Raptors Top Pistons In Early Saturday Action
The Toronto Raptors defeated the Detroit Pistons, 95-91, at Little Caesars Arena on Saturday afternoon.
The Raptors (30-31) keep getting closer to the .500 record and posted a strong performance here against the Pistons (15-46), pulling away in the second half and ultimately securing the victory after the first half was extremely tight. Indeed, the first two quarters of this low-scoring game ended 22-22, but the Raptors started pulling away in the third quarter following a 27-26 score, although everything was up for grabs in the final quarter. That’s when the Raptors played best, and the Pistons could not control their rivals, as Toronto raced out to a 24-21 lead and ended up closing things out by a slim four-point margin. With the win, Toronto moved to 11-18 on the road, while the Pistons fell to 8-22 at home.
Pascal Siakam led the way for the Raptors with 29 points, eight rebounds, five assists, three steals and two blocks, and Scottie Barnes finished with 12 points, seven rebounds and four assists. Gary Trent Jr. had 19 points and four assists, and no other starter scored in double digits for Toronto. Jakob Poeltl had nine points, but he also delivered 14 rebounds, four assists and two steals. Precious Achiuwa chipped in with 10 points, six rebounds and three assists off the bench.
Marvin Bagley III led the way for the Pistons with 21 points and 18 rebounds off the bench. Bojan Bodganovic notched 11 points and nine rebounds, while James Wiseman delivered a 10-point, 10-rebound double-double. Jaden Ivey ended with 10 points and 10 assists, while Hamidou Diallo and Isaiah Livers posted matching 11-point tallies.
The Raptors (30-31) keep getting closer to the .500 record and posted a strong performance here against the Pistons (15-46), pulling away in the second half and ultimately securing the victory after the first half was extremely tight. Indeed, the first two quarters of this low-scoring game ended 22-22, but the Raptors started pulling away in the third quarter following a 27-26 score, although everything was up for grabs in the final quarter. That’s when the Raptors played best, and the Pistons could not control their rivals, as Toronto raced out to a 24-21 lead and ended up closing things out by a slim four-point margin. With the win, Toronto moved to 11-18 on the road, while the Pistons fell to 8-22 at home.
Pascal Siakam led the way for the Raptors with 29 points, eight rebounds, five assists, three steals and two blocks, and Scottie Barnes finished with 12 points, seven rebounds and four assists. Gary Trent Jr. had 19 points and four assists, and no other starter scored in double digits for Toronto. Jakob Poeltl had nine points, but he also delivered 14 rebounds, four assists and two steals. Precious Achiuwa chipped in with 10 points, six rebounds and three assists off the bench.
Marvin Bagley III led the way for the Pistons with 21 points and 18 rebounds off the bench. Bojan Bodganovic notched 11 points and nine rebounds, while James Wiseman delivered a 10-point, 10-rebound double-double. Jaden Ivey ended with 10 points and 10 assists, while Hamidou Diallo and Isaiah Livers posted matching 11-point tallies.
Pacers Mount Comeback To Defeat Magic
The Indiana Pacers defeated the Orlando Magic, 121-108, at Amway Center on Saturday.
The Pacers (27-35) enjoyed a decent start against the Magic (25-36), and even though Orlando managed to turn things around at some point, ultimately, the Pacers tweaked things down the stretch and pulled away for good in the fourth quarter to escape with the victory. Indiana looked good in the early going and grabbed the lead following the first quarter, but Orlando flipped the script immediately and grabbed a one-point advantage heading into the halftime break. However, the Pacers played the second half with a different sense of energy, and they outscored the Magic by a 31-22 score, pulling away for good and closing things out with a 39-34 score in the fourth. Indiana moved to 9-20 on the road with the win, while the Magic fell to 15-16 at home.
