Heat Pull Out Win Over 76ers
The Miami Heat defeated the Philadelphia 76ers, 101-99, at Wells Fargo Center on Monday.
The Heat (33-29) and the 76ers (39-21) engaged in a tight battle Monday, and it went down to the wire, but a late bucket from Jimmy Butler and some tight defense allowed Miami to escape with the win in a game that could easily be a preview of a potential playoff series in the postseason. Miami looked better and grabbed a 28-22 lead in the first quarter, an advantage they’d bolster even further following a 30-28 score in the second 12 minutes. Philadelphia responded with a 30-28 score and grabbed the lead in the fourth quarter, ultimately entering the final two minutes holding a slim one-point lead. However, the Heat turned things around thanks to Jimmy Butler, who scored the team’s final three points as Miami pulled out a tight road win. Miami moved to 14-19 on the road with the win, while the Sixers fell to 24-10 at home.
Jimmy Butler was impressive for the Heat and finished with 23 points, 11 rebounds, nine assists and four steals, while Bam Adebayo had 13 points, seven rebounds, two assists and a block. Gabe Vincent had 14 points, and Kevin Love finished with eight points, five rebounds and two assists. Max Strus posted 13 points off the bench, while Victor Oladipo chipped in with 11 pints, two rebounds, two assists and two steals.
Joel Embiid was the best player for the 76ers and finished with 27 points and 12 rebounds, while James Harden contributed 20 points, 12 assists, six rebounds and two steals. P.J. Tucker ended with eight points and four rebounds, and DeAnthony Melton had six points, three rebounds, two assists and two blocks. Tyrese Maxey impressed off the bench and posted 23 points.
The Heat (33-29) and the 76ers (39-21) engaged in a tight battle Monday, and it went down to the wire, but a late bucket from Jimmy Butler and some tight defense allowed Miami to escape with the win in a game that could easily be a preview of a potential playoff series in the postseason. Miami looked better and grabbed a 28-22 lead in the first quarter, an advantage they’d bolster even further following a 30-28 score in the second 12 minutes. Philadelphia responded with a 30-28 score and grabbed the lead in the fourth quarter, ultimately entering the final two minutes holding a slim one-point lead. However, the Heat turned things around thanks to Jimmy Butler, who scored the team’s final three points as Miami pulled out a tight road win. Miami moved to 14-19 on the road with the win, while the Sixers fell to 24-10 at home.
Jimmy Butler was impressive for the Heat and finished with 23 points, 11 rebounds, nine assists and four steals, while Bam Adebayo had 13 points, seven rebounds, two assists and a block. Gabe Vincent had 14 points, and Kevin Love finished with eight points, five rebounds and two assists. Max Strus posted 13 points off the bench, while Victor Oladipo chipped in with 11 pints, two rebounds, two assists and two steals.
Joel Embiid was the best player for the 76ers and finished with 27 points and 12 rebounds, while James Harden contributed 20 points, 12 assists, six rebounds and two steals. P.J. Tucker ended with eight points and four rebounds, and DeAnthony Melton had six points, three rebounds, two assists and two blocks. Tyrese Maxey impressed off the bench and posted 23 points.
Hornets Topple Pistons, 117-106
The Charlotte Hornets defeated the Detroit Pistons, 117-106, at Spectrum Center on Monday night.
The Hornets (20-43) entered the night riding a season-high four-game winning streak, and they got matters off on the right foot by establishing a 41-21 advantage through the first 12 minutes. That 20-point cushion would prove to be key as the contest unfolded, as the Pistons (15-47) outscored Charlotte by an 85-76 margin the rest of the way. Detroit shot a minuscule 11.5 percent from three-point range, while the hosts countered with a 51.8 percent success rate from the floor, including 50.0 percent from behind the arc.
James Wiseman and Hamidou Diallo co-led the Pistons with 23 points, with Wiseman adding seven rebounds and Diallo recording three steals. Marvin Bagley generated a 21-point, 12-rebound double-double that included one assist. Alec Burks delivered 17 points, four rebounds, two assists and one steal. Killian Hayes contributed a 12-point, 10-assist double-double that included four rebounds, four steals and two blocks.
Terry Rozier paced the Hornets with 22 points, supplementing them with three rebounds, three assists and one steal. Gordon Hayward supplied 19 points, six assists, five rebounds and two steals. LaMelo Ball and Kelly Oubre posted matching 18-point contributions, with Ball adding six rebounds and five assists before exiting with a fractured ankle and Oubre recording five boards and two steals. Mark Williams generated a 15-point, 11-rebound double-double that included three assists and one block.
The Pistons return home and host the Detroit Pistons on Wednesday night, while the Hornets begin what's likely to be another extended stint without Ball at home against the Phoenix Suns on Wednesday night as well.
The Hornets (20-43) entered the night riding a season-high four-game winning streak, and they got matters off on the right foot by establishing a 41-21 advantage through the first 12 minutes. That 20-point cushion would prove to be key as the contest unfolded, as the Pistons (15-47) outscored Charlotte by an 85-76 margin the rest of the way. Detroit shot a minuscule 11.5 percent from three-point range, while the hosts countered with a 51.8 percent success rate from the floor, including 50.0 percent from behind the arc.
James Wiseman and Hamidou Diallo co-led the Pistons with 23 points, with Wiseman adding seven rebounds and Diallo recording three steals. Marvin Bagley generated a 21-point, 12-rebound double-double that included one assist. Alec Burks delivered 17 points, four rebounds, two assists and one steal. Killian Hayes contributed a 12-point, 10-assist double-double that included four rebounds, four steals and two blocks.
