76ers Mount Comeback, Top Blazers In Final Seconds
The Philadelphia 76ers defeated the Portland Trail Blazers, 120-119, at Wells Fargo Center on Friday.
The 76ers (44-22) and the Trail Blazers (31-36) played a tight game that was decided in the final seconds of the fourth quarter. Portland looked better in the early stages and jumped out to a 37-29 lead, and they made it a double-digit game by halftime following a 34-27 score. The 76ers were down by 15 points at the break, but they started their comeback trail with a 29-25 score in the third quarter. Philadelphia had its back against the wall in the final quarter, but the 76ers completed the comeback with a 35-23 score. Joel Embiid was the star of the game and won it for Philly by draining the game-winning shot with a jumper with 1.1 seconds left on the clock. The 76ers moved to 25-10 at home with the win, while the Blazers fell to 14-21 on the road with the loss.
Joel Embiid led the way for the 76ers with 39 points, seven rebounds, four assists, two steals and three blocks. James Harden finished with 19 points, nine rebounds and eight assists to sniff a triple-double. Tyrese Maxey delivered 13 points, four rebounds and two assists. DeAnthony Melton posted 13 points and five assists off the bench. Georges Niang ended with 12 points. Philadelphia shot 51.8 percent from the field and 36.7 percent from deep.
Anfernee Simons notched 34 points to lead the Blazers. Damian Lillard finished with a 22-point, 11-assist double-double. Jerami Grant delivered 24 points and 10 rebounds while adding two assists. Jusuf Nurkic recorded 11 points, five rebounds and five assists. Cam Reddish had 14 points. Portland shot 52.5 percent from the field and 41.7 percent from three-point range.
The 76ers (44-22) and the Trail Blazers (31-36) played a tight game that was decided in the final seconds of the fourth quarter. Portland looked better in the early stages and jumped out to a 37-29 lead, and they made it a double-digit game by halftime following a 34-27 score. The 76ers were down by 15 points at the break, but they started their comeback trail with a 29-25 score in the third quarter. Philadelphia had its back against the wall in the final quarter, but the 76ers completed the comeback with a 35-23 score. Joel Embiid was the star of the game and won it for Philly by draining the game-winning shot with a jumper with 1.1 seconds left on the clock. The 76ers moved to 25-10 at home with the win, while the Blazers fell to 14-21 on the road with the loss.
Joel Embiid led the way for the 76ers with 39 points, seven rebounds, four assists, two steals and three blocks. James Harden finished with 19 points, nine rebounds and eight assists to sniff a triple-double. Tyrese Maxey delivered 13 points, four rebounds and two assists. DeAnthony Melton posted 13 points and five assists off the bench. Georges Niang ended with 12 points. Philadelphia shot 51.8 percent from the field and 36.7 percent from deep.
Anfernee Simons notched 34 points to lead the Blazers. Damian Lillard finished with a 22-point, 11-assist double-double. Jerami Grant delivered 24 points and 10 rebounds while adding two assists. Jusuf Nurkic recorded 11 points, five rebounds and five assists. Cam Reddish had 14 points. Portland shot 52.5 percent from the field and 41.7 percent from three-point range.
Hawks Hold Off Wizards Rally, Secure Win
The Atlanta Hawks defeated the Washington Wizards, 114-107, at Capital One Arena on Friday.
The Hawks (34-33) and the Wizards (31-36) are both vying for a playoff berth, and Atlanta took another step in the right direction with this road win. Washington enjoyed a stronger start, though, and jumped out to a 29-24 lead following the first quarter before Atlanta responded with a 32-21 score in the second quarter. The Hawks held a six-point advantage at the break, and they bolstered that led even more with a 29-25 third-quarter score. The Wizards attempted a comeback in the final 12 minutes, but the 32-29 was not enough to flip the script. The Hawks moved to 16-20 on the road with the win, while the Wizards fell to 15-17 at home.
Trae Young led the way for the Hawks with 28 points, nine assists and two steals. Deandre Hunter finished with 18 points and seven rebounds, and Dejounte Murray stuffed the stat sheet with 16 points, seven rebounds and seven dimes. Saddiq Bey posted 14 points coming off the bench. Bogdan Bogdanovic recorded 15 points and three assists off the bench.
