Magic Come From Behind To Defeat Wizards
The Orlando Magic defeated the Washington Wizards, 130-125, at Amway Center on Friday.
The Magic (14-5) remain one of the best teams in the Eastern Conference. This time, they worked hard to secure another win to move nine games above .500 by defeating the Wizards (3-16) in front of an 18,846 crowd at Amway Center. Washington started better, however, and the Wizards grabbed a 36-31 lead in the first quarter. Orlando responded with a 27-25 score in the second quarter, and the Magic would keep the momentum going in the second half. The Magic tightened things up on the defensive end and outscored Washington by a 34-28 score in the third quarter, flipping the script and grabbing a three-point lead ahead of the final 12 minutes of action. The Magic closed the game with a 38-36 edge in the final quarter. With the win, the Wizards moved to 2-10 on the road, while the Magic improved to 9-2 at home.
Franz Wagner led the way for the Magic after finishing with 31 points, eight assists and seven rebounds. Paolo Banchero came close to posting a triple-double after recording 28 points, 13 rebounds and seven assists. Jalen Suggs chipped in with 15 points, four assists, three steals and two rebounds. Moritz Wagner had 18 points and six rebounds. Joe Ingles delivered 14 points, seven assists and three rebounds.
Kyle Kuzma led the Wizards in scoring with a 27-point effort that also included six rebounds. Daniel Gafford registered an 18-point, 11-rebound double-double while adding three assists and three blocks. Jordan Poole had 14 points, four rebounds and four assists. Tyus Jones contributed 13 points, six assists, three rebounds and two steals. Corey Kispert delivered 15 points and three assists off the bench. Landry Shamet had 13 points.
The Magic (14-5) remain one of the best teams in the Eastern Conference. This time, they worked hard to secure another win to move nine games above .500 by defeating the Wizards (3-16) in front of an 18,846 crowd at Amway Center. Washington started better, however, and the Wizards grabbed a 36-31 lead in the first quarter. Orlando responded with a 27-25 score in the second quarter, and the Magic would keep the momentum going in the second half. The Magic tightened things up on the defensive end and outscored Washington by a 34-28 score in the third quarter, flipping the script and grabbing a three-point lead ahead of the final 12 minutes of action. The Magic closed the game with a 38-36 edge in the final quarter. With the win, the Wizards moved to 2-10 on the road, while the Magic improved to 9-2 at home.
Franz Wagner led the way for the Magic after finishing with 31 points, eight assists and seven rebounds. Paolo Banchero came close to posting a triple-double after recording 28 points, 13 rebounds and seven assists. Jalen Suggs chipped in with 15 points, four assists, three steals and two rebounds. Moritz Wagner had 18 points and six rebounds. Joe Ingles delivered 14 points, seven assists and three rebounds.
Kyle Kuzma led the Wizards in scoring with a 27-point effort that also included six rebounds. Daniel Gafford registered an 18-point, 11-rebound double-double while adding three assists and three blocks. Jordan Poole had 14 points, four rebounds and four assists. Tyus Jones contributed 13 points, six assists, three rebounds and two steals. Corey Kispert delivered 15 points and three assists off the bench. Landry Shamet had 13 points.
Celtics Complete Comeback Against Depleted Sixers
The Boston Celtics defeated the Philadelphia 76ers, 125-119, at TD Garden on Friday.
The Celtics (15-4) moved to 9-0 at home with a convincing 125-119 win over another Eastern Conference, the 76ers (12-7). Philadelphia moved to 5-4 on the road, but the team was missing several key players, such as Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey. Even in those circumstances, the 76ers fought hard to get the win but came up short. The Celtics were the better early on and raced to an eight-point lead after the opening 12 minutes (44-36). However, the 76ers responded with a 36-25 second quarter, giving them a three-point lead at the break. Boston didn’t give up and shortened the gap after a 26-25 score in the third quarter. The Celtics would keep the momentum alive and complete the comeback in the final 12 minutes by outscoring Philadelphia by a 30-22 score. It was a huge win for Boston, but the 76ers deserve praise for their performance, especially since they were missing their top two scoring threats.
Jayson Tatum was the leading scorer for the Celtics with 21 points before he was ejected in the second half. Tatum also chipped in with seven rebounds, four assists, a steal and a block. Derrick White contributed 21 points, six rebounds and five assists across 32 minutes. Jaylen Brown had 20 points, four rebounds and four steals. Al Horford had 20 points and six boards. Jrue Holiday contributed 13 points, six assists and five rebounds. Sam Hauser added 11 points and five rebounds off the bench.