Myles Turner had 24 points and eight rebounds to lead the Pacers in the win, while Tyrese Haliburton chipped in with a double-double after recording 15 points and 14 assists. Buddy Hield had nine points, four rebounds, three steals and two assists, and Andrew Nembhard delivered 13 points, three assists, two rebounds and a steal. Jordan Nwora thrived off the bench with 18 points, eight rebounds and five assists, and Bennedict Mathurin notched 19 points.
Franz Wagner led the way for the Magic with 21 points, six rebounds and two assists, while Paolo Banchero recorded 19 points and six rebounds. Markelle Fultz notched 18 points, five rebounds and three assists. Jalen Suggs chipped in with 14 points, five boards and two blocks while coming off the bench. No other Orlando player scored in double digits.
The Pacers (27-35) enjoyed a decent start against the Magic (25-36), and even though Orlando managed to turn things around at some point, ultimately, the Pacers tweaked things down the stretch and pulled away for good in the fourth quarter to escape with the victory. Indiana looked good in the early going and grabbed the lead following the first quarter, but Orlando flipped the script immediately and grabbed a one-point advantage heading into the halftime break. However, the Pacers played the second half with a different sense of energy, and they outscored the Magic by a 31-22 score, pulling away for good and closing things out with a 39-34 score in the fourth. Indiana moved to 9-20 on the road with the win, while the Magic fell to 15-16 at home.
Myles Turner had 24 points and eight rebounds to lead the Pacers in the win, while Tyrese Haliburton chipped in with a double-double after recording 15 points and 14 assists. Buddy Hield had nine points, four rebounds, three steals and two assists, and Andrew Nembhard delivered 13 points, three assists, two rebounds and a steal. Jordan Nwora thrived off the bench with 18 points, eight rebounds and five assists, and Bennedict Mathurin notched 19 points.
Franz Wagner led the way for the Magic with 21 points, six rebounds and two assists, while Paolo Banchero recorded 19 points and six rebounds. Markelle Fultz notched 18 points, five rebounds and three assists. Jalen Suggs chipped in with 14 points, five boards and two blocks while coming off the bench. No other Orlando player scored in double digits.
Hornets Get By Heat, 108-103
The Charlotte Hornets defeated the Miami Heat, 108-103, at Spectrum Center on Saturday night.
The Hornets (19-43) came into the game with a three-game winning streak in tow, and they looked right on target to extend that stretch early Saturday by forging a 29-16 lead through one quarter. The Heat (32-29) came to life in the second quarter, however, knocking 10 points from their deficit during the period with a 35-point haul. However, Charlotte ensured there wouldn't be a continuation of that comeback in the third by adding seven points to its advantage in the third, and while Miami got within one as late as the 2:06 mark of the fourth quarter, the hosts sealed the victory with a pair of Mark Williams buckets.
Tyler Herro led the Heat with 33 points, adding seven rebounds, five assists, one steal and one block. Jimmy Butler furnished 28 points, six assists, three rebounds and one steal. Bam Adebayo totaled 14 points, six boards, four assists and two steals. Kevin Love generated a 13-point, 13-rebound double-double that included two assists and one block.
Gordon Hayward paced the Hornets with 23 points, complementing them with three rebounds, two assists and one steal. LaMelo Ball posted a 19-point, 13-assist double-double that included seven rebounds. Williams finished with an 18-point, 20-rebound double-double that included one steal and one block. Kelly Oubre and Dennis Smith compiled matching 15-point efforts, with Oubre also turning eight rebounds and Smith recording three steals. Terry Rozier registered 14 points, two assists and two steals.
The Heat remains on the road and visits the Philadelphia 76ers on Monday night, while the Hornets remain home and host the Detroit Pistons on Monday night as well.
The Hornets (19-43) came into the game with a three-game winning streak in tow, and they looked right on target to extend that stretch early Saturday by forging a 29-16 lead through one quarter. The Heat (32-29) came to life in the second quarter, however, knocking 10 points from their deficit during the period with a 35-point haul. However, Charlotte ensured there wouldn't be a continuation of that comeback in the third by adding seven points to its advantage in the third, and while Miami got within one as late as the 2:06 mark of the fourth quarter, the hosts sealed the victory with a pair of Mark Williams buckets.
