Wizards Top Pistons In Battle Of Struggling Teams
The Washington Wizards defeated the Detroit Pistons, 126-107, at Little Caesars Arena on Monday.
The Wizards (3-14) and the Pistons (2-15) engaged in a battle between the worst two teams in the Eastern Conference record-wise. In the end, the Wizards executed better and secured the victory away from home. This result extended Detroit’s losing streak to 14 games. The Wizards enjoyed a solid start and raced to a 31-27 score in the first quarter. Even though Detroit got closer several times as the game progressed, Washington didn’t let go of their lead despite ending the first half up by just three points. The Wizards upped the intensity in the third quarter and pulled away for good with a 37-29 score before closing things out with a 32-24 score in the fourth quarter. The Pistons tried to come back in the second half, but they didn’t have enough basketball to do so. With this win, the Wizards move to 2-8 on the road, while the Pistons fall to 1-7 at home.
Kyle Kuzma led the way for the Wizards with 32 points, 12 rebounds and eight assists. Deni Avdija and Danilo Gallinari each chipped in with 16 points. Avdija also grabbed six rebounds, while Gallinari led the bench in scoring. Landry Shamet finished with 12 points and four assists, the same numbers as Tyus Jones. Daniel Gafford sniffed a double-double after recording 10 points, nine rebounds, and four blocks. Jordan Poole had 10 points (3-9 FG).
Cade Cunningham led the way for the Pistons with 26 points, seven assists and five rebounds. Jalen Duren had a 12-point, 14-rebound double-double, but he also chipped in with three assists and five blocks. Jaden Ivey finished with 15 points, seven rebounds and seven assists. Ausar Thompson contributed 16 points, four rebounds, two assists and two steals.
The Wizards (3-14) and the Pistons (2-15) engaged in a battle between the worst two teams in the Eastern Conference record-wise. In the end, the Wizards executed better and secured the victory away from home. This result extended Detroit’s losing streak to 14 games. The Wizards enjoyed a solid start and raced to a 31-27 score in the first quarter. Even though Detroit got closer several times as the game progressed, Washington didn’t let go of their lead despite ending the first half up by just three points. The Wizards upped the intensity in the third quarter and pulled away for good with a 37-29 score before closing things out with a 32-24 score in the fourth quarter. The Pistons tried to come back in the second half, but they didn’t have enough basketball to do so. With this win, the Wizards move to 2-8 on the road, while the Pistons fall to 1-7 at home.
Kyle Kuzma led the way for the Wizards with 32 points, 12 rebounds and eight assists. Deni Avdija and Danilo Gallinari each chipped in with 16 points. Avdija also grabbed six rebounds, while Gallinari led the bench in scoring. Landry Shamet finished with 12 points and four assists, the same numbers as Tyus Jones. Daniel Gafford sniffed a double-double after recording 10 points, nine rebounds, and four blocks. Jordan Poole had 10 points (3-9 FG).
Cade Cunningham led the way for the Pistons with 26 points, seven assists and five rebounds. Jalen Duren had a 12-point, 14-rebound double-double, but he also chipped in with three assists and five blocks. Jaden Ivey finished with 15 points, seven rebounds and seven assists. Ausar Thompson contributed 16 points, four rebounds, two assists and two steals.
Trail Blazers Upset Pacers, 114-110
The Portland Trail Blazers defeated the Indiana Pacers, 114-110, at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on Monday night.
The Pacers (9-7) validated their status as clear home favorites early by establishing a 34-30 lead through one, but the Trail Blazers (5-12) impressive erased their deficit and forged a five-point advantage going into halftime. Nevertheless, Indiana evened matters at 83 heading into the final period with a standout defensive effort in the third quarter that saw them limit Portland to 18 points, but the visitors pulled away just enough late and sealed the victory via a Malcolm Brogdon floating jump shot with six seconds remaining.
Jerami Grant led the Trail Blazers with 34 points, complementing them with seven rebounds, three assists and three blocks. Brogdon finished with 24 points, seven assists and two rebounds. Deandre Ayton generated a 22-point, 13-rebound double-double that included one assist and one steal. Scoot Henderson furnished 13 points off the bench, while Shaedon Sharpe supplied 11 points, six assists, five rebounds and three steals.
Tyrese Haliburton led the Pacers with 33 points, adding nine assists and two rebounds. Myles Turner managed 11 points, eight boards, two steals and two blocks. Bennedict Maturin and Obi Toppin posted 11 points apiece while producing four and three rebounds, respectively.
The Trail Blazers remain on the road and visit the Cleveland Cavaliers on Thursday night, while the Pacers visit the Miami Heat on Thursday night as well.
