Knicks Cruise To Win Over Hornets
The New York Knicks defeated the Charlotte Hornets, 122-108, at Spectrum Center on Saturday.
The Knicks (7-5) moved to 4-3 on the road with this comfortable win over a struggling Hornets (3-8) team that fell to 1-5 at home. Plus, this was New York’s third straight win away from home. The Knicks set their terms early and jumped to a 30-19 score in the first quarter. New York would not step its foot off the gas, but the second quarter ended with a 31-31 tie. The Hornets won the third quarter by a 30-28 score, but they did not have enough in them to mount a potential comeback. The Knicks closed things out in the fourth with a 33-28 score, cruising their way to an easy victory in front of their fans.
Jalen Brunson was the leading scorer for the Knicks with 32 points, eight assists and three rebounds. Donte DiVincenzo delivered 25 points, three rebounds, three assists and three steals. RJ Barrett ended with 15 points, three boards and three dimes. Julius Randle had 21 points, seven assists and six rebounds. No other New York player scored in double digits in this win. The Knicks shot 50.5 percent from the field and 43.2 percent from three-point range.
Brandon Miller impressed for the Hornets and finished with 29 points, three rebounds and two assists. LaMelo Ball was the team’s highest scorer and delivered 34 points while adding nine assists and five rebounds. Miles Bridges was the other Charlotte player who scored in double digits after notching 19 points, four rebounds and three dimes. Charlotte shot 48.8 percent from the field and 48.6 percent from three-point range.
The Knicks (7-5) moved to 4-3 on the road with this comfortable win over a struggling Hornets (3-8) team that fell to 1-5 at home. Plus, this was New York’s third straight win away from home. The Knicks set their terms early and jumped to a 30-19 score in the first quarter. New York would not step its foot off the gas, but the second quarter ended with a 31-31 tie. The Hornets won the third quarter by a 30-28 score, but they did not have enough in them to mount a potential comeback. The Knicks closed things out in the fourth with a 33-28 score, cruising their way to an easy victory in front of their fans.
Jalen Brunson was the leading scorer for the Knicks with 32 points, eight assists and three rebounds. Donte DiVincenzo delivered 25 points, three rebounds, three assists and three steals. RJ Barrett ended with 15 points, three boards and three dimes. Julius Randle had 21 points, seven assists and six rebounds. No other New York player scored in double digits in this win. The Knicks shot 50.5 percent from the field and 43.2 percent from three-point range.
Brandon Miller impressed for the Hornets and finished with 29 points, three rebounds and two assists. LaMelo Ball was the team’s highest scorer and delivered 34 points while adding nine assists and five rebounds. Miles Bridges was the other Charlotte player who scored in double digits after notching 19 points, four rebounds and three dimes. Charlotte shot 48.8 percent from the field and 48.6 percent from three-point range.
Towns Lifts Timberwolves To Road Win Over Pelicans
The Minnesota Timberwolves defeated the New Orleans Pelicans, 121-120, at Smoothie King Center on Saturday.
The Timberwolves (9-3) and the Pelicans (6-7) engaged in a tight battle that didn’t find a winner until the final seconds of the contest when Karl-Anthony Towns lifted Minnesota to victory. It wasn’t an easy game for the Timberwolves, however, as the Pelicans looked good in the early stages and raced to a 35-27 lead in the first quarter. Minnesota showed the potential to mount a comeback following a 32-29 score in the second quarter. A 31-26 score in the third quarter lifted New Orleans to a double-digit lead with 12 minutes left, but the Timberwolves came back in the final 12 minutes. The game was tight until the last gasp, but a floater from Towns with less than 10 seconds left was the differential. The Pelicans tried to win it via Brandon Ingram, but he missed what would’ve been the game-winner. With the win, the Timberwolves moved to 4-3 on the road, while the Pelicans fell to 4-4 at home.
Aside from scoring the game-winning shot, Karl-Anthony Towns led the Timberwolves in scoring with 29 points, nine assists, six rebounds and two blocks. Anthony Edwards delivered 23 points, four assists and three rebounds. Rudy Gobert posted a double-double of 17 points and 11 rebounds while adding two steals. Jalen McDaniels notched 12 points and two rebounds. Nickeil Alexander-Walker had 10 points coming off the bench.