Tyler Herro led the Heat with 33 points, adding seven rebounds, five assists, one steal and one block. Jimmy Butler furnished 28 points, six assists, three rebounds and one steal. Bam Adebayo totaled 14 points, six boards, four assists and two steals. Kevin Love generated a 13-point, 13-rebound double-double that included two assists and one block.
Gordon Hayward paced the Hornets with 23 points, complementing them with three rebounds, two assists and one steal. LaMelo Ball posted a 19-point, 13-assist double-double that included seven rebounds. Williams finished with an 18-point, 20-rebound double-double that included one steal and one block. Kelly Oubre and Dennis Smith compiled matching 15-point efforts, with Oubre also turning eight rebounds and Smith recording three steals. Terry Rozier registered 14 points, two assists and two steals.
The Heat remains on the road and visits the Philadelphia 76ers on Monday night, while the Hornets remain home and host the Detroit Pistons on Monday night as well.
Knicks Blast Pelicans, 128-106
The New York Knicks defeated the New Orleans Pelicans, 128-106, at Madison Square Garden on Saturday night.
The Knicks (35-27) came into the night looking to build on a win over the Washington Wizards in their first post-All-Star-break contest, and they got off to an excellent start in that regard by building a 42-26 lead through the first 12 minutes and then extending their advantage to 21 by halftime. The Pelicans (30-31) only chipped one point from their deficit in the third, setting the stage for a comfortable home win for New York.
Brandon Ingram led the Pelicans with 19 points, supplementing them with four rebounds and three assists. Josh Richardson supplied 16 points, four assists, two rebounds and four steals. C.J. McCollum turned in 13 points, four assists and two rebounds. Jonas Valanciunas posted a 12-point, 10-rebound double-double that included two assists. Trey Murphy netted 11 points.
Julius Randle paced the Knicks with 28 points, supplementing them with seven rebounds and five assists. R.J. Barrett contributed 25 points, seven assists and four rebounds. Jalen Brunson supplied 20 points, five assists and two rebounds. Josh Hart managed 15 points, five boards, two assists and two blocks. Immanuel Quickley netted 13 points, seven rebounds, two assists, two blocks and one steal. Mitchell Robinson generated an 11-point, 13-rebound double-double that included one block.
The Pelicans return home to host the Orlando Magic on Monday night, while the Knicks remain home and host the Boston Celtics on Monday night.
The Knicks (35-27) came into the night looking to build on a win over the Washington Wizards in their first post-All-Star-break contest, and they got off to an excellent start in that regard by building a 42-26 lead through the first 12 minutes and then extending their advantage to 21 by halftime. The Pelicans (30-31) only chipped one point from their deficit in the third, setting the stage for a comfortable home win for New York.
Brandon Ingram led the Pelicans with 19 points, supplementing them with four rebounds and three assists. Josh Richardson supplied 16 points, four assists, two rebounds and four steals. C.J. McCollum turned in 13 points, four assists and two rebounds. Jonas Valanciunas posted a 12-point, 10-rebound double-double that included two assists. Trey Murphy netted 11 points.
Julius Randle paced the Knicks with 28 points, supplementing them with seven rebounds and five assists. R.J. Barrett contributed 25 points, seven assists and four rebounds. Jalen Brunson supplied 20 points, five assists and two rebounds. Josh Hart managed 15 points, five boards, two assists and two blocks. Immanuel Quickley netted 13 points, seven rebounds, two assists, two blocks and one steal. Mitchell Robinson generated an 11-point, 13-rebound double-double that included one block.
The Pelicans return home to host the Orlando Magic on Monday night, while the Knicks remain home and host the Boston Celtics on Monday night.
