76ers sweep home-and-home series vs. Pistons
The Philadelphia 76ers blew out the Detroit Pistons, 124-96, on Friday night at Wells Fargo Arena to sweep the two-game home-and-home series.
The Pistons (2-23) were able to stay competitive in the first quarter, but the game quickly got out of hand after the 76ers (17-7) won the second quarter 35-17. Things didn’t get much better in the third, and with Philadelphia up by as much as 41 points, both teams cleared their bench for the final frame. Although the Pistons shot better from the field than the 76ers (43.2 percent vs. 41.8), they shot poorly from beyond the arc (19.0 percent vs. 37.8), and Philadelphia scored 24 points off turnovers, compared to five by Detroit. Friday's win gave the 76ers their fifth-straight win, while the Pistons continue their historic season with a league-worst 22-straight loss.
Joel Embiid set a franchise record Friday night when he recorded his ninth-straight 30-point, 10-rebound performance, and finished the contest with 35 points, 13 rebounds, two assists, four blocks and two steals over just 29 minutes. Tyrese Maxey bounced back from a poor shooting performance Wednesday to chip in 19 points, four assists and two steals while finishing with a team-high plus-37 point differential. Tobias Harris continued his streak of double-digit scoring to four games with 13 points to go along with seven rebounds and three steals. Marcus Morris and Kelly Oubre led the bench with 15 and 11 points respectively.
Bojan Bogdanovic was the only Pistons’ starter to score in double-digits as he finished with 17 points and three rebounds. Three bench players, thanks to extended playing time in the second half, were able to score in double digits. James Wiseman led the bench with 20 points and 13 rebounds, while Jaden Ivey chipped in 13 points, four rebounds and four assists over a team-high 29 minutes and Marcus Sasser had 11 points and four assists. Cade Cunningham had a down game Friday, finishing with just four points on 2-for-9 shooting to go along with three rebounds.
With Friday’s game in the books, both teams will hit the road for a back-to-back Saturday. The 76ers will face the Charlotte Hornets, while the Pistons take on the Milwaukee Bucks.
The Pistons (2-23) were able to stay competitive in the first quarter, but the game quickly got out of hand after the 76ers (17-7) won the second quarter 35-17. Things didn’t get much better in the third, and with Philadelphia up by as much as 41 points, both teams cleared their bench for the final frame. Although the Pistons shot better from the field than the 76ers (43.2 percent vs. 41.8), they shot poorly from beyond the arc (19.0 percent vs. 37.8), and Philadelphia scored 24 points off turnovers, compared to five by Detroit. Friday's win gave the 76ers their fifth-straight win, while the Pistons continue their historic season with a league-worst 22-straight loss.
Joel Embiid set a franchise record Friday night when he recorded his ninth-straight 30-point, 10-rebound performance, and finished the contest with 35 points, 13 rebounds, two assists, four blocks and two steals over just 29 minutes. Tyrese Maxey bounced back from a poor shooting performance Wednesday to chip in 19 points, four assists and two steals while finishing with a team-high plus-37 point differential. Tobias Harris continued his streak of double-digit scoring to four games with 13 points to go along with seven rebounds and three steals. Marcus Morris and Kelly Oubre led the bench with 15 and 11 points respectively.
Bojan Bogdanovic was the only Pistons’ starter to score in double-digits as he finished with 17 points and three rebounds. Three bench players, thanks to extended playing time in the second half, were able to score in double digits. James Wiseman led the bench with 20 points and 13 rebounds, while Jaden Ivey chipped in 13 points, four rebounds and four assists over a team-high 29 minutes and Marcus Sasser had 11 points and four assists. Cade Cunningham had a down game Friday, finishing with just four points on 2-for-9 shooting to go along with three rebounds.
With Friday’s game in the books, both teams will hit the road for a back-to-back Saturday. The 76ers will face the Charlotte Hornets, while the Pistons take on the Milwaukee Bucks.
