Hawks Mount Comeback To Defeat Wizards
The Atlanta Hawks defeated the Washington Wizards, 122-120, at Capital One Arena on Wednesday.
The Hawks (33-33) moved back to .500 and remain alive in the race for a playoff berth after taking care of the Wizards (31-35) on the road. Atlanta quickly got control of the game and secured a 34-28 lead following the first quarter. However, the Wizards responded and led at the halftime break after outscoring their rivals by a 33-24 score in the second quarter. Washington bolstered its lead even further following a 33-32 score in the third quarter, but the Hawks mounted a rally in the final 12 minutes to win the game. The Hawks won the final 12 minutes by a 32-26 score, enough to complete the comeback and seal the deal. The Hawks moved to 15-20 on the road with the win, while the Wizards fell to 15-16 at home.
Trae Young led the way for the Hawks with 28 points and 10 assists while adding four rebounds and three steals. Dejounte Murray notched 17 points, six assists, four rebounds and three steals. Clint Capela had 13 points and three boards. Deandre Hunter notched 15 points, and John Collins contributed 14 points with five rebounds. Bogdan Bogdanovic had 14 points, eight rebounds, five assists and two steals. Atlanta shot 52.9 percent from the field.
Kristaps Porzingis led the Wizards with 43 points, five rebounds and five assists. Kyle Kuzma notched 25 points, 10 rebounds, six assists and two steals. Bradley Beal delivered 24 points, eight assists, three rebounds and three steals. Corey Kispert had 10 points while coming off the bench. Washington shot 56.6 percent from the field and 41.4 percent from deep.
The Hawks (33-33) moved back to .500 and remain alive in the race for a playoff berth after taking care of the Wizards (31-35) on the road. Atlanta quickly got control of the game and secured a 34-28 lead following the first quarter. However, the Wizards responded and led at the halftime break after outscoring their rivals by a 33-24 score in the second quarter. Washington bolstered its lead even further following a 33-32 score in the third quarter, but the Hawks mounted a rally in the final 12 minutes to win the game. The Hawks won the final 12 minutes by a 32-26 score, enough to complete the comeback and seal the deal. The Hawks moved to 15-20 on the road with the win, while the Wizards fell to 15-16 at home.
Trae Young led the way for the Hawks with 28 points and 10 assists while adding four rebounds and three steals. Dejounte Murray notched 17 points, six assists, four rebounds and three steals. Clint Capela had 13 points and three boards. Deandre Hunter notched 15 points, and John Collins contributed 14 points with five rebounds. Bogdan Bogdanovic had 14 points, eight rebounds, five assists and two steals. Atlanta shot 52.9 percent from the field.
Kristaps Porzingis led the Wizards with 43 points, five rebounds and five assists. Kyle Kuzma notched 25 points, 10 rebounds, six assists and two steals. Bradley Beal delivered 24 points, eight assists, three rebounds and three steals. Corey Kispert had 10 points while coming off the bench. Washington shot 56.6 percent from the field and 41.4 percent from deep.
Celtics Cruise In Easy Win Over Trail Blazers
The Boston Celtics defeated the Portland Trail Blazers, 115-93, at TD Garden on Wednesday.
The Celtics (46-21) cruised to victory against the Trail Blazers (31-35) in a game they dominated practically from start to finish. Boston grabbed control of the game early and raced out to a 35-28 lead following the first quarter. The Celtics would never relinquish that advantage, and they bolstered their lead to double digits following a 25-17 score in the second quarter. The Celtics didn’t take their foot off the gas and increased their advantage even further following a 34-27 score in the third quarter. The final 12 minutes were garbage time, and that fourth quarter ended with a 21-21 tie. The Celtics moved to 26-9 at home with the win. Meanwhile, the Blazers fell to 14-20 on the road.
