Magic Knock Off Bucks In Orlando
By Dan Bruno
The Orlando Magic defeated the visiting Milwaukee Bucks, 112-97, at Amway Center on Saturday evening.
The game got out to a competitive start as the Magic led, 29-25, after one quarter. The hosts turned it up a notch in the second and outscored the Bucks, 36-24, to claim a 16-point cushion by halftime. The Bucks regained their focus for the third but both sides tallied 23 points in the quarter, as it remained a 16-point game heading into the final quarter. The visitors had no answers in the fourth, as the Magic kept pace and closed out the home win, ending a two-game slide. This marks the second straight loss for the Bucks.
Paolo Banchero led the Magic with 26 points, 12 rebounds, five assists and a steal, in 38 minutes. Franz Wagner followed up with 24 points, six rebounds, three assists and a steal, while Jalen Suggs totaled 20 points, two rebounds, two assists and a steal. The Magic shot 42.9 percent from the field, including 10-for-26 from long range.
Meanwhile, Giannis Antetokounmpo led the Bucks with 35 points, 10 rebounds, seven assists, four steals and two blocks, in 37 minutes. Cameron Payne followed up with 14 points, two assists and two steals, while Bobby Portis added 13 points, seven rebounds and two steals. The Bucks shot 49.4 percent from the field, including 9-for-29 from deep.
The Bucks (5-4) will look to bounce back as they play host to the Bulls on Monday. The Magic (5-4) take on the Nets in Brooklyn on Tuesday.
The game got out to a competitive start as the Magic led, 29-25, after one quarter. The hosts turned it up a notch in the second and outscored the Bucks, 36-24, to claim a 16-point cushion by halftime. The Bucks regained their focus for the third but both sides tallied 23 points in the quarter, as it remained a 16-point game heading into the final quarter. The visitors had no answers in the fourth, as the Magic kept pace and closed out the home win, ending a two-game slide. This marks the second straight loss for the Bucks.
Paolo Banchero led the Magic with 26 points, 12 rebounds, five assists and a steal, in 38 minutes. Franz Wagner followed up with 24 points, six rebounds, three assists and a steal, while Jalen Suggs totaled 20 points, two rebounds, two assists and a steal. The Magic shot 42.9 percent from the field, including 10-for-26 from long range.
Meanwhile, Giannis Antetokounmpo led the Bucks with 35 points, 10 rebounds, seven assists, four steals and two blocks, in 37 minutes. Cameron Payne followed up with 14 points, two assists and two steals, while Bobby Portis added 13 points, seven rebounds and two steals. The Bucks shot 49.4 percent from the field, including 9-for-29 from deep.
The Bucks (5-4) will look to bounce back as they play host to the Bulls on Monday. The Magic (5-4) take on the Nets in Brooklyn on Tuesday.
Celtics Top Raptors In Boston
By Dan Bruno
The Boston Celtics defeated the visting Toronto Raptors, 117-94, at TD Garden on Saturday evening.
The Celtics got out to a strong start and led, 30-26, through one quarter. The hosts picked up momentum in the second and pushed their lead to nine points by halftime. The Raptors could not find an answer in the third and saw the deficit grow to 17, heading into the final frame. The Celtics did not let up in the fourth and finished strong to close out their second straight win, moving to 4-0 at home.
Jaylen Brown led the Celtics with 29 points, five rebounds and two assists, in 32 minutes. Jayson Tatum followed up with 27 points, five rebounds, four assists and a block, while Kristaps Porzingis tallied 21 points, seven rebounds and three assists. The Celtics shot 54.7 percent from the field, including 15-for-44 from long range.
Meanwhile, Pascal Siakam led the Raptors with 17 points, seven rebounds, three assists and three steals, in 28 minutes. Dennis Schroder followed up with 14 points, four assists and a steal, while Jakob Poeltl and Malachi Flynn chipped in 12 points each. The Raptors shot 38.5 percent from the field, including 10-for-37 from deep.
The Raptors (4-5) will look to bounce back as they play host to the Wizards on Monday. The Celtics (7-2) play host to the Knicks on Monday.
The Celtics got out to a strong start and led, 30-26, through one quarter. The hosts picked up momentum in the second and pushed their lead to nine points by halftime. The Raptors could not find an answer in the third and saw the deficit grow to 17, heading into the final frame. The Celtics did not let up in the fourth and finished strong to close out their second straight win, moving to 4-0 at home.
Jaylen Brown led the Celtics with 29 points, five rebounds and two assists, in 32 minutes. Jayson Tatum followed up with 27 points, five rebounds, four assists and a block, while Kristaps Porzingis tallied 21 points, seven rebounds and three assists. The Celtics shot 54.7 percent from the field, including 15-for-44 from long range.
Meanwhile, Pascal Siakam led the Raptors with 17 points, seven rebounds, three assists and three steals, in 28 minutes. Dennis Schroder followed up with 14 points, four assists and a steal, while Jakob Poeltl and Malachi Flynn chipped in 12 points each. The Raptors shot 38.5 percent from the field, including 10-for-37 from deep.
The Raptors (4-5) will look to bounce back as they play host to the Wizards on Monday. The Celtics (7-2) play host to the Knicks on Monday.
Heat Defeat Hawks, 117-109
The Miami Heat defeated the host Atlanta Hawks, 117-109, at State Farm Arena on Saturday.
