Raptors Cruise In OT, Dominate Wizards
The Toronto Raptors defeated the Washington Wizards, 116-109, in overtime at Capital One Arena on Saturday.
The Raptors (32-33) and the Wizards (30-33) are both trying to put themselves in a position to earn a berth in the Play-In Tournament, and how this game unfolded suggested precisely that. The Wizards got off to a stronger start, however, and they raced out to a 30-26 lead following the first quarter, but Toronto responded with a 27-23 score in the second 12 minutes of action. A 33-26 score in the third quarter allowed Toronto to gain the lead with 12 minutes left, but the Wizards responded despite the fact the Raptors were carrying all the momentum, and Washington forced overtime following a 26-19 score even though both teams had a shot at winning the game with the final shot in the dying seconds of the contest. However, Toronto didn't back down and looked dominant in overtime, as they defeated the Wizards thanks to an 11-4 score in the final five minutes of action. The Raptors moved to 12-20 on the road with the win, while the Wizards fell to 15-14 when playing at home.
Fred VanVleet led the way for the Raptors with 25 points, 10 assists, four rebounds, three steals and two blocks, while Pascal Siakam delivered 15 points, seven assists, four rebounds and four steals. Jakob Poeltl had 14 points and five rebounds, and Scottie Barnes finished with 12 points, six assists and three boards. Gary Trent Jr. was massive off the bench, as he finished with 26 points, five rebounds, four assists and two steals.
Kristaps Porzingis ended with 22 points and 11 rebounds, but he also posted four assists, two steals and two blocks. Bradley Beal delivered 21 points, 10 assists and four rebounds, and Daniel Gafford notched nine points with four boards. Kyle Kuzma ended with 16 points and six rebounds, and Delon Wright had 18 points, seven assists, six boards and six steals.
The Raptors (32-33) and the Wizards (30-33) are both trying to put themselves in a position to earn a berth in the Play-In Tournament, and how this game unfolded suggested precisely that. The Wizards got off to a stronger start, however, and they raced out to a 30-26 lead following the first quarter, but Toronto responded with a 27-23 score in the second 12 minutes of action. A 33-26 score in the third quarter allowed Toronto to gain the lead with 12 minutes left, but the Wizards responded despite the fact the Raptors were carrying all the momentum, and Washington forced overtime following a 26-19 score even though both teams had a shot at winning the game with the final shot in the dying seconds of the contest. However, Toronto didn't back down and looked dominant in overtime, as they defeated the Wizards thanks to an 11-4 score in the final five minutes of action. The Raptors moved to 12-20 on the road with the win, while the Wizards fell to 15-14 when playing at home.
Fred VanVleet led the way for the Raptors with 25 points, 10 assists, four rebounds, three steals and two blocks, while Pascal Siakam delivered 15 points, seven assists, four rebounds and four steals. Jakob Poeltl had 14 points and five rebounds, and Scottie Barnes finished with 12 points, six assists and three boards. Gary Trent Jr. was massive off the bench, as he finished with 26 points, five rebounds, four assists and two steals.
Kristaps Porzingis ended with 22 points and 11 rebounds, but he also posted four assists, two steals and two blocks. Bradley Beal delivered 21 points, 10 assists and four rebounds, and Daniel Gafford notched nine points with four boards. Kyle Kuzma ended with 16 points and six rebounds, and Delon Wright had 18 points, seven assists, six boards and six steals.
Cavaliers Handle Pistons, 114-90
The Cleveland Cavaliers defeated the Detroit Pistons,114-90, at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse on Saturday night.
The Cavaliers (40-26) checked into the contest as the biggest favorites of the night by far, but early on, they encountered a feisty Pistons (15-49) squad that trailed by only three after one and by a manageable nine at halftime. However, Cleveland asserted itself in the third quarter, adding 20 points to its advantage with a 42-point haul during the period on the way to the comfortable victory.
Marvin Bagley led the Pistons with a 20-point, 13-rebound double-double that included two assists, three blocks and one steal. Hamidou Diallo furnished 14 points, seven boards, one assist, one steal and one block. R.J. Hampton netted 11 points, while Jaden Ivey delivered 10 points, four rebounds and two assists.