Jayson Tatum led the way for the Celtics with 30 points and seven rebounds. Derrick White had 21 points, seven assists and five rebounds. Al Horford posted 17 points, six rebounds and five assists. Jaylen Brown finished with 11 points, three rebounds and three assists. Sam Hauser chipped in with 11 points coming off the bench. Marcus Smart ended with 10 points and added two steals. Boston shot 47.7 percent from the field and 36.7 percent from deep.
Damian Lillard led the Blazers with 27 points, eight assists and five rebounds. Cam Reddish finished with 10 points, six rebounds and two assists. Jerami Grant delivered 13 points and six rebounds. Shaedon Sharpe and Trendon Watford each delivered 12 points coming off the bench. Portland shot 36.6 percent from the field and 28.2 percent from deep.
The Celtics (46-21) cruised to victory against the Trail Blazers (31-35) in a game they dominated practically from start to finish. Boston grabbed control of the game early and raced out to a 35-28 lead following the first quarter. The Celtics would never relinquish that advantage, and they bolstered their lead to double digits following a 25-17 score in the second quarter. The Celtics didn’t take their foot off the gas and increased their advantage even further following a 34-27 score in the third quarter. The final 12 minutes were garbage time, and that fourth quarter ended with a 21-21 tie. The Celtics moved to 26-9 at home with the win. Meanwhile, the Blazers fell to 14-20 on the road.
Jayson Tatum led the way for the Celtics with 30 points and seven rebounds. Derrick White had 21 points, seven assists and five rebounds. Al Horford posted 17 points, six rebounds and five assists. Jaylen Brown finished with 11 points, three rebounds and three assists. Sam Hauser chipped in with 11 points coming off the bench. Marcus Smart ended with 10 points and added two steals. Boston shot 47.7 percent from the field and 36.7 percent from deep.
Damian Lillard led the Blazers with 27 points, eight assists and five rebounds. Cam Reddish finished with 10 points, six rebounds and two assists. Jerami Grant delivered 13 points and six rebounds. Shaedon Sharpe and Trendon Watford each delivered 12 points coming off the bench. Portland shot 36.6 percent from the field and 28.2 percent from deep.
Pelicans Get Past Mavericks, 113-106
The New Orleans Pelicans defeated the Dallas Mavericks, 113-106, at Smoothie King Center on Wednesday night.
The two inconsistent teams fought to a 24-24 draw through the first 12 minutes, but the Pelicans (32-34) turned the tide of the game for good with a 35-19 advantage in the second quarter. New Orleans then extended its lead over the Mavericks (34-33) to 18 heading into the final period, allowing the hosts to withstand Dallas' 41-point fourth quarter. Luka Doncic notably exited the game for the Mavs in the second half with a thigh strain.
Kyrie Irving led the Mavericks with 27 points, adding six rebounds, four assists and one steal. Tim Hardaway delivered 17 points, five assists, two rebounds and two steals. Doncic and Christian Wood generated matching 15-point tallies while recording eight assists and eight rebounds, respectively. Dwight Powell totaled 12 points, four rebounds and two steals. Jaden Hardy netted 11 points.
C.J. McCollum paced the Pelicans with 32 points, complementing them with five rebounds and five assists. Trey Murphy III managed 16 points, six boards, two assists, two blocks and one steal. Herbert Jones supplied 14 points, nine boards, two assists, two steals and one block. Jaxson Hayes matched Jones' scoring and also produced three rebounds, while Brandon Ingram turned in 12 points, five assists and four rebounds.
The Mavericks remain on the road and visit the Memphis Grizzlies on Saturday night, while the Pelicans remain home and host the Oklahoma City Thunder on Saturday night as well.
The two inconsistent teams fought to a 24-24 draw through the first 12 minutes, but the Pelicans (32-34) turned the tide of the game for good with a 35-19 advantage in the second quarter. New Orleans then extended its lead over the Mavericks (34-33) to 18 heading into the final period, allowing the hosts to withstand Dallas' 41-point fourth quarter. Luka Doncic notably exited the game for the Mavs in the second half with a thigh strain.
