Celtics Hold On To Defeat Knicks
The Boston Celtics defeated the New York Knicks, 114-98, at TD Garden on Monday.
The Celtics (8-2) remain perfect at home and secured a comfortable win over the Knicks (5-5) in the latest chapter of one of the biggest rivalries in the NBA. The game was tight in the early stages, though, with the Celtics grabbing a mere one-point lead after the first quarter. The Knicks somehow responded and made it a one-point game for them at the break following a 29-27 score in the second quarter. However, Boston didn’t change its approach; persistence paid off for them in the second half. The Celtics won the third quarter and never looked back following a 32-23 score, and they closed the game out in the fourth and final quarter (30-22). With the win, the Celtics moved to 5-0 at home in 2023-24. Meanwhile, the Knicks fell to 2-3 when playing on the road.
Jayson Tatum had led the Celtics with 35 points, seven assists and six rebounds. Kristaps Porzingis delivered 21 points and six boards. Jaylen Brown had 22 points, five rebounds and six assists. Jrue Holiday had a strong outing too with 14 points and seven rebounds. Sam Hauser made his presence felt with 12 points while coming off the bench.
Jalen Brunson led the way for the Knicks with 26 points, four assists and three rebounds. Julius Randle had another outstanding performance, pouring in 25 points, nine rebounds and five assists. Josh Hart also ended close to posting a double-double thanks to his 16 points and nine rebounds. Hart also dished out three assists and grabbed nine boards. Quentin Grimes had 13 points.
The Celtics (8-2) remain perfect at home and secured a comfortable win over the Knicks (5-5) in the latest chapter of one of the biggest rivalries in the NBA. The game was tight in the early stages, though, with the Celtics grabbing a mere one-point lead after the first quarter. The Knicks somehow responded and made it a one-point game for them at the break following a 29-27 score in the second quarter. However, Boston didn’t change its approach; persistence paid off for them in the second half. The Celtics won the third quarter and never looked back following a 32-23 score, and they closed the game out in the fourth and final quarter (30-22). With the win, the Celtics moved to 5-0 at home in 2023-24. Meanwhile, the Knicks fell to 2-3 when playing on the road.
Jayson Tatum had led the Celtics with 35 points, seven assists and six rebounds. Kristaps Porzingis delivered 21 points and six boards. Jaylen Brown had 22 points, five rebounds and six assists. Jrue Holiday had a strong outing too with 14 points and seven rebounds. Sam Hauser made his presence felt with 12 points while coming off the bench.
Jalen Brunson led the way for the Knicks with 26 points, four assists and three rebounds. Julius Randle had another outstanding performance, pouring in 25 points, nine rebounds and five assists. Josh Hart also ended close to posting a double-double thanks to his 16 points and nine rebounds. Hart also dished out three assists and grabbed nine boards. Quentin Grimes had 13 points.
Raptors Edge Wizards, 111-107
The Toronto Raptors defeated the Washington Wizards, 111-107, at Scotiabank Arena on Monday night.
The Wizards (2-8) looked set to pull off a big road upset with their prolific first half, which saw them forge a seemingly commanding 64-45 halftime lead. However, the Raptors (5-5) came out of the halftime locker room a changed team, knocking nine points from their deficit during the third quarter and then outscoring Washington by a 31-16 margin in the final 12 minutes for the narrow victory, spearheaded by a 16-0 run over the final 5:34.
Kyle Kuzma led the Wizards with 34 points, adding three rebounds and three assists. Daniel Gafford and Jordan Poole posted 14 points each while tallying nine rebounds and six assists, respectively. Corey Kispert and Bilal Coulibaly generated matching 10-point, three-assist tallies, with Coulibaly also managing seven rebounds. Tyus Jones matched his teammates' scoring and also contributed eight assists and three rebounds.
Pascal Siakam paced the Raptors with a 39-point, 11-rebound double-double that included seven assists and three steals. Scottie Barnes supplied 19 points, nine rebounds, four assists and five steals. Jakob Poeltl turned in 13 points, six rebounds and five assists. Precious Achiuwa furnished 10 points, four rebounds, one assist and one steal.
The Wizards return home and host the Dallas Mavericks on Wednesday night, while the Raptors remain home and host the Milwaukee Bucks on Wednesday night as well.
The Wizards (2-8) looked set to pull off a big road upset with their prolific first half, which saw them forge a seemingly commanding 64-45 halftime lead. However, the Raptors (5-5) came out of the halftime locker room a changed team, knocking nine points from their deficit during the third quarter and then outscoring Washington by a 31-16 margin in the final 12 minutes for the narrow victory, spearheaded by a 16-0 run over the final 5:34.
Kyle Kuzma led the Wizards with 34 points, adding three rebounds and three assists. Daniel Gafford and Jordan Poole posted 14 points each while tallying nine rebounds and six assists, respectively. Corey Kispert and Bilal Coulibaly generated matching 10-point, three-assist tallies, with Coulibaly also managing seven rebounds. Tyus Jones matched his teammates' scoring and also contributed eight assists and three rebounds.
Pascal Siakam paced the Raptors with a 39-point, 11-rebound double-double that included seven assists and three steals. Scottie Barnes supplied 19 points, nine rebounds, four assists and five steals. Jakob Poeltl turned in 13 points, six rebounds and five assists. Precious Achiuwa furnished 10 points, four rebounds, one assist and one steal.
The Wizards return home and host the Dallas Mavericks on Wednesday night, while the Raptors remain home and host the Milwaukee Bucks on Wednesday night as well.