Darius Garland paced the Cavaliers with 21 points, seven assists, three rebounds and two steals. Donovan Mitchell furnished 20 points, four assists, three rebounds, two steals and one block. Evan Mobley generated a 16-point, 11-rebound double-double that included six assists, four blocks and one steal. Jarrett Allen posted 15 points, five boards and two steals. Caris LeVert registered 11 points, three assists, two rebounds and one steal.
The Pistons return home to host the Portland Trail Blazers on Monday night, while the Cavaliers remain home and host the Boston Celtics on Monday night as well.
The Cavaliers (40-26) checked into the contest as the biggest favorites of the night by far, but early on, they encountered a feisty Pistons (15-49) squad that trailed by only three after one and by a manageable nine at halftime. However, Cleveland asserted itself in the third quarter, adding 20 points to its advantage with a 42-point haul during the period on the way to the comfortable victory.
Marvin Bagley led the Pistons with a 20-point, 13-rebound double-double that included two assists, three blocks and one steal. Hamidou Diallo furnished 14 points, seven boards, one assist, one steal and one block. R.J. Hampton netted 11 points, while Jaden Ivey delivered 10 points, four rebounds and two assists.
Darius Garland paced the Cavaliers with 21 points, seven assists, three rebounds and two steals. Donovan Mitchell furnished 20 points, four assists, three rebounds, two steals and one block. Evan Mobley generated a 16-point, 11-rebound double-double that included six assists, four blocks and one steal. Jarrett Allen posted 15 points, five boards and two steals. Caris LeVert registered 11 points, three assists, two rebounds and one steal.
The Pistons return home to host the Portland Trail Blazers on Monday night, while the Cavaliers remain home and host the Boston Celtics on Monday night as well.
Heat Rise Above Hawks In Miami
By Dan Bruno
The Miami Heat defeated the visiting Atlanta Hawks, 117-109, at Miami-Dade Arena on Saturday evening.
The Heat got out to a solid start and held on to a three-point lead after one quarter. They turned up the intensity in the second and outscored the Hawks, 37-23, in the quarter to take a 17-point cushion into the break. The visitors brought a better effort in the third and trimmed it to a 12-point game heading into the final quarter, but the Heat stayed in control the rest of the way to secure the home win and end a two-game slide.
Bam Adebayo led the way for the Heat with 30 points, 11 rebounds, five assists, two blocks and a steal, in 36 minutes. Tyler Herro followed up with 20 points, six rebounds and five assists, while Jimmy Butler added 15 points, 11 rebounds seven assists and two steals. The Heat shot 50.6 percent from the field, including 13-of-35 from deep.
Meanwhile, Saddiq Bey led the Hawks with 22 points, three rebounds, two assists and two steals, in 35 minutes off the bench. De'Andre Hunter followed up with 17 points, three rebounds, two assists and a steal, while Clint Capela totaled 16 points, 13 rebounds, a steal and a block. The Hawks shot 46.8 percent from the field, including 9-of-30 from long range.
The Heat (34-31) and Hawks (32-32) clash again in Miami on Monday.
The Heat got out to a solid start and held on to a three-point lead after one quarter. They turned up the intensity in the second and outscored the Hawks, 37-23, in the quarter to take a 17-point cushion into the break. The visitors brought a better effort in the third and trimmed it to a 12-point game heading into the final quarter, but the Heat stayed in control the rest of the way to secure the home win and end a two-game slide.
Bam Adebayo led the way for the Heat with 30 points, 11 rebounds, five assists, two blocks and a steal, in 36 minutes. Tyler Herro followed up with 20 points, six rebounds and five assists, while Jimmy Butler added 15 points, 11 rebounds seven assists and two steals. The Heat shot 50.6 percent from the field, including 13-of-35 from deep.
Meanwhile, Saddiq Bey led the Hawks with 22 points, three rebounds, two assists and two steals, in 35 minutes off the bench. De'Andre Hunter followed up with 17 points, three rebounds, two assists and a steal, while Clint Capela totaled 16 points, 13 rebounds, a steal and a block. The Hawks shot 46.8 percent from the field, including 9-of-30 from long range.
