Nets Hold On Despite Nuggets' Late Rally
The Brooklyn Nets defeated the Denver Nuggets, 122-120, at Ball Arena on Sunday.
The Nets (38-29) edged the Nuggets (46-21) in a battle of contenders that went down to the wire Sunday. Things started quite even and neither team established the lead after the first 12 minutes (30-30), but the Nuggets began to pull away after a 39-31 score in the second half. Brooklyn flipped the script in the third quarter and ran Denver out of the building, shifting the game's momentum after outscoring its rivals by a 37-18 score in the third quarter. Denver attempted a comeback and came close to making it a reality, but they fell short in the final minutes. The Nuggets won the final quarter by a 33-24 score, but they fell short in their comeback attempt. The Nets improved to 19-17 on the road with the win, while the Nuggets fell to 30-5 at home.
Mikal Bridges led the way for the Nets with 25 points, three rebounds and two assists. Nic Claxton posted 20 points, six boards and five assists. Dorian Finney-Smith finished with 15 points and four steals. Spencer Dinwiddie also had 15 points, but he stood out thanks to 16 assists and six rebounds. Cameron Johnson delivered 14 points, four rebounds, two assists and two steals. Seth Curry notched 12 points and two rebounds off the bench.
Nikola Jokic carried the Nuggets with a triple-double of 35 points, 20 rebounds and 11 assists. Michael Porter Jr. finished with 23 points, three rebounds and four assists. Aaron Gordon posted 13 points, four rebounds and two dimes. Jamal Murray recorded 16 points and three boards.
The Nets (38-29) edged the Nuggets (46-21) in a battle of contenders that went down to the wire Sunday. Things started quite even and neither team established the lead after the first 12 minutes (30-30), but the Nuggets began to pull away after a 39-31 score in the second half. Brooklyn flipped the script in the third quarter and ran Denver out of the building, shifting the game's momentum after outscoring its rivals by a 37-18 score in the third quarter. Denver attempted a comeback and came close to making it a reality, but they fell short in the final minutes. The Nuggets won the final quarter by a 33-24 score, but they fell short in their comeback attempt. The Nets improved to 19-17 on the road with the win, while the Nuggets fell to 30-5 at home.
Mikal Bridges led the way for the Nets with 25 points, three rebounds and two assists. Nic Claxton posted 20 points, six boards and five assists. Dorian Finney-Smith finished with 15 points and four steals. Spencer Dinwiddie also had 15 points, but he stood out thanks to 16 assists and six rebounds. Cameron Johnson delivered 14 points, four rebounds, two assists and two steals. Seth Curry notched 12 points and two rebounds off the bench.
Nikola Jokic carried the Nuggets with a triple-double of 35 points, 20 rebounds and 11 assists. Michael Porter Jr. finished with 23 points, three rebounds and four assists. Aaron Gordon posted 13 points, four rebounds and two dimes. Jamal Murray recorded 16 points and three boards.
Cavaliers Come From Behind To Defeat Hornets
The Cleveland Cavaliers defeated the Charlotte Hornets, 114-108, at Spectrum Center on Sunday afternoon.
The Cavaliers (43-27) had to work harder than expected to get past the Hornets (22-48) on Sunday. Their win included a huge comeback in the second half, aided by a 33-19 win in the final 12 minutes. Charlotte looked better in the early stages of the contest and raced out to a 35-25 lead in the first quarter. The Cavaliers showed signs of life just before the break, however, and they reduced the deficit to just seven points following a 27-24 score. The Hornets kept themselves in the lead after winning the final 12 minutes by a 30-29 score, but Cleveland would storm back with a huge comeback. The Cavaliers won the final quarter by a 33-19 score and secured the victory. The Cavaliers moved to 15-20 on the road with the win, while the Hornets fell to 11-22 at home.
Darius Garland led the Cavaliers with 28 points, six assists and six rebounds. Donovan Mitchell recorded 23 points, three rebounds, three assists and two steals. Evan Mobley posted 18 points, nine rebounds and three assists. Caris LeVert filled the stat sheet off the bench with 15 points, four assists, two rebounds and two steals. Ricky Rubio ended with 11 points off the bench. Cleveland shot 47.1 percent from the field.