Brandon Ingram was the leading scorer for the Pelicans with 30 points, seven rebounds and four assists. Jonas Valanciunas notched a double-double of 26 points and 11 rebounds while adding three assists and three blocks. Dyson Daniels posted 13 points, six assists and five rebounds. Jordan Hawkins notched 15 points and four assists. Herbert Jones had 13 points and eight assists while adding four rebounds and two steals. Matthew Ryan had 10 points coming off the bench.
The Timberwolves (9-3) and the Pelicans (6-7) engaged in a tight battle that didn’t find a winner until the final seconds of the contest when Karl-Anthony Towns lifted Minnesota to victory. It wasn’t an easy game for the Timberwolves, however, as the Pelicans looked good in the early stages and raced to a 35-27 lead in the first quarter. Minnesota showed the potential to mount a comeback following a 32-29 score in the second quarter. A 31-26 score in the third quarter lifted New Orleans to a double-digit lead with 12 minutes left, but the Timberwolves came back in the final 12 minutes. The game was tight until the last gasp, but a floater from Towns with less than 10 seconds left was the differential. The Pelicans tried to win it via Brandon Ingram, but he missed what would’ve been the game-winner. With the win, the Timberwolves moved to 4-3 on the road, while the Pelicans fell to 4-4 at home.
Aside from scoring the game-winning shot, Karl-Anthony Towns led the Timberwolves in scoring with 29 points, nine assists, six rebounds and two blocks. Anthony Edwards delivered 23 points, four assists and three rebounds. Rudy Gobert posted a double-double of 17 points and 11 rebounds while adding two steals. Jalen McDaniels notched 12 points and two rebounds. Nickeil Alexander-Walker had 10 points coming off the bench.
Brandon Ingram was the leading scorer for the Pelicans with 30 points, seven rebounds and four assists. Jonas Valanciunas notched a double-double of 26 points and 11 rebounds while adding three assists and three blocks. Dyson Daniels posted 13 points, six assists and five rebounds. Jordan Hawkins notched 15 points and four assists. Herbert Jones had 13 points and eight assists while adding four rebounds and two steals. Matthew Ryan had 10 points coming off the bench.
Bulls Rally In Fourth For Home Win
By Dan Bruno
The Chicago Bulls defeated the visiting Miami Heat, 102-97, at United Center on Saturday evening.
The Heat jumped out to a strong start and led, 26-14, through one quarter. The Bulls picked up their play in the second and managed to outscore the visitors by two, making it a 10-point difference by halftime. Both sides kept up the pace in the third, where the Bulls trimmed another two points off the deficit, cutting it to eight, heading into the final quarter. The hosts pickup momentum in the fourth and outscored the Heat, 34-21, in the quarter to rally for the home win.
DeMar DeRozan led the Bulls with 23 points, four rebounds, four assists and a steal, in 40 minutes. Nikola Vucevic followed up with 15 points, eight rebounds, a steal and a block, while Coby White added 14 points, three rebounds, five assists and a steal. The Bulls shot 44.4 percent from the field, including 16-for-45 from deep.
Meanwhile, Jimmy Butler led the Heat with 25 points, three rebounds, two assists and a steal, in 33 minutes. Bam Adebayo followed up with 24 points, 10 rebounds and five assists, while Duncan Robinson totaled 17 points, three rebounds and seven assists. The Heat shot 42.9 percent from the field, including 12-for-36 from long range.
The Bulls (5-9) and Heat (8-5) clash again in Chicago on Monday.
The Heat jumped out to a strong start and led, 26-14, through one quarter. The Bulls picked up their play in the second and managed to outscore the visitors by two, making it a 10-point difference by halftime. Both sides kept up the pace in the third, where the Bulls trimmed another two points off the deficit, cutting it to eight, heading into the final quarter. The hosts pickup momentum in the fourth and outscored the Heat, 34-21, in the quarter to rally for the home win.
DeMar DeRozan led the Bulls with 23 points, four rebounds, four assists and a steal, in 40 minutes. Nikola Vucevic followed up with 15 points, eight rebounds, a steal and a block, while Coby White added 14 points, three rebounds, five assists and a steal. The Bulls shot 44.4 percent from the field, including 16-for-45 from deep.
Meanwhile, Jimmy Butler led the Heat with 25 points, three rebounds, two assists and a steal, in 33 minutes. Bam Adebayo followed up with 24 points, 10 rebounds and five assists, while Duncan Robinson totaled 17 points, three rebounds and seven assists. The Heat shot 42.9 percent from the field, including 12-for-36 from long range.