Wizards Pull Upset, Defeat Pacers At Home
The Washington Wizards defeated the Indiana Pacers, 137-123, at Capital One Arena on Friday.
The Wizards (4-20) finally secured their second home win of the season after topping a Pacers (13-10) team that thrives on offense but struggles on defense. Considering both are among the worst defensive units in The Association, this game had all the makings of a high-scoring affair, and it didn’t disappoint. Indiana looked better in the early stages, however, and raced to a 37-30 lead. Washington responded in the second quarter and took advantage of the rest the Pacers gave their starters, flipping that seven-point deficit into a 14-point lead after outscoring them 39-18 in the second quarter. The Wizards didn’t step off the gas and pushed their lead even further after a 39-32 score in the third quarter. The game was all but over ahead of the final 12 minutes. Even though the Pacers won the fourth quarter by a 36-29 score, it was not enough to even sniff a potential comeback.
Kyle Kuzma finished with 31 points, five rebounds and four assists to lead the Wizards to victory. Jordan Poole recorded 30 points, eight assists and four rebounds. Tyus Jones finished with a triple-double of 13 points, 10 rebounds and 11 assists. Jones also added two steals and two blocks. Corey Kispert delivered 23 points off the bench. Bilal Coulibaly added 17 points and five rebounds off the bench.
Tyrese Haliburton finished with a 19-point, 11-assist double-double. Obi Toppin delivered 16 points, five rebounds and two assists. Buddy Hield notched 11 points, three rebounds, three assists, three blocks and two steals. Isaiah Jackson led the Pacers in scoring off the bench with 20 points, and he also added 13 rebounds. Bennedict Mathurin had 13 points off the bench. Aaron Nesmith had 12 points.
The Wizards (4-20) finally secured their second home win of the season after topping a Pacers (13-10) team that thrives on offense but struggles on defense. Considering both are among the worst defensive units in The Association, this game had all the makings of a high-scoring affair, and it didn’t disappoint. Indiana looked better in the early stages, however, and raced to a 37-30 lead. Washington responded in the second quarter and took advantage of the rest the Pacers gave their starters, flipping that seven-point deficit into a 14-point lead after outscoring them 39-18 in the second quarter. The Wizards didn’t step off the gas and pushed their lead even further after a 39-32 score in the third quarter. The game was all but over ahead of the final 12 minutes. Even though the Pacers won the fourth quarter by a 36-29 score, it was not enough to even sniff a potential comeback.
Kyle Kuzma finished with 31 points, five rebounds and four assists to lead the Wizards to victory. Jordan Poole recorded 30 points, eight assists and four rebounds. Tyus Jones finished with a triple-double of 13 points, 10 rebounds and 11 assists. Jones also added two steals and two blocks. Corey Kispert delivered 23 points off the bench. Bilal Coulibaly added 17 points and five rebounds off the bench.
Tyrese Haliburton finished with a 19-point, 11-assist double-double. Obi Toppin delivered 16 points, five rebounds and two assists. Buddy Hield notched 11 points, three rebounds, three assists, three blocks and two steals. Isaiah Jackson led the Pacers in scoring off the bench with 20 points, and he also added 13 rebounds. Bennedict Mathurin had 13 points off the bench. Aaron Nesmith had 12 points.
Pelicans Pull Away Late To Defeat Hornets
The New Orleans Pelicans defeated the Charlotte Hornets, 112-107, at Spectrum Center on Friday.
The Pelicans (15-11) and the Hornets (7-16) played a back-and-forth contest, but in the end, the Pelicans executed better down the stretch and escaped with the win. With the victory, the Pelicans moved to 6-7 away from home, while the Hornets fell to 4-9 at home. New Orleans looked like the better team in the early stages and raced to a 21-20 lead in the first quarter. They’d bolster that advantage even further following a 29-19 score in the second quarter, giving them an 11-point lead at the break. However, Charlotte responded with a different attitude in the third quarter, and that translated in them outscoring New Orleans by a 37-26 score -- meaning the game was tied heading into the final 12 minutes. The Pelicans executed much better down the stretch and won the fourth quarter by a 36-31 score, which was enough to seal the victory here.