Kyrie Irving led the Mavericks with 27 points, adding six rebounds, four assists and one steal. Tim Hardaway delivered 17 points, five assists, two rebounds and two steals. Doncic and Christian Wood generated matching 15-point tallies while recording eight assists and eight rebounds, respectively. Dwight Powell totaled 12 points, four rebounds and two steals. Jaden Hardy netted 11 points.
C.J. McCollum paced the Pelicans with 32 points, complementing them with five rebounds and five assists. Trey Murphy III managed 16 points, six boards, two assists, two blocks and one steal. Herbert Jones supplied 14 points, nine boards, two assists, two steals and one block. Jaxson Hayes matched Jones' scoring and also produced three rebounds, while Brandon Ingram turned in 12 points, five assists and four rebounds.
The Mavericks remain on the road and visit the Memphis Grizzlies on Saturday night, while the Pelicans remain home and host the Oklahoma City Thunder on Saturday night as well.
Cavaliers Edge Heat, 104-100
The Cleveland Cavaliers defeated the Miami Heat, 104-100, at Miami-Dade Arena on Wednesday night.
The Heat (35-32) came into the contest as a home underdog, but early on, conditions seemed ripe for an upset. Miami owned a 30-26 lead over the Cavaliers (42-26) after one, but Cleveland subsequently outscored the hosts, 61-52, over the middle periods to take a five-point advantage into the final 12 minutes. Defense took center stage during a fourth quarter where only 35 total points were scored, and after the Heat got within one with just under three minutes remaining, the visitors managed to score six of the final nine points to seal the road victory.
Darius Garland led the Cavaliers with 25 points, adding seven assists and two steals. Donovan Mitchell posted 18 points, four assists, four rebounds and two steals. Evan Mobley turned in 15 points, six boards, six assists, two blocks and one steal. Jarrett Allen matched Mobley's scoring and also tallied 12 rebounds, two assists, one steal and one block. Isaac Okoro netted 13 points.
Jimmy Butler paced the Heat with 28 points, complementing them with five rebounds, five assists, two steals and one block. Tyler Herro supplied 22 points, five boards, five assists and two steals. Bam Adebayo turned in 17 points.
The two teams reconvene at Miami-Dade Arena for a rematch on Friday night.
The Heat (35-32) came into the contest as a home underdog, but early on, conditions seemed ripe for an upset. Miami owned a 30-26 lead over the Cavaliers (42-26) after one, but Cleveland subsequently outscored the hosts, 61-52, over the middle periods to take a five-point advantage into the final 12 minutes. Defense took center stage during a fourth quarter where only 35 total points were scored, and after the Heat got within one with just under three minutes remaining, the visitors managed to score six of the final nine points to seal the road victory.
Darius Garland led the Cavaliers with 25 points, adding seven assists and two steals. Donovan Mitchell posted 18 points, four assists, four rebounds and two steals. Evan Mobley turned in 15 points, six boards, six assists, two blocks and one steal. Jarrett Allen matched Mobley's scoring and also tallied 12 rebounds, two assists, one steal and one block. Isaac Okoro netted 13 points.
Jimmy Butler paced the Heat with 28 points, complementing them with five rebounds, five assists, two steals and one block. Tyler Herro supplied 22 points, five boards, five assists and two steals. Bam Adebayo turned in 17 points.
The two teams reconvene at Miami-Dade Arena for a rematch on Friday night.
Bulls Halt Nuggets' Win Streak
By Dan Bruno
The Chicago Bulls defeated the host Denver Nuggets 117-96, at Ball Arena on Wednesday evening.
The Nuggets got out to a strong start and led, 29-25, after one quarter. The Bulls tightened the game in the second and brought it to a one-point deficit by halftime. The visitors carried the momentum into the third and outscored the Nuggets, 36-24, to claim an 11-point advantage heading into the final frame. The Bulls did not look back in the fourth and held strong for the road win. This marks the end of a four-game win streak for the Nuggets.
