76ers Top Thunder In High-Scoring Affair
The Philadelphia 76ers defeated the Oklahoma City Thunder, 127-123, at Paycom Center on Saturday.
The 76ers (11-5) and the Thunder (11-5) played a highly entertaining game to open Saturday’s slate. Both teams went back and forth throughout the entire contest, but in the end, the 76ers executed better down the stretch and came away with the victory. The Thunder enjoyed a better start, however, and raced to a 31-29 lead in the first quarter. Philadelphia responded with a 36-30 score in the second quarter, and the 76ers held a four-point lead at the break. A 28-21 score in the third quarter gave Philadelphia a double-digit lead, but the team didn’t close the contest until the dying minutes. The Thunder attempted a comeback and outscored Philly 41-34 in the final 12 minutes, but their efforts were not enough. With the win, the 76ers moved to 5-2 on the road, while the Thunder fell to 5-4 at home.
Joel Embiid was the best player for the 76ers and came close to delivering a triple-double after notching 35 points, 11 rebounds and nine assists. Tyrese Maxey recorded 28 points, eight rebounds and three assists. Tobias Harris posted 16 points, six assists and five rebounds. Nicolas Batum posted 14 points and seven boards. De’Anthony Melton recorded 14 points, seven rebounds and five assists.
Chet Holmgren had 33 points, six rebounds and three blocks. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had 31 points, six rebounds, five assists and two steals. Josh Giddey recorded 10 points, eight assists and seven rebounds. Isaiah Joe posted 13 points, three rebounds and two assists coming off the bench. Kenrich Williams had 11 points.
The 76ers (11-5) and the Thunder (11-5) played a highly entertaining game to open Saturday’s slate. Both teams went back and forth throughout the entire contest, but in the end, the 76ers executed better down the stretch and came away with the victory. The Thunder enjoyed a better start, however, and raced to a 31-29 lead in the first quarter. Philadelphia responded with a 36-30 score in the second quarter, and the 76ers held a four-point lead at the break. A 28-21 score in the third quarter gave Philadelphia a double-digit lead, but the team didn’t close the contest until the dying minutes. The Thunder attempted a comeback and outscored Philly 41-34 in the final 12 minutes, but their efforts were not enough. With the win, the 76ers moved to 5-2 on the road, while the Thunder fell to 5-4 at home.
Joel Embiid was the best player for the 76ers and came close to delivering a triple-double after notching 35 points, 11 rebounds and nine assists. Tyrese Maxey recorded 28 points, eight rebounds and three assists. Tobias Harris posted 16 points, six assists and five rebounds. Nicolas Batum posted 14 points and seven boards. De’Anthony Melton recorded 14 points, seven rebounds and five assists.
Chet Holmgren had 33 points, six rebounds and three blocks. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had 31 points, six rebounds, five assists and two steals. Josh Giddey recorded 10 points, eight assists and seven rebounds. Isaiah Joe posted 13 points, three rebounds and two assists coming off the bench. Kenrich Williams had 11 points.
Nets Dominate In Easy Win Over Heat
The Brooklyn Nets defeated the Miami Heat, 112-97, at Barclays Center on Saturday.
The Nets (7-8) are creeping closer to the .500 mark with a strong performance against the Heat (10-7). With the win, the Nets moved to 4-4 at home, while the Heat fell to 6-6 on the road. Brooklyn looked like the better team in the early stages of the contest and raced to a 26-22 lead in the first quarter. The Nets made it a double-digit game following a 37-31 score in the second quarter. The Heat didn’t have answers for the Nets on offense, and Brooklyn continued to extend their advantage after a 27-23 score. The game ended with a 22-21 score in the fourth quarter. The Nets dominated from start to finish and secured an easy win.
Mikal Bridges was the best player for the Nets and finished with 24 points, six rebounds, three assists and two steals. Cameron Johnson posted a 19-point, 10-rebound double-double that also added five assists. Spencer Dinwiddie finished with 14 points and 11 assists. Nic Claxton recorded 13 points, six rebounds and three blocks. Dorian Finney-Smith had 16 points, five boards and three dimes.