Bradley Beal led the way for the Wizards with 27 points, six rebounds, five assists and two steals. Kristaps Porzingis posted 22 points, nine rebounds and two blocks. Daniel Gafford finished with 13 points and eight rebounds. Kyle Kuzma delivered 17 points, five rebounds and three assists. Delon Wright finished with 10 points, five assists and three steals off the bench.
The Hawks (34-33) and the Wizards (31-36) are both vying for a playoff berth, and Atlanta took another step in the right direction with this road win. Washington enjoyed a stronger start, though, and jumped out to a 29-24 lead following the first quarter before Atlanta responded with a 32-21 score in the second quarter. The Hawks held a six-point advantage at the break, and they bolstered that led even more with a 29-25 third-quarter score. The Wizards attempted a comeback in the final 12 minutes, but the 32-29 was not enough to flip the script. The Hawks moved to 16-20 on the road with the win, while the Wizards fell to 15-17 at home.
Trae Young led the way for the Hawks with 28 points, nine assists and two steals. Deandre Hunter finished with 18 points and seven rebounds, and Dejounte Murray stuffed the stat sheet with 16 points, seven rebounds and seven dimes. Saddiq Bey posted 14 points coming off the bench. Bogdan Bogdanovic recorded 15 points and three assists off the bench.
Bradley Beal led the way for the Wizards with 27 points, six rebounds, five assists and two steals. Kristaps Porzingis posted 22 points, nine rebounds and two blocks. Daniel Gafford finished with 13 points and eight rebounds. Kyle Kuzma delivered 17 points, five rebounds and three assists. Delon Wright finished with 10 points, five assists and three steals off the bench.
Heat Upends Cavaliers, 119-115
The Miami Heat defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers, 119-115, at Miami-Dade Arena on Friday night.
The Heat (36-32) came into the contest looking to atone for a Wednesday loss to the Cavaliers (42-27), but they ended up exiting the first quarter with just a 27-26 lead. However, Cleveland roared back in the second quarter to forge a nine-point advantage going into halftime. The hosts were then able to make a two-point dent into their deficit during the third quarter and sealed the comeback with a 37-26 edge over the final 12 minutes.
Donovan Mitchell led the Cavaliers with 42 points, complementing them with four assists, three rebounds and one steal. Caris LeVert and Isaac Okoro generated matching 16-point tallies, supplementing them with three and four assists, respectively. Evan Mobley supplied 12 points, four rebounds, two assists and one block.
Jimmy Butler paced the Heat with 33 points, supplementing them with five rebounds, three assists and one block. Tyler Herro registered 25 points, nine rebounds and four assists. Bam Adebayo furnished 19 points, six boards, four assists and three steals. Max Strus posted 14 points, three rebounds, three assists and one block.
The Cavaliers remain on the road and visit the Charlotte Hornets on Sunday afternoon, while the Heat hit the road and visit the Orlando Magic on Saturday night.
The Heat (36-32) came into the contest looking to atone for a Wednesday loss to the Cavaliers (42-27), but they ended up exiting the first quarter with just a 27-26 lead. However, Cleveland roared back in the second quarter to forge a nine-point advantage going into halftime. The hosts were then able to make a two-point dent into their deficit during the third quarter and sealed the comeback with a 37-26 edge over the final 12 minutes.
Donovan Mitchell led the Cavaliers with 42 points, complementing them with four assists, three rebounds and one steal. Caris LeVert and Isaac Okoro generated matching 16-point tallies, supplementing them with three and four assists, respectively. Evan Mobley supplied 12 points, four rebounds, two assists and one block.
Jimmy Butler paced the Heat with 33 points, supplementing them with five rebounds, three assists and one block. Tyler Herro registered 25 points, nine rebounds and four assists. Bam Adebayo furnished 19 points, six boards, four assists and three steals. Max Strus posted 14 points, three rebounds, three assists and one block.
The Cavaliers remain on the road and visit the Charlotte Hornets on Sunday afternoon, while the Heat hit the road and visit the Orlando Magic on Saturday night.
Nets Squeak By Timberwolves in OT, 124-123
The Brooklyn Nets defeated the Minnesota Timberwolves in overtime, 124-123, at Target Center on Friday night.
