Knicks Pull Comeback To Defeat Wizards
The New York Knicks defeated the Washington Wizards, 115-109, at Capital One Arena on Friday.
The Knicks (34-27) had to come from behind in the second half, but they still managed to escape with the win against the Wizards (28-31), something that shouldn’t be surprising given the home/away splits both teams have posted so far this season. The Knicks got off to a sluggish start and Washington took advantage of that, outscoring their rivals by a 38-27 score following the opening 12 minutes, but New York showed signs of life in the second quarter and reduced the deficit following a 33-26 score. The Wizards kept trying to hold on but ultimately lost the lead at the end of the third quarter following a 29-24 score, and Washington simply couldn’t come back to recover the lead the rest of the way. The Knicks won the final quarter by a 26-21 score and that was enough for the Knicks to come away with the victory.
Julius Randle was the best player for the Knicks in this game and finished with 46 points, two rebounds, two assists and two steals, while Mitchell Robinson had an impressive outing after finishing with 10 points and 12 rebounds across 28 minutes. Jalen Brunson posted 13 points, nine assists and four rebounds, and R.J. Barrett notched 14 points and three assists. Immanuel Quickley had a strong game off the bench and posted 16 points while adding three rebounds off the bench.
Kyle Kuzma and Kristaps Porzingis led the way for the Wizards with matching 23-point, three-assist tallies, though Porzingis also added six rebounds and two blocks while Kuzma hauled in five boards. Bradley Beal notched 16 points and eight assists. Monte Morris delivered 12 points, two rebounds and two assists. Delon Wright had 15 points.
The Knicks (34-27) had to come from behind in the second half, but they still managed to escape with the win against the Wizards (28-31), something that shouldn’t be surprising given the home/away splits both teams have posted so far this season. The Knicks got off to a sluggish start and Washington took advantage of that, outscoring their rivals by a 38-27 score following the opening 12 minutes, but New York showed signs of life in the second quarter and reduced the deficit following a 33-26 score. The Wizards kept trying to hold on but ultimately lost the lead at the end of the third quarter following a 29-24 score, and Washington simply couldn’t come back to recover the lead the rest of the way. The Knicks won the final quarter by a 26-21 score and that was enough for the Knicks to come away with the victory.
Julius Randle was the best player for the Knicks in this game and finished with 46 points, two rebounds, two assists and two steals, while Mitchell Robinson had an impressive outing after finishing with 10 points and 12 rebounds across 28 minutes. Jalen Brunson posted 13 points, nine assists and four rebounds, and R.J. Barrett notched 14 points and three assists. Immanuel Quickley had a strong game off the bench and posted 16 points while adding three rebounds off the bench.
Kyle Kuzma and Kristaps Porzingis led the way for the Wizards with matching 23-point, three-assist tallies, though Porzingis also added six rebounds and two blocks while Kuzma hauled in five boards. Bradley Beal notched 16 points and eight assists. Monte Morris delivered 12 points, two rebounds and two assists. Delon Wright had 15 points.
Hawks Dominate To Get Past Cavaliers
The Atlanta Hawks defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers, 136-119, at StateFarm Arena on Friday.
The Hawks (30-30) returned to an even .500 record in their first game following the departure of head coach Nate McMillan, and they delivered a dominant performance to get past the Cavaliers (38-25) while being aided by a strong start. Indeed, Atlanta quick grabbed control of the contest and raced out to a 32-23 lead in the first quarter, making it a double-digit game by the HT break following a 49-34 score in the second quarter. Holding a massive 24-point advantage with only 24 minutes left, it seemed it was only a matter of time before the Hawks would close the game out, and that’s exactly what happened. They won the third quarter by a 27-26 score, and the fourth quarter ended with a 36-28 score for a Cavaliers that simply didn’t have a shot at mounting what would’ve been a massive comeback in the final 12 minutes. With the win, Atlanta moved to 16-12 at home, while the Cavaliers fell to 13-18 on the road.
Trae Young was the best player for the Hawks and finished with 34 points and nine assists, while his backcourt partner, Dejounte Murray, finished with 25 points, nine rebounds, eight assists and a steal. Saddiq Bey finished with 19 points and four rebounds, and Clint Capela recorded 10 points with four rebounds, two assists and three blocks. Onyeka Okongwu had 13 points, 11 rebounds, two assists, two steals and three blocks off the bench.
Darius Garland led the way for the Cavaliers with 33 points, two assists and two steals, while Donovan Mitchell recorded 19 points and three assists while shooting a meager 6-for-17 from the field. Jarrett Allen had 14 points, nine rebounds and two blocks. Evan Mobley recorded 13 points, four boards and two assists. Cedi Osman had 10 points off the bench.
