Magic Use Strong Start To Dispatch Raptors
The Orlando Magic defeated the Toronto Raptors, 126-107, at Amway Center on Tuesday.
The Magic (9-5) moved to 4-2 at home and 2-1 in the group stage of the In-Season Tournament following a convincing win over the Raptors (6-8) at home. Orlando enjoyed a strong start and quickly established its terms. They posted a 30-23 lead after the first quarter, and the Magic would never relinquish that lead. In fact, the Magic won each of the four quarters and dominated the game thoroughly. Orlando won the second quarter by a 37-33 score, meaning they held a 10-point lead at halftime. The Raptors attempted to mount a comeback, but they did not have enough in them to turn things around. The Magic won the final two quarters, 33-26 and 26-25, respectively, as they cruised their way to victory. The Raptors fell to 0-2 in the group stage of the In-Season Tournament.
Paolo Banchero led the way for the Magic with 25 points, five rebounds and three assists. Franz Wagner finished with 17 points, four rebounds, two assists and three steals. Jalen Suggs finished with 18 points and four assists while adding three boards and two steals. Cole Anthony had 15 points and 10 assists coming off the bench. Gary Harris and Moritz Wagner each had 10 points.
Dennis Schroder had 24 points for the Raptors. Jakob Poeltl had a 10-point, 10-rebound double-double. Scottie Barnes finished with 14 points, eight rebounds, four assists and three steals. O.G. Anunoby had 11 points and four assists. Pascal Siakam delivered 16 points and eight assists.
The Magic (9-5) moved to 4-2 at home and 2-1 in the group stage of the In-Season Tournament following a convincing win over the Raptors (6-8) at home. Orlando enjoyed a strong start and quickly established its terms. They posted a 30-23 lead after the first quarter, and the Magic would never relinquish that lead. In fact, the Magic won each of the four quarters and dominated the game thoroughly. Orlando won the second quarter by a 37-33 score, meaning they held a 10-point lead at halftime. The Raptors attempted to mount a comeback, but they did not have enough in them to turn things around. The Magic won the final two quarters, 33-26 and 26-25, respectively, as they cruised their way to victory. The Raptors fell to 0-2 in the group stage of the In-Season Tournament.
Paolo Banchero led the way for the Magic with 25 points, five rebounds and three assists. Franz Wagner finished with 17 points, four rebounds, two assists and three steals. Jalen Suggs finished with 18 points and four assists while adding three boards and two steals. Cole Anthony had 15 points and 10 assists coming off the bench. Gary Harris and Moritz Wagner each had 10 points.
Dennis Schroder had 24 points for the Raptors. Jakob Poeltl had a 10-point, 10-rebound double-double. Scottie Barnes finished with 14 points, eight rebounds, four assists and three steals. O.G. Anunoby had 11 points and four assists. Pascal Siakam delivered 16 points and eight assists.
Pacers Topple Hawks, 157-152, in Offensive Shootout for the Ages
The Indiana Pacers defeated the Atlanta Hawks, 157-152, at State Farm Arena on Tuesday night in an In-Season Tournament Group Play game.
The game had extremely elevated offensive expectations coming in, but the two teams shattered even those by a wide margin in the wild back-and-forth affair. The Hawks (6-7) actually looked to be in control fairly comfortably early on, building a 13-point halftime lead with an stellar 86-point first-half tally. However, the Pacers (8-5) completely changed the dynamic of the game in the third and put it on its record-setting course with a 46-point haul during the period, one that wiped out their deficit and gave them a five-point advantage going into the fourth quarter. The two teams then matched each other bucket for bucket in the final 12 minutes, with Indiana scoring the final five points via a Buddy Hield three-pointer and alley-oop layup.
Tyrese Haliburton spearheaded a 60.6 percent shooting night for the Pacers, producing a 37-point, 16-assist double-double that included five rebounds, three steals and one block. Hield delivered 24 points, two rebounds and one assist. Obi Toppin delivered 21 points, six assists, one rebound, one steal and one block. Bennedict Mathurin netted 19 points, while Aaron Nesmith poured in 17. Bruce Brown supplied 13 points, three assists and two steals. Myles Turner finished with 11 points, nine rebounds, one assist and four blocks.
Trae Young paced the Hawks with 38 points, complementing them with eight assists, one rebound and three steals. Dejounte Murray totaled 28 points, five assists, three rebounds and two steals. Bogdan Bogdanovic registered 26 points and two rebounds. Jalen Johnson went for 17 points, seven rebounds, six assists, two steals and one block. Clint Capela provided 14 points, five rebounds, one assist and two blocks. Saddiq Bey generated a 12-point, 10-rebound double-double off the bench while adding two assists.
The Pacers head back home to face the Toronto Raptors on Wednesday night, while the Hawks host the Brooklyn Nets on Wednesday night as well.