The Pacers (9-7) validated their status as clear home favorites early by establishing a 34-30 lead through one, but the Trail Blazers (5-12) impressive erased their deficit and forged a five-point advantage going into halftime. Nevertheless, Indiana evened matters at 83 heading into the final period with a standout defensive effort in the third quarter that saw them limit Portland to 18 points, but the visitors pulled away just enough late and sealed the victory via a Malcolm Brogdon floating jump shot with six seconds remaining.
Jerami Grant led the Trail Blazers with 34 points, complementing them with seven rebounds, three assists and three blocks. Brogdon finished with 24 points, seven assists and two rebounds. Deandre Ayton generated a 22-point, 13-rebound double-double that included one assist and one steal. Scoot Henderson furnished 13 points off the bench, while Shaedon Sharpe supplied 11 points, six assists, five rebounds and three steals.
Tyrese Haliburton led the Pacers with 33 points, adding nine assists and two rebounds. Myles Turner managed 11 points, eight boards, two steals and two blocks. Bennedict Maturin and Obi Toppin posted 11 points apiece while producing four and three rebounds, respectively.
The Trail Blazers remain on the road and visit the Cleveland Cavaliers on Thursday night, while the Pacers visit the Miami Heat on Thursday night as well.
Sixers Soar Past Lakers In Philly
By Dan Bruno
The Philadelphia 76ers defeated the visiting Los Angeles Lakers, 138-94, at Wells Fargo Center on Monday evening.
The Sixers jumped out to a hot start and led, 32-19, after one quarter. The Lakers picked up the intensity in the second but were outscored, 36-34, while the hosts pushed their advantage to 15, heading into the break. The visitors had absolutely no answers in the second half, as the Sixers made it an 18-point game heading into the fourth and outscored the Lakers by 26, in the final frame to finish off the blowout.
Tyrese Maxey led the 76ers with 31 points, three rebounds, eight assists and a steal, in 36 minutes. Joel Embiid turned in a triple-double, with 30 points 11 rebounds, 11 assists, a steal and a block, while Marcus Morris tallied 16 points on 6-for-8 shooting, off the bench.
Meanwhile, LeBron James led the Lakers with 18 points, five assists, a steal and a block, in 30 minutes. Anthony Davis followed up with 17 points, 11 rebounds, two assists, a steal and a block, while D'Angelo Russell added 12 points, two rebounds and seven assists.
The Lakers (10-8) will look to bounce back as they clash with the Pistons in Detroit on Wednesday. The 76ers (12-5) will be looking for their third straight win when they take on the Pelicans in New Orleans on Wednesday.
The Sixers jumped out to a hot start and led, 32-19, after one quarter. The Lakers picked up the intensity in the second but were outscored, 36-34, while the hosts pushed their advantage to 15, heading into the break. The visitors had absolutely no answers in the second half, as the Sixers made it an 18-point game heading into the fourth and outscored the Lakers by 26, in the final frame to finish off the blowout.
Tyrese Maxey led the 76ers with 31 points, three rebounds, eight assists and a steal, in 36 minutes. Joel Embiid turned in a triple-double, with 30 points 11 rebounds, 11 assists, a steal and a block, while Marcus Morris tallied 16 points on 6-for-8 shooting, off the bench.
Meanwhile, LeBron James led the Lakers with 18 points, five assists, a steal and a block, in 30 minutes. Anthony Davis followed up with 17 points, 11 rebounds, two assists, a steal and a block, while D'Angelo Russell added 12 points, two rebounds and seven assists.
The Lakers (10-8) will look to bounce back as they clash with the Pistons in Detroit on Wednesday. The 76ers (12-5) will be looking for their third straight win when they take on the Pelicans in New Orleans on Wednesday.
Jazz Defeat Pelicans, 114-112
The Utah Jazz defeated the visiting New Orleans Pelicans, 114-112, at Vivint Arena on Monday.
There were 16 ties and 16 lead changes in this game, with neither team leading by more than 11 points. In fact. neither team led by more than seven points in the second half, with the Pelicans missing three shots in the final minute that would've all tied or taken the lead. Utah shot 17-of-48 from three-point range and 23-of-28 from the free-throw line, while New Orleans shot 7-of-22 from long range and 17-of-25 from the charity stripe. The Jazz also outscored the Pelicans in second-chance points, 20-9.
The Pelicans (9-9) were led by Zion Williamson, finishing with 26 points, four rebounds and seven assists. Brandon Ingram had 25 points, four rebounds and five assists. Jonas Valanciunas amassed 14 points, 13 rebounds and two assists, while Naji Marshall led the bench with 14 points, nine rebounds, three assists and three steals.