The Hawks (30-30) returned to an even .500 record in their first game following the departure of head coach Nate McMillan, and they delivered a dominant performance to get past the Cavaliers (38-25) while being aided by a strong start. Indeed, Atlanta quick grabbed control of the contest and raced out to a 32-23 lead in the first quarter, making it a double-digit game by the HT break following a 49-34 score in the second quarter. Holding a massive 24-point advantage with only 24 minutes left, it seemed it was only a matter of time before the Hawks would close the game out, and that’s exactly what happened. They won the third quarter by a 27-26 score, and the fourth quarter ended with a 36-28 score for a Cavaliers that simply didn’t have a shot at mounting what would’ve been a massive comeback in the final 12 minutes. With the win, Atlanta moved to 16-12 at home, while the Cavaliers fell to 13-18 on the road.
Trae Young was the best player for the Hawks and finished with 34 points and nine assists, while his backcourt partner, Dejounte Murray, finished with 25 points, nine rebounds, eight assists and a steal. Saddiq Bey finished with 19 points and four rebounds, and Clint Capela recorded 10 points with four rebounds, two assists and three blocks. Onyeka Okongwu had 13 points, 11 rebounds, two assists, two steals and three blocks off the bench.
Darius Garland led the way for the Cavaliers with 33 points, two assists and two steals, while Donovan Mitchell recorded 19 points and three assists while shooting a meager 6-for-17 from the field. Jarrett Allen had 14 points, nine rebounds and two blocks. Evan Mobley recorded 13 points, four boards and two assists. Cedi Osman had 10 points off the bench.
Bucks Defeat Heat, 128-99
The Milwaukee Bucks defeated the visiting Miami Heat, 128-99, at Fiserv Forum on Friday.
Milwaukee won all four individual quarters in this game, riding a 42-32 first quarter to their easy win. They led by 17 points at halftime and maintained a double-digit lead for the entirety of the second half. They also got their lead up to 35 points at times, thanks to a 33-25 fourth quarter. The Bucks shot 48 percent from the field and 41 percent from three-point range while holding the Heat to 39 percent from the field and 23 percent from long range. Milwaukee also out-rebounded Miami, 65-53, while out-assisting them, 27-21.
The Heat (32-28) were led by Jimmy Butler, collecting 23 points and two rebounds on 8-of-10 shooting. Bam Adebayo accrued 18 points and seven rebounds. Tyler Herro had 14 points and five boards, while Caleb Martin led the bench with 17 points, five rebounds and three blocks. The five starters combined for just eight assists.
The Bucks (42-17) were led by Jrue Holiday, finishing with 24 points, five rebounds and seven assists. Brook Lopez totaled 17 points and seven rebounds. Grayson Allen generated 16 points and three assists, while Bobby Portis led the bench with 18 points and 11 boards. Giannis Antetokounmpo departed in the first quarter due to a knee issue and never returned.
Miami has to play the second half of a back-to-back set on Saturday, traveling to face the Charlotte Hornets. As for Milwaukee, they return to action on Sunday in a home matchup with the Phoenix Suns.
Milwaukee won all four individual quarters in this game, riding a 42-32 first quarter to their easy win. They led by 17 points at halftime and maintained a double-digit lead for the entirety of the second half. They also got their lead up to 35 points at times, thanks to a 33-25 fourth quarter. The Bucks shot 48 percent from the field and 41 percent from three-point range while holding the Heat to 39 percent from the field and 23 percent from long range. Milwaukee also out-rebounded Miami, 65-53, while out-assisting them, 27-21.
The Heat (32-28) were led by Jimmy Butler, collecting 23 points and two rebounds on 8-of-10 shooting. Bam Adebayo accrued 18 points and seven rebounds. Tyler Herro had 14 points and five boards, while Caleb Martin led the bench with 17 points, five rebounds and three blocks. The five starters combined for just eight assists.
The Bucks (42-17) were led by Jrue Holiday, finishing with 24 points, five rebounds and seven assists. Brook Lopez totaled 17 points and seven rebounds. Grayson Allen generated 16 points and three assists, while Bobby Portis led the bench with 18 points and 11 boards. Giannis Antetokounmpo departed in the first quarter due to a knee issue and never returned.
Miami has to play the second half of a back-to-back set on Saturday, traveling to face the Charlotte Hornets. As for Milwaukee, they return to action on Sunday in a home matchup with the Phoenix Suns.
