Celtics Come From Behind To Top Cavaliers
The Boston Celtics defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers, 120-113, at TD Garden on Tuesday.
The Celtics (17-5) remain undefeated in this venue and pushed their home record to an impressive 11-0 mark following a massive comeback win over the Cavaliers (13-11). The Celtics endured a slow start, but they recovered quickly and dominated their opponents in the second half. Cleveland enjoyed a 31-21 lead in the first quarter, but its lead was wasted away in the second quarter. The Celtics outscored their rivals by a 38-29 margin, reducing the deficit to just one point at the break. The Celtics kept the momentum going and grabbed the lead following a 35-32 score in the third quarter. The Cavaliers tried to come back into the game, but it was too late to dethrone the Celtics. Boston won the final 12 minutes by an expressive 26-21 to close the game out.
Jayson Tatum led the way for the Celtics with 25 points, 10 rebounds, five assists and two blocks. Jaylen Brown had 25 points as well, and he also added four assists. Derrick White finished with 17 points, four rebounds and four assists. Kristaps Porzingis posted 21 points, 10 rebounds and three assists. Jrue Holiday recorded 11 points, four rebounds, three steals and two assists.
Donovan Mitchell scored a game-high 29 points, and he also added six rebounds and three assists. Darius Garland had 26 points, and he also added seven assists and two rebounds. Max Strus finished with 17 points, nine rebounds and three assists. Jarrett Allen recorded 14 points, five rebounds, five assists, three steals and two blocks.
The Celtics (17-5) remain undefeated in this venue and pushed their home record to an impressive 11-0 mark following a massive comeback win over the Cavaliers (13-11). The Celtics endured a slow start, but they recovered quickly and dominated their opponents in the second half. Cleveland enjoyed a 31-21 lead in the first quarter, but its lead was wasted away in the second quarter. The Celtics outscored their rivals by a 38-29 margin, reducing the deficit to just one point at the break. The Celtics kept the momentum going and grabbed the lead following a 35-32 score in the third quarter. The Cavaliers tried to come back into the game, but it was too late to dethrone the Celtics. Boston won the final 12 minutes by an expressive 26-21 to close the game out.
Jayson Tatum led the way for the Celtics with 25 points, 10 rebounds, five assists and two blocks. Jaylen Brown had 25 points as well, and he also added four assists. Derrick White finished with 17 points, four rebounds and four assists. Kristaps Porzingis posted 21 points, 10 rebounds and three assists. Jrue Holiday recorded 11 points, four rebounds, three steals and two assists.
Donovan Mitchell scored a game-high 29 points, and he also added six rebounds and three assists. Darius Garland had 26 points, and he also added seven assists and two rebounds. Max Strus finished with 17 points, nine rebounds and three assists. Jarrett Allen recorded 14 points, five rebounds, five assists, three steals and two blocks.
Mavericks' Red-Hot Shooting Tames Lakers
The Dallas Mavericks defeated the Los Angeles Lakers, 127-125, at American Airlines Center on Tuesday.
The Mavericks (15-8) enjoyed a strong start in this game and took control of the contest relatively early. Even though the Lakers (14-10) attempted a second-half comeback, Dallas hit big shots time and time again to secure the win in the final minutes. The Mavericks were outstanding early on and raced to a 34-26 lead in the first quarter. The Lakers attempted to come back, but the Mavericks held their ground every time Los Angeles moved closer, which translated into Dallas having a 10-point lead at the break. The Lakers played more aggressively in the third quarter and turned things around, outscoring Dallas by a 34-22 score and grabbing a two-point lead on an Anthony Davis three-pointer at the buzzer. However, the Lakers could not hold on, and the Mavericks continued their red-hot shooting to seal the win after outscoring Los Angeles by a 34-30 score in the final 12 minutes. With the win, the Lakers fell to 4-8 on the road, while the Mavericks fell to 7-4 at home.
Luka Doncic was the best player for the Mavericks and finished with 33 points, 17 assists and six rebounds. Dante Exum had 26 points, four rebounds and three assists while going 7-for-9 from three-point range. Grant Williams recorded 19 points and three rebounds while shooting 5-for-7 from beyond the arc. Tim Hardaway notched 32 points off the bench. The Mavericks shot 49.4 percent from the field and 48.8 percent from deep.
Anthony Davis led the way for the Lakers with 37 points and 11 rebounds while also adding two blocks. LeBron James sniffed a triple-double after recording 33 points, nine assists, eight rebounds and three steals. Taurean Prince had 15 points, four rebounds and four assists. Austin Reaves added 22 points off the bench. The Lakers shot 53.8 percent from the field and 51.7 percent from deep.