Zach LaVine led the Bulls with 29 points, five rebounds, two assists and a steal, in 34 minutes. Nikola Vucevic followed up with 25 points, 15 rebounds and three assists, while DeMar DeRozan tallied 17 points, six rebounds, eight assists and three steals. The Bulls shot 51.7 percent from the field, including 8-of-24 from deep.
Meanwhile, Nikola Jokic led the Nuggets with 18 points, 12 rebounds and eight assists, in 35 minutes. Aaron Gordon followed up with 17 points, nine rebounds, two assists and a block, while Michael Porter added 12 points, five rebounds and a block. The Nuggets shot 42.0 percent from the field, including 15-of-40 from long range.
The Nuggets (46-20) will look to bounce back as they take on the Spurs in San Antonio on Friday. The Bulls (30-36) clash with the Rockets in Houston on Saturday.
The Nuggets got out to a strong start and led, 29-25, after one quarter. The Bulls tightened the game in the second and brought it to a one-point deficit by halftime. The visitors carried the momentum into the third and outscored the Nuggets, 36-24, to claim an 11-point advantage heading into the final frame. The Bulls did not look back in the fourth and held strong for the road win. This marks the end of a four-game win streak for the Nuggets.
Zach LaVine led the Bulls with 29 points, five rebounds, two assists and a steal, in 34 minutes. Nikola Vucevic followed up with 25 points, 15 rebounds and three assists, while DeMar DeRozan tallied 17 points, six rebounds, eight assists and three steals. The Bulls shot 51.7 percent from the field, including 8-of-24 from deep.
Meanwhile, Nikola Jokic led the Nuggets with 18 points, 12 rebounds and eight assists, in 35 minutes. Aaron Gordon followed up with 17 points, nine rebounds, two assists and a block, while Michael Porter added 12 points, five rebounds and a block. The Nuggets shot 42.0 percent from the field, including 15-of-40 from long range.
The Nuggets (46-20) will look to bounce back as they take on the Spurs in San Antonio on Friday. The Bulls (30-36) clash with the Rockets in Houston on Saturday.
Suns Defeat Thunder, 132-101
The Phoenix Suns defeated the visiting Oklahoma City Thunder, 132-101, at Footprint Center on Wednesday.
A 34-21 first quarter set the foundation for Phoenix in this victory, holding the lead for all but 15 seconds in this game. They put things away behind a 72-49 second half, getting their lead up to 36 points at times. They also led by at least 25 points for the entirety of the fourth quarter. The Suns shot 52 percent from the field and 47 percent from three-point range while holding the Thunder to 38 percent from the field and 35 percent from long range. Phoenix also out-rebounded OKC, 58-45, while out-assisting them, 31-23.
The Thunder (31-35) were led by Lindy Waters, providing 23 points, four rebounds and two assists off the bench. Tre Mann amassed 14 points, four rebounds and four assists. Josh Giddey was the only starter in double figures, totaling 10 points, seven rebounds, five assists and two steals. The other four starters combined for 21 points, five rebounds and four assists.
The Suns (37-29) were led by Devin Booker, finishing with 44 points, three rebounds and four assists on 17-of-23 from the field. Chris Paul collected 18 points, four rebounds, nine assists and four steals. Deandre Ayton accrued 12 points, eight rebounds and two assists, while Terrence Ross led the bench with 24 points, two rebounds, two assists and two steals. Kevin Durant was a late scratch because of a foot injury suffered during warm-ups.
Both teams are off until Saturday, with Phoenix playing host to the Sacramento Kings and Oklahoma City traveling to face the New Orleans Pelicans.
A 34-21 first quarter set the foundation for Phoenix in this victory, holding the lead for all but 15 seconds in this game. They put things away behind a 72-49 second half, getting their lead up to 36 points at times. They also led by at least 25 points for the entirety of the fourth quarter. The Suns shot 52 percent from the field and 47 percent from three-point range while holding the Thunder to 38 percent from the field and 35 percent from long range. Phoenix also out-rebounded OKC, 58-45, while out-assisting them, 31-23.