While this wasn't a wire-to-wire win, Miami never relinquished the lead after the opening three minutes. They actually led 22-9 midway through the first quarter, and Atlanta never got within seven points after that terrible start. Miami got their lead up to 21 points at times, thanks to that 41-24 first quarter. The Heat shot 49 percent from the field and 92 percent from the free-throw line, while the Hawks shot 44 percent from the field and 83 percent from the charity stripe. Miami forced 21 turnovers from Atlanta while outscoring them in the paint, 48-36.
The Heat (5-4) were led by Bam Adebayo, collecting 26 points, 17 rebounds, four assists, two steals and two blocks. Jaime Jaquez started and totaled 20 points, three rebounds and four assists, Kyle Lowry had 17 points, two rebounds and four assists, while Josh Richardson led the bench with 16 points and two boards.
The Hawks (5-4) were led by Trae Young, tallying 27 points, two rebounds and 11 assists. Dejounte Murray accrued 23 points, five rebounds, five assists and three steals. De'Andre Hunter amassed 10 points, five rebounds and two assists, while Bogdan Bogdanovic led the bench with 15 points and three rebounds. Clint Capela led the team with 12 rebounds.
Miami has to play again on Sunday, traveling to face the San Antonio Spurs. As for Atlanta, they return to action on Tuesday in a road matchup with the Detroit Pistons.
While this wasn't a wire-to-wire win, Miami never relinquished the lead after the opening three minutes. They actually led 22-9 midway through the first quarter, and Atlanta never got within seven points after that terrible start. Miami got their lead up to 21 points at times, thanks to that 41-24 first quarter. The Heat shot 49 percent from the field and 92 percent from the free-throw line, while the Hawks shot 44 percent from the field and 83 percent from the charity stripe. Miami forced 21 turnovers from Atlanta while outscoring them in the paint, 48-36.
The Heat (5-4) were led by Bam Adebayo, collecting 26 points, 17 rebounds, four assists, two steals and two blocks. Jaime Jaquez started and totaled 20 points, three rebounds and four assists, Kyle Lowry had 17 points, two rebounds and four assists, while Josh Richardson led the bench with 16 points and two boards.
The Hawks (5-4) were led by Trae Young, tallying 27 points, two rebounds and 11 assists. Dejounte Murray accrued 23 points, five rebounds, five assists and three steals. De'Andre Hunter amassed 10 points, five rebounds and two assists, while Bogdan Bogdanovic led the bench with 15 points and three rebounds. Clint Capela led the team with 12 rebounds.
Miami has to play again on Sunday, traveling to face the San Antonio Spurs. As for Atlanta, they return to action on Tuesday in a road matchup with the Detroit Pistons.
Cavaliers Defeat Warriors, 118-110
The Cleveland Cavaliers defeated the host Golden State Warriors, 118-110, at Chase Center on Saturday.
While there were eight lead changes in this game, Cleveland held the lead for all but a few minutes. Golden State only led for 10.3 seconds over the final three quarters, with Cleveland riding a 38-21 second quarter to their win. They closed things out with a 34-27 fourth quarter. The Cavaliers shot 43 percent from the field and 37 percent from three-point range while holding the Warriors to 41 percent from the field and 34 percent from long range. Cleveland also outscored Golden State in the paint, 50-34, while winning the turnover battle, 20-10. That allowed the Cavs to outscore the Warriors in points off of turnovers, 32-8.
The Cavaliers (4-5) were led by Caris LeVert, collecting 22 points, five rebounds, three assists and three steals off of the bench, Donovan Mitchell led the starters with 22 points, seven rebounds, five assists and two steals. Darius Garland generated 19 points, seven rebounds, four assists and four steals, while Evan Mobley amassed 19 points, five rebounds, two assists and two steals.
The Warriors (6-4) were led by Stephen Curry, finishing with 30 points, three rebounds and two assists. Klay Thompson tallied 14 points and five rebounds. Andrew Wiggins accrued 13 points, five rebounds and three assists. Chris Paul led the bench with nine points, three rebounds, 10 assists and three steals. Draymond Green had eight points, five rebounds and four assists before being ejected.
Golden State has to play again on Sunday, remaining home to face the Minnesota Timberwolves. As for Cleveland, they stay in Cali to play the Sacramento Kings on Monday for their next outing.
While there were eight lead changes in this game, Cleveland held the lead for all but a few minutes. Golden State only led for 10.3 seconds over the final three quarters, with Cleveland riding a 38-21 second quarter to their win. They closed things out with a 34-27 fourth quarter. The Cavaliers shot 43 percent from the field and 37 percent from three-point range while holding the Warriors to 41 percent from the field and 34 percent from long range. Cleveland also outscored Golden State in the paint, 50-34, while winning the turnover battle, 20-10. That allowed the Cavs to outscore the Warriors in points off of turnovers, 32-8.
The Cavaliers (4-5) were led by Caris LeVert, collecting 22 points, five rebounds, three assists and three steals off of the bench, Donovan Mitchell led the starters with 22 points, seven rebounds, five assists and two steals. Darius Garland generated 19 points, seven rebounds, four assists and four steals, while Evan Mobley amassed 19 points, five rebounds, two assists and two steals.
The Warriors (6-4) were led by Stephen Curry, finishing with 30 points, three rebounds and two assists. Klay Thompson tallied 14 points and five rebounds. Andrew Wiggins accrued 13 points, five rebounds and three assists. Chris Paul led the bench with nine points, three rebounds, 10 assists and three steals. Draymond Green had eight points, five rebounds and four assists before being ejected.
Golden State has to play again on Sunday, remaining home to face the Minnesota Timberwolves. As for Cleveland, they stay in Cali to play the Sacramento Kings on Monday for their next outing.