Bucks Too Much For Bulls To Handle
By Dan Bruno
The Milwaukee Bucks defeated the visiting Chicago Bulls, 118-109, at Fiserv Forum on Monday evening.
The Bucks jumped out to a dominant start with a, 35-18, lead after one quarter. The Bulls picked up their play in the second and outscored the hosts, 31-24, to a 10-point game by halftime. The Bulls kept the momentum going in the third and took a brief lead, but the Bucks reclaimed control and rallied to a nine-point advantage heading into the final frame. Both sides brought a strong effort in the fourth, pouring in 35 points each, but the Bucks maintained control through the quarter to secure the home win and end a two-game slide.
Giannis Antetokounmpo led the Bucks with 35 points, 11 rebounds and two assists, in 35 minutes. Bobby Portis followed up with 19 points, 10 rebounds, two assists and a block, while Khris Middleton tallied 13 points, six rebounds, two assists and a steal. The Bucks shot 47.2 percent from the field, including 15-for-47 from long range.
Meanwhile, Nikola Vucevic led the Bulls with 26 points, 12 rebounds, five assists, a steal and a block, in 36 minutes. Zach LaVine followed up with 20 points, eight rebounds, five assists, a steal and a block, while Coby White totaled 16 points, three rebounds and two steals. The Bulls shot 38.0 percent from the field, including 14-for-42 from deep.
The Bulls (4-7) will look to bounce back as they play host to the Magic on Wednesday. The Bucks (6-4) take on the Raptors in Toronto on Wednesday.
The Bucks jumped out to a dominant start with a, 35-18, lead after one quarter. The Bulls picked up their play in the second and outscored the hosts, 31-24, to a 10-point game by halftime. The Bulls kept the momentum going in the third and took a brief lead, but the Bucks reclaimed control and rallied to a nine-point advantage heading into the final frame. Both sides brought a strong effort in the fourth, pouring in 35 points each, but the Bucks maintained control through the quarter to secure the home win and end a two-game slide.
Giannis Antetokounmpo led the Bucks with 35 points, 11 rebounds and two assists, in 35 minutes. Bobby Portis followed up with 19 points, 10 rebounds, two assists and a block, while Khris Middleton tallied 13 points, six rebounds, two assists and a steal. The Bucks shot 47.2 percent from the field, including 15-for-47 from long range.
Meanwhile, Nikola Vucevic led the Bulls with 26 points, 12 rebounds, five assists, a steal and a block, in 36 minutes. Zach LaVine followed up with 20 points, eight rebounds, five assists, a steal and a block, while Coby White totaled 16 points, three rebounds and two steals. The Bulls shot 38.0 percent from the field, including 14-for-42 from deep.
The Bulls (4-7) will look to bounce back as they play host to the Magic on Wednesday. The Bucks (6-4) take on the Raptors in Toronto on Wednesday.
Kings Defeat Cavaliers, 132-120
The Sacramento Kings defeated the visiting Cleveland Cavaliers, 132-120, at Golden 1 Center on Monday.
A 33-25 first quarter set the foundation for Sacramento in this win, maintaining the lead for the final three quarters. A 42-29 third quarter allowed them to maintain a double-digit lead for the entirety of the fourth quarter. The Kings shot 59 percent from the field and 48 percent from three-point range, while the Cavaliers shot 50 percent from the field and 46 percent from long range. Sacramento also out-assisted Cleveland, 32-23, while holding Cleveland to just four fastbreak points.
The Cavaliers (4-6) were led by Donovan Mitchell, amassing 22 points, two rebounds and five assists. Caris LeVert led the bench with 21 points and three boards. Max Strus totaled 19 points, five rebounds and three assists, while Darius Garland generated 16 points, three rebounds and six assists. Evan Mobley had 16 points, 11 rebounds and two assists.
The Kings (5-4) were led by De'Aaron Fox, finishing with 28 points, two rebounds and six assists. Keegan Murray accrued 25 points and eight rebounds. Domantas Sabonis tallied 23 points, nine rebounds, 10 assists and two blocks, while Kevin Huerter provided 20 points, two rebounds and two assists. Malik Monk led the bench with 13 points, five rebounds and four assists.
Both teams return to action on Wednesday, with Cleveland staying west to face the Portland Trail Blazers and Sacramento traveling to play the Los Angeles Lakers.
A 33-25 first quarter set the foundation for Sacramento in this win, maintaining the lead for the final three quarters. A 42-29 third quarter allowed them to maintain a double-digit lead for the entirety of the fourth quarter. The Kings shot 59 percent from the field and 48 percent from three-point range, while the Cavaliers shot 50 percent from the field and 46 percent from long range. Sacramento also out-assisted Cleveland, 32-23, while holding Cleveland to just four fastbreak points.
The Cavaliers (4-6) were led by Donovan Mitchell, amassing 22 points, two rebounds and five assists. Caris LeVert led the bench with 21 points and three boards. Max Strus totaled 19 points, five rebounds and three assists, while Darius Garland generated 16 points, three rebounds and six assists. Evan Mobley had 16 points, 11 rebounds and two assists.
The Kings (5-4) were led by De'Aaron Fox, finishing with 28 points, two rebounds and six assists. Keegan Murray accrued 25 points and eight rebounds. Domantas Sabonis tallied 23 points, nine rebounds, 10 assists and two blocks, while Kevin Huerter provided 20 points, two rebounds and two assists. Malik Monk led the bench with 13 points, five rebounds and four assists.
Both teams return to action on Wednesday, with Cleveland staying west to face the Portland Trail Blazers and Sacramento traveling to play the Los Angeles Lakers.