Terry Rozier led the way for the Hornets with 27 points, four rebounds, six assists and four steals. Nick Richards posted 15 points, 12 rebounds, four assists and three blocks. P.J. Washington had 19 points and five rebounds. Gordon Hayward ended with 16 points, six assists and four rebounds.
The Cavaliers (43-27) had to work harder than expected to get past the Hornets (22-48) on Sunday. Their win included a huge comeback in the second half, aided by a 33-19 win in the final 12 minutes. Charlotte looked better in the early stages of the contest and raced out to a 35-25 lead in the first quarter. The Cavaliers showed signs of life just before the break, however, and they reduced the deficit to just seven points following a 27-24 score. The Hornets kept themselves in the lead after winning the final 12 minutes by a 30-29 score, but Cleveland would storm back with a huge comeback. The Cavaliers won the final quarter by a 33-19 score and secured the victory. The Cavaliers moved to 15-20 on the road with the win, while the Hornets fell to 11-22 at home.
Darius Garland led the Cavaliers with 28 points, six assists and six rebounds. Donovan Mitchell recorded 23 points, three rebounds, three assists and two steals. Evan Mobley posted 18 points, nine rebounds and three assists. Caris LeVert filled the stat sheet off the bench with 15 points, four assists, two rebounds and two steals. Ricky Rubio ended with 11 points off the bench. Cleveland shot 47.1 percent from the field.
Terry Rozier led the way for the Hornets with 27 points, four rebounds, six assists and four steals. Nick Richards posted 15 points, 12 rebounds, four assists and three blocks. P.J. Washington had 19 points and five rebounds. Gordon Hayward ended with 16 points, six assists and four rebounds.
76ers Top Wizards, 112-93
The Philadelphia 76ers defeated the Washington Wizards, 112-93, at Wells Fargo Center on Sunday evening.
The 76ers (45-22) rightfully came into the contest as solid favorites and played like it early, establishing a 27-19 lead through one. The Wizards (31-37) did play their best quarter in the second while racking up 31 points, but they still made just a three-point dent in their deficit prior to halftime. Philadelphia then made sure there would be no comeback and won going away courtesy of a 57-43 advantage in the second half. The hosts enjoyed a significant shooting advantage, draining 51.2 percent of their attempts while limiting Washington to a 40.2 percent success rate.
Corey Kispert led the Wizards with 25 points, supplementing them with three rebounds and one assist. Bradley Beal supplied 13 points, four assists, one rebound, one steal and one block. Kyle Kuzma generated a 12-point, 11-rebound double-double that included four assists and one steal. Monte Morris registered 11 points, four rebounds, one assist and one block.
Joel Embiid paced the 76ers with 34 points, supplementing them with eight rebounds, four assists, four blocks and one steal. James Harden generated an 18-point, 14-assist double-double that included two rebounds and one steal. Tobias Harris posted 11 points, three rebounds, two blocks and one steal. De'Anthony Melton furnished 10 points, six boards, four assists and two blocks.
The Wizards return home and host the Detroit Pistons on Tuesday night, while the 76ers hit the road and visit the Cleveland Cavaliers on Wednesday night.
The 76ers (45-22) rightfully came into the contest as solid favorites and played like it early, establishing a 27-19 lead through one. The Wizards (31-37) did play their best quarter in the second while racking up 31 points, but they still made just a three-point dent in their deficit prior to halftime. Philadelphia then made sure there would be no comeback and won going away courtesy of a 57-43 advantage in the second half. The hosts enjoyed a significant shooting advantage, draining 51.2 percent of their attempts while limiting Washington to a 40.2 percent success rate.
Corey Kispert led the Wizards with 25 points, supplementing them with three rebounds and one assist. Bradley Beal supplied 13 points, four assists, one rebound, one steal and one block. Kyle Kuzma generated a 12-point, 11-rebound double-double that included four assists and one steal. Monte Morris registered 11 points, four rebounds, one assist and one block.
Joel Embiid paced the 76ers with 34 points, supplementing them with eight rebounds, four assists, four blocks and one steal. James Harden generated an 18-point, 14-assist double-double that included two rebounds and one steal. Tobias Harris posted 11 points, three rebounds, two blocks and one steal. De'Anthony Melton furnished 10 points, six boards, four assists and two blocks.