Caleb Martin was the best player for the Heat after notching 22 points off the bench. Jaime Jaquez Jr. recorded 18 points, five rebounds and four assists. Jason Richardson was the only other starter who posted double-digit points with 11 points. He also added five rebounds and five assists. Cole Swider chipped in with 11 points as well.
The Nets (7-8) are creeping closer to the .500 mark with a strong performance against the Heat (10-7). With the win, the Nets moved to 4-4 at home, while the Heat fell to 6-6 on the road. Brooklyn looked like the better team in the early stages of the contest and raced to a 26-22 lead in the first quarter. The Nets made it a double-digit game following a 37-31 score in the second quarter. The Heat didn’t have answers for the Nets on offense, and Brooklyn continued to extend their advantage after a 27-23 score. The game ended with a 22-21 score in the fourth quarter. The Nets dominated from start to finish and secured an easy win.
Mikal Bridges was the best player for the Nets and finished with 24 points, six rebounds, three assists and two steals. Cameron Johnson posted a 19-point, 10-rebound double-double that also added five assists. Spencer Dinwiddie finished with 14 points and 11 assists. Nic Claxton recorded 13 points, six rebounds and three blocks. Dorian Finney-Smith had 16 points, five boards and three dimes.
Caleb Martin was the best player for the Heat after notching 22 points off the bench. Jaime Jaquez Jr. recorded 18 points, five rebounds and four assists. Jason Richardson was the only other starter who posted double-digit points with 11 points. He also added five rebounds and five assists. Cole Swider chipped in with 11 points as well.
Hawks Blow Past Slumping Wizards
By Dan Bruno
The Atlanta Hawks defeated the host Washington Wizards, 136-108, at Capital One Arena on Saturday evening.
The game got out to a high-scoring start as the visitors held a, 34-30, lead after one quarter. The Hawks picked up momentum in the second and rallied ahead to a 12-point advantage by halftime. The Wizards had no answers in the third, as the Hawks added another 17 points to their cushion to take a, 107-78, lead into the final frame. The Wizards had no answers down the stretch and fell short for their ninth straight loss. This marks the second win in a row for the Hawks.
Trae Young led the Hawks with 26 points, six rebounds, 10 assists and two steals, in 30 minutes. De'Andre Hunter followed up with 20 points, four rebounds and two steals, while Clint Capela totaled 12 points and 11 rebounds.
Meanwhile, Jared Butler was the high-point man for the Wizards, with 13 points, two rebounds, five assists, two steals and a block, in 16 minutes off the bench. Kyle Kuzma totaled 12 points, seven rebounds and eight assists, while Daniel Gafford added 12 points, four rebounds and two blocks.
The Wizards (2-14) will look to end the slide on Monday, when they take on the Pistons in Detroit. The Hawks (8-7) clash with the Celtics in Boston on Sunday.
The game got out to a high-scoring start as the visitors held a, 34-30, lead after one quarter. The Hawks picked up momentum in the second and rallied ahead to a 12-point advantage by halftime. The Wizards had no answers in the third, as the Hawks added another 17 points to their cushion to take a, 107-78, lead into the final frame. The Wizards had no answers down the stretch and fell short for their ninth straight loss. This marks the second win in a row for the Hawks.
Trae Young led the Hawks with 26 points, six rebounds, 10 assists and two steals, in 30 minutes. De'Andre Hunter followed up with 20 points, four rebounds and two steals, while Clint Capela totaled 12 points and 11 rebounds.
Meanwhile, Jared Butler was the high-point man for the Wizards, with 13 points, two rebounds, five assists, two steals and a block, in 16 minutes off the bench. Kyle Kuzma totaled 12 points, seven rebounds and eight assists, while Daniel Gafford added 12 points, four rebounds and two blocks.
The Wizards (2-14) will look to end the slide on Monday, when they take on the Pistons in Detroit. The Hawks (8-7) clash with the Celtics in Boston on Sunday.
Lakers Take Over In Cleveland
By Dan Bruno
The Los Angeles Lakers defeated the host Cleveland Cavaliers, 121-115, at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse on Saturday evening.