The Mavericks (15-8) enjoyed a strong start in this game and took control of the contest relatively early. Even though the Lakers (14-10) attempted a second-half comeback, Dallas hit big shots time and time again to secure the win in the final minutes. The Mavericks were outstanding early on and raced to a 34-26 lead in the first quarter. The Lakers attempted to come back, but the Mavericks held their ground every time Los Angeles moved closer, which translated into Dallas having a 10-point lead at the break. The Lakers played more aggressively in the third quarter and turned things around, outscoring Dallas by a 34-22 score and grabbing a two-point lead on an Anthony Davis three-pointer at the buzzer. However, the Lakers could not hold on, and the Mavericks continued their red-hot shooting to seal the win after outscoring Los Angeles by a 34-30 score in the final 12 minutes. With the win, the Lakers fell to 4-8 on the road, while the Mavericks fell to 7-4 at home.
Luka Doncic was the best player for the Mavericks and finished with 33 points, 17 assists and six rebounds. Dante Exum had 26 points, four rebounds and three assists while going 7-for-9 from three-point range. Grant Williams recorded 19 points and three rebounds while shooting 5-for-7 from beyond the arc. Tim Hardaway notched 32 points off the bench. The Mavericks shot 49.4 percent from the field and 48.8 percent from deep.
Anthony Davis led the way for the Lakers with 37 points and 11 rebounds while also adding two blocks. LeBron James sniffed a triple-double after recording 33 points, nine assists, eight rebounds and three steals. Taurean Prince had 15 points, four rebounds and four assists. Austin Reaves added 22 points off the bench. The Lakers shot 53.8 percent from the field and 51.7 percent from deep.
Nuggets Top Bulls, 114-106
The Denver Nuggets defeated the Chicago Bulls, 114-106, at United Center on Tuesday night.
The Nuggets (16-9) were facing a fatigued Bulls (9-16) team, considering Chicago had been in a grueling overtime battle against the Bucks on Monday night. Denver accordingly owned a 32-25 lead through one, and the two teams matched each other bucket for bucket in the second. In the interim, Nikola Jokic earned two technical fouls and was therefore ejected with 1:08 remaining in the first half. However, the visitors were undeterred, adding five points to their advantage in the third period before maintaining firm control over the final 12 minutes.
Reggie Jackson led the Nuggets with 25 points, complementing them with six assists and two rebounds. Michael Porter Jr. furnished 17 points, seven rebounds and one steal. Julian Strawther supplied 16 points, six rebounds, three assists and one steal. Aaron Gordon finished with 14 points, seven rebounds and six assists. Christian Braun netted 13 points. Jokic registered four points, nine rebounds and six assists in 16 minutes.
Coby White paced the Bulls with 27 points, supplementing them with eight assists, four rebounds and one steal. Nikola Vucevic generated a 26-point, 16-rebound double-double that included five assists and two blocks. DeMar DeRozan registered 14 points, five assists, four rebounds, two blocks and one steal. Ayo Dosunmu and Jevon Carter posted nine points each.
The Nuggets return home to take on the Nets on Thursday night, while the Bulls get back on the road and visit the Miami Heat on Thursday night as well.
The Nuggets (16-9) were facing a fatigued Bulls (9-16) team, considering Chicago had been in a grueling overtime battle against the Bucks on Monday night. Denver accordingly owned a 32-25 lead through one, and the two teams matched each other bucket for bucket in the second. In the interim, Nikola Jokic earned two technical fouls and was therefore ejected with 1:08 remaining in the first half. However, the visitors were undeterred, adding five points to their advantage in the third period before maintaining firm control over the final 12 minutes.
Reggie Jackson led the Nuggets with 25 points, complementing them with six assists and two rebounds. Michael Porter Jr. furnished 17 points, seven rebounds and one steal. Julian Strawther supplied 16 points, six rebounds, three assists and one steal. Aaron Gordon finished with 14 points, seven rebounds and six assists. Christian Braun netted 13 points. Jokic registered four points, nine rebounds and six assists in 16 minutes.
Coby White paced the Bulls with 27 points, supplementing them with eight assists, four rebounds and one steal. Nikola Vucevic generated a 26-point, 16-rebound double-double that included five assists and two blocks. DeMar DeRozan registered 14 points, five assists, four rebounds, two blocks and one steal. Ayo Dosunmu and Jevon Carter posted nine points each.
The Nuggets return home to take on the Nets on Thursday night, while the Bulls get back on the road and visit the Miami Heat on Thursday night as well.
Suns Hold Off Warriors In Phoenix
By Dan Bruno
The Phoenix Suns defeated the visiting Golden State Warriors, 119-116, at Footprint Center on Tuesday evening.