The Heat (34-31) and Hawks (32-32) clash again in Miami on Monday.
Rockets Rally Past Spurs To End 11-Game Slide
By Dan Bruno
The Houston Rockets defeated the host San Antonio Spurs, 122-110, at AT&T Center on Saturday evening.
The game got out to a high-scoring start as the Spurs led, 32-29, after one quarter. The pace picked up in the second while the Rockets took the upper hand and rallied to a, 70-68, lead by halftime. The visitors created separation in the third and held on to a five-point advantage heading into the final frame. The Rockets charged to a 17-point lead mid way through the fourth and held on to end an 11-game slide.
Eight players scored in double digits for the Rockets, led by Tari Eason, with 20 points, five rebounds, two assists, two steals and two blocks, in 31 minutes off the bench. Alperen Sengun followed up with 16 points, 10 rebounds, four assists and a steal, while Kenyon Martin totaled 14 pints, 13 rebounds, two assists and a steal. The Rockets shot 56.3 percent from the field, including 8-of-23 from deep.
Meanwhile, Devonte' Graham led the Spurs with 28 points, two rebounds and four assists, in 29 minutes. Zach Collins followed up with 14 points, 10 rebounds, three assists, two steals and a block, while Jeremy Sochan and Charles Bassey added 14 points each. The Spurs shot 44.2 percent from the field, including 15-of-37 from long range.
The Rockets (14-49) and Spurs (16-48) meet again in Houston on Sunday.
The game got out to a high-scoring start as the Spurs led, 32-29, after one quarter. The pace picked up in the second while the Rockets took the upper hand and rallied to a, 70-68, lead by halftime. The visitors created separation in the third and held on to a five-point advantage heading into the final frame. The Rockets charged to a 17-point lead mid way through the fourth and held on to end an 11-game slide.
Eight players scored in double digits for the Rockets, led by Tari Eason, with 20 points, five rebounds, two assists, two steals and two blocks, in 31 minutes off the bench. Alperen Sengun followed up with 16 points, 10 rebounds, four assists and a steal, while Kenyon Martin totaled 14 pints, 13 rebounds, two assists and a steal. The Rockets shot 56.3 percent from the field, including 8-of-23 from deep.
Meanwhile, Devonte' Graham led the Spurs with 28 points, two rebounds and four assists, in 29 minutes. Zach Collins followed up with 14 points, 10 rebounds, three assists, two steals and a block, while Jeremy Sochan and Charles Bassey added 14 points each. The Spurs shot 44.2 percent from the field, including 15-of-37 from long range.
The Rockets (14-49) and Spurs (16-48) meet again in Houston on Sunday.
Sixers Defeat Bucks, 133-130
The Philadelphia 76ers defeated the host Milwaukee Bucks, 133-130, at Fiserv Forum on Saturday.
There were eight ties and nine lead changes in this game, with Philadelphia riding a 48-31 fourth quarter to their comeback win. Milwaukee actually had a game-high 18-point lead late in the third quarter, but the Sixers went on a game-deciding 10-0 run in the final two minutes to complete their comeback victory. The only advantage for the Sixers was the turnover differential, forcing 13 turnovers from the Bucks while committing just five on their end. They also outscored them in points off of turnovers, 24-5.
The Sixers (41-22) were led by James Harden, collecting 38 points, nine rebounds and 10 assists. Joel Embiid finished with 31 points, six rebounds and 10 assists. Tyrese Maxey tallied 26 points and three rebounds. The other two starters combined for five points, four rebounds and one assist. Georges Niang led the bench with 16 points.
The Bucks (45-18) were led by Giannis Antetokounmpo, accruing 34 points, 13 rebounds and four assists. Brook Lopez totaled 26 points, six rebounds and four assists. Jrue Holiday had 26 points, four rebounds and 13 assists, while Grayson Allen accumulated 20 points, three rebounds and three assists. No other player had more than seven points or three assists.
Milwaukee has to play the second half of a back-to-back set on Sunday, playing the Washington Wizards on the road. Philly returns to action on Monday in a road matchup with the Indiana Pacers.