Jonas Valanciunas led the Pelicans in scoring with 29 points, but he also added 13 rebounds, four assists and two blocks. Zion Williamson finished with 21 points, 11 rebounds and four assists. Brandon Ingram only had eight points (3-8 FG) but added seven assists across 32 minutes. CJ McCollum finished with 19 points, five boards and four dimes. Trey Murphy III added 13 points and six rebounds off the bench.
Terry Rozier led the Hornets once again with 30 points, six assists, four rebounds and three steals. Miles Bridges recorded 27 points and 10 rebounds. Nick Richards posted 16 points and six rebounds. Brandon Miller also had 16 points, but he added four boards and three assists. No other Charlotte player scored in double digits.
The Pelicans (15-11) and the Hornets (7-16) played a back-and-forth contest, but in the end, the Pelicans executed better down the stretch and escaped with the win. With the victory, the Pelicans moved to 6-7 away from home, while the Hornets fell to 4-9 at home. New Orleans looked like the better team in the early stages and raced to a 21-20 lead in the first quarter. They’d bolster that advantage even further following a 29-19 score in the second quarter, giving them an 11-point lead at the break. However, Charlotte responded with a different attitude in the third quarter, and that translated in them outscoring New Orleans by a 37-26 score -- meaning the game was tied heading into the final 12 minutes. The Pelicans executed much better down the stretch and won the fourth quarter by a 36-31 score, which was enough to seal the victory here.
Jonas Valanciunas led the Pelicans in scoring with 29 points, but he also added 13 rebounds, four assists and two blocks. Zion Williamson finished with 21 points, 11 rebounds and four assists. Brandon Ingram only had eight points (3-8 FG) but added seven assists across 32 minutes. CJ McCollum finished with 19 points, five boards and four dimes. Trey Murphy III added 13 points and six rebounds off the bench.
Terry Rozier led the Hornets once again with 30 points, six assists, four rebounds and three steals. Miles Bridges recorded 27 points and 10 rebounds. Nick Richards posted 16 points and six rebounds. Brandon Miller also had 16 points, but he added four boards and three assists. No other Charlotte player scored in double digits.
Celtics Top Magic, 128-111
The Boston Celtics defeated the Orlando Magic, 128-111, at TD Garden on Friday night.
The Magic (16-8) came into the contest looking to pass what shaped up as a good litmus test for their early-season success, but the first half offered a reminder of the fact the Celtics (19-5) are perhaps still a level above. Boston owned a 30-24 lead after one, and that advantage was up to 13 points by halftime. However, it was the third quarter when the hosts would put the game away for all practical purposes, adding another 10 points to their edge ahead of the final period. Orlando committed 21 turnovers and allowed 52.2 percent shooting, including 42.9 percent from three-point range.
Jalen Suggs led the Magic with 19 points, adding four rebounds, one assist and one block. Franz Wagner furnished 17 points, five boards, five assists and two steals. Cole Anthony matched Wagner's scoring and added four assists and one steal. Goga Bitadze delivered 15 points, 11 rebounds and one assist. Paolo Banchero supplied 14 points, five assists, four rebounds and one block. Anthony Black registered 13 points, nine boards and four assists.
Jayson Tatum paced the Celtics with 30 points, supplementing them with six rebounds and four assists. Payton Pritchard netted 21 points, five assists, three rebounds and one steal. Derrick White managed 19 points, eight assists, four rebounds, four steals and one block. Jaylen Brown posted 18 points, four assists, three rebounds and one block. Sam Hauser and Oshae Brissett produced matching 11-point efforts, with Hauser adding seven rebounds, four assists and four steals.
The Magic and Celtics reconvene at TD Garden for a rematch Sunday afternoon.