Grizzlies Roll Past Nuggets In Memphis
By Dan Bruno
The Memphis Grizzlies defeated the visiting Denver Nuggets, 112-94, at FedEx Forum on Saturday evening.
The Grizzlies got out to a strong start at home and led, 28-20, after one quarter. The Nuggets could not get their footing and were outscored by 16 points in the second, as the hosts rallied to a 24-point lead by halftime. The Grizzlies stayed in control through the third and added another eight points to their advantage, making it a 32-point deficit heading into the fourth, which was enough for them to cruise to the home win.
Ja Morant led the Grizzlies with 23 points, seven rebounds, four assists and a steal, in 24 minutes. Tyus Jones followed up with 17 points, two rebounds and five assists, while Xavier Tillman tallied 12 points, seven rebounds, four assists and a block. The Grizzlies shot 47.4 percent from the field, including 15-of-44 from long range.
Meanwhile, Nikola Jokic led the Nuggets with 15 points, 13 rebounds and three assists, in 27 minutes. Jeff Green followed up with 12 points, four rebounds and a block, while Christian Braun added 11 points, four rebounds and two assists. The Nuggets shot 40.4 percent from the field, including 11-of-37 from deep.
The Nuggets (42-19) will look to bounce back as they play host to the Clippers on Sunday. The Grizzlies (36-23) play host to the Lakers on Tuesday.
The Grizzlies got out to a strong start at home and led, 28-20, after one quarter. The Nuggets could not get their footing and were outscored by 16 points in the second, as the hosts rallied to a 24-point lead by halftime. The Grizzlies stayed in control through the third and added another eight points to their advantage, making it a 32-point deficit heading into the fourth, which was enough for them to cruise to the home win.
Ja Morant led the Grizzlies with 23 points, seven rebounds, four assists and a steal, in 24 minutes. Tyus Jones followed up with 17 points, two rebounds and five assists, while Xavier Tillman tallied 12 points, seven rebounds, four assists and a block. The Grizzlies shot 47.4 percent from the field, including 15-of-44 from long range.
Meanwhile, Nikola Jokic led the Nuggets with 15 points, 13 rebounds and three assists, in 27 minutes. Jeff Green followed up with 12 points, four rebounds and a block, while Christian Braun added 11 points, four rebounds and two assists. The Nuggets shot 40.4 percent from the field, including 11-of-37 from deep.
The Nuggets (42-19) will look to bounce back as they play host to the Clippers on Sunday. The Grizzlies (36-23) play host to the Lakers on Tuesday.
Celtics Edge Sixers In Hard-Fought Win
By Dan Bruno
The Boston Celtics defeated the host Philadelphia 76ers, 110-107, at Wells Fargo Center on Saturday evening.
The game got out to a tight start as the Sixers led, 30-28, after one quarter. The Celtics pulled ahead early in the second, but the host reclaimed control with a six-point lead at the break. The Sixers stayed on top for most of the third, but the Celtics rallied to take a two-point lead heading into the final frame. The score stayed close through the fourth and was tied at 107, with 10 seconds left, but Jayson Tatum came up with a clutch three-pointer to put the Celtics in front and secure their third straight win.
Jaylen Brown led the Celtics with 26 points, four rebounds, three assists and three steals, in 37 minutes. Jayson Tatum followed up with 18 points, 13 rebounds, six assists and a block, while Derrick White also tallied 18 points on 7-of-9 shooting off the bench. The Celtics shot 50 percent from the field, including 16-of-37 from long range.
Meanwhile, Joel Embiid led the 76ers with 41 points, 12 rebounds, five assists and three blocks, in 40 minutes. James Harden followed up with 21 points, six rebounds, eight assists and three steals, while Tobias Harris tallied 19 points on 8-of-12 shooting. The Sixers shot 44.9 percent from the field, including 9-of-26 from deep.
The 76ers (39-20) will look to bounce back as they play host to the Heat on Monday. The Celtics (44-17) take on the Knicks in New York on Monday.