The game got out to a high-paced start as the Cavs led, 40-35, after one quarter. The Lakers kept it close through the second and trimmed it back to a one-point advantage for the hosts at the break. The game slowed down in the third, as each side contributed 23 points to their total, as the Cavs maintained a one-point edge heading into the final frame. The Lakers overtook the lead early in the fourth and stayed a step ahead to rest of the way for their fourth win in the last five games.
Anthony Davis led the Lakers with 32 points, 13 rebounds, three assists, two steals and three blocks, in 38 minutes. LeBron James followed up with 22 points, six rebounds, six assists, two steals and two blocks, while Austin Reaves tallied 15 points, five rebounds, 10 assists and two steals, in 32 minutes off the bench.
Meanwhile, Donovan Mitchell led the Cavs with 22 points, five rebounds, six assists and a steal, in 35 minutes. Jarrett Allen followed up with 21 points, 14 rebounds, three assists, three steals and a two blocks, while Evan Mobley totaled 18 points, six rebounds, six assists, four steals and a block.
The Cavs (8-8) will look to bounce back as they play host to the Raptors on Sunday. The Lakers (10-7) clash with the 76ers in Philly, on Monday.
The game got out to a high-paced start as the Cavs led, 40-35, after one quarter. The Lakers kept it close through the second and trimmed it back to a one-point advantage for the hosts at the break. The game slowed down in the third, as each side contributed 23 points to their total, as the Cavs maintained a one-point edge heading into the final frame. The Lakers overtook the lead early in the fourth and stayed a step ahead to rest of the way for their fourth win in the last five games.
Anthony Davis led the Lakers with 32 points, 13 rebounds, three assists, two steals and three blocks, in 38 minutes. LeBron James followed up with 22 points, six rebounds, six assists, two steals and two blocks, while Austin Reaves tallied 15 points, five rebounds, 10 assists and two steals, in 32 minutes off the bench.
Meanwhile, Donovan Mitchell led the Cavs with 22 points, five rebounds, six assists and a steal, in 35 minutes. Jarrett Allen followed up with 21 points, 14 rebounds, three assists, three steals and a two blocks, while Evan Mobley totaled 18 points, six rebounds, six assists, four steals and a block.
The Cavs (8-8) will look to bounce back as they play host to the Raptors on Sunday. The Lakers (10-7) clash with the 76ers in Philly, on Monday.
Jazz Defeat Pelicans, 105-100
The Utah Jazz defeated the visiting New Orleans Pelicans, 105-100, at Vivint Arena on Saturday.
There were five ties and 11 lead changes in this game, with neither team leading by more than 12 points. An 11-2 run near the end of the fourth quarter carried Utah to their comeback win, overcoming a 12-point deficit near at end of the third quarter. They ended up outscoring the Pelicans in the fourth quarter, 37-23. The Jazz shot 44 percent from the field, 35 percent from three-point range and 82 percent from the free-throw line, while the Pelicans shot 42 percent from the field, 31 percent from long range and 61 percent from the charity stripe. Utah's bench outscored New Orleans' bench, 54-22. The Jazz doubled up the Pelis in fastbreak scoring, 26-13, while out-rebounding them, 63-50.
The Pelicans (9-8) were led by Brandon Ingram, providing 26 points, six rebounds and eight assists. Jordan Hawkins had 25 points, six rebounds and three assists. Jose Alvarado led the bench with 13 points, four rebounds, three assists and two steals. Dyson Daniels accrued six points, six rebounds, five assists and six steals.
The Jazz (5-11) were led by Collin Sexton, collecting 16 points, three rebounds and six assists off of the bench. Keyonte George led the starters with 15 points, six rebounds and five assists. John Collins amassed 12 points and nine rebounds, while Kelly Olynyk tallied 13 points, six rebounds and three assists. Walker Kessler also amassed 11 points, 11 rebounds and two blocks.
These teams will have a rematch on Monday for their next outing.