Patrick Beverley recorded 26 points, eight rebounds and seven assists to lead the Sixers. De’Anthony Melton recorded 21 points and four rebounds. Paul Reed chipped in with 14 points, the same tally as Tobias Harris. Harris, however, also added five rebounds, four steals and three assists. Marcus Morris notched 13 points and seven boards. Robert Covington delivered 18 points, five rebounds and five steals coming off the bench.
The Celtics (15-4) moved to 9-0 at home with a convincing 125-119 win over another Eastern Conference, the 76ers (12-7). Philadelphia moved to 5-4 on the road, but the team was missing several key players, such as Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey. Even in those circumstances, the 76ers fought hard to get the win but came up short. The Celtics were the better early on and raced to an eight-point lead after the opening 12 minutes (44-36). However, the 76ers responded with a 36-25 second quarter, giving them a three-point lead at the break. Boston didn’t give up and shortened the gap after a 26-25 score in the third quarter. The Celtics would keep the momentum alive and complete the comeback in the final 12 minutes by outscoring Philadelphia by a 30-22 score. It was a huge win for Boston, but the 76ers deserve praise for their performance, especially since they were missing their top two scoring threats.
Jayson Tatum was the leading scorer for the Celtics with 21 points before he was ejected in the second half. Tatum also chipped in with seven rebounds, four assists, a steal and a block. Derrick White contributed 21 points, six rebounds and five assists across 32 minutes. Jaylen Brown had 20 points, four rebounds and four steals. Al Horford had 20 points and six boards. Jrue Holiday contributed 13 points, six assists and five rebounds. Sam Hauser added 11 points and five rebounds off the bench.
Patrick Beverley recorded 26 points, eight rebounds and seven assists to lead the Sixers. De’Anthony Melton recorded 21 points and four rebounds. Paul Reed chipped in with 14 points, the same tally as Tobias Harris. Harris, however, also added five rebounds, four steals and three assists. Marcus Morris notched 13 points and seven boards. Robert Covington delivered 18 points, five rebounds and five steals coming off the bench.
Grizzlies Roll Short-Handed Mavericks, 108-94
The Memphis Grizzlies defeated the Dallas Mavericks, 108-94, at American Airlines Center on Friday night.
The Grizzlies (5-13) got a boost to their prospects even before taking the floor when it was announced Luka Doncic would miss the game for the Mavericks (11-7) due to the birth of his daughter. Memphis appeared buoyed right from the start, establishing an eight-point lead through one that they'd extended to 15 by halftime. Dallas managed to play its best quarter during the third period and lopped eight points from its deficit in the process, but the visitors outscored their hosts by a 29-22 margin in the final 12 minutes for the comfortable win.
Desmond Bane led the Grizzlies with 30 points, complementing them with five assists, four rebounds, two blocks and one steal. Jaylen Nowell furnished 19 points, four boards, one assist and one steal. Santi Aldama supplied 17 points, 12 rebounds, three assists, one steal and one block. Vince Williams Jr. registered 15 points, nine boards, three assists and two blocks.
Grant Williams and Derrick Jones Jr. paced the Mavericks with matching 16-point, one-steal efforts while recording eight and four rebounds, respectively. Seth Curry netted 12 points, two rebounds, two assists and one steal. Kyrie Irving contributed just 10 points (3-15 FG), five rebounds and five assists in Doncic's absence. Josh Green matched Irving's scoring and assists while also posting two rebounds and three steals.
The Grizzlies visit the Phoenix Suns on Saturday night, while the Mavericks remain home and face the OKC Thunder on Saturday night as well.
The Grizzlies (5-13) got a boost to their prospects even before taking the floor when it was announced Luka Doncic would miss the game for the Mavericks (11-7) due to the birth of his daughter. Memphis appeared buoyed right from the start, establishing an eight-point lead through one that they'd extended to 15 by halftime. Dallas managed to play its best quarter during the third period and lopped eight points from its deficit in the process, but the visitors outscored their hosts by a 29-22 margin in the final 12 minutes for the comfortable win.
Desmond Bane led the Grizzlies with 30 points, complementing them with five assists, four rebounds, two blocks and one steal. Jaylen Nowell furnished 19 points, four boards, one assist and one steal. Santi Aldama supplied 17 points, 12 rebounds, three assists, one steal and one block. Vince Williams Jr. registered 15 points, nine boards, three assists and two blocks.