The Suns got out to a strong start but the Warriors tied it up at 25, after one quarter. The Warriors kept the momentum going and rallied to a double-digit lead in the second, before the Suns cut it back to a three-point game heading into the break. Both sides came out with energy in the third, where the Suns outscored the visitors, 35-31, to take a one-point edge into the final frame. They pushed to a double-digit lead late in the quarter and managed to stay a step ahead down the stretch to close out the home win. This marks the second straight loss for the Warriors.
Devin Booker led the Suns with 32 points, four rebounds, seven assists, a steal and a block, in 36 minutes. Jusuf Nurkic followed up with 17 points, 13 rebounds, seven assists and a steal, while Bradley Beal and Jordan Goodwin added 16 points each.
Meanwhile, Stephen Curry led the Warriors with 24 points, five rebounds, four assists and three steals, in 32 minutes. Brandin Podziemski followed up with 20 points, 11 rebounds, five assists and a steal, while Chris Paul totaled 15 points, five rebounds, 11 assists and two steals.
The Warriors (10-13) will look to bounce back as they take on the Clippers in L.A. on Thursday. The Suns (13-10) play host to the Nets on Wednesday.
The Suns got out to a strong start but the Warriors tied it up at 25, after one quarter. The Warriors kept the momentum going and rallied to a double-digit lead in the second, before the Suns cut it back to a three-point game heading into the break. Both sides came out with energy in the third, where the Suns outscored the visitors, 35-31, to take a one-point edge into the final frame. They pushed to a double-digit lead late in the quarter and managed to stay a step ahead down the stretch to close out the home win. This marks the second straight loss for the Warriors.
Devin Booker led the Suns with 32 points, four rebounds, seven assists, a steal and a block, in 36 minutes. Jusuf Nurkic followed up with 17 points, 13 rebounds, seven assists and a steal, while Bradley Beal and Jordan Goodwin added 16 points each.
Meanwhile, Stephen Curry led the Warriors with 24 points, five rebounds, four assists and three steals, in 32 minutes. Brandin Podziemski followed up with 20 points, 11 rebounds, five assists and a steal, while Chris Paul totaled 15 points, five rebounds, 11 assists and two steals.
The Warriors (10-13) will look to bounce back as they take on the Clippers in L.A. on Thursday. The Suns (13-10) play host to the Nets on Wednesday.
Clippers Defeat Kings, 119-98
The Los Angeles Clippers defeated the visiting Sacramento Kings, 119-98, at Crypto.com Arena on Tuesday.
While there were six lead changes in the opening six minutes, Los Angeles never relinquished the lead after a 32-24 first quarter. They rode a 38-24 second quarter to a 22-point halftime lead, leading by at least 20 points for the entirety of the second half. The Clippers shot 52 percent from the field, 38 percent from three-point range and 95 percent from the free-throw line while holding the Kings to 42 percent from the field, 27 percent from long range and 71 percent from the charity stripe. LA also outscored Sacramento in the paint, 62-48.
The Kings (13-9) were led by Keegan Murray, amassing 17 points, seven rebounds and three steals. Domantas Sabonis tallied 15 points, 10 rebounds, three assists and two steals. De'Aaron Fox finished with 14 points, three rebounds and three assists. Sasha Vezenkov led the bench with nine points, three rebounds and three assists.
The Clippers (13-10) were led by Kawhi Leonard, collecting 31 points, four rebounds and three assists on 11-of-14 shooting. James Harden had 15 points, six rebounds, seven assists and two steals. Norman Powell led the bench with 15 points and two assists. Terance Mann totaled 10 points, five rebounds and two assists.
Both teams return to action on Thursday, with Los Angeles remaining home to play the Golden State Warriors and Sacramento returning home to face the Oklahoma City Thunder.
While there were six lead changes in the opening six minutes, Los Angeles never relinquished the lead after a 32-24 first quarter. They rode a 38-24 second quarter to a 22-point halftime lead, leading by at least 20 points for the entirety of the second half. The Clippers shot 52 percent from the field, 38 percent from three-point range and 95 percent from the free-throw line while holding the Kings to 42 percent from the field, 27 percent from long range and 71 percent from the charity stripe. LA also outscored Sacramento in the paint, 62-48.
The Kings (13-9) were led by Keegan Murray, amassing 17 points, seven rebounds and three steals. Domantas Sabonis tallied 15 points, 10 rebounds, three assists and two steals. De'Aaron Fox finished with 14 points, three rebounds and three assists. Sasha Vezenkov led the bench with nine points, three rebounds and three assists.
The Clippers (13-10) were led by Kawhi Leonard, collecting 31 points, four rebounds and three assists on 11-of-14 shooting. James Harden had 15 points, six rebounds, seven assists and two steals. Norman Powell led the bench with 15 points and two assists. Terance Mann totaled 10 points, five rebounds and two assists.
Both teams return to action on Thursday, with Los Angeles remaining home to play the Golden State Warriors and Sacramento returning home to face the Oklahoma City Thunder.