The Magic (16-8) came into the contest looking to pass what shaped up as a good litmus test for their early-season success, but the first half offered a reminder of the fact the Celtics (19-5) are perhaps still a level above. Boston owned a 30-24 lead after one, and that advantage was up to 13 points by halftime. However, it was the third quarter when the hosts would put the game away for all practical purposes, adding another 10 points to their edge ahead of the final period. Orlando committed 21 turnovers and allowed 52.2 percent shooting, including 42.9 percent from three-point range.
Jalen Suggs led the Magic with 19 points, adding four rebounds, one assist and one block. Franz Wagner furnished 17 points, five boards, five assists and two steals. Cole Anthony matched Wagner's scoring and added four assists and one steal. Goga Bitadze delivered 15 points, 11 rebounds and one assist. Paolo Banchero supplied 14 points, five assists, four rebounds and one block. Anthony Black registered 13 points, nine boards and four assists.
Jayson Tatum paced the Celtics with 30 points, supplementing them with six rebounds and four assists. Payton Pritchard netted 21 points, five assists, three rebounds and one steal. Derrick White managed 19 points, eight assists, four rebounds, four steals and one block. Jaylen Brown posted 18 points, four assists, three rebounds and one block. Sam Hauser and Oshae Brissett produced matching 11-point efforts, with Hauser adding seven rebounds, four assists and four steals.
The Magic and Celtics reconvene at TD Garden for a rematch Sunday afternoon.
Spurs Snap 18-Game Slide
By Dan Bruno
The San Antonio Spurs defeated the visiting Los Angeles Lakers, 129-115, at Frost Bank Center on Friday evening.
The Spurs snapped an 18-game losing streak and improved to, 2-11, at home, as they held on to top the Lakers. The hosts jumped out to a great start and held a, 42-22, lead after one quarter. The Lakers responded in the second, outscoring the Spurs, 40-27, to cut it to a seven-point game by halftime. The Spurs reclaimed momentum in the third and increased their lead to 11 points, heading into the final frame. The Lakers could not find any answers in the fourth, as the Spurs maintained control down the stretch to close out the much-needed win.
Devin Vassell led the Spurs with 36 points, six rebounds, three assists, a steal and a block, in 35 minutes. Keldon Johnson followed up with 17 points, two rebounds and six assists, while Victor Wembanyama totaled 13 points, 15 rebounds, five assists, two steals and two blocks.
Meanwhile, LeBron James led the Lakers with 23 points, seven rebounds, 14 assists and two steals, in 36 minutes. Austin Reaves followed up with 22 points, seven rebounds and four assists, while Rui Hachimura tallied 20 points, five rebounds, four assists and a block.
The Lakers (15-11) will look to bounce back as they play host to the Knicks on Monday. The Spurs (4-20) play host to the Pelicans on Sunday.
The Spurs snapped an 18-game losing streak and improved to, 2-11, at home, as they held on to top the Lakers. The hosts jumped out to a great start and held a, 42-22, lead after one quarter. The Lakers responded in the second, outscoring the Spurs, 40-27, to cut it to a seven-point game by halftime. The Spurs reclaimed momentum in the third and increased their lead to 11 points, heading into the final frame. The Lakers could not find any answers in the fourth, as the Spurs maintained control down the stretch to close out the much-needed win.
Devin Vassell led the Spurs with 36 points, six rebounds, three assists, a steal and a block, in 35 minutes. Keldon Johnson followed up with 17 points, two rebounds and six assists, while Victor Wembanyama totaled 13 points, 15 rebounds, five assists, two steals and two blocks.
Meanwhile, LeBron James led the Lakers with 23 points, seven rebounds, 14 assists and two steals, in 36 minutes. Austin Reaves followed up with 22 points, seven rebounds and four assists, while Rui Hachimura tallied 20 points, five rebounds, four assists and a block.
The Lakers (15-11) will look to bounce back as they play host to the Knicks on Monday. The Spurs (4-20) play host to the Pelicans on Sunday.
Hawks Rally To Close Out Raptors
By Dan Bruno
The Atlanta Hawks defeated the host Toronto Raptors, 125-104, at Scotiabank Arena on Friday evening.