The game got out to a tight start as the Sixers led, 30-28, after one quarter. The Celtics pulled ahead early in the second, but the host reclaimed control with a six-point lead at the break. The Sixers stayed on top for most of the third, but the Celtics rallied to take a two-point lead heading into the final frame. The score stayed close through the fourth and was tied at 107, with 10 seconds left, but Jayson Tatum came up with a clutch three-pointer to put the Celtics in front and secure their third straight win.
Jaylen Brown led the Celtics with 26 points, four rebounds, three assists and three steals, in 37 minutes. Jayson Tatum followed up with 18 points, 13 rebounds, six assists and a block, while Derrick White also tallied 18 points on 7-of-9 shooting off the bench. The Celtics shot 50 percent from the field, including 16-of-37 from long range.
Meanwhile, Joel Embiid led the 76ers with 41 points, 12 rebounds, five assists and three blocks, in 40 minutes. James Harden followed up with 21 points, six rebounds, eight assists and three steals, while Tobias Harris tallied 19 points on 8-of-12 shooting. The Sixers shot 44.9 percent from the field, including 9-of-26 from deep.
The 76ers (39-20) will look to bounce back as they play host to the Heat on Monday. The Celtics (44-17) take on the Knicks in New York on Monday.
Jazz Defeat Spurs, 118-102
The Utah Jazz defeated the visiting San Antonio Spurs, 118-102, at Vivint Arena on Saturday.
While San Antonio held the lead for the opening 30 minutes of this game, Utah rode a 30-14 third quarter to their comeback win. They capped things off with a 33-23 fourth quarter, turning a 14-point deficit into a 16-point win. The Jazz shot 47 percent from the field and 36 percent from three-point range while holding the Spurs to 39 percent from the field and 27 percent from long range. Utah also out-rebounded San Antonio, 64-54, while out-assisting them, 28-21.
The Spurs (14-47) were led by Jeremy Sochan, finishing with 22 points, six rebounds and two assists. Malaki Branham amassed 13 points and six rebounds. Keldon Johnson collected 18 points, seven rebounds, three assists and two blocks, while Zach Collins compiled 15 points, five rebounds, two assists and two blocks.
The Jazz (31-31) were led by Lauri Markkanen, tallying 27 points, four rebounds and two assists. Talen Horton-Tucker had 12 points, six rebounds, four assists and three blocks. Jordan Clarkson generated nine points, three rebounds and six assists, while Walker Kessler accumulated nine points, 12 rebounds, two assists and five blocks. Kris Dunn led the bench with 15 points, seven rebounds and eight assists.
These teams will have a rematch in Utah on Tuesday for their next outing.
While San Antonio held the lead for the opening 30 minutes of this game, Utah rode a 30-14 third quarter to their comeback win. They capped things off with a 33-23 fourth quarter, turning a 14-point deficit into a 16-point win. The Jazz shot 47 percent from the field and 36 percent from three-point range while holding the Spurs to 39 percent from the field and 27 percent from long range. Utah also out-rebounded San Antonio, 64-54, while out-assisting them, 28-21.
The Spurs (14-47) were led by Jeremy Sochan, finishing with 22 points, six rebounds and two assists. Malaki Branham amassed 13 points and six rebounds. Keldon Johnson collected 18 points, seven rebounds, three assists and two blocks, while Zach Collins compiled 15 points, five rebounds, two assists and two blocks.
The Jazz (31-31) were led by Lauri Markkanen, tallying 27 points, four rebounds and two assists. Talen Horton-Tucker had 12 points, six rebounds, four assists and three blocks. Jordan Clarkson generated nine points, three rebounds and six assists, while Walker Kessler accumulated nine points, 12 rebounds, two assists and five blocks. Kris Dunn led the bench with 15 points, seven rebounds and eight assists.
These teams will have a rematch in Utah on Tuesday for their next outing.