Grant Williams and Derrick Jones Jr. paced the Mavericks with matching 16-point, one-steal efforts while recording eight and four rebounds, respectively. Seth Curry netted 12 points, two rebounds, two assists and one steal. Kyrie Irving contributed just 10 points (3-15 FG), five rebounds and five assists in Doncic's absence. Josh Green matched Irving's scoring and assists while also posting two rebounds and three steals.
The Grizzlies visit the Phoenix Suns on Saturday night, while the Mavericks remain home and face the OKC Thunder on Saturday night as well.
Knicks Close Out Third Straight Win
By Dan Bruno
The New York Knicks defeated the host Toronto Raptors, 119-106, at Scotiabank Arena on Friday evening.
The Knicks got out to a strong start with a, 34-26, lead after one quarter. The Raptors turned the tide in the second and outscored the visitors by eight points in the quarter, to tie it up at 57, heading into the break. The Knicks picked up their play again in the third and outscored the hosts, 33-20, to claim a 13-point advantage heading into the final frame. The Raptors were unable to account for the difference in the fourth and fell for third loss in the last four games. This also marks the third straight win for the Knicks.
Jalen Brunson led the Knicks with 22 points on 9-for-21 shooting, five rebounds, eight assists and a steal, in 37 minutes. Donte DiVincenzo followed up with 21 points on 7-for-10 shooting off the bench, while Julius Randle stuffed the stat sheet with 20 points, 10 rebounds and nine assists
On the other side, Scottie Barnes led the Raptors with 29 points, nine rebounds, four assists, five steals and a block, in 37 minutes. Pascal Siakam tallied 21 points, eight rebounds and three assists, while Jakob Poeltl recorded a double-double with 12 points, 12 rebounds and two blocks.
The Raptors (9-11) will look to bounce back as they play host to the Heat on Wednesday. The Knicks (12-7) take on the Bucks in Milwaukee on Tuesday.
The Knicks got out to a strong start with a, 34-26, lead after one quarter. The Raptors turned the tide in the second and outscored the visitors by eight points in the quarter, to tie it up at 57, heading into the break. The Knicks picked up their play again in the third and outscored the hosts, 33-20, to claim a 13-point advantage heading into the final frame. The Raptors were unable to account for the difference in the fourth and fell for third loss in the last four games. This also marks the third straight win for the Knicks.
Jalen Brunson led the Knicks with 22 points on 9-for-21 shooting, five rebounds, eight assists and a steal, in 37 minutes. Donte DiVincenzo followed up with 21 points on 7-for-10 shooting off the bench, while Julius Randle stuffed the stat sheet with 20 points, 10 rebounds and nine assists
On the other side, Scottie Barnes led the Raptors with 29 points, nine rebounds, four assists, five steals and a block, in 37 minutes. Pascal Siakam tallied 21 points, eight rebounds and three assists, while Jakob Poeltl recorded a double-double with 12 points, 12 rebounds and two blocks.
The Raptors (9-11) will look to bounce back as they play host to the Heat on Wednesday. The Knicks (12-7) take on the Bucks in Milwaukee on Tuesday.
Pelicans Defeat Spurs, 121-106
The New Orleans Pelicans defeated the visiting San Antonio Spurs, 121-106, at Smoothie King Center on Friday.
While there were eight ties and 11 lead changes in this game, New Orleans won all four individual quarters. That allowed them to maintain the lead for the final 23 minutes, outscoring San Antonio in the second half, 58-45. The Pelicans shot 49 percent from the field and 93 percent from the free-throw line (27-of-29) while holding the Spurs to 46 percent from the field and 82 percent from the charity stripe (14-of-17). New Orleans also won the turnover battle, 19-11, while outscoring them in the paint, 52-38.
The Spurs (3-16) were led by Devin Vassell, collecting the bench with 14 points and two assists off of the bench. Jeremy Sochan led the starters with 13 points, three rebounds and four assists. Zach Collins compiled 12 points, five rebounds, three assists and two steals. Keldon Johnson amassed 11 points, seven rebounds and three assists.
The Pelicans (11-9) were led by Jonas Valanciunas, providing 24 points, 12 rebounds and two blocks. CJ McCollum tallied 19 points, three rebounds, eight assists and two steals. Herbert Jones had 17 points, four rebounds and three steals, while Brandon Ingram totaled 14 points, five rebounds and seven assists.