The Wizards return home and host the Detroit Pistons on Tuesday night, while the 76ers hit the road and visit the Cleveland Cavaliers on Wednesday night.
Pelicans Thump Trail Blazers, 127-110
The New Orleans Pelicans defeated the Portland Trail Blazers, 127-110, at Smoothie King Center on Sunday night.
The Pelicans (33-35) checked into the night as modest home favorites, but they appeared on their way to a rout after forging a 42-25 lead through one. New Orleans' advantage was up to 20 points by halftime, but it was a third period during which they outscored the Trail Blazers (31-37) by a 35-19 margin that put the game away for good, despite Portland making the final score look a bit less lopsided with a 37-point fourth quarter.
Anfernee Simons led the Trail Blazers with 17 points, adding four assists and two rebounds. Shadeon Sharpe and Kevin Knox generated matching 14-point tallies while adding five and four rebounds, respectively. Cam Reddish furnished 11 points, four boards and three assists. Trent Watford and Nassir Little posted 10 points apiece while pulling down seven and six rebounds, respectively. Matisse Thybulle registered 10 points and three steals.
Trey Murphy paced the Pelicans with 41 points, supplementing them with seven rebounds, one assist and one steal. C.J. McCollum supplied 22 points, 11 assists, five rebounds and one steal. Josh Richardson compiled 19 points, two rebounds, one assist, four steals and two blocks. Herbert Jones turned in 16 points, seven assists, four rebounds and two steals. Jonas Valanciunas contributed an 11-point, 12-rebound double-double that included two assists and two blocks.
The Trail Blazers return home to face the New York Knicks on Tuesday night, while the Pelicans remain home and host the Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday night.
The Pelicans (33-35) checked into the night as modest home favorites, but they appeared on their way to a rout after forging a 42-25 lead through one. New Orleans' advantage was up to 20 points by halftime, but it was a third period during which they outscored the Trail Blazers (31-37) by a 35-19 margin that put the game away for good, despite Portland making the final score look a bit less lopsided with a 37-point fourth quarter.
Anfernee Simons led the Trail Blazers with 17 points, adding four assists and two rebounds. Shadeon Sharpe and Kevin Knox generated matching 14-point tallies while adding five and four rebounds, respectively. Cam Reddish furnished 11 points, four boards and three assists. Trent Watford and Nassir Little posted 10 points apiece while pulling down seven and six rebounds, respectively. Matisse Thybulle registered 10 points and three steals.
Trey Murphy paced the Pelicans with 41 points, supplementing them with seven rebounds, one assist and one steal. C.J. McCollum supplied 22 points, 11 assists, five rebounds and one steal. Josh Richardson compiled 19 points, two rebounds, one assist, four steals and two blocks. Herbert Jones turned in 16 points, seven assists, four rebounds and two steals. Jonas Valanciunas contributed an 11-point, 12-rebound double-double that included two assists and two blocks.
The Trail Blazers return home to face the New York Knicks on Tuesday night, while the Pelicans remain home and host the Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday night.
Thunder Notch Second Straight Win
By Dan Bruno
The Oklahoma City Thunder defeated the host San Antonio Spurs, 102-90, at AT&T Center on Sunday evening.
Despite missing Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (abdomen), the Thunder jumped out to a great start with a 10-point lead after one quarter. The Spurs came out better in the second and managed to trim it to a five-point game at the break. The hosts kept the momentum going in the third and tied it up at 59, but the Thunder regained the upper hand with a seven-point lead heading into the final quarter. The Thunder stayed in front the rest of the way and closed out their second straight win.
Jalen Williams led the Thunder with 21 points, seven rebounds and 10 assists, in 35 minutes. Josh Giddey totaled 15 points, 11 rebounds, five assists and a steal, while Ousmane Dieng added 17 points and eight rebounds. The Thunder shot 37.9 percent from the field, including 10-of-39 from long range.