The game had extremely elevated offensive expectations coming in, but the two teams shattered even those by a wide margin in the wild back-and-forth affair. The Hawks (6-7) actually looked to be in control fairly comfortably early on, building a 13-point halftime lead with an stellar 86-point first-half tally. However, the Pacers (8-5) completely changed the dynamic of the game in the third and put it on its record-setting course with a 46-point haul during the period, one that wiped out their deficit and gave them a five-point advantage going into the fourth quarter. The two teams then matched each other bucket for bucket in the final 12 minutes, with Indiana scoring the final five points via a Buddy Hield three-pointer and alley-oop layup.
Tyrese Haliburton spearheaded a 60.6 percent shooting night for the Pacers, producing a 37-point, 16-assist double-double that included five rebounds, three steals and one block. Hield delivered 24 points, two rebounds and one assist. Obi Toppin delivered 21 points, six assists, one rebound, one steal and one block. Bennedict Mathurin netted 19 points, while Aaron Nesmith poured in 17. Bruce Brown supplied 13 points, three assists and two steals. Myles Turner finished with 11 points, nine rebounds, one assist and four blocks.
Trae Young paced the Hawks with 38 points, complementing them with eight assists, one rebound and three steals. Dejounte Murray totaled 28 points, five assists, three rebounds and two steals. Bogdan Bogdanovic registered 26 points and two rebounds. Jalen Johnson went for 17 points, seven rebounds, six assists, two steals and one block. Clint Capela provided 14 points, five rebounds, one assist and two blocks. Saddiq Bey generated a 12-point, 10-rebound double-double off the bench while adding two assists.
The Pacers head back home to face the Toronto Raptors on Wednesday night, while the Hawks host the Brooklyn Nets on Wednesday night as well.
Cavs Top Sixers In OT
By Dan Bruno
The Cleveland Cavaliers defeated the host Philadelphia 76ers, 122-119, in NBA In-Season Tournament Group Play at Wells Fargo Center on Tuesday evening.
The game got out to a competitive start and the Cavs held a, 27-24, lead after one quarter. The hosts picked up momentum in the second and rallied to a 12-point lead at the break. The 76ers improved their effort in the third and managed to trim the deficit down to nine, heading into the fourth. The visitors kept the pressure on in the fourth and after taking a brief lead, the Cavaliers responded to tie the game at 110, forcing over time. The Cavs reclaimed the upper hand in the extra frame and stayed a step ahead to close out their fourth straight win.
Darius Garland led the Cavaliers with 32 points, five rebounds, eight assists and three steals, in 43 minutes. Jarrett Allen followed up with 26 points, 13 rebounds and three assists, while Max Strus totaled 20 points, five rebounds, six assists, two steals and a block. The Cavs shot 48.9 percent from the field, including 9-for-25 from deep.
Meanwhile, Joel Embiid led the 76ers with 32 points, 13 rebounds, five assists, two steals and five blocks, in 41 minutes. Tyrese Maxey followed up with 30 points, four rebounds, six assists and a steal, while Tobias Harris added 23 points, two rebounds, two assists and two steals. The Sixers shot 41.7 percent from the field, including 11-for-35 from long range.
The 76ers (10-4) will look to bounce back as they clash with the Timberwolves in Minnesota on Wednesday. The Cavs (8-6) play host to the Heat on Wednesday.
The game got out to a competitive start and the Cavs held a, 27-24, lead after one quarter. The hosts picked up momentum in the second and rallied to a 12-point lead at the break. The 76ers improved their effort in the third and managed to trim the deficit down to nine, heading into the fourth. The visitors kept the pressure on in the fourth and after taking a brief lead, the Cavaliers responded to tie the game at 110, forcing over time. The Cavs reclaimed the upper hand in the extra frame and stayed a step ahead to close out their fourth straight win.
Darius Garland led the Cavaliers with 32 points, five rebounds, eight assists and three steals, in 43 minutes. Jarrett Allen followed up with 26 points, 13 rebounds and three assists, while Max Strus totaled 20 points, five rebounds, six assists, two steals and a block. The Cavs shot 48.9 percent from the field, including 9-for-25 from deep.
Meanwhile, Joel Embiid led the 76ers with 32 points, 13 rebounds, five assists, two steals and five blocks, in 41 minutes. Tyrese Maxey followed up with 30 points, four rebounds, six assists and a steal, while Tobias Harris added 23 points, two rebounds, two assists and two steals. The Sixers shot 41.7 percent from the field, including 11-for-35 from long range.
The 76ers (10-4) will look to bounce back as they clash with the Timberwolves in Minnesota on Wednesday. The Cavs (8-6) play host to the Heat on Wednesday.
Suns Defeat Trail Blazers, 120-107
The Phoenix Suns defeated the visiting Portland Trail Blazers, 120-107, in Group Play of the NBA In-Season Tournament at Footprint Center on Tuesday.
Phoenix got out to a 34-21 lead after the first quarter, holding the lead for all but one minute in this game. They got their lead up to 18 points at times, leading by at least seven points for the closing 20 minutes. The Suns shot 57 percent from the field and 96 percent from the free-throw line, while the Trail Blazers shot 44 percent from the field and 85 percent from the charity stripe. Phoenix also outscored Portland in the paint, 66-44, and in fastbreak scoring, 20-5.