New Orleans has to play the second half of a back-to-back set on Saturday, traveling to face the Chicago Bulls. As for San Antonio, they're off until Wednesday, traveling to play the Minnesota Timberwolves.
While there were eight ties and 11 lead changes in this game, New Orleans won all four individual quarters. That allowed them to maintain the lead for the final 23 minutes, outscoring San Antonio in the second half, 58-45. The Pelicans shot 49 percent from the field and 93 percent from the free-throw line (27-of-29) while holding the Spurs to 46 percent from the field and 82 percent from the charity stripe (14-of-17). New Orleans also won the turnover battle, 19-11, while outscoring them in the paint, 52-38.
The Spurs (3-16) were led by Devin Vassell, collecting the bench with 14 points and two assists off of the bench. Jeremy Sochan led the starters with 13 points, three rebounds and four assists. Zach Collins compiled 12 points, five rebounds, three assists and two steals. Keldon Johnson amassed 11 points, seven rebounds and three assists.
The Pelicans (11-9) were led by Jonas Valanciunas, providing 24 points, 12 rebounds and two blocks. CJ McCollum tallied 19 points, three rebounds, eight assists and two steals. Herbert Jones had 17 points, four rebounds and three steals, while Brandon Ingram totaled 14 points, five rebounds and seven assists.
New Orleans has to play the second half of a back-to-back set on Saturday, traveling to face the Chicago Bulls. As for San Antonio, they're off until Wednesday, traveling to play the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Nuggets Defeat Suns, 119-111
The Denver Nuggets defeated the host Phoenix Suns, 119-111, at Footprint Center on Friday.
While there were eight ties and eight lead changes in this game, Denver led for all but a few minutes. That 41-30 first quarter allowed the Nuggets to maintain the lead for the final three quarters, finishing the game on a 10-3 run over the losing 3:20 to prevail. Denver shot 57 percent from the field and 38 percent from three-point range while holding Phoenix to 46 percent from the field and 33 percent from long range. The Nuggets out-assisted the Suns, 38-22.
The Nuggets (14-6) were led by Nikola Jokic, collecting 21 points, five rebounds, 16 assists and two blocks. Reggie Jackson registered 20 points, two rebounds and four assists. Michael Porter Jr provided 19 points, 10 rebounds and four assists. Justin Holiday had 15 points, two rebounds and five assists, while Kentavious Caldwell-Pope compiled 15 points, five assists and three steals.
The Suns (11-8) were led by Jusuf Nurkic, finishing with 31 points, six rebounds and two assists before fouling out. Kevin Durant tallied 30 points, four rebounds, 11 assists and three blocks. Eric Gordon generated 16 points, four rebounds and three assists, while Grayson Allen accrued 13 points, nine rebounds and three assists.
Denver has to play the second half of a B2B on Saturday, traveling to face the Sacramento Kings. As for Phoenix, they stay home to play the Memphis Grizzlies on Saturday as well.
While there were eight ties and eight lead changes in this game, Denver led for all but a few minutes. That 41-30 first quarter allowed the Nuggets to maintain the lead for the final three quarters, finishing the game on a 10-3 run over the losing 3:20 to prevail. Denver shot 57 percent from the field and 38 percent from three-point range while holding Phoenix to 46 percent from the field and 33 percent from long range. The Nuggets out-assisted the Suns, 38-22.
The Nuggets (14-6) were led by Nikola Jokic, collecting 21 points, five rebounds, 16 assists and two blocks. Reggie Jackson registered 20 points, two rebounds and four assists. Michael Porter Jr provided 19 points, 10 rebounds and four assists. Justin Holiday had 15 points, two rebounds and five assists, while Kentavious Caldwell-Pope compiled 15 points, five assists and three steals.
The Suns (11-8) were led by Jusuf Nurkic, finishing with 31 points, six rebounds and two assists before fouling out. Kevin Durant tallied 30 points, four rebounds, 11 assists and three blocks. Eric Gordon generated 16 points, four rebounds and three assists, while Grayson Allen accrued 13 points, nine rebounds and three assists.
Denver has to play the second half of a B2B on Saturday, traveling to face the Sacramento Kings. As for Phoenix, they stay home to play the Memphis Grizzlies on Saturday as well.