There were eight ties and nine lead changes in this game, with Philadelphia riding a 48-31 fourth quarter to their comeback win. Milwaukee actually had a game-high 18-point lead late in the third quarter, but the Sixers went on a game-deciding 10-0 run in the final two minutes to complete their comeback victory. The only advantage for the Sixers was the turnover differential, forcing 13 turnovers from the Bucks while committing just five on their end. They also outscored them in points off of turnovers, 24-5.
The Sixers (41-22) were led by James Harden, collecting 38 points, nine rebounds and 10 assists. Joel Embiid finished with 31 points, six rebounds and 10 assists. Tyrese Maxey tallied 26 points and three rebounds. The other two starters combined for five points, four rebounds and one assist. Georges Niang led the bench with 16 points.
The Bucks (45-18) were led by Giannis Antetokounmpo, accruing 34 points, 13 rebounds and four assists. Brook Lopez totaled 26 points, six rebounds and four assists. Jrue Holiday had 26 points, four rebounds and 13 assists, while Grayson Allen accumulated 20 points, three rebounds and three assists. No other player had more than seven points or three assists.
Milwaukee has to play the second half of a back-to-back set on Sunday, playing the Washington Wizards on the road. Philly returns to action on Monday in a road matchup with the Indiana Pacers.
T'Wolves Defeat Kings, 138-134
The Minnesota Timberwolves defeated the host Sacramento Kings, 138-134, at Golden 1 Center on Saturday.
Minnesota held the lead for all but three minutes in this game, thanks to a 36-30 first quarter. They never relinquished the lead after that opening frame, getting their lead up to 17 points at times. Sacramento had a handful of chances to tie the game in the fourth quarter but missed all of those shots. The Timberwolves shot 60 percent from the field while holding the Kings to 55 percent shooting. Minnesota also recorded six blocks, while Sacramento had just one.
The Timberwolves (34-32) were led by Anthony Edwards, accruing 27 points, four rebounds and eight assists. Mike Conley collected 24 points, three rebounds and three assists. Jaden McDaniels amassed 19 points, four rebounds and two assists. Kyle Anderson accumulated 18 points, seven rebounds, nine assists and two blocks, while Rudy Gobert totaled 13 points, 14 rebounds and two blocks. Nickeil Alexander-Walker led the bench with 16 points, three rebounds and five assists.
The Kings (37-26) were led by Kevin Huerter, compiling 29 points, two assists and two steals. De'Aaron Fox finished with 25 points, two rebounds and seven assists. Domantas Sabonis generated 24 points, 14 rebounds and five assists, while Harrison Barnes had 20 points and four rebounds. Trey Lyles led the bench with 15 points and eight rebounds.
On deck for Sacramento is a home matchup with the New Orleans Pelicans on Sunday. As for Minnesota, they return home to play the Philadelphia 76ers on Tuesday for their next outing.
Minnesota held the lead for all but three minutes in this game, thanks to a 36-30 first quarter. They never relinquished the lead after that opening frame, getting their lead up to 17 points at times. Sacramento had a handful of chances to tie the game in the fourth quarter but missed all of those shots. The Timberwolves shot 60 percent from the field while holding the Kings to 55 percent shooting. Minnesota also recorded six blocks, while Sacramento had just one.
The Timberwolves (34-32) were led by Anthony Edwards, accruing 27 points, four rebounds and eight assists. Mike Conley collected 24 points, three rebounds and three assists. Jaden McDaniels amassed 19 points, four rebounds and two assists. Kyle Anderson accumulated 18 points, seven rebounds, nine assists and two blocks, while Rudy Gobert totaled 13 points, 14 rebounds and two blocks. Nickeil Alexander-Walker led the bench with 16 points, three rebounds and five assists.
The Kings (37-26) were led by Kevin Huerter, compiling 29 points, two assists and two steals. De'Aaron Fox finished with 25 points, two rebounds and seven assists. Domantas Sabonis generated 24 points, 14 rebounds and five assists, while Harrison Barnes had 20 points and four rebounds. Trey Lyles led the bench with 15 points and eight rebounds.
On deck for Sacramento is a home matchup with the New Orleans Pelicans on Sunday. As for Minnesota, they return home to play the Philadelphia 76ers on Tuesday for their next outing.