The Timberwolves (34-34) opened the game in strong form, forging a 33-26 lead through one and adding another point to their advantage prior to halftime. However, the Nets (38-29) changed the dynamic of the game in the third quarter, outscoring the hosts by a 37-20 margin to take a nine-point edge into the final period. Nevertheless, Minnesota clawed all the way back to force overtime with a Naz Reid three-pointer at the buzzer, but Brooklyn managed to squeeze out the win by virtue of Mikal Bridges and Dorian Finney-Smith three-pointers in the final 1:18 and a Mike Conley missed three with one second left.
Bridges led the Nets with 34 points, supplementing them with six rebounds and one assist. Spencer Dinwiddie furnished 29 points, 11 assists, three rebounds and one steal. Cameron Johnson furnished 15 points and eight boards. Royce O'Neale generated a 12-point, 15-rebound double-double that included two assists and three steals. Nic Claxton totaled 11 points, nine boards, three assists and four steals. Finney-Smith and Seth Curry posted 11 points apiece, with the former adding five rebounds, two assists, three steals and one block.
Anthony Edwards paced the Timberwolves with 32 points, supplementing them with six rebounds, two assists, three blocks and two steals. Rudy Gobert generated a 26-point, 13-rebound double-double that included four assists, four steals and one block. Kyle Anderson and Jaden McDaniels furnished matching 15-point contributions, with Anderson also pitching in 11 rebounds. Conley supplied 11 points, seven assists, six rebounds, two steals and one block.
The Nets remain on the road and visit the Denver Nuggets on Sunday afternoon, while the Timberwolves hit the road and visit the Atlanta Hawks on Monday night.
The Timberwolves (34-34) opened the game in strong form, forging a 33-26 lead through one and adding another point to their advantage prior to halftime. However, the Nets (38-29) changed the dynamic of the game in the third quarter, outscoring the hosts by a 37-20 margin to take a nine-point edge into the final period. Nevertheless, Minnesota clawed all the way back to force overtime with a Naz Reid three-pointer at the buzzer, but Brooklyn managed to squeeze out the win by virtue of Mikal Bridges and Dorian Finney-Smith three-pointers in the final 1:18 and a Mike Conley missed three with one second left.
Bridges led the Nets with 34 points, supplementing them with six rebounds and one assist. Spencer Dinwiddie furnished 29 points, 11 assists, three rebounds and one steal. Cameron Johnson furnished 15 points and eight boards. Royce O'Neale generated a 12-point, 15-rebound double-double that included two assists and three steals. Nic Claxton totaled 11 points, nine boards, three assists and four steals. Finney-Smith and Seth Curry posted 11 points apiece, with the former adding five rebounds, two assists, three steals and one block.
Anthony Edwards paced the Timberwolves with 32 points, supplementing them with six rebounds, two assists, three blocks and two steals. Rudy Gobert generated a 26-point, 13-rebound double-double that included four assists, four steals and one block. Kyle Anderson and Jaden McDaniels furnished matching 15-point contributions, with Anderson also pitching in 11 rebounds. Conley supplied 11 points, seven assists, six rebounds, two steals and one block.
The Nets remain on the road and visit the Denver Nuggets on Sunday afternoon, while the Timberwolves hit the road and visit the Atlanta Hawks on Monday night.
Spurs Stun Nuggets In San Antonio
By Dan Bruno
The San Antonio Spurs defeated the visiting Denver Nuggets, 128-120, at AT&T Center on Friday evening.
The Nuggets jumped out to a great start with a, 38-26, lead after one quarter. The Spurs turned the tables in the second and out-scored the visitors, 42-29, to earn a one-point edge at the break. The Spurs kept up the fight in the third and managed to expand their lead to five, heading into the final frame. The Nuggets had no answers in the fourth, as they cut it down to a two-point game, before the the Spurs came up clutch to seal the home win.
Keldon Johnson led the Spurs with 23 points, eight rebounds, six assists and two steals, in 36 minutes. Doug McDermott followed up with 20 points, five rebounds and a steal, while Jeremy Sochan tallied 19 points, eight rebounds, three assists and a steal. The Spurs shot 54.3 percent from the field, including 13-of-33 from long range.
Meanwhile, Nikola Jokic led the Nuggets with 37 points, 11 rebounds, 11 assists and three steals, in 39 minutes. Jamal Murray followed up with 24 points, six rebounds, seven assists, three steals and two blocks, while Aaron Gordon added 14 points, six rebounds, three assists, a steal and a block. The Nuggets shot 48.9 percent from the field, including 13-of-35 from deep.