Bulls Blowout Nets In Chicago
By Dan Bruno
The Chicago Bulls defeated the visiting Brooklyn Nets, 131-87, at United Center on Friday evening.
The Bulls jumped out to a great start with a, 33-18, lead after one quarter. The hosts doubled down in the second and rallied to a 34-point lead at the break. The visitors had no answers in the third and saw the deficit grow to 46, heading into the final frame. The Nets gave a better effort in the final quarter but it was not nearly enough, as the Bulls cruised to the blowout win, ending a six-game slide.
Zach LaVine led the Bulls with 32 points, six rebounds and two assists, in 28 minutes of action. DeMar DeRozan tallied 17 points, four rebounds, four assists, a steal and a block, while Patrick Williams finished with 17 points, six rebounds, three assists and two steals. The Bulls shot 56 percent from the field, including 12-of-26 from deep.
Meanwhile, Cam Thomas led the Nets with 22 points on 6-of-15 shooting. Seth Curry followed up with 19 points, two rebounds and three assists, while Mikal Bridges tallied 13 points, six rebounds and two assists. The Nets shot 37 percent from the field, including 12-of-44 from long range.
The Nets (34-25) will look to bounce back as they take on the Hawks in Atlanta on Sunday. The Bulls (27-33) play host to the Wizards on Sunday.
The Bulls jumped out to a great start with a, 33-18, lead after one quarter. The hosts doubled down in the second and rallied to a 34-point lead at the break. The visitors had no answers in the third and saw the deficit grow to 46, heading into the final frame. The Nets gave a better effort in the final quarter but it was not nearly enough, as the Bulls cruised to the blowout win, ending a six-game slide.
Zach LaVine led the Bulls with 32 points, six rebounds and two assists, in 28 minutes of action. DeMar DeRozan tallied 17 points, four rebounds, four assists, a steal and a block, while Patrick Williams finished with 17 points, six rebounds, three assists and two steals. The Bulls shot 56 percent from the field, including 12-of-26 from deep.
Meanwhile, Cam Thomas led the Nets with 22 points on 6-of-15 shooting. Seth Curry followed up with 19 points, two rebounds and three assists, while Mikal Bridges tallied 13 points, six rebounds and two assists. The Nets shot 37 percent from the field, including 12-of-44 from long range.
The Nets (34-25) will look to bounce back as they take on the Hawks in Atlanta on Sunday. The Bulls (27-33) play host to the Wizards on Sunday.
Hornets Defeat T'Wolves, 121-113
The Charlotte Hornets defeated the host Minnesota Timberwolves, 121-113, at Target Center on Friday.
While Charlotte held the lead for most of this game, there were nine ties and 20 lead changes in total. Neither team ever led by more than 11 points, though, with the Hornets closing the game on a 14-4 run over the final 3:35 to prevail. Charlotte shot 25-of-28 from the free-throw line while Minnesota connected on just 10-of-16. The Hornets also outscored the Timberwolves in fastbreak points, 15-8. That can be attributed to them winning the turnover battle, 15-11, recording 10 steals to Minnesota's six.
The Hornets (18-43) were led by LaMelo Ball, collecting 32 points, 10 rebounds, eight assists and two steals. Gordon Hayward had 27 points, 13 rebounds, five assists and two steals. PJ Washington amassed 20 points and eight rebounds, while Terry Rozier totaled nine points, three rebounds, five assists and two steals.
The Timberwolves (31-31) were led by Anthony Edwards, collecting 29 points, eight rebounds, five assists, two steals and two blocks. Rudy Gobert totaled 17 points, 10 rebounds and three blocks. Mike Conley compiled 15 points, two rebounds and three assists, while Naz Reid led the bench with 16 points, eight rebounds, two assists and two blocks.
Charlotte has to play the second half of a back-to-back set on Saturday, returning home to play the Miami Heat. As for Minnesota, they return to action on Sunday in a road matchup with the Golden State Warriors.
While Charlotte held the lead for most of this game, there were nine ties and 20 lead changes in total. Neither team ever led by more than 11 points, though, with the Hornets closing the game on a 14-4 run over the final 3:35 to prevail. Charlotte shot 25-of-28 from the free-throw line while Minnesota connected on just 10-of-16. The Hornets also outscored the Timberwolves in fastbreak points, 15-8. That can be attributed to them winning the turnover battle, 15-11, recording 10 steals to Minnesota's six.
The Hornets (18-43) were led by LaMelo Ball, collecting 32 points, 10 rebounds, eight assists and two steals. Gordon Hayward had 27 points, 13 rebounds, five assists and two steals. PJ Washington amassed 20 points and eight rebounds, while Terry Rozier totaled nine points, three rebounds, five assists and two steals.