Meanwhile, Zach Collins led the Spurs with 23 points, 11 rebounds and four assists, in 30 minutes. Devonte' Graham followed up with 20 points, three rebounds, three assists, a steal and a block, while Keita Bates-Diop tallied 12 points, seven rebounds and four assists. The Spurs shot 37.5 percent from the field, including 10-of-36 from deep.
The Spurs (17-50) play host to the Magic on Tuesday. The Thunder (33-35) play host to the Nets on Tuesday.
Despite missing Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (abdomen), the Thunder jumped out to a great start with a 10-point lead after one quarter. The Spurs came out better in the second and managed to trim it to a five-point game at the break. The hosts kept the momentum going in the third and tied it up at 59, but the Thunder regained the upper hand with a seven-point lead heading into the final quarter. The Thunder stayed in front the rest of the way and closed out their second straight win.
Jalen Williams led the Thunder with 21 points, seven rebounds and 10 assists, in 35 minutes. Josh Giddey totaled 15 points, 11 rebounds, five assists and a steal, while Ousmane Dieng added 17 points and eight rebounds. The Thunder shot 37.9 percent from the field, including 10-of-39 from long range.
Meanwhile, Zach Collins led the Spurs with 23 points, 11 rebounds and four assists, in 30 minutes. Devonte' Graham followed up with 20 points, three rebounds, three assists, a steal and a block, while Keita Bates-Diop tallied 12 points, seven rebounds and four assists. The Spurs shot 37.5 percent from the field, including 10-of-36 from deep.
The Spurs (17-50) play host to the Magic on Tuesday. The Thunder (33-35) play host to the Nets on Tuesday.
Knicks Defeat Lakers, 112-108
The New York Knicks defeated the host Los Angeles Lakers, 112-108, at Crypto.com Arena on Sunday.
There were seven ties and 11 lead changes in this game, with neither team leading by more than 10 points. With that said, NY grabbed that game-high lead late in the fourth quarter, going on a 13-3 run to take command. The Knicks shot 17-of-21 from the free-throw line while the Lakers connected on just 10-of-17. New York's starters dominated LA's starters, outscoring them, 87-65. They also outscored them in the paint, 56-50.
The Knicks (40-30) were led by Julius Randle, collecting 33 points, eight rebounds and five assists. RJ Barrett totaled 30 points, six rebounds and two assists. Immanuel Quickley collected 15 points, two rebounds and three assists, while Josh Hart led the bench with eight points, eight rebounds and four assists. Isaiah Hartenstein led the team with 10 rebounds off the pine.
The Lakers (33-35) were led by D'Angelo Russell, registering 33 points, five rebounds and eight assists on 13-of-19 from the field. Anthony Davis accrued 17 points, 16 rebounds, four assists and two steals. Dennis Schroder led the bench with 14 points, while Austin Reaves amassed 13 points and four assists. Troy Brown missed all eight of his shots across 28 minutes of play.
Both teams return to action on Tuesday, with LA traveling to face the New Orleans Pelicans and New York staying on the road to play the Portland Trail Blazers.
There were seven ties and 11 lead changes in this game, with neither team leading by more than 10 points. With that said, NY grabbed that game-high lead late in the fourth quarter, going on a 13-3 run to take command. The Knicks shot 17-of-21 from the free-throw line while the Lakers connected on just 10-of-17. New York's starters dominated LA's starters, outscoring them, 87-65. They also outscored them in the paint, 56-50.
The Knicks (40-30) were led by Julius Randle, collecting 33 points, eight rebounds and five assists. RJ Barrett totaled 30 points, six rebounds and two assists. Immanuel Quickley collected 15 points, two rebounds and three assists, while Josh Hart led the bench with eight points, eight rebounds and four assists. Isaiah Hartenstein led the team with 10 rebounds off the pine.
The Lakers (33-35) were led by D'Angelo Russell, registering 33 points, five rebounds and eight assists on 13-of-19 from the field. Anthony Davis accrued 17 points, 16 rebounds, four assists and two steals. Dennis Schroder led the bench with 14 points, while Austin Reaves amassed 13 points and four assists. Troy Brown missed all eight of his shots across 28 minutes of play.
Both teams return to action on Tuesday, with LA traveling to face the New Orleans Pelicans and New York staying on the road to play the Portland Trail Blazers.