The Bulls (5-9) and Heat (8-5) clash again in Chicago on Monday.
Bucks Rally For Comeback Win At Home
By Dan Bruno
The Milwaukee Bucks defeated the visiting Dallas Mavericks, 132-125, at Fiserv Forum on Saturday evening.
The game got out to a high-scoring start as the Mavs led, 34-33, after one quarter. Both sides kept up the pace in the second, but the Bucks managed to pull ahead to claim a two-point edge by halftime. The visitors turned it up a notch in the third and outscored the Bucks, 40-29, to take a nine-point advantage into the final frame. The Bucks did not back down and rallied through the fourth, reclaiming the lead with five minutes left in the game. The hosts kept the upper hand the rest of the way to complete the comeback and close out their fourth straight win.
Giannis Antetokounmpo led the way for the Bucks with 40 points, 15 rebounds, seven assists, two steals and a block, in 38 minutes. Damian Lillard followed up with 27 points, three rebounds 12 assists and a steal, while Pat Connaughton tallied 16 points, four rebounds, three assists and two steals. The Bucks shot 52.1 percent from the field, including 17-for-45 from deep.
Meanwhile, Kyrie Irving led the Mavs with 39 points, four rebounds, six assists and a steal, in 34 minutes. Luka Doncic followed up with 35 points, nine rebounds and nine assists, while Tim Hardaway added 17 points, two rebounds and two assists. The Mavericks shot 49.5 percent from the field, including 16-for-47 from long range.
The Mavericks (9-4) will look to bounce back as they play host to the Kings on Sunday. The Bucks (9-4) take on the Wizards in Washington on Monday.
The game got out to a high-scoring start as the Mavs led, 34-33, after one quarter. Both sides kept up the pace in the second, but the Bucks managed to pull ahead to claim a two-point edge by halftime. The visitors turned it up a notch in the third and outscored the Bucks, 40-29, to take a nine-point advantage into the final frame. The Bucks did not back down and rallied through the fourth, reclaiming the lead with five minutes left in the game. The hosts kept the upper hand the rest of the way to complete the comeback and close out their fourth straight win.
Giannis Antetokounmpo led the way for the Bucks with 40 points, 15 rebounds, seven assists, two steals and a block, in 38 minutes. Damian Lillard followed up with 27 points, three rebounds 12 assists and a steal, while Pat Connaughton tallied 16 points, four rebounds, three assists and two steals. The Bucks shot 52.1 percent from the field, including 17-for-45 from deep.
Meanwhile, Kyrie Irving led the Mavs with 39 points, four rebounds, six assists and a steal, in 34 minutes. Luka Doncic followed up with 35 points, nine rebounds and nine assists, while Tim Hardaway added 17 points, two rebounds and two assists. The Mavericks shot 49.5 percent from the field, including 16-for-47 from long range.
The Mavericks (9-4) will look to bounce back as they play host to the Kings on Sunday. The Bucks (9-4) take on the Wizards in Washington on Monday.
Grizzlies Defeat Spurs, 120-108
The Memphis Grizzlies defeated the host San Antonio Spurs, 120-108, at AT&T Center on Saturday.
While San Antonio led 68-51 at the half, Memphis rode a 69-40 second half to their comeback victory. They actually trailed by 19 points near the end of the second quarter and completed a 31-point turnaround in less than 30 minutes of action, The Grizzlies shot 47 percent from the field while holding the Spurs to 43 percent shooting. Memphis out-rebounded San Antonio, 60-45, while outscoring them in the paint, 56-38. Their bench outscored the Spurs bench, 45-31.
The Grizzlies (3-9) were led by Jaren Jackson Jr, generating 27 points and five rebounds. Desmond Bane tallied 26 points, five rebounds and four assists. Bismack Biyombo amassed 14 points, nine rebounds and four assists. Santi Aldama led the bench with 17 points, 10 rebounds and three assists, while Ziaire Williams had 17 points, seven rebounds and five assists.
The Spurs (3-10) were led by Keldon Johnson, collecting 22 points and three rebounds. Victor Wembenyama totaled 19 points, 13 rebounds, four assists and eight blocks. Zach Collins compiled 16 points, seven rebounds and six assists, while Jeremy Sochan accumulated 16 points, five rebounds, three assists and two steals.