The Timberwolves (31-31) were led by Anthony Edwards, collecting 29 points, eight rebounds, five assists, two steals and two blocks. Rudy Gobert totaled 17 points, 10 rebounds and three blocks. Mike Conley compiled 15 points, two rebounds and three assists, while Naz Reid led the bench with 16 points, eight rebounds, two assists and two blocks.
Charlotte has to play the second half of a back-to-back set on Saturday, returning home to play the Miami Heat. As for Minnesota, they return to action on Sunday in a road matchup with the Golden State Warriors.
Warriors Top Rockets, 116-101
The Golden State Warriors defeated the Houston Rockets, 116-101, at Chase Center on Friday night.
The Rockets (13-46) have frequently given quality teams trouble this season, so the fact they played the inconsistent Warriors (30-30) to a 26-26 tie through the first 12 minutes wasn't necessarily surprising. However, Golden State's talent came to the forefront in the second, when it forged a 40-23 advantage to take a 17-point lead into halftime. Houston did manage to put an eight-point dent into its deficit in the third, but Golden State's 30-point haul in the final 12 minutes sealed the victory.
Kenyon Martin Jr. led the Rockets with 22 points, complementing them with eight rebounds, two assists, two blocks and one steal. TyTy Washington furnished 15 points, four assists, two rebounds and two steals. Jae'Sean Tate supplied 14 points, four assists, three rebounds and three steals. Jabari Smith and Josh Christopher generated matching 13-point tallies, with Smith adding nine rebounds.
Klay Thompson paced the Warriors with 42 points, adding seven rebounds and one assist. Donte DiVincenzo and Jordan Poole turned in matching 15-point efforts while adding four and eight assists, respectively.
The Rockets remain on the road and visit the Portland Trail Blazers on Sunday night, while the Warriors remain home and host the Minnesota Timberwolves on Sunday night as well.
The Rockets (13-46) have frequently given quality teams trouble this season, so the fact they played the inconsistent Warriors (30-30) to a 26-26 tie through the first 12 minutes wasn't necessarily surprising. However, Golden State's talent came to the forefront in the second, when it forged a 40-23 advantage to take a 17-point lead into halftime. Houston did manage to put an eight-point dent into its deficit in the third, but Golden State's 30-point haul in the final 12 minutes sealed the victory.
Kenyon Martin Jr. led the Rockets with 22 points, complementing them with eight rebounds, two assists, two blocks and one steal. TyTy Washington furnished 15 points, four assists, two rebounds and two steals. Jae'Sean Tate supplied 14 points, four assists, three rebounds and three steals. Jabari Smith and Josh Christopher generated matching 13-point tallies, with Smith adding nine rebounds.
Klay Thompson paced the Warriors with 42 points, adding seven rebounds and one assist. Donte DiVincenzo and Jordan Poole turned in matching 15-point efforts while adding four and eight assists, respectively.
The Rockets remain on the road and visit the Portland Trail Blazers on Sunday night, while the Warriors remain home and host the Minnesota Timberwolves on Sunday night as well.
Suns Close Out Thunder In Phoenix
By Dan Bruno
The Phoenix Suns defeated the visiting Oklahoma City Thunder, 124-115, at Footprint Center on Friday evening.
The game got out to a tight start as the Thunder led, 30-29, after one quarter. The hosts picked up the pace in the second and pushed ahead to a five-point lead by halftime. The score stayed tight through the third, but the hosts kept the upper hand for most of the quarter and increased their lead to seven points heading into the final frame. The Thunder could not find their way back in the fourth, as the Suns held on for the home win.
Devin Booker led the Suns with 25 points, six rebounds and eight assists, in 36 minutes of action. Chris Paul followed up with 16 points, two rebounds and six assists, while Deandre Ayton totaled 14 points, 11 rebounds, two blocks and a steal. The Suns shot 46.7 percent from the field, including 14-of-38 from long range.
Meanwhile, Isaiah Joe led the Thunder with 28 points and seven rebounds, in 36 minutes. Jalen Williams followed up with 22 points, six rebounds, four assists and a steal, while Luguentz Dort totaled 17 points, 10 rebounds, a steal and a block. The Thunder shot 43.6 percent from the field, including 15-of-37 from deep.
The Thunder (28-31) will look to bounce back as they play host to the Kings on Sunday. The Suns (33-28) take on the Bucks in Milwaukee on Sunday.