The Jazz (6-11) had eight players reach double figures in scoring, with Keyonte George leading the way with 19 points, five rebounds, three assists and two steals. Jordan Clarkson collected 16 points, four rebounds and 10 assists. Walker Kessler led the bench with 14 points, eight rebounds, three assists and two blocks.
Both teams return to action on Wednesday, with Utah traveling to face the Memphis Grizzlies and New Orleans returning home to play the Philadelphia 76ers.
There were 16 ties and 16 lead changes in this game, with neither team leading by more than 11 points. In fact. neither team led by more than seven points in the second half, with the Pelicans missing three shots in the final minute that would've all tied or taken the lead. Utah shot 17-of-48 from three-point range and 23-of-28 from the free-throw line, while New Orleans shot 7-of-22 from long range and 17-of-25 from the charity stripe. The Jazz also outscored the Pelicans in second-chance points, 20-9.
The Pelicans (9-9) were led by Zion Williamson, finishing with 26 points, four rebounds and seven assists. Brandon Ingram had 25 points, four rebounds and five assists. Jonas Valanciunas amassed 14 points, 13 rebounds and two assists, while Naji Marshall led the bench with 14 points, nine rebounds, three assists and three steals.
The Jazz (6-11) had eight players reach double figures in scoring, with Keyonte George leading the way with 19 points, five rebounds, three assists and two steals. Jordan Clarkson collected 16 points, four rebounds and 10 assists. Walker Kessler led the bench with 14 points, eight rebounds, three assists and two blocks.
Both teams return to action on Wednesday, with Utah traveling to face the Memphis Grizzlies and New Orleans returning home to play the Philadelphia 76ers.
Nuggets Shock Clippers, 113-104
The Denver Nuggets defeated the host Los Angeles Clippers, 113-104, at Crypto.com Arena on Monday.
There were 12 ties and 15 lead changes through the opening 30 minutes of this game, but there was only one lead change over the closing 18 minutes. Los Angeles grabbed a game-high 11-point lead behind a 32-19 third quarter, but Denver took command of this game with a 22-6 run to start the final frame. The Nuggets outscored the Clippers in the fourth quarter, 36-16. The Nuggets shot 48 percent from the field and 46 percent from three-point range while holding the Clippers to 41 percent from the field and 30 percent from long range. Denver also out-assisted Los Angeles, 28-18, while out-rebounding them, 61-56.
The Nuggets (12-6) played without Nikola Jokic, Jamal Murray and Aaron Gordon but were led by Reggie Jackson's 35 points, five rebounds, 13 assists and two steals on 15-of-19 from the field. DeAndre Jordan amassed 21 points, 13 rebounds, five assists and two steals. Justin Holiday had 12 points and six rebounds, while Michael Porter Jr provided eight points, 10 rebounds and three assists.
The Clippers (7=9) were led by Kawhi Leonard, collecting 31 points, eight rebounds, three assists and two blocks. Ivica Zubac amassed 23 points and 14 rebounds. James Harden totaled 11 points, two rebounds and four assists, while Paul George had just six points, eight rebounds and four assists on 2-of-13 shooting. Russell Westbrook led the bench with 14 points, 11 rebounds and three assists.
Both teams return to action on Wednesday, with Denver returning home to play the Houston Rockets and Los Angeles traveling to face the Sacramento Kings.
There were 12 ties and 15 lead changes through the opening 30 minutes of this game, but there was only one lead change over the closing 18 minutes. Los Angeles grabbed a game-high 11-point lead behind a 32-19 third quarter, but Denver took command of this game with a 22-6 run to start the final frame. The Nuggets outscored the Clippers in the fourth quarter, 36-16. The Nuggets shot 48 percent from the field and 46 percent from three-point range while holding the Clippers to 41 percent from the field and 30 percent from long range. Denver also out-assisted Los Angeles, 28-18, while out-rebounding them, 61-56.
The Nuggets (12-6) played without Nikola Jokic, Jamal Murray and Aaron Gordon but were led by Reggie Jackson's 35 points, five rebounds, 13 assists and two steals on 15-of-19 from the field. DeAndre Jordan amassed 21 points, 13 rebounds, five assists and two steals. Justin Holiday had 12 points and six rebounds, while Michael Porter Jr provided eight points, 10 rebounds and three assists.
The Clippers (7=9) were led by Kawhi Leonard, collecting 31 points, eight rebounds, three assists and two blocks. Ivica Zubac amassed 23 points and 14 rebounds. James Harden totaled 11 points, two rebounds and four assists, while Paul George had just six points, eight rebounds and four assists on 2-of-13 shooting. Russell Westbrook led the bench with 14 points, 11 rebounds and three assists.
Both teams return to action on Wednesday, with Denver returning home to play the Houston Rockets and Los Angeles traveling to face the Sacramento Kings.