The Nuggets (46-21) will look to bounce back as they play host to the Nets on Sunday. The Spurs (17-49) play host to the Thunder on Sunday.
The Nuggets jumped out to a great start with a, 38-26, lead after one quarter. The Spurs turned the tables in the second and out-scored the visitors, 42-29, to earn a one-point edge at the break. The Spurs kept up the fight in the third and managed to expand their lead to five, heading into the final frame. The Nuggets had no answers in the fourth, as they cut it down to a two-point game, before the the Spurs came up clutch to seal the home win.
Keldon Johnson led the Spurs with 23 points, eight rebounds, six assists and two steals, in 36 minutes. Doug McDermott followed up with 20 points, five rebounds and a steal, while Jeremy Sochan tallied 19 points, eight rebounds, three assists and a steal. The Spurs shot 54.3 percent from the field, including 13-of-33 from long range.
Meanwhile, Nikola Jokic led the Nuggets with 37 points, 11 rebounds, 11 assists and three steals, in 39 minutes. Jamal Murray followed up with 24 points, six rebounds, seven assists, three steals and two blocks, while Aaron Gordon added 14 points, six rebounds, three assists, a steal and a block. The Nuggets shot 48.9 percent from the field, including 13-of-35 from deep.
The Nuggets (46-21) will look to bounce back as they play host to the Nets on Sunday. The Spurs (17-49) play host to the Thunder on Sunday.
Lakers Defeat Raptors, 122-112
The Los Angeles Lakers defeated the visiting Toronto Raptors, 122-112, at Crypto.com Arena on Friday.
There were seven ties and 17 lead changes in this game, with LA riding a 37-22 fourth quarter to their victory. Toronto actually led by double-digits in the first and third quarters but Los Angeles also outscored Toronto in the second quarter, 39-27. The Lakers bench dominated this game, outscoring the Raptors bench, 61-12. Los Angeles shot 56 percent from the field and 43 percent from three-point range while holding Toronto to 50 percent from the field and 36 percent from long range,
The Raptors (32-36) were led by Scottie Barnes, providing 32 points, nine rebounds and seven assists. OG Anunoby shot 12-of-14 from the field to accrue 31 points, two rebounds and five steals. Jakob Poeltl amassed 17 points, 10 rebounds, four assists and three steals. Pascal Siakam totaled 12 points, four rebounds and two assists, while Fred VanVleet had eight points, four rebounds, 10 assists and three steals.
The Lakers (34-35) were led by D'Angelo Russell, tallying 28 points, five rebounds and nine assists. Jarred Vanderbilt generated 16 points, four rebounds and two steals. Anthony Davis collected eight points, nine rebounds, three assists and four blocks. Dennis Schroder led the bench with 23 points, seven assists and four steals, while Austin Rivers accumulated 18 points, two rebounds and five assists.
On deck for Los Angeles is a home matchup with the New York Knicks on Sunday. As for Toronto, they return to action on Tuesday in a home matchup with the Denver Nuggets.
There were seven ties and 17 lead changes in this game, with LA riding a 37-22 fourth quarter to their victory. Toronto actually led by double-digits in the first and third quarters but Los Angeles also outscored Toronto in the second quarter, 39-27. The Lakers bench dominated this game, outscoring the Raptors bench, 61-12. Los Angeles shot 56 percent from the field and 43 percent from three-point range while holding Toronto to 50 percent from the field and 36 percent from long range,
The Raptors (32-36) were led by Scottie Barnes, providing 32 points, nine rebounds and seven assists. OG Anunoby shot 12-of-14 from the field to accrue 31 points, two rebounds and five steals. Jakob Poeltl amassed 17 points, 10 rebounds, four assists and three steals. Pascal Siakam totaled 12 points, four rebounds and two assists, while Fred VanVleet had eight points, four rebounds, 10 assists and three steals.
The Lakers (34-35) were led by D'Angelo Russell, tallying 28 points, five rebounds and nine assists. Jarred Vanderbilt generated 16 points, four rebounds and two steals. Anthony Davis collected eight points, nine rebounds, three assists and four blocks. Dennis Schroder led the bench with 23 points, seven assists and four steals, while Austin Rivers accumulated 18 points, two rebounds and five assists.
On deck for Los Angeles is a home matchup with the New York Knicks on Sunday. As for Toronto, they return to action on Tuesday in a home matchup with the Denver Nuggets.