The game got out to a tight start as the Thunder led, 30-29, after one quarter. The hosts picked up the pace in the second and pushed ahead to a five-point lead by halftime. The score stayed tight through the third, but the hosts kept the upper hand for most of the quarter and increased their lead to seven points heading into the final frame. The Thunder could not find their way back in the fourth, as the Suns held on for the home win.
Devin Booker led the Suns with 25 points, six rebounds and eight assists, in 36 minutes of action. Chris Paul followed up with 16 points, two rebounds and six assists, while Deandre Ayton totaled 14 points, 11 rebounds, two blocks and a steal. The Suns shot 46.7 percent from the field, including 14-of-38 from long range.
Meanwhile, Isaiah Joe led the Thunder with 28 points and seven rebounds, in 36 minutes. Jalen Williams followed up with 22 points, six rebounds, four assists and a steal, while Luguentz Dort totaled 17 points, 10 rebounds, a steal and a block. The Thunder shot 43.6 percent from the field, including 15-of-37 from deep.
The Thunder (28-31) will look to bounce back as they play host to the Kings on Sunday. The Suns (33-28) take on the Bucks in Milwaukee on Sunday.
Kings Get By Clippers in Double OT, 176-175
The Sacramento Kings defeated the Los Angeles Clippers, 176-175, in double overtime at Crypto.com Arena on Friday night.
What would turn out to be the second-highest scoring NBA game ever started off with an opening period that ended in a 40-40 tie. The Clippers (33-29) were able to pull ahead by seven points going into the final period after outscoring the Kings (34-25) by a 77-70 margin in the middle quarters, but Sacramento sent the game into overtime with a 25-foot three-point jumper from Malik Monk with two seconds remaining. Monk did it again to close out the first extra period via a pair of game-tying free throws, and De'Aaron Fox ultimately sealed the victory with a 19-foot pullup jumper with 36.1 seconds remaining in the second overtime.
Monk paced the Kings with 45 points, supplementing them with six assists and two rebounds. Fox contributed a 42-point, 12-assist double-double that included five rebounds and five steals. Domantas Sabonis furnished 20 points, 10 rebounds, four assists, one steal and one block. Keegan Murray registered 15 points, three boards, two assists, two steals and one block. Harrison Barnes and Kevin Huerter generated matching 11-point, two-steal efforts while hauling in six and four rebounds, respectively.
Kawhi Leonard led the Clippers with 44 points, adding four rebounds, four assists, three steals and two blocks. Paul George turned in 34 points, 10 rebounds, five assists, one steal and one block. Norman Powell delivered 24 points and three assists. Nicolas Batum posted 19 points, eight rebounds, two assists and one steal. Russell Westbrook offered a 17-point, 14-assist double-double that included five rebounds and one steal. Mason Plumlee and Terance Mann offered 10 points and four assists each, with Plumlee also pulling down 10 rebounds.
The Kings remain on the road and visit the Oklahoma City Thunder on Sunday night, while the Clippers visit the Denver Nuggets on Sunday night as well.
What would turn out to be the second-highest scoring NBA game ever started off with an opening period that ended in a 40-40 tie. The Clippers (33-29) were able to pull ahead by seven points going into the final period after outscoring the Kings (34-25) by a 77-70 margin in the middle quarters, but Sacramento sent the game into overtime with a 25-foot three-point jumper from Malik Monk with two seconds remaining. Monk did it again to close out the first extra period via a pair of game-tying free throws, and De'Aaron Fox ultimately sealed the victory with a 19-foot pullup jumper with 36.1 seconds remaining in the second overtime.
Monk paced the Kings with 45 points, supplementing them with six assists and two rebounds. Fox contributed a 42-point, 12-assist double-double that included five rebounds and five steals. Domantas Sabonis furnished 20 points, 10 rebounds, four assists, one steal and one block. Keegan Murray registered 15 points, three boards, two assists, two steals and one block. Harrison Barnes and Kevin Huerter generated matching 11-point, two-steal efforts while hauling in six and four rebounds, respectively.
Kawhi Leonard led the Clippers with 44 points, adding four rebounds, four assists, three steals and two blocks. Paul George turned in 34 points, 10 rebounds, five assists, one steal and one block. Norman Powell delivered 24 points and three assists. Nicolas Batum posted 19 points, eight rebounds, two assists and one steal. Russell Westbrook offered a 17-point, 14-assist double-double that included five rebounds and one steal. Mason Plumlee and Terance Mann offered 10 points and four assists each, with Plumlee also pulling down 10 rebounds.
The Kings remain on the road and visit the Oklahoma City Thunder on Sunday night, while the Clippers visit the Denver Nuggets on Sunday night as well.