Terry Rozier paced the Hornets with 22 points, supplementing them with three rebounds, three assists and one steal. Gordon Hayward supplied 19 points, six assists, five rebounds and two steals. LaMelo Ball and Kelly Oubre posted matching 18-point contributions, with Ball adding six rebounds and five assists before exiting with a fractured ankle and Oubre recording five boards and two steals. Mark Williams generated a 15-point, 11-rebound double-double that included three assists and one block.
The Pistons return home and host the Detroit Pistons on Wednesday night, while the Hornets begin what's likely to be another extended stint without Ball at home against the Phoenix Suns on Wednesday night as well.
Knicks Rise Above Celtics In New York
By Dan Bruno
The New York Knicks defeated the visiting Boston Celtics, 109-94, at Madison Square Garden on Monday evening.
The Knicks got out to a great start with a, 27-15, lead after one quarter and kept control through the second to take a 14-point cushion into the break. Both sides came out strong in the third, but the hosts stayed on top with a 13-point advantage heading into the final frame. The Celtics had no answers down the stretch as the Knicks closed out their sixth consecutive win.
Julius Randle led the Knicks with 23 points on 7-of-16 shooting, seven rebounds and four assists, in 36 minutes. Immanuel Quckley finished with 23 points, three rebounds, two assists and a steal, while Jalen Brunson added 17 points, four rebounds, three assists and a steal. The Knicks shot 47.4 percent from the field, including 12-of-31 from long range.
Meanwhile, Marcus Smart led the Celtics with 19 points, four rebounds, two assists, two blocks and a steal, in 24 minutes. Jayson Tatum followed up with 14 points, seven rebounds, nine assists and a steal, while Al Horford and Derrick White added 13 points each. The Celtics shot 44 percent from the field, including 9-of-42 from deep.
The Celtics (44-18) will look to bounce back as they play host to the Cavaliers on Wednesday. The Knicks (36-27) play host to the Nets on Wednesday.
The Knicks got out to a great start with a, 27-15, lead after one quarter and kept control through the second to take a 14-point cushion into the break. Both sides came out strong in the third, but the hosts stayed on top with a 13-point advantage heading into the final frame. The Celtics had no answers down the stretch as the Knicks closed out their sixth consecutive win.
Julius Randle led the Knicks with 23 points on 7-of-16 shooting, seven rebounds and four assists, in 36 minutes. Immanuel Quckley finished with 23 points, three rebounds, two assists and a steal, while Jalen Brunson added 17 points, four rebounds, three assists and a steal. The Knicks shot 47.4 percent from the field, including 12-of-31 from long range.
Meanwhile, Marcus Smart led the Celtics with 19 points, four rebounds, two assists, two blocks and a steal, in 24 minutes. Jayson Tatum followed up with 14 points, seven rebounds, nine assists and a steal, while Al Horford and Derrick White added 13 points each. The Celtics shot 44 percent from the field, including 9-of-42 from deep.
The Celtics (44-18) will look to bounce back as they play host to the Cavaliers on Wednesday. The Knicks (36-27) play host to the Nets on Wednesday.
Magic Defeat Pelicans, 101-93
The Orlando Magic defeated the host New Orleans Pelicans, 101-93, at Smoothie King Center on Monday.
While New Orleans grabbed the first lead in this game, Orlando never relinquished the lead after a 36-25 first quarter. The Pelicans tied the game eight times after that opening frame but could never get over the hump. The Magic shot 46 percent from the field and 27 percent from three-point range while holding the Pelicans below 45 percent from the field and 22 percent from long range (6-of-27). Orlando also doubled up New Orleans in second-chance points, 14-7.
The Magic (26-35) were led by Paolo Banchero, providing 29 points, eight rebounds and five assists. Markelle Fultz finished with 14 points, five rebounds, five assists and two steals. Wendell Carter Jr collected 11 points and 11 rebounds, while Franz Wagner amassed 11 points, five rebounds, three assists and two steals. Mo Wagner led the bench with 14 points, three rebounds and two assists.
The Pelicans (30-32) were led by Brandon Ingram, tallying 25 points, six rebounds and five assists. CJ McCollum compiled 18 points, two rebounds and six assists. Herbert Jones had 10 points, six rebounds and two assists. No other player on the roster surpassed eight points, six rebounds, three assists or one block.
Both teams return to action on Wednesday, with New Orleans traveling to face the Portland Trail Blazers and Orlando staying on the road to play the Milwaukee Bucks.
While New Orleans grabbed the first lead in this game, Orlando never relinquished the lead after a 36-25 first quarter. The Pelicans tied the game eight times after that opening frame but could never get over the hump. The Magic shot 46 percent from the field and 27 percent from three-point range while holding the Pelicans below 45 percent from the field and 22 percent from long range (6-of-27). Orlando also doubled up New Orleans in second-chance points, 14-7.
The Magic (26-35) were led by Paolo Banchero, providing 29 points, eight rebounds and five assists. Markelle Fultz finished with 14 points, five rebounds, five assists and two steals. Wendell Carter Jr collected 11 points and 11 rebounds, while Franz Wagner amassed 11 points, five rebounds, three assists and two steals. Mo Wagner led the bench with 14 points, three rebounds and two assists.
The Pelicans (30-32) were led by Brandon Ingram, tallying 25 points, six rebounds and five assists. CJ McCollum compiled 18 points, two rebounds and six assists. Herbert Jones had 10 points, six rebounds and two assists. No other player on the roster surpassed eight points, six rebounds, three assists or one block.
Both teams return to action on Wednesday, with New Orleans traveling to face the Portland Trail Blazers and Orlando staying on the road to play the Milwaukee Bucks.