead following the first quarter, and they never looked back. The Bucks also won the second quarter by a 27-25 score, so they held a comfortable 12-point lead at the break, and that’d be all they’d need to get the win here. The final two quarters ended tied, but that was a sign that neither team was really into the game, as the Bucks decided the contest in the opening 24 minutes. With the win, Milwaukee moved to 17-12 on the road, while the Bulls fell to 16-13 at home.
Brook Lopez led the way for the Bucks with 33 points, seven rebounds, four blocks and two assists, in a game where Giannis Antetokounmpo only logged nine minutes, though that was enough for him to end with two points, seven rebounds and three assists, and where Khris Middleton didn’t play. Jrue Holiday recorded 15 points, nine assists and six rebounds, while Jevon Carter posted 22 points, six rebounds and six assists. Grayson Allen had 10 points, and AJ Green posted 15 points off the bench.
Nikola Vucevic was the best player for the Bulls since he ended with 22 points and 16 rebounds, while Patrick Williams had 16 points, five boards, two assists and two steals. Zach LaVine ended with 18 points. Dalen Terry had 13 points, seven boards and six assists coming off the bench. No other Chicago player scored in double digits in this contest.
Wizards Pull Huge Comeback To Defeat Timberwolves
The Washington Wizards defeated the Minnesota Timberwolves, 114-106, at Target Center on Thursday.
The Wizards (27-30) enter the All-Star break in a good run of form, as this win over the Timberwolves (31-29) was their fourth in their last five contests. It wasn’t easy for Washington, however, as the team had to come from behind to get the win here. The Timberwolves looked dominant in the early going and raced out to a 36-21 lead in the first quarter, perhaps showing that they were also keen to dominate and end the first half of the season with a win. However, they couldn’t keep the momentum going, and the Wizards showed signs of life when they won the second quarter by a 30-23 score. Minnesota restored their double-digit lead and held an 11-point advantage when the third quarter ended with a 28-25 score for the hosts, but the Wizards came out of nowhere to pull out a massive comeback in the final 12 minutes. Washington outscored Minnesota by a 38-19 score in the final quarter and came out of nowhere to get the victory.
Bradley Beal was the star for the Wizards and ended with 35 points, six rebounds, five assists and three steals, while Kyle Kuzma chipped in with 16 points and seven rebounds. Kristaps Porzingis posted 14 points, but he also added six rebounds, two assists, two steals and two blocks. Corey Kispert added 15 points off the bench, while both Deni Avdija and Delon Wright recorded 10-point tallies.
Anthony Edwards led the way for Minnesota with 34 points, five rebounds, three assists and three steals, while Rudy Gobert had a double-double of 17 points and 19 rebounds while also adding three blocks. Kyle Anderson had 18 points, eight assists and five rebounds, and Jalen McDaniels recorded 15 points while also adding eight rebounds.
The Wizards (27-30) enter the All-Star break in a good run of form, as this win over the Timberwolves (31-29) was their fourth in their last five contests. It wasn’t easy for Washington, however, as the team had to come from behind to get the win here. The Timberwolves looked dominant in the early going and raced out to a 36-21 lead in the first quarter, perhaps showing that they were also keen to dominate and end the first half of the season with a win. However, they couldn’t keep the momentum going, and the Wizards showed signs of life when they won the second quarter by a 30-23 score. Minnesota restored their double-digit lead and held an 11-point advantage when the third quarter ended with a 28-25 score for the hosts, but the Wizards came out of nowhere to pull out a massive comeback in the final 12 minutes. Washington outscored Minnesota by a 38-19 score in the final quarter and came out of nowhere to get the victory.
Bradley Beal was the star for the Wizards and ended with 35 points, six rebounds, five assists and three steals, while Kyle Kuzma chipped in with 16 points and seven rebounds. Kristaps Porzingis posted 14 points, but he also added six rebounds, two assists, two steals and two blocks. Corey Kispert added 15 points off the bench, while both Deni Avdija and Delon Wright recorded 10-point tallies.
Anthony Edwards led the way for Minnesota with 34 points, five rebounds, three assists and three steals, while Rudy Gobert had a double-double of 17 points and 19 rebounds while also adding three blocks. Kyle Anderson had 18 points, eight assists and five rebounds, and Jalen McDaniels recorded 15 points while also adding eight rebounds.
Clippers Defeat Suns, 116-107
The Los Angeles Clippers defeated the host Phoenix Suns, 116-107, at Footprint Center on Thursday.
While there were only seven ties and eight lead changes in this game, neither team led by more than 11 points. That was the Clippers in the final minute, who held the lead for all but five minutes. A 37-32 their quarter allowed them to maintain a lead for the entirety of the fourth quarter, with Phoenix never attempting a game-tying shot over the closing 15 minutes. The Clippers shot 25-of-27 from the free-throw line, while the Suns connected on just 12-of-16. LA also outscored Phoenix in points off of turnovers, 26-14.
The Clippers (33-28) were led by Paul George, generating 26 points, six rebounds and five assists. Terance Mann tallied 26 points, four rebounds and three assists on 10-of-12 shooting. Kawhi Leonard had 16 points, nine rebounds and four assists, while Ivica Zubac totaled 13 points and 12 rebounds. Eric Gordon led the bench with 13 points, seven assists and two steals.
The Suns (32-28) were led by Josh Okogie, collecting 24 points, five rebounds and three steals. Devin Booker tallied 19 points, three rebounds and nine assists. Deandre Ayton accrued 18 points and six rebounds, while Chris Paul provided five points, three rebounds, 11 assists and four steals. Terrence Ross led the bench with 16 points, four rebounds and four assists.
Both teams will head into the All-Star break. They're off until February 24, with Phoenix remaining home to play the Oklahoma City Thunder and LA returning home to face the Sacramento Kings.
While there were only seven ties and eight lead changes in this game, neither team led by more than 11 points. That was the Clippers in the final minute, who held the lead for all but five minutes. A 37-32 their quarter allowed them to maintain a lead for the entirety of the fourth quarter, with Phoenix never attempting a game-tying shot over the closing 15 minutes. The Clippers shot 25-of-27 from the free-throw line, while the Suns connected on just 12-of-16. LA also outscored Phoenix in points off of turnovers, 26-14.
The Clippers (33-28) were led by Paul George, generating 26 points, six rebounds and five assists. Terance Mann tallied 26 points, four rebounds and three assists on 10-of-12 shooting. Kawhi Leonard had 16 points, nine rebounds and four assists, while Ivica Zubac totaled 13 points and 12 rebounds. Eric Gordon led the bench with 13 points, seven assists and two steals.
The Suns (32-28) were led by Josh Okogie, collecting 24 points, five rebounds and three steals. Devin Booker tallied 19 points, three rebounds and nine assists. Deandre Ayton accrued 18 points and six rebounds, while Chris Paul provided five points, three rebounds, 11 assists and four steals. Terrence Ross led the bench with 16 points, four rebounds and four assists.
Both teams will head into the All-Star break. They're off until February 24, with Phoenix remaining home to play the Oklahoma City Thunder and LA returning home to face the Sacramento Kings.