The Thunder (31-35) were led by Lindy Waters, providing 23 points, four rebounds and two assists off the bench. Tre Mann amassed 14 points, four rebounds and four assists. Josh Giddey was the only starter in double figures, totaling 10 points, seven rebounds, five assists and two steals. The other four starters combined for 21 points, five rebounds and four assists.
The Suns (37-29) were led by Devin Booker, finishing with 44 points, three rebounds and four assists on 17-of-23 from the field. Chris Paul collected 18 points, four rebounds, nine assists and four steals. Deandre Ayton accrued 12 points, eight rebounds and two assists, while Terrence Ross led the bench with 24 points, two rebounds, two assists and two steals. Kevin Durant was a late scratch because of a foot injury suffered during warm-ups.
Both teams are off until Saturday, with Phoenix playing host to the Sacramento Kings and Oklahoma City traveling to face the New Orleans Pelicans.
Clippers Defeat Raptors, 108-100
The Los Angeles Clippers defeated the visiting Toronto Raptors, 108-100, at Crypto.com Arena on Wednesday.
This was a true tale of two halves, with Toronto leading for all but one minute in the first half and LA holding the lead for the entirety of the second half. The Clippers outscored the Raptors in the second and third quarters, 66-49, to take command of this game. Los Angeles shot 55 percent from the field while holding Toronto below 39 percent shooting. The Clippers also outscored the Raptors in the paint, 60-42, and in fastbreak points, 20-10.
The Raptors (32-35) were led by Pascal Siakam, providing 20 points, six rebounds, five assists and two steals. Scottie Barnes amassed 20 points, five rebounds, four assists and two steals. OG Anunoby accrued 18 points, three rebounds and three steals. Fred VanVleet finished with 13 points, four rebounds, nine assists and three steals, while Jakob Poeltl had eight points, 11 rebounds, two assists and two blocks.
The Clippers (35-33) were led by Kawhi Leonard, collecting 24 points, 12 rebounds, four assists and three steals. Paul George generated 23 points, two rebounds and four assists. Ivica Zubac totaled 17 points, eight rebounds and two blocks. Russell Westbrook amassed seven points and seven assists, while Terance Mann led the bench with 14 points, four rebounds and four assists.
Toronto will remain in LA to face the Los Angeles Lakers on Friday for their next game. As for the Clippers, they return to action on Saturday in a home matchup with the New York Knicks.
This was a true tale of two halves, with Toronto leading for all but one minute in the first half and LA holding the lead for the entirety of the second half. The Clippers outscored the Raptors in the second and third quarters, 66-49, to take command of this game. Los Angeles shot 55 percent from the field while holding Toronto below 39 percent shooting. The Clippers also outscored the Raptors in the paint, 60-42, and in fastbreak points, 20-10.
The Raptors (32-35) were led by Pascal Siakam, providing 20 points, six rebounds, five assists and two steals. Scottie Barnes amassed 20 points, five rebounds, four assists and two steals. OG Anunoby accrued 18 points, three rebounds and three steals. Fred VanVleet finished with 13 points, four rebounds, nine assists and three steals, while Jakob Poeltl had eight points, 11 rebounds, two assists and two blocks.
The Clippers (35-33) were led by Kawhi Leonard, collecting 24 points, 12 rebounds, four assists and three steals. Paul George generated 23 points, two rebounds and four assists. Ivica Zubac totaled 17 points, eight rebounds and two blocks. Russell Westbrook amassed seven points and seven assists, while Terance Mann led the bench with 14 points, four rebounds and four assists.
Toronto will remain in LA to face the Los Angeles Lakers on Friday for their next game. As for the Clippers, they return to action on Saturday in a home matchup with the New York Knicks.