There were five ties and 11 lead changes in this game, with neither team leading by more than 12 points. An 11-2 run near the end of the fourth quarter carried Utah to their comeback win, overcoming a 12-point deficit near at end of the third quarter. They ended up outscoring the Pelicans in the fourth quarter, 37-23. The Jazz shot 44 percent from the field, 35 percent from three-point range and 82 percent from the free-throw line, while the Pelicans shot 42 percent from the field, 31 percent from long range and 61 percent from the charity stripe. Utah's bench outscored New Orleans' bench, 54-22. The Jazz doubled up the Pelis in fastbreak scoring, 26-13, while out-rebounding them, 63-50.
The Pelicans (9-8) were led by Brandon Ingram, providing 26 points, six rebounds and eight assists. Jordan Hawkins had 25 points, six rebounds and three assists. Jose Alvarado led the bench with 13 points, four rebounds, three assists and two steals. Dyson Daniels accrued six points, six rebounds, five assists and six steals.
The Jazz (5-11) were led by Collin Sexton, collecting 16 points, three rebounds and six assists off of the bench. Keyonte George led the starters with 15 points, six rebounds and five assists. John Collins amassed 12 points and nine rebounds, while Kelly Olynyk tallied 13 points, six rebounds and three assists. Walker Kessler also amassed 11 points, 11 rebounds and two blocks.
These teams will have a rematch on Monday for their next outing.
Clippers Roll Mavericks, 107-88
The Los Angeles Clippers defeated the visiting Dallas Mavericks, 107-88, at Crypto.com Arena on Saturday.
A 29-18 first quarter carried the Clippers to this blowout win, maintaining a double-digit lead for the final three quarters. They got their lead up to 24 points at times, with the starters sitting the final five minutes for both teams. The Clippers shot 43 percent from the field and 28 percent from three-point range while holding the Mavericks to 37 percent from the field and 24 percent from long range. LA attempted 31 free-throws while Dallas took just 14 attempts. The Clippers out-rebounded the Mavs, 73-45, while outscoring them in the paint, 54-32. Los Angeles also outscored Dallas in second-chance points, 25-10, while out-assisting them, 25-17.
The Mavericks (10-6) were led by Luka Doncic, collecting 30 points, three rebounds, four assists, two steals and two blocks. Kyrie Irving collected 26 points, six rebounds and three assists. The other three starters combined for nine points and three assists. Tim Hardaway Jr led the bench with 12 points and three boards.
The Clippers (7-8) were led by Paul George, providing 25 points, nine rebounds and four assists. Terance Mann amassed 17 points and three boards. Ivica Zubac totaled 11 points and 14 rebounds, while James Harden had eight points, four rebounds, seven assists and two blocks. Russell Westbrook led the bench with 14 points, eight rebounds and seven assists.
On deck for Los Angeles is a home matchup with the Denver Nuggets on Monday. As for Dallas, they return to action on Tuesday in a home matchup with the Houston Rockets.
A 29-18 first quarter carried the Clippers to this blowout win, maintaining a double-digit lead for the final three quarters. They got their lead up to 24 points at times, with the starters sitting the final five minutes for both teams. The Clippers shot 43 percent from the field and 28 percent from three-point range while holding the Mavericks to 37 percent from the field and 24 percent from long range. LA attempted 31 free-throws while Dallas took just 14 attempts. The Clippers out-rebounded the Mavs, 73-45, while outscoring them in the paint, 54-32. Los Angeles also outscored Dallas in second-chance points, 25-10, while out-assisting them, 25-17.
The Mavericks (10-6) were led by Luka Doncic, collecting 30 points, three rebounds, four assists, two steals and two blocks. Kyrie Irving collected 26 points, six rebounds and three assists. The other three starters combined for nine points and three assists. Tim Hardaway Jr led the bench with 12 points and three boards.
The Clippers (7-8) were led by Paul George, providing 25 points, nine rebounds and four assists. Terance Mann amassed 17 points and three boards. Ivica Zubac totaled 11 points and 14 rebounds, while James Harden had eight points, four rebounds, seven assists and two blocks. Russell Westbrook led the bench with 14 points, eight rebounds and seven assists.
On deck for Los Angeles is a home matchup with the Denver Nuggets on Monday. As for Dallas, they return to action on Tuesday in a home matchup with the Houston Rockets.