Memphis has to play again on Sunday, returning home to face the Boston Celtics. As for San Antonio, they return to action on Monday in a home matchup with the Los Angeles Clippers.
While San Antonio led 68-51 at the half, Memphis rode a 69-40 second half to their comeback victory. They actually trailed by 19 points near the end of the second quarter and completed a 31-point turnaround in less than 30 minutes of action, The Grizzlies shot 47 percent from the field while holding the Spurs to 43 percent shooting. Memphis out-rebounded San Antonio, 60-45, while outscoring them in the paint, 56-38. Their bench outscored the Spurs bench, 45-31.
The Grizzlies (3-9) were led by Jaren Jackson Jr, generating 27 points and five rebounds. Desmond Bane tallied 26 points, five rebounds and four assists. Bismack Biyombo amassed 14 points, nine rebounds and four assists. Santi Aldama led the bench with 17 points, 10 rebounds and three assists, while Ziaire Williams had 17 points, seven rebounds and five assists.
The Spurs (3-10) were led by Keldon Johnson, collecting 22 points and three rebounds. Victor Wembenyama totaled 19 points, 13 rebounds, four assists and eight blocks. Zach Collins compiled 16 points, seven rebounds and six assists, while Jeremy Sochan accumulated 16 points, five rebounds, three assists and two steals.
Memphis has to play again on Sunday, returning home to face the Boston Celtics. As for San Antonio, they return to action on Monday in a home matchup with the Los Angeles Clippers.
Thunder Defeat Warriors in OT, 130-123
The Oklahoma City Thunder defeated the host Golden State Warriors in OT, 130-123, at Chase Center on Saturday.
There were 15 ties and 17 lead changes in this game, taking an overtime session to determine a winner. Andrew Wiggins hit a three with 3.1 second left in regulation to take a three-point lead, but Chet Holmgren responded with a game-tying three at the buzzer to send the game into overtime. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander took over in the overtime, scoring 10 of OKC's 13 points. They outscored Golden State in the extra frame, 13-6. Oklahoma City shot 52 percent from the field while holding Golden State below 46 percent shooting. They also won the turnover battle, 16-10, while outscoring the Warriors in the paint, 54-36.
The Thunder (9-4) were led by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, accruing 40 points, six rebounds, six assists, two steals and two blocks. Chet Holmgren collected 36 points, 10 rebounds, five assists and two steals. Jalen Williams amassed 22 points, six rebounds and three assists, while Josh Giddey generated 11 points, five rebounds, two assists and two blocks.
The Warriors (6-8) were led by Andrew Wiggins, scoring a season-high 31 points. Stephen Curry finished with 25 points, six rebounds and three assists. Klay Thompson tallied 16 points, two rebounds and four assists, while Chris Paul provided 12 points, four rebounds, 11 assists and three steals. Kevon Looney had six points, 14 rebounds and five assists.
Oklahoma City has to play again on Sunday, staying on the road to play the Portland Trail Blazers. As for Golden State, they return to action on Monday in a home matchup with the Houston Rockets.
There were 15 ties and 17 lead changes in this game, taking an overtime session to determine a winner. Andrew Wiggins hit a three with 3.1 second left in regulation to take a three-point lead, but Chet Holmgren responded with a game-tying three at the buzzer to send the game into overtime. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander took over in the overtime, scoring 10 of OKC's 13 points. They outscored Golden State in the extra frame, 13-6. Oklahoma City shot 52 percent from the field while holding Golden State below 46 percent shooting. They also won the turnover battle, 16-10, while outscoring the Warriors in the paint, 54-36.
The Thunder (9-4) were led by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, accruing 40 points, six rebounds, six assists, two steals and two blocks. Chet Holmgren collected 36 points, 10 rebounds, five assists and two steals. Jalen Williams amassed 22 points, six rebounds and three assists, while Josh Giddey generated 11 points, five rebounds, two assists and two blocks.
The Warriors (6-8) were led by Andrew Wiggins, scoring a season-high 31 points. Stephen Curry finished with 25 points, six rebounds and three assists. Klay Thompson tallied 16 points, two rebounds and four assists, while Chris Paul provided 12 points, four rebounds, 11 assists and three steals. Kevon Looney had six points, 14 rebounds and five assists.
Oklahoma City has to play again on Sunday, staying on the road to play the Portland Trail Blazers. As for Golden State, they return to action on Monday in a home matchup with the Houston Rockets.