The Hawks jumped out to a strong start and led, 30-24, after one quarter. The visitors stayed in control through the second and pushed their lead to 10, by halftime. The Raptors came out better in the third but could only trim one point off the deficit, as they trailed by nine, heading into the final frame. The hosts cut it to a six-point game early in the quarter, but the Hawks reclaimed control and charged to the finish to snap a five-game slide.
Trae Young led the Hawks with 38 points, five rebounds, 11 assists and a steal, in 36 minutes. Bogdan Bogdanovic followed up with 20 points, three rebounds and six assists, while Clint Capela logged 18 points, 15 rebounds and three blocks. The Hawks dominated the glass, out-rebounding the Raptors 55 to 32 in the game.
Meanwhile, Scottie Barnes led the Raptors with 23 points, four rebounds, eight assists, a steal and two blocks, in 34 minutes. Pascal Siakam finished with 15 points, five rebounds, four assists and two steals, while Jakob Poeltl totaled 15 points, eight rebounds, two steals and a block.
The Raptors (10-15) will look to bounce back as they play host to the Hornets on Monday. The Hawks (10-14) take on the Cavaliers in Cleveland on Saturday.
The Hawks jumped out to a strong start and led, 30-24, after one quarter. The visitors stayed in control through the second and pushed their lead to 10, by halftime. The Raptors came out better in the third but could only trim one point off the deficit, as they trailed by nine, heading into the final frame. The hosts cut it to a six-point game early in the quarter, but the Hawks reclaimed control and charged to the finish to snap a five-game slide.
Trae Young led the Hawks with 38 points, five rebounds, 11 assists and a steal, in 36 minutes. Bogdan Bogdanovic followed up with 20 points, three rebounds and six assists, while Clint Capela logged 18 points, 15 rebounds and three blocks. The Hawks dominated the glass, out-rebounding the Raptors 55 to 32 in the game.
Meanwhile, Scottie Barnes led the Raptors with 23 points, four rebounds, eight assists, a steal and two blocks, in 34 minutes. Pascal Siakam finished with 15 points, five rebounds, four assists and two steals, while Jakob Poeltl totaled 15 points, eight rebounds, two steals and a block.
The Raptors (10-15) will look to bounce back as they play host to the Hornets on Monday. The Hawks (10-14) take on the Cavaliers in Cleveland on Saturday.
Rockets Defeat Grizzlies, 103-96
The Houston Rockets defeated the host Memphis Grizzlies, 103-96, at FedEx Forum on Friday.
While Memphis got out to a 29-14 lead after the first quarter, Houston outscored them by at least five points in each of the final three quarters. The Rockets rode a 58-41 second half to their comeback victory, never relinquishing the lead in the fourth quarter. The Rockets shot 38 percent from three-point range and 88 percent from the free-throw line while holding the Grizzlies to 28 percent from long range and 73 percent from the charity stripe. They recorded 10 steals and 10 blocks while winning the turnover battle, 17-11. Houston also outscored Memphis in fastbreak scoring, 17-4.
The Rockets (13-9) were led by Dillon Brooks, finishing with 26 points and seven rebounds. Fred FanVleet tallied 16 points, six rebounds, eight assists, four steals and two blocks. Alperen Sengun amassed 15 points, seven rebounds, two steals and three blocks. Jalen Green generated 14 points, four rebounds and four assists.
The Grizzlies (6-18) were led by Desmond Bane, collecting 28 points, 13 rebounds, three assists and two steals. Jaren Jackson Jr had 22 points, three rebounds, two assists and four blocks. Vince Williams amassed 11 points, eight rebounds, three assists and two blocks. Bismack Biyombo totaled 10 points and nine boards.
On deck for Houston is a road matchup with the Milwaukee Bucks on Sunday. As for Memphis, they return to action on Monday in a road meeting with the Oklahoma City Thunder.