The Trail Blazers (3-11) were led by Jerami Grant, generating 26 points, four rebounds and six assists. Malcolm Brogdon tallied 19 points and five assists. Deandre Ayton accrued 18 points, eight rebounds and four assists, while Shaedon Sharpe had 10 points and three boards. Duop Reath led the bench with 10 points and two steals.
The Suns (8-6) were led by Kevin Durant, collecting 31 points, four rebounds and nine assists. Devin Booker accrued 28 points, three rebounds and six assists. Jusuf Nurkic finished with 18 points, 12 rebounds and four blocks, while Eric Gordon amassed 10 points, two rebounds and four assists. Nassir Little led the bench with 13 points and five boards.
Both teams have to play again on Wednesday, with Phoenix remaining home to face the Golden State Warriors and Portland returning home to play the Utah Jazz.
Phoenix got out to a 34-21 lead after the first quarter, holding the lead for all but one minute in this game. They got their lead up to 18 points at times, leading by at least seven points for the closing 20 minutes. The Suns shot 57 percent from the field and 96 percent from the free-throw line, while the Trail Blazers shot 44 percent from the field and 85 percent from the charity stripe. Phoenix also outscored Portland in the paint, 66-44, and in fastbreak scoring, 20-5.
The Trail Blazers (3-11) were led by Jerami Grant, generating 26 points, four rebounds and six assists. Malcolm Brogdon tallied 19 points and five assists. Deandre Ayton accrued 18 points, eight rebounds and four assists, while Shaedon Sharpe had 10 points and three boards. Duop Reath led the bench with 10 points and two steals.
The Suns (8-6) were led by Kevin Durant, collecting 31 points, four rebounds and nine assists. Devin Booker accrued 28 points, three rebounds and six assists. Jusuf Nurkic finished with 18 points, 12 rebounds and four blocks, while Eric Gordon amassed 10 points, two rebounds and four assists. Nassir Little led the bench with 13 points and five boards.
Both teams have to play again on Wednesday, with Phoenix remaining home to face the Golden State Warriors and Portland returning home to play the Utah Jazz.
Lakers Smash Jazz, 131-99
The Los Angeles Lakers defeated the visiting Utah Jazz, 131-99, in Group Play of the NBA In-Season Tournament at Crypto.com Arena on Tuesday.
Los Angeles got out to a 32-17 lead after the opening quarter, winning this game in wire-to-wire fashion. They won all four individual quarters in this game, leading by at least 20 points for the closing 20 minutes. They got their lead up to 39 points at times. The Lakers shot 57 percent from the field and 38 percent from three-point range while holding the Jazz to 39 percent from the field and 25 percent from long range. LA out-rebounded Utah, 59-47, while out-assisting them, 35-24. They also outscored them in the paint, 76-54, and in fastbreak scoring, 24-8.
The Jazz (4-10) were led by Omer Yurtseven, leading the bench with 18 points and six rebounds. John Collins led the starters with 15 points and four boards. Lauri Markkanen amassed 10 points and eight rebounds. Collin Sexton collected 14 points, three rebounds and three assists off of the bench as well.
The Lakers (9-6) were led by Anthony Davis, accumulating 26 points, 16 rebounds, four assists and two steals on 11-of-14 from the field. D'Angelo Russell registered 20 points, three rebounds and eight assists. LeBron James tallied 17 points, seven rebounds and nine assists, while Austin Reaves led the bench with 19 points, five rebounds, five assists and three steals. Christian Wood also had 16 points, eight rebounds and two assists off of the bench.
Both of these teams have to play a B2B on Wednesday, with LA remaining home to face the Dallas Mavericks and Utah staying on the road to play the Portland Trail Blazers.
Los Angeles got out to a 32-17 lead after the opening quarter, winning this game in wire-to-wire fashion. They won all four individual quarters in this game, leading by at least 20 points for the closing 20 minutes. They got their lead up to 39 points at times. The Lakers shot 57 percent from the field and 38 percent from three-point range while holding the Jazz to 39 percent from the field and 25 percent from long range. LA out-rebounded Utah, 59-47, while out-assisting them, 35-24. They also outscored them in the paint, 76-54, and in fastbreak scoring, 24-8.
The Jazz (4-10) were led by Omer Yurtseven, leading the bench with 18 points and six rebounds. John Collins led the starters with 15 points and four boards. Lauri Markkanen amassed 10 points and eight rebounds. Collin Sexton collected 14 points, three rebounds and three assists off of the bench as well.
The Lakers (9-6) were led by Anthony Davis, accumulating 26 points, 16 rebounds, four assists and two steals on 11-of-14 from the field. D'Angelo Russell registered 20 points, three rebounds and eight assists. LeBron James tallied 17 points, seven rebounds and nine assists, while Austin Reaves led the bench with 19 points, five rebounds, five assists and three steals. Christian Wood also had 16 points, eight rebounds and two assists off of the bench.
Both of these teams have to play a B2B on Wednesday, with LA remaining home to face the Dallas Mavericks and Utah staying on the road to play the Portland Trail Blazers.