While Memphis got out to a 29-14 lead after the first quarter, Houston outscored them by at least five points in each of the final three quarters. The Rockets rode a 58-41 second half to their comeback victory, never relinquishing the lead in the fourth quarter. The Rockets shot 38 percent from three-point range and 88 percent from the free-throw line while holding the Grizzlies to 28 percent from long range and 73 percent from the charity stripe. They recorded 10 steals and 10 blocks while winning the turnover battle, 17-11. Houston also outscored Memphis in fastbreak scoring, 17-4.
The Rockets (13-9) were led by Dillon Brooks, finishing with 26 points and seven rebounds. Fred FanVleet tallied 16 points, six rebounds, eight assists, four steals and two blocks. Alperen Sengun amassed 15 points, seven rebounds, two steals and three blocks. Jalen Green generated 14 points, four rebounds and four assists.
The Grizzlies (6-18) were led by Desmond Bane, collecting 28 points, 13 rebounds, three assists and two steals. Jaren Jackson Jr had 22 points, three rebounds, two assists and four blocks. Vince Williams amassed 11 points, eight rebounds, three assists and two blocks. Bismack Biyombo totaled 10 points and nine boards.
On deck for Houston is a road matchup with the Milwaukee Bucks on Sunday. As for Memphis, they return to action on Monday in a road meeting with the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Knicks Defeat Suns, 139-122
The New York Knicks defeated the host Phoenix Suns, 139-122, at Footprint Center on Friday.
There were eight ties and eight lead changes in this game, with neither team leading by more than 10 points until a lopsided fourth quarter. New York outscored Phoenix, 42-24, in that final frame to take command of this game. The Knicks shot 60 percent from the field and 59 percent from three-point range while holding the Suns to 52 percent from the field and 39 percent from long range. New York also recorded nine steals to Phoenix's four. New York's bench had three players with a plus-minus of +28 or higher.
The Knicks (14-10) were led by Jalen Brunson, finishing with 50 points, six rebounds, nine assists and five steals on 17-of-23 from the field. Julius Randle registered 23 points, eight rebounds and six assists. RJ Barrett had 21 points, two rebounds and three assists, while Immanuel Quickley led the bench with 10 points, five rebounds, three assists and two steals.
The Suns (13-12) were led by Kevin Durant, collecting 29 points, three rebounds and six assists. Devin Booker amassed 28 points, two rebounds and nine assists. Jusuf Nurkic accrued 21 points, 12 rebounds and two assists. Grayson Allen totaled 13 points, two rebounds and two steals. Jordan Goodwin led the bench with three points, four rebounds and nine assists.
New York has to play again on Saturday, staying west to play the Los Angeles Clippers. As for Phoenix, they return to action on Sunday in a home matchup with the Washington Wizards.
There were eight ties and eight lead changes in this game, with neither team leading by more than 10 points until a lopsided fourth quarter. New York outscored Phoenix, 42-24, in that final frame to take command of this game. The Knicks shot 60 percent from the field and 59 percent from three-point range while holding the Suns to 52 percent from the field and 39 percent from long range. New York also recorded nine steals to Phoenix's four. New York's bench had three players with a plus-minus of +28 or higher.
The Knicks (14-10) were led by Jalen Brunson, finishing with 50 points, six rebounds, nine assists and five steals on 17-of-23 from the field. Julius Randle registered 23 points, eight rebounds and six assists. RJ Barrett had 21 points, two rebounds and three assists, while Immanuel Quickley led the bench with 10 points, five rebounds, three assists and two steals.
The Suns (13-12) were led by Kevin Durant, collecting 29 points, three rebounds and six assists. Devin Booker amassed 28 points, two rebounds and nine assists. Jusuf Nurkic accrued 21 points, 12 rebounds and two assists. Grayson Allen totaled 13 points, two rebounds and two steals. Jordan Goodwin led the bench with three points, four rebounds and nine assists.
New York has to play again on Saturday, staying west to play the Los Angeles Clippers. As for Phoenix, they return to action on Sunday in a home matchup with the Washington Wizards.